Useful School Info and Experiences (Vero Beach, Sebastian: public schools, live in, activities)

[ckuerth]

My husband and I are planning to relocate to Florida, hopefully by Fall of this year. One of the areas we are focusing on is the Sebastian/Vero Beach, possibly down to PSL area as well. It all depends on where he can get a job (I work from home), but we ideally would like to be there.

One of the things I have been researching are schools, as we have a 3.5 yo and an 9 month old. I have been disturbed by some of the negative things I have heard/read about Florida public schools and the Sebastian schools in general. I have looked at a couple of the websites that report school "grades" and scores etc., but I am not finding that information particularly helpful.

It seems to me that all the scoring is based on vague test data, how many kids are improving in reading, math etc., how many kids get free or reduced lunch- that sort of thing. Honestly I dont feel that it is a very accurate depiction of how "good" a school is. I am more interested in things like; classroom size, teacher education/experience, art programs, music programs, other activities offered, curriculum followed, discipline policies, collaboration between the school and parents...

I was hoping maybe some parents who actually live in the area, whose children have or currently go to the public schools, could give some reviews of their experiences with them?

[Fancy4]

My boys go to Oak Hammock K-8, (8th grade and 5th grade). In general it's ok and they are both on the honor roll. The main issue I have with the school is discipline. There doesn't seem to be any, and when one or two students in the class misbehave, the whole class is punished . (Ex- my sons class lost a field trip due to other children misbehaving). Umm sorry, but when I went to school and if someone misbehaved, THEY were put into another class, while the rest of the class went on the field trip. KWIM?.