Moving from South Florida to Bham...need help please! (Birmingham: for sale, apartment)

[SoFla2Bham]

I will be arriving in the dead of winter to Bham with my teenager. The plans I had for her schooling are suddenly very shaky and I am grasping for a plan "B". I will be living in Bham city school district so those are out of the question.
What can anyone tell me about Shades Valley High proper? What about admission to their special programs- is that even feasible midyear?

Any ideas for affordable private school that may be amenable to midyear, rapid entry. Not opposed to religious schools as long as they are ok w s being non-religious.

I am so worried right now. Any help is appreciated.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by SoFla2Bham

I will be arriving in the dead of winter to Bham with my teenager. The plans I had for her schooling are suddenly very shaky and I am grasping for a plan "B". I will be living in Bham city school district so those are out of the question.
What can anyone tell me about Shades Valley High proper? What about admission to their special programs- is that even feasible midyear?

Any ideas for affordable private school that may be amenable to midyear, rapid entry. Not opposed to religious schools as long as they are ok w s being non-religious.

I am so worried right now. Any help is appreciated.

Wow. This is a tough one. Ramsey High School might be a good public option within the district. Also, have you considered the Alabama School of Fine Arts? If she is talented in music, dance, art, or writing, that would be an excellent idea. That and the Baccalaureate program at Shades Valley are among the country's top high schools.

Another suggestion, why not rent an apartment or a house in Homewood, Mountain Brook, or Vestavia? Why is it required that you live in the city limits? Don't get me wrong. I love the city of Birmingham proper. But we moved to avoid putting our kids through their public schools. Once the last child graduates, the For Sale sign goes into our yard in Mountain Brook and we move right back down to Southside.

[SoFla2Bham]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Wow. This is a tough one. Ramsey High School might be a good public option within the district. Also, have you considered the Alabama School of Fine Arts? If she is talented in music, dance, art, or writing, that would be an excellent idea. That and the Baccalaureate program at Shades Valley are among the country's top high schools.

Another suggestion, why not rent an apartment or a house in Homewood, Mountain Brook, or Vestavia? Why is it required that you live in the city limits? Don't get me wrong. I love the city of Birmingham proper. But we moved to avoid putting our kids through their public schools. Once the last child graduates, the For Sale sign goes into our yard in Mountain Brook and we move right back down to Southside.

I know this is tough! I am almost to the state of panic.
Can't do apartment...already committed to place in city. (Thought school was secure.)
ASFA is difficult to get into, especially this late in game. I.B is not for my daughter. Smart but not booky. She did IB, not for her.
Ramses I tried, but no entrance for January. Will possibly try there for next academic year.
Is Shade Valley High proper not good at all?
It is hard for me to find info sep from the I.B.
I am really in a bind. So very worried about my daughter.
Any other ideas??

[jakabedy]

Shades Valley is a Jefferson County school, so I'm not sure how you'd be able to get your daughter enrolled if you live in Birmingham City rather than the County. In the IB program, yes, but I don't know how you'd accomplish a regular enrollment.

How about Holy Family Christo Rey? It's Catholic, but gets the bulk of its funding from private sources and the students do relatively high level work-study in corporate settings to pay their way. I don't know about mid-year admissions, but it is worth a try.

Failing that, you can check the private schools and see if there are any scholarships available, or work-study, etc. For the very academically-inclined there is Indian Springs and Altamont. There is also John Carroll Catholic. Other options might be Jefferson Christian Academy or Kingwood Christian. And there used to be I think a Parkway Christian in Huffman - not sure if it is still there.

[SoFla2Bham]

Originally Posted by jakabedy

Shades Valley is a Jefferson County school, so I'm not sure how you'd be able to get your daughter enrolled if you live in Birmingham City rather than the County. In the IB program, yes, but I don't know how you'd accomplish a regular enrollment.

How about Holy Family Christo Rey? It's Catholic, but gets the bulk of its funding from private sources and the students do relatively high level work-study in corporate settings to pay their way. I don't know about mid-year admissions, but it is worth a try.

Failing that, you can check the private schools and see if there are any scholarships available, or work-study, etc. For the very academically-inclined there is Indian Springs and Altamont. There is also John Carroll Catholic. Other options might be Jefferson Christian Academy or Kingwood Christian. And there used to be I think a Parkway Christian in Huffman - not sure if it is still there.

Thank you for the info! All very helpful. Ind Springs and Alt. not options. I am not sure the Christian schools will be for us since sometimes they are overly religious. (I don't have a problem, but they might.) I have a call in to Christo Rey. Fingers crossed.
If I don't get positive response I will see about John Carroll, but it may be hard to get her in mid-year AND ask for financial assistance...
Thank you again.

[Keeper]

Do you know what school zone you will be in? That might help someone tell you about the schools.

FWIW.. many schools in AL are better than ones in FL since they teach things other than the test

[jakabedy]

Also check into Bessemer Academy. I don't think it is religion-based. It's more of a holdover from the old seg academy days.

[SoFla2Bham]

Thank you Jakabedy. That is a good option. A bit of a drive, but worth keeping in mind.

Has anyone heard about Arlington School?

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by SoFla2Bham

Thank you Jakabedy. That is a good option. A bit of a drive, but worth keeping in mind.

Has anyone heard about Arlington School?

Actually, I have. I know someone whose son finished out there. They liked it a lot. Possibly a good choice for you.

[SoFla2Bham]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Do you know what school zone you will be in? That might help someone tell you about the schools.

FWIW.. many schools in AL are better than ones in FL since they teach things other than the test

I am aware that Florida has issues with the public school system...but like any state, there are good areas and bad.


My daughter would be zoned for Carver.