moving to Vancouver (sales, homes, school district)

[forestpixey]

I am moving to Vancouver Wa in 1 week. My children will be going to King elementry and Mclaughlin middle school.. I would just like to know if anyone can tell me your impressions of this school. Thank you, future Vancouver resident.

[st33lcas3]

I'm not sure about King Elem, but both of my kids went to McLoughlin and liked it. The teachers are great, the kids and family always say good things about it too. Their sports teams tend to not be very good, so if your kids are into that then they may be in for some disappointments, LOL. They are starting a dress code there next school season too. The first in the city. Should be interesting.

As far as the town, you'll love it here. I moved here ten years ago and have never thought of leaving. Plenty of outdoors type stuff to do, traffic is good as long as you stay away from Interstate 5 at rush hours and the people are very polite and willing to help newbies. Your an hour from the ocean or mountains. It's a fifteen minute drive into downtown Portland and everything it has to offer, including no sales tax!

Welcome to the 'Couve!

[forestpixey]

Thank you for your info... Question! What kind of dresscode is being introduced. Is it a uniform or just guidelines. Personally, I don't like uniforms. I feel the kids should beable to express there personality through the way they dress....

[st33lcas3]

Originally Posted by forestpixey

Thank you for your info... Question! What kind of dresscode is being introduced. Is it a uniform or just guidelines. Personally, I don't like uniforms. I feel the kids should beable to express there personality through the way they dress....

No, it won't be actual uniforms. Here's a quote from notes of the June 11th 2007 school board meeting:

By majority vote, the Board approved the adoption and implementation of a dress code for McLoughlin Middle School. The two-year pilot program will begin with the 2007-2008 school year.

Mac Attire will consist of pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, capris, and jumpers in tan, navy or black. Blue jeans also are acceptable.
Shirts and tops must be solid colors in white, grey, black or red. No logos larger than a quarter will be allowed, with the exception of McLoughlin sweatshirts and T-shirts, which are always acceptable.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by forestpixey

I feel the kids should beable to express there personality through the way they dress....

I used to have the same opinion until my children were required to wear uniforms when they began attending a new school. Now, I absolutely LOVE it. Mornings are infinitely easier when everyone is required to wear similar attire. And they can still be individuals...they just don't have to do it with their clothing choices.

[forestpixey]

Thank you all for your information on Mac high... still looking for some info on King Elementry, anybody know anything about it..

Thank you

[beatnik28]

I live in the King Elementary district, and thought I'd throw in my two cents...

Out oldest child starts kindergarten in the fall, and we have chosen to drive him to a different elementary within the Vancouver School District.

We love living in this part of Vancouver, it's very central, and it has the homes we prefer (older and on larger lots than newer homes are). Within 5 minutes we can be on I-5, I-205, or Highway 14. My commute to work in downtown Vancouver is less than 10 minutes.

Personally, we have had no negative experiences with the school. Our reason for choosing a different school come from our research only. It in fact may be a school that you and your kids love.

- 25% of the students at King are transition bi-lingual, 70% are on free or reduced price lunches.
- The reading, writing, and science standardized test scores are significantly lower then other schools in VSD.
- A family friend works for the school district advised us against sending our kids there.

Take a look at School Report Cards Data you will be able to view report cards for all of the schools in VSD.

I hope this was helpful, and let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you.

Edit - I can't get the URL to post correctly. Try vansd.org > School Information > School Report Cards Data

[muddles64]

My son will be joining the Mac middle school students; I wanted to know if any one knows exactly what the uniforms consist of?? Thanks so much

[Macrina]

Muddles, this was posted earlier, perhaps you didn't see it

"By majority vote, the Board approved the adoption and implementation of a dress code for McLoughlin Middle School. The two-year pilot program will begin with the 2007-2008 school year.

Mac Attire will consist of pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, capris, and jumpers in tan, navy or black. Blue jeans also are acceptable.
Shirts and tops must be solid colors in white, grey, black or red. No logos larger than a quarter will be allowed, with the exception of McLoughlin sweatshirts and T-shirts, which are always acceptable."

Originally Posted by muddles64

My son will be joining the Mac middle school students; I wanted to know if any one knows exactly what the uniforms consist of?? Thanks so much

[green-eyed_junko]

Honestly, I disliked mcloughlin (mac) very much. I was teased by girls I never spoke to, and very rude rumors were spead. The teachers do know what they are teaching, but the students attidude made my middle school years horrible. I am a freshman at fort vancouver, and I still think that mac may focus on education, but the students are VERY mean. If you do not wear Hollister, you will not be liked. I understand that there is a dress code now, but the students still remane to be mean. I hope you take my honest opinion seriously.