Scottsdale School District...how good really?? (Phoenix, Chandler: income, jobs, special needs)

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

State-wide data needs to be taken with a good degree of analysis. AZ, NM, CA, TX, FL etc have unique issues like massive non-English speaker enrollments from illegal immigration; massive legal immigration from other states leading to unbounded growth, crowding, unstable student populations, teacher inexperience/turnover and changing school boundaries; and native American reservations and schools - all of which complicate state-wide surveys.

It is virtually impossible to apply state statistics to a local school district. If there is a common denominator it is that the best schools are in the highest income areas and the worst are in the lowest income areas. It is rather easy to predict what areas have good schools. Look for established affluent areas. This describes Scottsdale quite accurately and the schools there are good as would be expected.

So, the more money you make the better education system you kids get. If I cannot live in Scottsdale because the rents keep raising 200/month each year, I have to send my kids to a bad school system where we belong.

Not good enough for Scottsdale.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

So, the more money you make the better education system you kids get. If I cannot live in Scottsdale because the rents keep raising 200/month each year, I have to send my kids to a bad school system where we belong.

Not good enough for Scottsdale.

Peoria has good schools and there's all incomes in that area same in Chandler. I know I was broke when I lived in Peoria but my kids got a good education.

[AZ_singlemother]

I work in North Scottsdale - the commute would kill me Also I attend college full time in hopes of being able to eventually afford a 2 bedroom apartment.

[sugarlips]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

So, the more money you make the better education system you kids get. If I cannot live in Scottsdale because the rents keep raising 200/month each year, I have to send my kids to a bad school system where we belong.

Not good enough for Scottsdale.

I assume that your post was sarcasm. Regular "working" people can get a good education for their kids. The Phoenix area does have a strong charter school system and many charters are better than Scottsdale district schools. That's not to say that all kids can get into those schools because of waiting lists, etc. But there are good district schools scattered throughout the valley. You just need to do a lot of homework to find them and sometimes be willing to drive your kids to school.

Otherwise, you can work to improve the school that you child attends. In addition to working with your child at home, you can become involved with parent organizations, volunteer in the classroom, participate in fundraisers that can be used for extras that aren't in the district budget, etc... There are lots of ways to get involved even for working parents. Parental involvement is an important asset to schools.

With our kids, we work with them every night on homework and sometimes spend hours tutoring them if they aren't understanding something. We also require reading every night for atleast 30 minutes. Luckily, our oldest has to be told to turn the lights out because she will read until she can't keep her eyes open anymore.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by sugarlips

I assume that your post was sarcasm. Regular "working" people can get a good education for their kids. The Phoenix area does have a strong charter school system and many charters are better than Scottsdale district schools. That's not to say that all kids can get into those schools because of waiting lists, etc. But there are good district schools scattered throughout the valley. You just need to do a lot of homework to find them and sometimes be willing to drive your kids to school.

Otherwise, you can work to improve the school that you child attends. In addition to working with your child at home, you can become involved with parent organizations, volunteer in the classroom, participate in fundraisers that can be used for extras that aren't in the district budget, etc... There are lots of ways to get involved even for working parents. Parental involvement is an important asset to schools.

With our kids, we work with them every night on homework and sometimes spend hours tutoring them if they aren't understanding something. We also require reading every night for atleast 30 minutes. Luckily, our oldest has to be told to turn the lights out because she will read until she can't keep her eyes open anymore.

My kids are doing very well in the Scottsdale school system, in the school they have been attending for 5 years. I compromise several things to be able to keep them there. My daughter loves to read, my son is a struggling teenager. I cannot believe we could be priced out of our neighborhood and other parents. My daughter's teacher lives in Chandler, because it is overpriced. I agree parental involvement is important, which is why I kill my finances and ability to eat to avoid a long commute so my kids can have a parent around.

Thanks for letting me vent

[sheena]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

I work in North Scottsdale - the commute would kill me Also I attend college full time in hopes of being able to eventually afford a 2 bedroom apartment.

I hear ya, that commute stinks. In the old days they didn't even have the 101 that connected Glendale to Scottsdale. It's still bad now because the population doubled.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

My kids are doing very well in the Scottsdale school system, in the school they have been attending for 5 years. I compromise several things to be able to keep them there. My daughter loves to read, my son is a struggling teenager. I cannot believe we could be priced out of our neighborhood and other parents. My daughter's teacher lives in Chandler, because it is overpriced. I agree parental involvement is important, which is why I kill my finances and ability to eat to avoid a long commute so my kids can have a parent around.

Thanks for letting me vent

Sounds like you have your hands full. It's really hard especially in Scottsdale raising kids around rich kids. I moved to Gilbert when my kids were in Junior HS and it was really hard keeping up with these kids that have maids and drive around in BMW's. I actually think I did my kids harm. I think they always felt like they were poor compared to these kids. Well compared to these kids we were

[sugarlips]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

My kids are doing very well in the Scottsdale school system, in the school they have been attending for 5 years. I compromise several things to be able to keep them there. My daughter loves to read, my son is a struggling teenager. I cannot believe we could be priced out of our neighborhood and other parents. My daughter's teacher lives in Chandler, because it is overpriced. I agree parental involvement is important, which is why I kill my finances and ability to eat to avoid a long commute so my kids can have a parent around.

Thanks for letting me vent

You sound like a good mother. I hope your teenager is able to work through the troubles. You are doing the right thing and I hope you are able to stay in your home and not get priced out.

[AZ_singlemother]

Thanks for understanding

[bemommy]

Hello! I don't know if you have already moved but I thought I could help. We have a 5 year old with autism. We were living in Scottsdale, AZ(85260). Our son went to school at Aztec Elementary with Miss Carol Daley. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her! She is the best, most caring teacher for children with special needs! If she had remained his teacher we might not have left. However, the schools in AZ for children with autism leave a lot to be desired and the cost of living was getting crazy. We researched areas and found Cary, NC. While the issues of schools in Wake County is frustrating right now our son is in the AU1 program at Reedy Creek Elementary in Wake County (Cary) and he is thriving! Also, the medical help cannot be beat. This was such a great move for us. I would recommend Wake County (there are a lot of different cost of living ranges here to fit most any financial situation) to anyone with a child with autism. Also, there are less people and less pollution. If you have any questions about either Scottsdale or Cary and need help finding doctors or services please let me know, I would be more than happy to help! Tiffany
bemommy6602@yahoo.com