Possible Move from MI to Richmond, VA (Roanoke, Chester: transplants, 2009)

[jzcrandall]

Originally Posted by consideringamove

I will check out Powhatan. We are Pentecostal/Assemblies of God and I found quite a few churches listed on AG's website. 35 kids per class is ridiculous!!! I'm not very comfortable with the large school district to be honest. It's unfortunate that our schools (in all areas) are getting shortchanged. These kids are our future. Anyhow, I appreciate the input I've been getting, please keep it coming!!! I did look up a few of the school's websites and was surprised to find 5 or 6 teachers per grade! Our school typically is 3 teachers/classes per grade!

I used to be a teacher in a rural school district (I won't say which one), and while smaller districts are more personal, they don't always equate to a better education. This school district let me go because I went above and beyond the SOLs (my teaching philosophy is that the SOLs are a foundation). The larger school districts hire experts in curriculum to insure that kids are getting a quality education. On the bright side, a considerable number of teachers down here are Michigan natives (I grew up in St. Clair Shores myself).

[consideringamove]

Originally Posted by jzcrandall

I used to be a teacher in a rural school district (I won't say which one), and while smaller districts are more personal, they don't always equate to a better education. This school district let me go because I went above and beyond the SOLs (my teaching philosophy is that the SOLs are a foundation). The larger school districts hire experts in curriculum to insure that kids are getting a quality education. On the bright side, a considerable number of teachers down here are Michigan natives (I grew up in St. Clair Shores myself).

Really? Very interesting! Typically here, it seems the larger the school district, the bigger the issues. I'm leaning heavily on Glen Allen & Midlothian.

[SmokeyBong420]

One important thing nobody has mentioned is that Henrico County (Glen Allen), loans laptops to their students at a price of $50 for the entire school year (sept through may). They provide excellent preparation for college (i say this as a former HCPS student, and as a current college student).

When my parents moved from NC to Richmond, they already knew where they'd be working, but wanted to make sure that whereever they chose to live had good schools. They chose Glen Allen (the west end).

[sls76]

Originally Posted by SmokeyBong420

One important thing nobody has mentioned is that Henrico County (Glen Allen), loans laptops to their students at a price of $50 for the entire school year (sept through may). They provide excellent preparation for college (i say this as a former HCPS student, and as a current college student).

When my parents moved from NC to Richmond, they already knew where they'd be working, but wanted to make sure that whereever they chose to live had good schools. They chose Glen Allen (the west end).

The laptop initiative has been mentioned in a few of the other threads, but not this one. I agree with you that it's a great program and I've heard that it's very successful. I have no idea if this is standard for kindergartens, but my daughter's kindergarten class in Henrico has five laptops which the children use every day plus a computer lab on wheels that I believe they use as a class weekly. I'm very impressed with what Henrico County is able to do with our tax dollars.

[consideringamove]

This great info. I didn't know they did that! How awesome! This info is really helping me out!

[540_804]

Originally Posted by sls76

The laptop initiative has been mentioned in a few of the other threads, but not this one. I agree with you that it's a great program and I've heard that it's very successful. I have no idea if this is standard for kindergartens, but my daughter's kindergarten class in Henrico has five laptops which the children use every day plus a computer lab on wheels that I believe they use as a class weekly. I'm very impressed with what Henrico County is able to do with our tax dollars.

With the current budget issues I would be interested to see how this program is affected. Im from Roanoke and the Roanoke County school district had the same program (I didn't attend but my siblings did). However, because of the budget crisis they are weighting many options that would significantly alter that program.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by 540_804

With the current budget issues I would be interested to see how this program is affected. Im from Roanoke and the Roanoke County school district had the same program (I didn't attend but my siblings did). However, because of the budget crisis they are weighting many options that would significantly alter that program.

At this time, Henrico doesn't really have budget issues (unlike Roanoke's $16 million shortfall). Their budget for the schools for next year includes a 2% increase. The laptop inititative costs somewhere between $6 and $8 million annually, which is about 1.5% of the school system's budget. My understanding is they are currently getting bids for a new (I think 4 year) deal. To my knowledge, there have been no talks of cutting this program and I would be shocked if they did because of its success.

[consideringamove]

You guys are all great! THanks for the info! We're still looking in Midlothian and Glen Allen.. the right house will come.. eventually!

[consideringamove]

I don't have to pay for it at all. The company is covering all moving expenses!

[cmatthews6485]

I would say the glen allen area near short pump would be the best place to move in richmond. There is so much to do, and the schools are great, and its still growing. And being near short pump puts you next to in my opinion the nicest mall in richmond.