Sunnyslope High School vs. O'Connor High School (Phoenix, Glendale: apartments, rental) - City-Data Forum

rogetsthesaurus · 03-14-2008, 07:53 PM

Anyone have any thoughts on these two schools (Sunnyslope is part of Glendale and Sandra Day O'Connor is part of Deer Valley).

I've heard excellent things about both...have job offers to teach at both...but wanted to check with people here...

artyst · 03-14-2008, 08:14 PM

sunnyslope!

sablebaby · 03-14-2008, 08:16 PM

I don't know anything about the schools themselves, but I do know the areas. I live down the street from Sandra Day O'Conner and it's a great, safe area. Middle to Upper Middle class area. Sunnyslope area is a much poorer area, with a lot more crime and drugs. Are you sure that Sunnyslope is part of Glendale? Seems odd as it's not near Glendale.

artyst · 03-14-2008, 08:25 PM

sunnyslope has a very diverse (from very wealthy to very poor) population because of its location near central avenue in phoenix. sunnyslope is a part of the glendale union high school district and is an excelling school. performance isn't as high at oconner and i have heard that it just plain isn't a very good school. i don't believe the deer valley district pays as well as glendale union either.

rogetsthesaurus · 03-15-2008, 10:27 AM

It is true that Glendale pays a bit more. It's really a toss-up. Sunnyslope seems to be a study in contrasts: high poverty with very high test scores, ranking high in US&W and Newsweek rankings, more diverse body of students, very old facilities. O'Connor is sparkling new, but a bit sterile: more "average" teenagers, more middle class values, less impressive test scores, etc. It's forced me to really consider the adage "not to judge a book by its cover."

If I taught at Sunnyslope (Dunlap & Central), where would be a good place to rent an apartment? One thing I didn't like about O'Connor was that it was outside the loop, off Happy Valley exit, past two crazy roundabouts. It seemed more remote (of course, that's natural in Phoenix, right?) I'm looking for a quiet place that is within driving distance of good shopping and younger people (no retirement homes).

sablebaby · 03-15-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogetsthesaurus

It is true that Glendale pays a bit more. It's really a toss-up. Sunnyslope seems to be a study in contrasts: high poverty with very high test scores, ranking high in US&W and Newsweek rankings, more diverse body of students, very old facilities. O'Connor is sparkling new, but a bit sterile: more "average" teenagers, more middle class values, less impressive test scores, etc. It's forced me to really consider the adage "not to judge a book by its cover."

If I taught at Sunnyslope (Dunlap & Central), where would be a good place to rent an apartment? One thing I didn't like about O'Connor was that it was outside the loop, off Happy Valley exit, past two crazy roundabouts. It seemed more remote (of course, that's natural in Phoenix, right?) I'm looking for a quiet place that is within driving distance of good shopping and younger people (no retirement homes).

It does sound like a toss up. The Sunnyslope area just south of there is the Central Corridor, which is one of the nicest streets around with very top dollar homes.

Don't worry about the crazy roundabouts. I HATED them before we moved up here and feared them. But, after you understand how they work and knowing exactly where you need to go they are fine and quite fun and easy to maneuver. Definitely not a reason to decide against that school. Plus, there are several other ways to get around without using Happy Valley.

artyst · 03-15-2008, 02:19 PM

well, i would say the sunnyslope area would be better if you're young and single. you'd be much closer to downtown phoenix, scottsdale and tempe where most of the younger single people reside. but ultimately, you must drive around each area and decide which one appeals to you. i teach in a lower ses school and i love it, the kids are great and we're an excelling school! it's true, you can't tell a book by it's cover. i also happen to know the art teacher at sunnyslope and she's awesome. although sunnyslope is an older school it has had extensive remodeling done and is a very nice campus. and btw, there are pockets of poverty in every phoenix neighborhood. good luck and welcome to az.

crystalys · 03-16-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogetsthesaurus

....... If I taught at Sunnyslope (Dunlap & Central), where would be a good place to rent an apartment? One thing I didn't like about O'Connor was that it was outside the loop, off Happy Valley exit, past two crazy roundabouts. It seemed more remote (of course, that's natural in Phoenix, right?) I'm looking for a quiet place that is within driving distance of good shopping and younger people (no retirement homes).

For rental apartments near Sunnyslope High School try Pointe Tapatio area which is around Northern Ave and 16th St. You would be going against the flow of traffic in the morning and evening rush hours and you wouldn't have to get on the freeway. Also try the area around Thunderbird and 7th street to Thunderbird and Cave Creek Road. And any place around 7th St. and north of Thunderbird. These are all for the most part nice areas. And all of these areas would take you less than 20 minutes to get to work.