How to research Schools in Florida (Orlando, Sanford: 2014, school districts, to live in)

[irinagiv]

Thinking about moving to Orlando, Florida this summer. Have three kids and all of them will have to be in different schools: elementary, middle and high. Everywhere I research like greatschools.org website shows schools in Florida are not that great. I wonder how it is compared to different states. I mean our public system is not great every where.... Is greatschools website is credential source? All I hear from my friends that Florida public system is one of the worst in the nations. I need your help deciding if this is really the case. I am planning to move from Washington state. Thank you for your inputs.

[LordHomunculus]

Well, the GreatSchools website is the only website that provides detailed information about local schools (but there might be other websites, idk). It provides school test grades, demographic information, etc.

According to this website:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/qc/2014/sta...ort_cards.html

Florida took a nosedive in school rankings. Your state seems to rank better. But if you still plan on coming down here, at least consider the Greatschools website. It's not like there ISN'T good schools in Florida.

[kyle19125]

I have a hard time justifying the accuracy of a ranking system where Florida went from 5th to 8th, then to 34th in the course of three years. Test scores have been improving as have graduation rates (up 34% since last year). I realize the state has a long way to go but it certainly hasn't dissolved as the rankings would lead you to believe.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by irinagiv

Thinking about moving to Orlando, Florida this summer. Have three kids and all of them will have to be in different schools: elementary, middle and high. Everywhere I research like greatschools.org website shows schools in Florida are not that great. I wonder how it is compared to different states. I mean our public system is not great every where.... Is greatschools website is credential source? All I hear from my friends that Florida public system is one of the worst in the nations. I need your help deciding if this is really the case. I am planning to move from Washington state. Thank you for your inputs.

Check out the Lake Mary/Sanford, Oviedo and Winter Park school districts where all three levels are "A"-rated and well-documented as quality schools.

[idr591]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Check out the Lake Mary/Sanford, Oviedo and Winter Park school districts where all three levels are "A"-rated and well-documented as quality schools.

We always forget the A rated downtown Orlando district; Boone/Blankner.

[Consigliere]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Check out the Lake Mary/Sanford, Oviedo and Winter Park school districts where all three levels are "A"-rated and well-documented as quality schools.

While the overall Seminole County school district is A rated, only a little more than half of the individual schools therein are A rated. The others vary from B to D rated, including schools in Lake Mary (some B rated), Sanford (2/3 are B to D rated), and Oviedo (some B rated).

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Consigliere

While the overall Seminole County school district is A rated, only a little more than half of the individual schools therein are A rated. The others vary from B to D rated, including schools in Lake Mary (some B rated), Sanford (2/3 are B to D rated), and Oviedo (some B rated).

That's mostly within the last year when the test scoring criteria changed and some schools previously rated as "A" became "B" and some "B" into "C". Higher performing schools were rewarded with higher goals to achieve and it's not a case where suddenly many were hit with the dumb stick. Unfortunately no one really delved into the change in scores from 2012 to 2013 in terms of enlightening the public, with asterisks and further explanation in the results column for instance.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

That's mostly within the last year when the test scoring criteria changed and some schools previously rated as "A" became "B" and some "B" into "C". Higher performing schools were rewarded with higher goals to achieve and it's not a case where suddenly many were hit with the dumb stick. Unfortunately no one really delved into the change in scores from 2012 to 2013 in terms of enlightening the public, with asterisks and further explanation in the results column for instance.

Exactly. It defies logic why people post "answers" and "info" when they don't know what's going on.

For example the change in ratings to force a lower rating based on some new nebulous criteria of "likely hood of success" or some crap (I forget the exact wording).

NY scores dropped, TOO.

It was PREDICTED and expected due to the NEW [everything]. In order to prepare for Common Core.

Grades were expected to fall as a result of myriad changes to the grading formula and higher testing standards implemented statewide. There were 19 changes to the state accountability system last year, plus 13 this year

Vero Beach 32963 - Vero Beachside Newspaper - Vero Beach News - Serving Zip 32963 - Beachland loses its ?A? grade; principal vows to get it back

No Treasure Coast middle or elementary school improved its grade | Grades database, Video » TCPalm.com

https://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/...ion-standards/

[irinagiv]

Thank you all. There is so much conflicting information and it is so hard to make a decision. I don't want to live in a very rural place, at the same time I want my kids to get good education.

[idr591]

Originally Posted by irinagiv

Thank you all. There is so much conflicting information and it is so hard to make a decision. I don't want to live in a very rural place, at the same time I want my kids to get good education.

I would consider the Winter Park (Glenridge middle, Winter Park high) or Delaney Park (Blankner / Boone) areas if you want good public schools in an urban setting.

There are also good private schools in town.