Catholic and /or private schools (Sanford, Oviedo: 2013, school district, relocating)

[Cathte]

Hi! Are there any Catholic or private schools in Seminole County? If so, are they any better than public schools? Thanks.

[Crane's Rooster]

Trinity Prep, St. Mary Magdelen, Anunciation, are the ones I can think of. Personally I think at the high school level many Seminole County High Schools are just as good as private schools, especially if your kids are in the honors, AP or IB programs.

[idr591]

Where in Seminole county are you, and what grade? There are a few good options in north Orange County. Much better than public in my opinion, although you will have some (incorrect) differing opinions.

[bmw335xi]

Trinity Prep is great, I have a good buddy who just graduated from there and loved it.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Trinity Prep, St. Mary Magdelen, Anunciation, are the ones I can think of. Personally I think at the high school level many Seminole County High Schools are just as good as private schools, especially if your kids are in the honors, AP or IB programs.

I agree. Even at the elementary level county school systems offer more programs than the private and church schools do sometime. I know not all the local church schools offer the special classes for struggling kids. When I was teaching we would get kids from the near by church school because they could not meet the needs for their disability or learning challenged student.
Private and church schools can handle behavior problems differently than public, too, because if your child causes stress or problems in the classroom, they can be asked to find another school and you lose the spot.
The other thing you have to check out is the discipline policies. Sometimes you hear that children are disciplined more harshly in the private church schools and some still spank.
Ask about the teacher qualifications and the programs they use to teach, too.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Trinity Prep, St. Mary Magdelen, Anunciation, are the ones I can think of. Personally I think at the high school level many Seminole County High Schools are just as good as private schools, especially if your kids are in the honors, AP or IB programs.

^^^ This.

With the International Baccalaureate Program or Academy of Health Careers at Seminole HS, the Information Technology Program at Crooms, Engineering Magnet Program at Lyman HS, Bio-Science Program at Oviedo HS, Institute of Finance at Lake Brantley HS or the Entrepreneurship Program at Lake Howell HS there are many advanced options. Typically the only reason for private school attendance in this excellent school district is via religious beliefs or unfortunately via racial/economic bias as a few of the top performing schools/programs are in environments with a somewhat high number of Black and economically disadvantaged students (i.e. free lunch). I'm sure I'll take flak for that but as a Sanford resident I have seen it consistently in a district that overlaps with Lake Mary, despite nationally ranked schools like Seminole HS and Crooms (Newsweek and US News) that yet manage to do so with a very diverse student body.

[idr591]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

^^^ This.

With the International Baccalaureate Program or Academy of Health Careers at Seminole HS, the Information Technology Program at Crooms, Engineering Magnet Program at Lyman HS, Bio-Science Program at Oviedo HS, Institute of Finance at Lake Brantley HS or the Entrepreneurship Program at Lake Howell HS there are many advanced options. Typically the only reason for private school attendance in this excellent school district is via religious beliefs or unfortunately via racial/economic bias as a few of the top performing schools/programs are in environments with a somewhat high number of Black and economically disadvantaged students (i.e. free lunch). I'm sure I'll take flak for that but as a Sanford resident I have seen it consistently in a district that overlaps with Lake Mary, despite nationally ranked schools like Seminole HS and Crooms (Newsweek and US News) that yet manage to do so with a very diverse student body.

This is a very common misconception among those who can not afford private school.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by idr591

This is a very common misconception among those who can not afford private school.

How so if the academic deficiencies aren't on the table?

[Cathte]

We might be relocating from NY, and I haven't heard great things about the FL school system
( sorry), so was looking to see if Cath. or Private school would be more beneficial.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Cathte

We might be relocating from NY, and I haven't heard great things about the FL school system
( sorry), so was looking to see if Cath. or Private school would be more beneficial.

Florida for all of it's poor reputation for schools is remarkably close to New York when it comes to the above average students. If your children are above average in terms of intellect, disciplined academically and have your involvement as a parent they should be fine. Otherwise private school would probably be best.

Florida AP classes: Florida ranks fourth in AP Advanced Placement class success - tribunedigital-orlandosentinel