Need help! - Relocating to Houston & Clueless!

[evenyfl]

I'm still getting familiar with how things work here ...and I'm wondering why would some say to stay away from Sugar Land or The Woodlands for specials? I was considering the Sugar Land Area.....now I'm wondering what does this mean exactly.

I found this under "Latest Reputation Received"

"Spring Branch ISD has the best special needs program for public schools in the metro. Location is anywhere from 10-25 minutes to downtown, houses run 300k-20 million. Good luck. PS, don't go to Sugar Land or The Woodlands for Specials"

[HoustonRonnie]

Originally Posted by evenyfl

I'm still getting familiar with how things work here ...and I'm wondering why would some say to stay away from Sugar Land or The Woodlands for specials? I was considering the Sugar Land Area.....now I'm wondering what does this mean exactly.

I found this under "Latest Reputation Received"

"Spring Branch ISD has the best special needs program for public schools in the metro. Location is anywhere from 10-25 minutes to downtown, houses run 300k-20 million. Good luck. PS, don't go to Sugar Land or The Woodlands for Specials"

Did you consider the source? Could be a hidden agenda.

Ronnie

[nana053]

School districts are so variable for special needs that you really can't tell much from posts saying go here or stay away, imo.

The programs are not really at the district level, but at the school level. Everything depends on what your particular child needs, whether the ARD committee is decent at evaluating what he needs and what kinds of services are offered in the particular school.

For example - my grandson has autism. He is high functioning in some areas, but he was relatively non-verbal when he started PPCD. He was, however, potty trained (that makes a big difference in what classes he can be in). He was completely mainstreamed in a school in Pearland ISD last year and will be mainstreamed for 1st grade with a pullout for academic teaching. He has progressed a lot and is much more verbal now due to his private therapies and the Ipad. If they decided at some point that he could not be mainstreamed, he could not go to the same school as they don't have a life skills class. Thus he would be transferred to another nearby school. We would fight this as we think he could still be mainstreamed with an aide, but we would have a big fight on our hands as the district is financially strapped and would NOT want to pay for an aide.

Some districts might have different services and some schools might be more amenable to your needs. My advice is to visit the specific schools you are interested in, talk to teachers, talk to parents with special needs children who are similar to yours and see what they are doing.

Also, look into the private special needs schools if you can afford them. There are some really good ones in some locations (unfortunately not here where we are - there was one that closed and there is a new one opening here, but it is for older kids than my grandson).

[AK123]

Originally Posted by evenyfl

I'm still getting familiar with how things work here ...and I'm wondering why would some say to stay away from Sugar Land or The Woodlands for specials? I was considering the Sugar Land Area.....now I'm wondering what does this mean exactly.

I found this under "Latest Reputation Received"

"Spring Branch ISD has the best special needs program for public schools in the metro. Location is anywhere from 10-25 minutes to downtown, houses run 300k-20 million. Good luck. PS, don't go to Sugar Land or The Woodlands for Specials"

Interesting... maybe someone wanted to just pump up their area of town and put down others anonymously. Wouldn't be the first time. If there's so much truth to the above and they wanted to actually be helpful, they should post within the thread with examples or evidence instead of giving anonymous rep comments.

Work location is a big factor in deciding where to live. Among other things.

P.S. - We've lived around Sugar Land for many years now and love it.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by AK123

Interesting... maybe someone wanted to just pump up their area of town and put down others anonymously. Wouldn't be the first time. If there's so much truth to the above and they wanted to actually be helpful, they should post within the thread with examples or evidence instead of giving anonymous rep comments.

Work location is a big factor in deciding where to live. Among other things.

P.S. - We've lived around Sugar Land for many years now and love it.

I agree with your assessment that work location is important, but when you have a special needs child, you truly have to look at the school because if you don't you are putting your child at risk for abuse from the school or district or educational neglect.

[lowndes]

Buckeye Partners is a terrific company and the location of their Houston office is in Greenway Plaza. You have a lot of options from there. If you want suburbs then Sugarland is a great place to look and if you want closer in I've heard really good things about Meyerland.

[evenyfl]

Originally Posted by lowndes

Buckeye Partners is a terrific company and the location of their Houston office is in Greenway Plaza. You have a lot of options from there. If you want suburbs then Sugarland is a great place to look and if you want closer in I've heard really good things about Meyerland.

Thanks for that added comment on Sugarland, have never heard of Meyerland but it sure is something to consider!

[evenyfl]

Just wanted to add a quick update...My family and I along with some friends that are also relocating to Houston, traveled down there during this past Christmas 2011 and we have officially closed on our new Home in Katy, TX. Technically we are in Fulshear, TX but zoned to Katy ISD. Thanks everyone for your help and comments they were very helpful!