Where are the "better" public schools in and around Savannah? (Wilmington Island: how much, homes)

[janeqb]

...for this will determine where we live!! We're planning to move to Savannah from Northern Virginia. We have two small children. From my findings, the Georgia school systems leaves much to be desired (understatement). It seems that those who can afford it, go to private schools because of the poor education system. Realistically, we can't afford to send our children that route! We did find one area that is acceptable and I'd love some input and feedback and on other areas I'm not aware of. My husband lived in Savannah years ago and says I will love it there! I'm hoping it's a good move for my children as well. The town sounds like a nice place for a child to grow up. The schools, I have my reservations.

There are two areas we like very much. Wilmington Island and Richmond Hill (Bryan County). The test scores from Richmond Hill High School, are the best so far (from my research) for public schools - I may have missed others. I love the area as well!! My husband would like to live in Wilmington Island because it's close to the water and is a nice area. Here's where I'm confused....there is no high school in the Wilmington Island zip code!! Where do the kids go then? Do they all attend private schools? Can someone please tell me what the deal is with Wilmington Island?? Housing, location and k-8 are all good! Where's the high school? Who can afford private? What's up with that?

Any other advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated! We love the charm of Savannah. We love the laid back lifestyle and the beauty. We are just concerned about our children having a fair shot at education and this worries me. Private schools are so expensive! We will not be able to afford it unless we get lucky by winning the lottery or if a rich relative crawls out of the woodwork. Ha! So, is Savannah a realistic option for us? I hope someone can help me. Thanks!!

jane

[roslein]

Hi Jane,

I'm looking for the same info as you. Richmond Hill looks nice, but the homes there seem pretty expensive. I was originally looking at the Pooler area, and it seems the elementary and middle schools there are OK, but it's the high schools that look really bad. I have a daughter going into 9th grade next year, so it's a big concern for me.

Hopefully we will hear from someone with some more information.

[bgnzsavnh]

Savannah Arts Academy for High School
Oglethorpe Charter School for Middle
Islands and Pooler Schools are good elem
Traffic around Richmond Hill and to Rincon are a night mare and NO answers. West Chatham area is growing fast---Middle class flight from City schools
I have 2 in SAA and 2 in Bloomingdale Elem (West Chatham)
A new elem and Middle and Technology High are being built on Benton Blvd at Jimmy Deloach Parkway in West Chatham near GA Tech's Buildings
If your kids are bright they can get into some of the academys
If not go look to R Hill or Rincon areas

[Kristin]

Richmond Hill will be your best option for good public schools. If you do not want to have the expense of tuition, that would be the place to look. If the expense of private school is not an issue for you, there are quite a few good private schools in Chatham County. Have visited quite a few - all look good....it depends on what you are looking for. If you will be in Chatham County, Wilmington Island will put you closer to the beach. Moderator cut: advertising

[bgnzsavnh]

Savannah Arts Academy Named Blue Ribbon School

There's a reason to celebrate in the schools. The Savannah Arts Academy has been named one of just six "Blue Ribbon" schools in Georgia. Their students are in the top ten percent when it comes to state tests, and Principal Odessa Richards said she is so proud.

"Our students work hard our parents give us great support and our faculty, I can't even begin to tell you how much work they have put into this effort," said Richards.

Richards heads to Washington next month for the award ceremony.

Reported by: Brooke Kelley, bkelley@wtoc.com

[mygirlsmom]

We recently moved to Rincon from Springfield, MO. We also looked for recommendations for school districts...if you are not going private, Rincon or Richmond Hills is what was suggested as best for us. HOWEVER, I have found the education is a bit behind Missouri. My 6th & 3rd grader have found the only challenge to be sentence structure is deeper than they've learned. Otherwise, I am concerned about not choosing private. Besides that, we are satisfied with the strict disipline, nice kids and - so far - lack of uniforms.

BIG NOTE: If you choose Rincon....watch out for the odors coming from Georgia Pacific and the water quality. I have yet to find any info of the dangers of the air (they don't call it Stinkin Rincon for nothing) but the water system (search Effingham News) is a great concern as it seems to be heavily treated.

Good luck...wish someone would have filled me in on the environment...

[cpowers21]

I think Richmond Hill or Guyton might be good options for you. South Effingham has better schools than Chatham county.

[bgnzsavnh]

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools showcases its 19 specialty programs

http://savannahnow.com/node/207454


Savannah Arts Academy’s twenty-six member SkyeLite Jazz Band is named to perform at the National School Board Association’s (NSBA) 67th Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco,

http://www.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.u...Conference.htm


The Spanish teacher at Savannah Arts Academy was selected as the school system's top teacher for 2008
http://savannahnow.com/node/207449

[bgnzsavnh]

Georgia Tech is once again excited about the chance to host the next local LEGO League competition at its Savannah campus.
http://savannahnow.com/node/206069


Officials at Fort Stewart ask the Bryan County Board of Education to reconsider building a school close to the fort.
"Training activities on the installation may periodically subject students at the proposed school to blast noise from large weapons fire as well as noise from aviation overflights,"
http://savannahnow.com/node/207859

[forest]

I actually just moved up to Northern Virginia (Burke) and i came from Savannah Georgia. The high school i attended was Savannah arts academy and it is by far the best school in the chatham/bryan county area. The Gradutating class of 2006 had the HOPE scholarship given to 100% of the class, which can be matched by no other school in the area. The testing scores for SAT and ACT are among the highest in the nation and during the 2006-2007 school year we received the national Blue Ribbon Merit award. Our odyssey of the mind team placed i beileive 3rd place at the WORLD championship last year. If you can find ANY school in Georgia or for that matter anywhere on the east coast that can top this school then i would really like to know about it.

I went to 3 different middle schools while in SAV and the best one that i went to was DeRenne. The school is not in the most decent part of town but the advanced magnent program there is excellent and the school definitely tops Mercer and Bartlett which were thre other two that i attended. As far as elementary school goes i'm not to sure because i lived there only during 6th through 10th grade. My sister did however go to Heard Elementary and we didn't get any problems there and the education was great