Teachers Moving to VT? (Burlington, Rutland: real estate, housing, rent)

[antipode12]

Hi everyone,

We are two English teachers from Long Island finally dying to get away from here.

I was interested in your thoughts on the educational scene in VT. What arete reputations of schools? Budgets? Teachers' contracts?
Hiring?

Also, where might a couple of 30 year olds begin looking to find a nice balance of affordable and nice?

I'm familiar with Brattleboro, Bennington, and the Ski resort towns (Rutland, etc.)

Thanks,
Justin

[vter]

The Burlington area has the most and largest school districts. The City of South Burlington has the highest paid teachers in the state.
I would start perusing local newspapers online. Burlington Free Press, Brattleboro Reformer, Rutland Herald, Bennington Banner, Caledonian-Record and the Barre/Montpelier Times Argus are good bets.

[antipode12]

Are you from Burlington?

What is your impression of the schools? Well-received? Over-tested? Contentious?

[vter]

Hi there....I don't have kids (yet) so I don't really know the ins & outs of the school systems other than what I hear from friends/family. The South Burlington Schools have a good reputation as of Essex.
There are some "pseudo" private high schools in the state - the school is technically private, but all the local kids go there. Check out St. Johnsbury Academy, Lyndon Institute, Thetford Academy, and Burr & Burton Academy.
These are all very good schools with great reputations.

[antipode12]

Funny - I've actually heard of St. Johnsbury in my teaching travels. Apparently it has quite a good reputation.

[Kkemerait]

You might consider St Johnsbury Acadamy - an excellent school with a global reputation.

[grnvt]

Originally Posted by antipode12

Hi everyone,

We are two English teachers from Long Island finally dying to get away from here.

I was interested in your thoughts on the educational scene in VT. What arete reputations of schools? Budgets? Teachers' contracts?
Hiring?

Also, where might a couple of 30 year olds begin looking to find a nice balance of affordable and nice?

I'm familiar with Brattleboro, Bennington, and the Ski resort towns (Rutland, etc.)

Thanks,
Justin

Have you considered Dorset or Manchester area two children of mine went to Dorset ES & Burr & Burton both good schools - you also have access to Rutland, Bennington, Stratton - So. Vt. is very nice. Real estate can be a bit pricey, however I have a very reasonably priced home for sale.

[GypsySoul22]

Yet 2 more teachers leaving. That makes 4 I have read about today...when all these old biddies finally retire, who is going to teach here?

Good luck in your Vermont trip finding a good life. We're considering NH so we may be neighbors..lol

[DogLady321]

I'm not a teacher but a parent in Brattleboro. Basically the school populations are going down, less kids entering the younger grades, not sure what that will mean for teachers in the long run.
Not sure of pay but i do know that the teachers here still get good bennies and it sure costs the taxpayers a heck of alot for teachers salaries etc.
You must keep in mind that it is rural here so there are not alot of jobs period.
Best to start tracking the ads in the papers and see what you think.
You will probably think housing is a steal up here compared to Long Island but a starter home here is around $200,000, an all time high for VT.
Beautiful place to live if you don't need a mall that is closer than 1 hour away.
Brattleboro is a hip little town with a slight traffic problem but nothing unbearable.
Good luck with your decision.

[chaz longue]

Here's the best site I'm aware of for investigating these questions.

http://crs.uvm.edu/education.htm

Please let me know if I can help - particularly with Burlington / Northwest Vermont questions.