Move to Clovis/Fresno- Fugman Elem specifics (Oakhurst, Auberry: houses, neighborhoods)

[auberrylane]

We are a young professional family who loves the outdoors and friendly people. We have school-aged children (no special needs) and are specifically wondering about Fugman Elementary. We're looking at Fugman bc we need to be as north in town as possible for hubby's commute into the foothills.
Anything you love/hate about the school? What extracurriculars are offered? What is the culture of the school (community-oriented, competitive, global, sports, test-based, etc)? What is the PTA like? How are minorities treated? Are parents friendly? We come from a diverse area and want to avoid the good-ol-boys Clovis stereotype.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Looked into Oakhurst?

[auberrylane]

Isn't Oakhurst even less diverse?

[Adriatica]

Fugman is a great school, very active PTA, lots of activities. Feeds into Granite Ridge and then Clovis East which are also really good (although there are other HS options like University HS). All Clovis schools are strong on academics and athletics, although tech and environmental studies are definitely up and coming as well. Diversity has definitely increased over time. Parents are friendly for sure.

Is the commute up 41 or up 168?

I would not recommend Oakhurst for a minority family.

[auberrylane]

Originally Posted by Adriatica

Fugman is a great school, very active PTA, lots of activities. Feeds into Granite Ridge and then Clovis East which are also really good (although there are other HS options like University HS). All Clovis schools are strong on academics and athletics, although tech and environmental studies are definitely up and coming as well. Diversity has definitely increased over time. Parents are friendly for sure.

Is the commute up 41 or up 168?

I would not recommend Oakhurst for a minority family.

Thank you for the info! Great to hear! Did you mean Clovis North? He will be going into Prather and Shaver Lake, so I believe he’ll take Willow to Copper to Auberry Rd.

We have 3 little ones ranging K-4th who would start in the fall. Is homework manageable? Is science, art, PE taught? Is there a lot of technology required? (Our current district provides Chromebooks for each child). I’m ok if not- kids don’t need more screen time Are sports competitive- do you have to try out to be on the team? I.e. Could my son join the basketball team if he hasn’t played on a team before (only drills)?

[Adriatica]

Yes, I meant Clovis North. Sports are competitive, but it increases as they get older. So, for K-4 it would not be a problem. Subjects and homework load are reasonable. Not sure about tech right now. I know Fugman is currently doing a hybrid set up, due to covid.

If the job is off of 168, have you considered going further east? Anything in the Buchanan HS district would be good. Those are also very good schools and great neighborhoods.

[auberrylane]

Are there specific neighborhoods you recommend? And elem schools?

I looked into Harlan Ranch but it looks too far from everything?

Tbh my ideal type of house would be in the Van Ness Extension area (based on my searching), with bigger lots for gardening, mature trees, and character in the houses. But right now schools are priority. I do NOT want a gated community, but master planned is ok bc we do a lot of walking/biking and want sidewalks/trails/paths to be safe and accessible.

[auberrylane]

PS idk if this helps but Manchester GATE looks like the ideal elem school to me. But commute would be impossibly far for hubby. Thoughts??

[Adriatica]

So Manchester Gate is in Fresno Unified. Students have to be enrolled at a FUSD school and then tested and invited to the GATE programs (Manchester and Yokomi). It's only for grades 2-6.

You might want to check out Dailey Elementary (FUSD) as well, although there are waiting lists for it. It's an IB school.

Harlan Ranch is a bit out there, yes.

Honestly, I would say that FUSD's GATE programs are likely comparable to the regular curriculum at most Clovis Unified's schools.

You might look at homes off of Audubon, both east and west of 41.

Some Van Ness extension homes are in Clovis Unified (they go to Clovis West). Off of Van Ness, north of Herndon and north of Alluvial/west of Van Ness.

Those great neighborhoods with character (Old Fig, Van Ness, Fresno High) often have bad neighborhood schools. But there are some workarounds with charters, etc.

[auberrylane]

Thanks, appreciate the tips!