Moscow area/North Pocono High School (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: house, neighborhood, construction)

[LMR422]

We are almost set on our move to the Moscow area (selling our house here in Bucks County and securing jobs in Moscow is 90% right now). Timing is everything, but we are hoping to be in Moscow by summertime.

Just wondering what residents think of both the Moscow area and the North Pocono school system in general. On our many visits, we've been very happy with the area, roads, stores, etc. But have yet to actually talk in person with parents and kids from NP.

Any help you can send my way would be greatly appreciated.

[ScranBarre]

Generally speaking North Pocono is one of the highest-rated and most well-regarded public school districts in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area, so you truly should not have any apprehensions about enrolling your students in the district. I know of a couple of former graduates of North Pocono, and the only "complaints" they had were of hallway overcrowding between class changes (which ought to be rectified with the new high school facility), and the fact that some (not all) of the teenagers in Harmony Hills, arguably the most affluent neighborhood in North Pocono, become "cliquish" and shut out their poorer peers from social functions.

Otherwise as an external observer I'd be more concerned about the childish attitudes and behaviors exhibited by so-called "adults" with the ongoing feuding between school board members and parents/tax payers over the "necessity" of a new high school for North Pocono. I'm in the camp that foresees continued residential growth in the immediate area as Monroe County starts hemorrhaging more people into Southern Lackawanna County and would rather see a larger high school built NOW to save money by not having to worry about building later on when property values climb and when construction costs also escalate. A small tax whammy now is better than a large one later, no?

I wouldn't have any reason to advise you against a move to Moscow and welcome you in advance to NEPA.

[sues1]

My kids went there and i had no problem with it. My one son was not the best student and his attitude was not good as all, and they worked with him, were very helpful and genuinely seemed to care about his well being. I would recommend it.

[cathyde]

We just moved into the area 1 1/2 years ago, and came specifically to this area because of the school district. We heard many good things about the district, and also their special education program (we have a son with autism), which has really turned around from just a few short years ago.

My daughters will both be in the new high school (currently they're in 10th and 8th grade) and are very excited about it. My 10th grader did mention the overcrowding in the hallways was, to her, extreme. Again, I echo ScranBarre when he said that will be rectified with the move to the new school. Lots of clubs, accelerated educational tracks and AP courses are also a plus. My kids are happy with the school overall.

Please, feel free to DM me with more questions. Welcome to NEPA!

Cathy

[live_in_nepa]

I was born and raised in the district. I went to NP for all of my years of schooling. My wife went to NP all of her life as well. We now live in the district and my daughter goes to school in second grade. I have 4 relatives that are teachers in the district and know many of the faculty, staff and teachers. So I should be able to give you a good opinion of how the district really is and what you should expect.

First, the curriculum is one of the best in the area. Only a few districts are on top of NP. The students have all of the resources at their disposal and the teachers do care about the students and how well they do. With any school, job, sport.. you get out what you put in.

Second, I warn you now (like any other area) do not come in with attitude or a feeling that you are better because you came from somewhere else. There are many well rooted people in the area, old families with many ties and ways of live. If you come in with an open mind and willing to tolerate the good, bad, ugly, fun, traditions… you will be fine and accepted. If you come in thinking that some aspects of the area need to be changed, you will find resistance and have trouble. Not saying change is bad, just saying people around here are not that up to much change. Maybe that is why some of the cliquish behavior by those who move in or are more well off.

Third, the area in general has much to offer, 4 season activity, close to NYC and Philly. Many outdoor activities are embraced and enjoyed. You can ATV, Snowmobile, Boat, Fish, Hunt, Ski, Hike, Mt Bike, Jog.. etc.

The real-estate in the area has not seen the hard hit impact as many others.. I would say an average 8% down on most property. There are exceptions and like anything, you get what you pay for.

Jobs are becoming harder to get and the money in the area is well under most. Of course there are positions some do well at.. but the majority is middle class families making under 100k per household.

Feel free to PM me for more detail specific info on the exact area of Moscow. There can be a fine divide that is visible within just a short mile or so.

[LMR422]

Thank you all for your replies. It sounds like we have made a good choice with North Pocono and Moscow. If we can only get this place sold, then we will be all set.

We've had alot of traffic through here in the past few days, and I guess in this market that is a good thing. Hopefully it will be a matter of time before we're out of here.

Thanks again,
Lisa