How are the schools in NC? (Charlotte, Raleigh: established neighborhood, buy, new construction)

[dig02]

OK, I want the truth!
How is the school system up there? Schools, districts, Teacher Salaries......???
Thanks!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by dig02

OK, I want the truth!
How is the school system up there? Schools, districts, Teacher Salaries......???
Thanks!

Well, schools range from very good to some that are very bad. I think generally most schools are good in all the major regions, but every district probably has at least one or two underperforming schools. Charlotte is the largest city so naturally it has the most problem schools. We all pretty much know the factors that go into problem schools - high poverty, less educated or uneducated parents, neighborhoods where drugs are rampant. Charlotte has more of those types of neighborhoods than any other part of the state, but that is not to suggest they are a large part of the city or anything. In Charlotte 4 of the high schools are considered really bad. The school system is currently under court order to turn those schools around or risk them being shut down. There is a new superintendent this year who has given many of us much hope that he can turn things around.

A big issue is how overcrowded some of the schools have become in both the Raleigh area and in Charlotte. With such a flood of newcomers arriving school systems cannot keep up with the need for more and more classrooms. As soon as one school gets built, there is an immediate need for at least two more. We used to all be able to enjoy classrooms with only 18 students per class and a full time teachers aid to help each teacher. Those days are gone for the most part. My suggestion to anyone moving to Charlotte who doesn't want their kids in an overcrowded school is DON'T BUY NEW CONSTRUCTION. If you buy in an older, established neighborhood your child will attend that neigborhoods school and not have to be reassigned every year because those neighborhoods are done growing, do you see?

I'm not a teacher, so maybe one will chime in on the salary question better than I can, but the last time I checked teacher salaries were about in the middle range compared to the rest of the nation. Not the highest, but certainly not the lowest.

[JAS]

It varies from school sytem to school system. Most school systems are on a county-wide basis, although some cities or towns still maintain their own separate school system.

Compensation would most likely be higher in the larger districts. My understanding is that the state pays a certain allotment for teacher salaries, but the districts are free to increase that with their own additional funding (therefore, the small districts in poor, rural counties probably don't add much to the base salary from the state).

[stmaarten]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

My suggestion to anyone moving to Charlotte who doesn't want their kids in an overcrowded school is DON'T BUY NEW CONSTRUCTION. If you buy in an older, established neighborhood your child will attend that neigborhoods school and not have to be reassigned every year because those neighborhoods are done growing, do you see?

lovesMountains,
That's exactly what were are looking to do. CharlotteAgent gave us some wonderful suggestions, but can you or anyone else suggest some older, more established neighborhoods that are not necessarily in Meck County, but still within commuting distance to Charlotte?
Thanks so much!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by stmaarten

lovesMountains,
That's exactly what were are looking to do. CharlotteAgent gave us some wonderful suggestions, but can you or anyone else suggest some older, more established neighborhoods that are not necessarily in Meck County, but still within commuting distance to Charlotte?
Thanks so much!

I can try What side of Charlotte will you be commuting to?

[dig02]

Thanks for all tye replies. There's so much to think about when moving to a new place.

[south.charlotte&union]

Here is the site for report cards on NC schools:

http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/

I think you will find it helpful Let me know if you would like any additional info

[dig02]

Thanks a lot! That was REALLY helpful. Not just for myself as a teacher but as a parent as well. I already feel welcomed in NC!