"Bad" schools .. Truth or Fiction?

[familyofour]

Okay .. so just got back from a quick trip to Tampa and here are my impressions of what I saw:
New Tampa - beautiful, new family communities. Somewhat cookie cutter, and a bit far (to airport etc).
Westchase - newer, well maintained, nice family communities. A bit cookie cutter too, but very convenient to everything.
Apollo Beach - beautiful homes, odd surroundings outside of the planned communities. Far.
South Beach - beautiful homes, definitely urban (homes very close together). VERY convenient in terms of distance.
Odessa - nice homes on great large lots. Seemed very rural (is that true of all of it or are there planned communities there?)

So we think we want to focus on New Tampa and Westchase areas for our search, although we're still open to other options. Have to admit I was very surprised (shocked?) with the price of houses. To live in a comparable home to the one we have now (@ 4000 square ft) is going to cost just as much as, and maybe even slightly more, than we pay now. Very strange since NJ/NY is supposed to be one of the highest priced areas in the country.

Any ways, here are my new questions -
1. what are the zip codes for New Tampa and Westchase? I believe 33647 and 33626 respectively, but are there others?
2. any advice/warnings about any of the schools there (based on the houses we saw would be Alonso, Wharton, Freedom)?
3. is there another area we should be sure to check out? (e.g. didn't get a chance to see Lutz or Carollwood .. worth a look?) Looking for family friendly community with some diversity, good high school, and decent commute - 30-40 mins - to airport, International Mall area

BTW, everyone we met (realtors, service staff, etc.) was lovely! I think we'll like Tampa. Thanks!

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by aquafit2

this past spring we were considering moving to Avon, CT. We went to the high school and talked to a guidance counselor. We were very surprised to find out that our son (a Junior at Durant High School in Hillsborough County) was way ahead of the Juniors there. CT is supposed to have some of the best schools in the country!! I have been very happy with Durant High School.

Yes CT does have some of the best schools in the country. Avon is one of the more desirable school districts in the state. Not discounting what you say about your son, there will always be individual students who excel at a higher rate than the general class, but I would be very surprised to find out that the general curriculum taught at Avon High School was sub-par in comparison to Durant High School. In fact I don't believe it, and I would bet the opposite is true.

National SAT, ACT scores, and graduation rates released yearly prove that Connecticut has a more successful (to put it mildly), education system than Florida does.

If I had the choice to send my kid(s) to Avon high school or ANY high school in Florida, I would pick Avon hands down.

If your son is ahead of the general curve according to what the guidance counselor says, then I'm sure he would have the option to be placed in the AP or gifted curriculum in Avon High School so he could have the opportunity to further blossom in the appropriate environment. Connecticut schools in general are very good at identifying special needs or gifted students and placing them in the correct classes\curriculum. Is your son in the AP or gifted program at Durant?

Test Score Ratings for Avon High School - Avon, Connecticut - CT

Test Score Ratings for Durant High School - Plant City, Florida - FL

Again, there will always be the kid here or there that is the exception for better or for worse, but sorry, there is no comparison between these two schools. Not even in the same league here.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by markhunt

Again, there will always be the kid here or there that is the exception for better or for worse, but sorry, there is no comparison between these two schools. Not even in the same league here.

And you want to know why?


Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program- 2%

You will not find a single school in Florida with that kind of demographic because Florida has county school systems, and county school systems have to meet quotas. As a consequence, the disparity between schools in CT is much larger.

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

And you want to know why?


Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program- 2%

You will not find a single school in Florida with that kind of demographic because Florida has county school systems, and county school systems have to meet quotas. As a consequence, the disparity between schools in CT is much larger.

Of course, this is another factor which just proves my point. The whole educational process suffers in certain aspects as a result of this.

And another reason why I would NOT want my kid(s) in school here.

Again, no comparison.

[FedUpMom2008]

I have heard Longleaf is a great school, too bad the district board isn't as good. It's 30 min from where we live and the only option we have here is LMES. It's our job as parents to keep our children safe and I won't let another person hurt, embarass or humilate them again.

Even if I help 1 child, mine or someone else's I'll feel better. Parents and teachers alike need to be more informed about children with disabilities and what happens in our schools.

Where we are right now: after reports of children being abused (documents to prove cases) my son being hit violently & the teacher being hit reapeatedly someone is finally going to listen.

Many sleepess nights of research I stumbled upon who to contact to get help.

NOTE TO PARENTS! if you're having a problem and aren't getting any help; here's some tips from C.A.R.D.:
General Tips
1. Know who your legislators are and how to contact them. If you don't know who represents you, you can find out by using the online guide. Your senator's flsenate.gov page will give you his or her mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email address.
2. Make sure you understand the legislative process. Even the most basic understanding of the process will help you effectively express your ideas.
3. Contact your legislator about a particular issue before the Legislature takes action on it. Most matters coming before the Legislature are well publicized before session.
4. Use a variety of communication methods. You might choose to telephone, write, email, fax, or visit your legislator. You might also choose to give testimony at public hearings held by the Legislature. (To give testimony, you would need to contact the appropriate committee administrative assistant before the hearing to sign up.)
5. Tell your legislator what effect you think a particular bill, if it becomes law, will have on you, your children, business, or community. Be concise, but specific.
6. Be polite, even if you disagree strongly with the legislator you are addressing. Lawmakers cannot please everyone. Your communication will be more effective if you are reasonable in your approach.
7. Suggest a course of action and offer assistance. Don't make promises or threats.

Writing Effective Letters

Address letters to Members of the House of Representatives as follows:
The Honorable John Doe
Florida House of Representatives
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300.

Address letters to senators this way:
Senator Jane Doe
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100.

I. Be absolutely certain you spell your legislator's name correctly and use the correct address. If you don't, you could lose your audience.
II. Type or print legibly. Sign your name neatly and give your address correctly so they can respond to your letter.
III. Keep letters, email, and faxes brief. Never write more than one page. Concise written correspondence is more likely to grab and keep the reader's attention.
IV. Identify your issue or opinion at the beginning of the letter, don't bury your main point under trivial text.
V. Cover only one issue per letter. If you have another issue to address, write another letter.
VI. Back up your opinions with supporting facts. Your letter should inform the reader.
VII. Avoid abbreviations or acronyms, and don't use technical jargon. Rather than impressing your reader, such terms will only frustrate him or her.
VIII. Don't send the same letter to more than one legislator. Personalized letters have more impact.

Anyone in Pasco County help keep our Representative Will W. Weatherford in office, he is a very compasionate person who does listen to people like us.

These lawmakers may not know there are problems across our counties & state unless we inform them.

[Antony Francis]

an important element to be aware of is that the schools ranking has a lot to do with the attendance at the school, thus an A rated school has good attendance, not the best way to rate a school. I believe no matter what school you put your kids in, in the area, you need to be involved as a parent and in the schools face if you see something that needs to be improved.

[JHG722]

Plant is considered to be the best HS in the area, correct?

[Keeper]

Yes, Plant is considered one of the better HS in Tampa.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Yes, Plant is considered one of the better HS in Tampa.

Is there better in terms of public schools?