Camas (Vancouver, Washougal: assessors, low crime, loans)

[Sheila Bird]

My family just relocated to Oregon from Maine. We are currently living in Beaverton and cannot believe the cost of homes. We have been looking into moving to Washington (Vancouver or Camas perhaps) as the house prices seem to be more reasonable there. We still need to be close to Portland, OR for work.

Does anybody have any advice as to which town might be better than the other? Our main priorities are good schools and low crime rate.

[StealthRabbit]

Camas is probably your best choice (low crime, good schools) What age for the schools? If elementary, then Fisher's Landing (across from HP on SE 34th street) is good, but... tough (impossible) to get into on a boundary exception

I know several teachers in Camas district and it is pretty good (I always reviewed WA state specs when my kids were in school) We homeschooled and worked in the local schools as 'family volunteers'. in grade 11 and 12 the kids went to Clark College (for free...) thus they got out of university with only 2 yrs loans to repay

For areas to live... since I don't do 'suburbia'... I'd look by Fern Prairie and new Camas HS, but whatever you do stay out of Washougal District (IMHO) I'm there and the taxes vs. quality of education is really bad. I think they rank highest in student pregancy...but pretty low in math and reading. Be advised that WA has significant prop. taxes (Clark County assessors are quite aggressive) Taxes can, however be on par or greater w/ OR, ALWAYS consider the Prop taxes based on what you pay for the joint, since WA assesses to 100% 'perceived market value'. And, of course if you retain income in OR you will owe them income tax... There is a lot of good employment in WA. If you have to commute, work night shift if possible... or at least do some tele-commuting, or reduced workweeks.

Try a scheduled weekday commute form your proposed site, as weekends are not very representative. I do have lots of friends who do the daily drive, but I would prefer to be unemployed...or... take the bus, and read / sleep

If you do 'suburbia', then just grab a home in the west hills of Camas, preferrably more north than south (to avoid mill smell, tho that has really improved, and will eventually be history)

Camas has terrific potential in the distant future, as it will have an 'ultimate' riverfront when the developers get the mill site.... but I'm selling my Camas commercial props, as I can't afford to pay property taxes waiting for that day.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by janb

Camas is probably your best choice (low crime, good schools) What age for the schools? If elementary, then Fisher's Landing (across from HP on SE 34th street) is good, but... tough (impossible) to get into on a boundary exception

I know several teachers in Camas district and it is pretty good (I always reviewed WA state specs when my kids were in school) We homeschooled and worked in the local schools as 'family volunteers'. in grade 11 and 12 the kids went to Clark College (for free...) thus they got out of university with only 2 yrs loans to repay

I have various family and friends teaching in several different districts throughout the area. Without exception, they all say that Camas is one of the absolute most professional districts around. (My sister teaches there and absolutely loves it.)

And I would second janb's assertions that Fisher's Landing Elementary is one of the best. My eldest daughter attended it while we lived in the district and it is an absolutely fantastic school. Great administrators and wonderful teachers.

Although, I do disagree with janb on one thing. The Washougal schools are actually improving quite nicely. And at one time it did have an alarmingly high pregnancy rate, but that seems to have subsided in more recent years. (Yes, this is purely anecdotal, but I'm unable to find any hard numbers or studies on it right now. If/when I'm able to find them, I'll post the info.)

In all, it's a great area. I love it and miss it dearly. But it isn't always for the faint of heart. The winters can be interesting, particularly as you get further out of town and into the more rural areas, but it's worth it.

[Sheila Bird]

Thank you for the wonderful information! I will definately do more visiting to the area. My gut was telling me that I would like Camas more than Vancouver, so you both solidified that feeling. You gave me more to think about that I hadn't considered also.
Thanks again!

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by diggitydot

...Although, I do disagree with janb on one thing. The Washougal schools are actually improving quite nicely. ...

one thing to be cautious of ... Many very poor schools spend an inordinate amount of time improving their 'test' scores, so as to appear 'improved'. When we were volunteering they would shut down the standard learnings a couple weeks prior to state testing, so as to prep the kids, they had interesting incentives, and requests for certain scholastic types to stay home sick...

Pretty sad to witness since I come from a family of professional educators, but it's just part of the current value system.

It is essential to pay a visit to the school and have some frank discussions with students, teachers, parents, administrators and parents of previous students (to determine how well prepared students are when they left). But as I mentioned the stats can be very revealing. They are probably online now, but I always got them from the state board of education. Reams of info...

[Sheila Bird]

Thanks for the insight!

[klpeake]

Originally Posted by janb

one thing to be cautious of ... Many very poor schools spend an inordinate amount of time improving their 'test' scores, so as to appear 'improved'. When we were volunteering they would shut down the standard learnings a couple weeks prior to state testing, so as to prep the kids, they had interesting incentives, and requests for certain scholastic types to stay home sick...

Janb, if I'm reading correctly, you are saying that they had the smart kids stay home sick?? If they were trying to improve their test scores, then why would that be? What were these incentives that you speak of?

I'm very interested in what you are saying because I've been looking at moving to Washougal and have 4 boys in the elementary schools. The Washougal school system has excellent scores compared to the rest of the schools in Clark County. Their elementary schools score in the top 20 schools in the county and Middle & High are all in the top 15. That is for both reading and math. Seems that if you have a huge population of kids that are out partying (and getting pregnant) and such, then they aren't very studious and how do you get the scores for the entire school up just a few weeks before the test?

I have spoken to many people who have had their children go through the Washougal school system and they really liked it. This is the first that I've heard about bad problems. Tell me more please.

Karol

[Bob2008]

Originally Posted by klpeake

Janb, if I'm reading correctly, you are saying that they had the smart kids stay home sick?? If they were trying to improve their test scores, then why would that be? What were these incentives that you speak of?

I'm not sure I'd put a whole lot of stock into something janb mentions about anyone's educational standards. Just reading their posts leads me to believe *someone* has never taken a basic writing class. Most educated people are able to make themselves fairly clearly understood.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by klpeake

... The Washougal school system has excellent scores compared to the rest of the schools in Clark County. Their elementary schools score in the top 20 schools in the county and Middle & High are all in the top 15. That is for both reading and math. ... This is the first that I've heard about bad problems. Tell me more please. Karol

There will never be a 'winner' on a school quality argument, (teachers and parents are very protective of their choices / careers / agenda's) just be careful, ask lots of questions, VISIT and WORK in the school as a volunteer. After all it is your choice and your kids!!. Washougal's 'sustained performance' has been quite low (tho it is improving with a much different resident than the past (it has been growing by double digits for several yrs, thus, statistically you would note that those of 'original' academic content are now in the 'minority') WSD has worked very hard to up their scores as they were the lowest, or second lowest in county for many yrs. (Clark County scores are nothing to brag about). When the scores started to get published, and schools measured, things started changing (with some validity).

Washougal area was very instrumental in the U.S. homeschool movement, this was not a coincidence...everyone has specific reasons, just be very careful who you entrust your kids too, and if you are having to 'de-program' everyday, there might be a problem...If a HS kid writes papers that you would have flunked grade school for submitting, it can be yet another clue.

Be careful
be wise
be discerning who you listen too

[CamasSports]

I just want to let you know, when you do make your move to either city! Check out CamasSports.com, we have all the youth sports in one place! It will really help you out!