School quality and autism resources in Staunton and Harrisonburg? (to rent, buy)

[oldheathen]

Hi! I'm a teacher relocating from NC to the Staunton or Harrisonburg area soon and hope someone can answer questions about school quality and the availability of autism support services in these general areas. I will be working in Rockingham County or Harrisonburg, but love the walkability and small-town feel of Staunton, not to mention the relative affordability.

My sense is that no matter where we land, we'll be far better off than we have been in NC, but I have some concerns about Staunton and Harrisonburg city schools rankings compared to outlying (and likely more affluent) areas.

My son will be entering middle school, which can be a difficult transition for any child, but he's also very outgoing and verbal - what one might think of as the "little professor" type, eager to make friends but not always knowing how to go about it!

My concerns are that, with school ratings of 3-5 on a scale of 1-10, A) Are schools in Staunton and Harrisonburg safe and; B) Do they offer a quality education to all students?; also C) How integrated into the mainstream classroom are kids on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum?

I've checked out a number of websites pertaining to autism services and family support groups and they seem to be centered in Rockingham County, rather than in Augusta County or in either Staunton or Harrisonburg proper.

Are there any parents of kids on the spectrum who would be willing to share their experience and advice about the best area to live to access services? I would be willing to rent rather than buy if it means my son will have the academic, social, and behavioral supports he needs now to function independently as an adult.

Thanks in advance!

[IKnit]

As far as Autism services ie. transition- don't count on much. The waiting list for the developmental delay waiver is over 5,000 long. My son's # is in the 1000s and he's been on the list since age 6.
Good luck!