To Move or Not to Move, the Schools are the Question (Providence: new house, best schools)

[heylady]

My spouse has received an offer to work in RI. We have a 9th grader and 3rd grader who have been attending a good private school for the past 4 years.
We need to find the best possible academic situations for them both.

In researching schools in RI, there seems to be much conflicting information. What does seem to be consistent, however, is that Barrington schools and Classical High are among the best choices. This question then is for those who presently have children in the school system.

How would you describe your child's educational experience in their particular school/s in terms of academic success and growth? What schools offer the most AP classes, travel opportunities, and diversity in population and curriculum? Do private schools in RI far exceed public schools in terms of standardized test scores?

Also, are there really only 2 new home communities in the Providence area?
Where can we find good schools w/o breaking the bank on our home purchase?

Thanks for your attention.

[nate14ri]

barrington or EG or go private.

[Daniel L.]

I'm a Johnston Student. Johnston schools often get terrible publicity, and we're currently having contract issues... which also resulted in us forfeiting a $4,000,000 science grant to Coventry... but as a Senior in High School... Johnston has been amazing. We have won awards for our success in being one of the first schools to successfully incorporate the new state "Graduation by Proficiency" portfolio system. I have no idea what the best schools are... but if you're considering Johnston (which I don't recommend in general)... don't let the schools be the reason you don't live here LOL!

I can't say how good the elementary schools are because the school committee closed my old one (*sigh*)... but the Johnston Middle school and High School offers exceptional Honors / AP classes like English, math, History (I'm in Holocaust Honors now) and the such..... Foreign Language (Italian, Spanish)... Electives like Band (Band geek here!)... Art (i'm in Drawing and Art Portfolio.. but there's sculpture, ceremics... painting.. etc.).... Chorus.... Computer classes, and more.

Judging from my post here, I need to take a class on how to avoid using excessive punctuation. LOL

[Hollytree]

As far as new homes go, you will find them in outlying towns from Providence. If you want to be close in to the city, you might also consider Seekonk & Rehoboth Ma. They are more rural areas and have some new home sites, especially Rehoboth. Do not expect new houses here to be cheap- land is expensive in NE.

[nwc07]

That is one of the reasons we left. If we didnt have children and didnt need to work we would live half the year in RI!

[AandD]

Originally Posted by Daniel L.

Judging from my post here, I need to take a class on how to avoid using excessive punctuation. LOL

I, too, have an ... unnatural... affinity for punctuation. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the comma. I knew I had gone too far, one day, when I counted 6 commas in one sentence (albeit - it was a rather long, some would say run on, sentence).