Francis Parker (Vista, Linda, Exeter: neighborhoods, schools, to live in)

[Dr. Vox]

My niece is going to be attending here from Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire next school year. My brother was extremely impressed with the school, and their academic program for the lower level(she's in 4th grade). Does anyone have children who attend this school, and if so, what are your thoughts on the school? Are you pleased with the academic program that your child has been receiving?
My niece is average to above average when it comes to the math/sciences, but is probably in the top 1 percentile when it comes to English(what 4th grader do you know reads Earnest Hemingway, and Franz Kafka for enjoyment) and the arts(plays piano and violin, and speaks Spanish, English and is learning French).
Could someone tell me what would be a great city to look at to live in, if they wanted to be close to the school, and not have a long commute. What would be the closest beach to the school? It appears Mission Beach, is the closest from what I have gathered, but am not entirely sure. Would Point Loma, la Jolla or Del Mar work for them?

[cruitr]

If you're talking about the Francis Parker school on Linda Vista Rd, Mission Bay / Mission Beach would probably be the closest beach areas.

As for housing, what's their budget and size requirements?

[Sassberto]

Mission Beach? No.

Families generally would not want to live in the urban beach cities. Point Loma is a reasonable compromise. La Jolla, Bird Rock are other obvious choices.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

I have heard good things about Francis Parker, but why not La Jolla Country Day?

[Dr. Vox]

^ They looked at both schools, and from what I gathered from speaking with them; they were floored with the facilities at La Jolla Country Day, and the area around it, they said,was even more impressive to them. However, they said they felt more comfortable during their tour of Francis Parker, and in speaking with the administration and teachers.

[oddstray]

How about Mission Hills or Bay Park, for family-friendly neighborhoods reasonably close to Francis Parker?

[sdurbanite]

What about The Bishop's School in La Jolla? It's right up there with Parker and Country Day. Can't go wrong with any of them.

[loveautumn]

I think the girl that won the National Spelling Bee is a student at Francis Parker.

[Dr. Vox]

^ Yes, she is. It's on their front page. The fact her parents probably emphasize education immensely, and the fact they chose that school, probably also speaks volumes about the quality of education she is receiving at home, and the great involvement of her parents who understand how vital at first rate education is in this day and age.
My brother and his wife, are HUGE into academics and the arts, and were big donors back east in New Hampshire. The fact that Francis Parker seemed to put more of an emphasis on the arts than "The Bishop's School" also was what ultimately led to their decision to enroll their daughter in that institution of higher learning.
What about a commute from La Jolla Village to Francis Parker? Obviously, LJCDS would be a very easy commute, what what about to Francis Parker? Doable? I believe that was the area they were leaning towards, primarily due to the close proximity to everything around it(i.e., shops, restaurants, beaches).

[bloom]

Vox, did you end up moving or plan to move to SD yourself?