Wallenpaupack School District (Lima, Milford: college, living in, stats)

[LIMAMA4]

Please share any thoughts that you may have. I'm interested to know about all levels. My children will be starting school in this district sometime next year. Thanks!

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

You should go to the web site. It is one of the best disticts. We moved from Dingman/Milford in order to do this. I understand that the teachers are great and receptive. If a child is advanced they push them to go further. The services and activites they have a beyond satisfactiory. You may be able to get a tour if you can the administration building.

[LIMAMA4]

Thanks Hat! I appreciate all of your info. As you can see, I have many threads going. I need so much info on NEPA, everything from schools to builders to furniture places.

[greentown]

I have four children attending, from high school to third grade. If you have anything specific you would like to know, please post it. What area will you be living in?

[LIMAMA4]

I will be living in Masthope and my children will be using the elementary, middle and high schools. What grade does high school start in up there? Our high school here on Long Island starts at 9 grade.

[kinpa]

They used to be one of the better districts, that is no longer true. They are now behind a lot of the other local schools. If you check their stats you will see how far behind they have become. My Step daughter will be graduating this year and she can not even spell simple words. We asked her teacher why she couldn't spell and he said it was not important to know how to spell anymore because of spell check. They push the slower kids right through, no questions asked. The smarter child will get a decent education, but the average child could have trouble. I went there in 76, My kids all went there, with the last one graduating in 04 and now my step kids and Grand kids go there. I have not been happy with the district for quite some time. While the younger kids in North (where my kids and grand kids go) might be getting a good education, the kids in south (where my step kids went and go) are getting left behind. It is really a sad situation. The high school is really getting bad. I hate seeing such a good district become what it is now becoming.
I don't mean to offend anyone, I feel like everyone is just repeating what a great district it is and they are not seeing the truth. WASD is getting by on its Laurels. If people don't start to realize this it will only get worse and nothing will get done to make it better.
You can also YouTube the name wallenpaupack school and watch all the videos the kids are making in class while they should be learning. The teachers can be seen in some videos reading paperbacks while the kids are dancing around the classroom.

[kinpa]

I forgot to ad- there is the kindergarten center- north primary which is 1rst and second. North Intermediate which is 3rd 4th and 5th I think-- then the middle school which is 6-7 and 8 then Highschool 9-10 -11 12.

[LIMAMA4]

kinpa,

Thanks for the info. I will tell you something though, if that were my kids, I would be down to administration in a heartbeat. No child should be allowed to graduate without knowing how to spell. And for the stupid response that the teacher gave you, he should lose his job for that. That is unacceptable!!!!! How often are School Board meetings conducted? I would get some of those Youtube videos together and bring them to the meeting. Let the Board try and explain to you how and when these videos are being made during school hours. Get aggressive Kinpa!

[greentown]

Originally Posted by LIMAMA4

I will be living in Masthope and my children will be using the elementary, middle and high schools. What grade does high school start in up there? Our high school here on Long Island starts at 9 grade.

My kids all have attended the South elementary, and I have had quite a different experience than kinpa. Academically, the teachers expect the kids to be prepared for tests, etc. and although it does take some participation from parents to urge them to study, I do find that if one of them is having any problems,(not doing well on tests, behavior, or whatever), the teachers do call and talk to you to find out what can be done. I have volunteered in the classrooms at the elementary level and can say that I was surprised at the lengths the teachers and the school in general went to make sure that the lower-level kids had extra help and were included in everything the class did. I'm not sure why a high schooler wouldn't be able to spell and the parents wouldn't have tried to find some help through a tutor, but my third and fourth graders have weekly spelling tests with 20-25 words and they are quite proficient at spelling. My oldest, who graduates this year, has been accepted to a local college with a substantial academic scholarship. I recently attended the honor society ceremony, and from what I can figure, about 30% of the graduating class are members of the honor society, which I think is quite commendable. At the middle and high school level, the kids are given many opportunities, through clubs, field trips, etc. to try new things and be involved (way more than I ever had, and I am the product of another local school).

I'm quite sure that in any school, there are a few teachers that aren't so great and others that are exceptional. But the opportunites to learn are there for kids if they choose to take advantage of them.

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

Originally Posted by greentown

My kids all have attended the South elementary, and I have had quite a different experience than kinpa. Academically, the teachers expect the kids to be prepared for tests, etc. and although it does take some participation from parents to urge them to study, I do find that if one of them is having any problems,(not doing well on tests, behavior, or whatever), the teachers do call and talk to you to find out what can be done. I have volunteered in the classrooms at the elementary level and can say that I was surprised at the lengths the teachers and the school in general went to make sure that the lower-level kids had extra help and were included in everything the class did. I'm not sure why a high schooler wouldn't be able to spell and the parents wouldn't have tried to find some help through a tutor, but my third and fourth graders have weekly spelling tests with 20-25 words and they are quite proficient at spelling. My oldest, who graduates this year, has been accepted to a local college with a substantial academic scholarship. I recently attended the honor society ceremony, and from what I can figure, about 30% of the graduating class are members of the honor society, which I think is quite commendable. At the middle and high school level, the kids are given many opportunities, through clubs, field trips, etc. to try new things and be involved (way more than I ever had, and I am the product of another local school).

I'm quite sure that in any school, there are a few teachers that aren't so great and others that are exceptional. But the opportunites to learn are there for kids if they choose to take advantage of them.

All valid points. It is very important for parents to be involved with their children's education - volunteering etc and being right on top of things. As a parent myself, I am right on top of things. I hear nothing but great things about WSD and that one of the reasons we moved into this area. It is also good for to attend board meetings and get involved.