Spokane Teenagers (South Hill, Cheney: job, crime, college)

[Deena160]

Okay, here's something different then your average questions on neighborhoods,crime, etc...
Anyone out there with teenagers in Spokane? Still working on where the perfect fit will be for my family. I've been checking out schools with more concern for my two younger disabled children, but not so much for my oldest daughter who just has just turned 17. I want to make sure we're somewhere that she'll feel comfortable. She's what I like to call, "Bohemian" but she'd call it Goth or Lolitta. She's not hardcore, but I never know what she's going to come out of the bedroom wearing. One day it'll be jeans and t-shirt, next it'll be something black and scary, then the next she'll decide to wear all lace and pearls. Gotta love her.
I guess my worry is that we could land somewhere that's really "preppie" and she would be a total outcast--it's already bad enough to be moving in your senior year although she's all for it! I'm thinking South Hill would be more like that, yes or no? What about The Valley or Indian Trail areas?
Anyone with access to teenagers out there give me a hawler! :~) D

[WendyK]

Deena - I have 3 teenagers and we're in the Nine Mile district. I posed your question to my 16 yr. old daughter and she said that you should be fine with Ferris, LC, or Shadle HS. Not too familiar with the valley high schools. You would probably find more of the preppy types at Mead but there's a big population there, so I'm sure there are bohemian types too. Spokane in general is not a very formal city - kind of casual as far as dress goes, so I think your daughter would fit in pretty much any where. You know how teens are -- I've been through the blue hair, the shaved head, the pierced nose (okay it looks cute on her!), the baggy jeans, the tight jeans....
Has she been on myspace to pre-meet any teens here in Spokane? That might be a good way for her to check out some local teenagers.

[Deena160]

Thanks, Wendy! You're always helpful, but they won't let me give you anymore kudos until I give some to somebody else!
What's LC stand for? All I'm finding is Libby Center and I'm pretty sure the gifted program isn't what we're looking for(she may never pass that silly math WASL...). The MySpace is a good idea. At least she thought so. Those places still scare me.
I'm feeling the blue hair thing. Right now my daughter is mad at her choir teacher because she doesn't want the kids to have non-natural coloured hair for upcoming concerts and festivals. So, her hair is it's boring dark brown with the large shock of white down both sides. It's driving her crazy--The pink, purple, blue, and turquoise hair dyes are calling to her from the bathroom cupboard! Oh, well. The hair (and fashion) thing I "let" her(and often enable her) to do because it bugs her dad enough so she feels rebelious without getting into too much trouble. :~) D

[fy10fyr]

LC -- Lewis and Clark HS. It's downtown, next to Deaconess Med. Center.

[ktm2007]

Honestly, I think it is a bit of a crap shoot. I think you are going to find the preppy kids everywhere, not necessarily just on the south hill. My family moved to Spokane while I was in high school, and I ended up at Prep. As far as LC and Ferris go, both are relatively good schools and I believe pretty similar in size. I would personally pick LC over Ferris if I were to do high school over again (No Thank You! ). When I was in High School there seemed to be a more diverse crowd there (I lived in LC district).

Good luck in your decision!

[bigtrees]

I think she'll be able to find her niche somewhere. If not - well, maybe time for a new niche! I went to school at a resort town in Montana (Whitefish) and your daughter would have fit in with a certain crowd there, even though Whitefish may not be known for the goth scene.

Anyways, she'll grow out of it eventually and on her own terms....but the move may be good for her since no one at the new school will know what she used to be like, and she may or may not choose to continue her style she had at the old school.

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by lgmagone

Anyways, she'll grow out of it eventually and on her own terms....but the move may be good for her since no one at the new school will know what she used to be like, and she may or may not choose to continue her style she had at the old school.

Thanks, I had thought the same thing. It's not that I mind the styles so much (I probably would have liked the same thing when I was going through my 'black' period in HS), but it's some of the other people who run in that genre! eek. She does have some really nice friends, but there are a few that scare me. I'm a mom, it's my job to be freaked out about such things. :~) D

[niccola]

Lewis and Clark is a great school. That is were I went to high school. It is very diverse, and everyone seems to get along very well. Plus there are LOADS of activities and clubs that you can be part of. It is also a very beautiful school
I can say that I am very happy that I went to LC


P.S.
Honestly though, I think meeting people on myspace is never a good idea. I mean thats why parents don't like it right?....Because they are afraid of strangers, and people who aren't who they say they are.

You met people in you classes, then if you want to talk to them on myspace you can.

[Spokanitesdotcom]

I've seen allot of Goth Teens around Northtown Mall. Corner of Wellsley and Division. They usually hang out in the Northtown mall. In fact if a store opens there that doesn't cater to the teen world they probably wont last.

[jsongbird]

Hey there- I'm not a mom, but I am a teenager who grew up in the Spokane area. I'm 18 now, going on 19, just started freshman year of college @ Whitworth. As for the South Hill, yeah, it's got a rep for being a little more posh, though I hear Lewis & Clark HS isn't a bad place to be. I went to Cheney HS- smaller, definitely more rural, but loved it. Good teachers, good classes, wide range of "social niches", but not too cliquey or exclusive.