We live in Pleasant Hill...thinking of moving to Moraga/ Orinda for the schools: need advice (Berkeley: best schools)

[nocaltonc]

For anyone kind enough to reply...
We've been living in Pleasant Hill for a number of years now - hubby works in SF, three kids in Mt. Diablo school system. Not so sure how we feel about continuing into middle school and high school in this district. We hear that the Lamorinda middle and high schools are so much better. Is this true? How do College Park or Northgate compare to Miramonte and Campolindo? I've been on all the school websites/ Great Schools, etc. , but I'm curious from the standpoint of parents with kids actually attending these schools. I guess it depends on who you ask...some say College Park is great, some say it stinks. Some say Campo. is great, some say it's overrated.

Is Sequoia Middle school getting worse? (so some say) Is Joaquin Moraga or Orinda Intermediate really that much better and why? Are there worse drugs problems at the Lamorinda HS's or about the same as College Park and Northgate?

Advice we've gotten so far is that we as parents will make the difference in our kids lives, not the schools. Assuming we are good parents already (haha), shouldn't we look to put them in the best schools possible as well?

So...if you have kids in any of the schools mentioned: Sequoia Middle, College Park, Northgate, Joaquin Moraga Middle, Orinda Intermediate, Miramonte and Campolindo - we'd love your input. Tell me what you think about your school. MUCH THANKS!

[clongirl]

If you're happy living Pleasant Hill, I wouldn't go through all the trouble/trauma etc. of moving just for the schools in Lamorinda. It's such a difficult age for moving (I've done it before, and I will never do it again!)

As for the middle school, I have a child that attends here..I honestly don't think it's outstanding or anything- just your typical middle school- a few good teachers and a few really bad ones! I don't feel like "wow, my kid is learning so much"..it's more like "wow, so much homework again."

I think the pressure to succeed and parental involvement is very high here (you know, the whole affluence and a high population of degree holders seems to have a lot to do with it). I do feel that my child is safe at this school- not really a bully atmosphere or anything.

If you were to ask me to choose between Richmond schools or the public schools in Berkeley or something vs Lamorinda schools, I would give you completely different advice of course. I just don't think there's that HUGE of a difference to justify moving since you are obviously an involved/engaged parent (which is the biggest factor in a child's success-like you're friends always tell you!).

As for the the high schools- I don't have any experience yet..I've heard that Campo is very academic leaning (which may or may not be a benefit) and has good sports programs. I've heard that Acalanes has very good artistic/music programs. I'm not too familiar with Miramonte though. I know the testing scores are very high (which sometimes means a lot of pressure/preparation too)

One added benefit to the high schools here- I've heard that you actually get a choice of attending any of the three in the district. So this is a positive imo. Hope this helps a bit!

[nocaltonc]

Yes...this was very helpful, thanks! Which middle school does your child attend? Safety is a big factor for us. I've just heard some weird stuff about Sequoia Middle and student (s) with uncle (s) in a gang. Hmmm...
I moved a lot as a child and I guess it didn't feel too horrible (except the move right before 9th grade). I would like to move before middle school to avoid the high school move.

Does anyone know if it is better to be at the top of your graduating class at a mediocre high school, or slightly lower than the top at an excellent high school? (speaking in terms of college applications) I've never wanted my kids to be the "big fish in a little pond" because I feel that this is not a real world experience and I don't want them so shocked when they do get into the real world. However, I've heard that when universities are condisering applicants, it looks better to be at the top of your class, even if your school is not as challenging as others.

Anyone agree or disagree or know whether or not this is true?

[sav858]

Originally Posted by nocaltonc

Does anyone know if it is better to be at the top of your graduating class at a mediocre high school, or slightly lower than the top at an excellent high school? (speaking in terms of college applications) I've never wanted my kids to be the "big fish in a little pond" because I feel that this is not a real world experience and I don't want them so shocked when they do get into the real world. However, I've heard that when universities are condisering applicants, it looks better to be at the top of your class, even if your school is not as challenging as others.

Anyone agree or disagree or know whether or not this is true?

I don't think it's necessarily better to be at the top of your class b/c colleges take how difficult the school is into account. I went to Las Lomas High school in Walnut Creek that is part of the Acalanes Union High School District and they didn't even rank us at all and I don't believe we even had a valedictorian. I was told by counselors there that b/c LL was so competitive there was no point in ranking students or something like that.