New to area, Help with schools (Phoenix, Avondale: where to buy, middle schools, shops)

[intoaz]

Hello, we just moved to Avondale temperately from indiana. we have a (old sole)13yr old that is very much into the old western ways and likes to dress that way. He has a horse he loves riding and is into the shooting sports. His goal is to be a gunsmith and run a boarding ranch.

Before we decide where to buy a house, we are looking for a school on the east side of Phoenix that has programs that fit his likes but still has a good curriculum.

Any help or thoughts would be great.

Thanks

[LBTRS]

You didn't convey much about his likes except for old western ways, dressing like that, horses, shooting sports, gunsmiths and boarding ranch. I doubt there are many schools with programs that will fit those likes in the metro area.

I think the closest you could come would be a school with a good FFA program and metal or wood shops. Looking at this map there appears to be a bunch of FFA Chapters in the East Valley. I was in FFA in high school and while it was a great program it didn't cover many of the things you listed about your son other than the horses. Not many kids dressed in old west gear, no guns or shooting sports and nothing about "old western ways". Was simply agriculture related projects and programs. Regardless, he'll have to wait for high school for that. I'm not sure there are any middle schools that offer such programs.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...244&dg=feature

Hopefully someone will come along with some more specific information about the east valley offerings.

BTW: Are you going to need horse property for your son's horse when you purchase your home? That will severely limit what schools you'll have to choose from.

[military spouse]

When he gets to high school, you might consider Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center schools; there is one in Avondale and one around South Mountain. Our daughter almost went there and several of her friends do go there and are very happy. Also, there is a stable in Litchfield Park at just west of Dysart/Camelback.