Possible Relocation to Scottsdale (Paradise Valley: school districts, statistics, vacations)

[relocationfromcal]

My wife and I are contemplating relocating from Los Angeles to Scottsdale. We are familiar with Scottsdale from vacations, but we do not know where to start for public schools. We have two elementary school aged children. We are Jewish, not Orthodox or reform, but want our kids in a public school where they will not be the only Jewish kids. We know that Scottsdale is not NYC or LA and we do not care if the school has a 50% Jewish population, which is what some are like in other cities. We just do not want our kids to be the only ones. I know Desert Mountain High School has a decent Jewish population, but what about elementary schools? Thanks.

[gsm113]

Paradise Valley and Scottsdale school districts both have schools in north Scottsdale. Those 2 districts both have fall break which every year overlap with high holidays, which should give you a clue that you won't be the only Jews.
Specific schools I recommend you look at are Sonoran Sky, Desert Shadows, North Ranch, Sandpiper. I'm more familiar with PV schools, maybe someone else can chime in regarding Scottsdale.

JCC is at Scottsdale and Sweetwater. There is a Jewish private school next to it called Pardes.

[Voebe]

I cant answer your question directly, but I do know that there is a multi-faceted center in North Scottsdale, and they could probably provide some guidance.

12701 N Scottsdale Road

480.483.7121
480.481.7123
480,699.1717

[relocationfromcal]

Thank you very much. Any other input is much appreciated.

[relocationfromcal]

On paper, Scottsdale seems to have excellent schools. Is this true?

[gsm113]

Originally Posted by relocationfromcal

On paper, Scottsdale seems to have excellent schools. Is this true?

Some are better than others. In general Arizona ranks at or near the bottom against other states in terms of education. Within AZ I think Scottsdale and PV schools are usually thought to be high quality. But there is some variability within those districts. For PV school district the ones that are further north and east (essentially in Scottsdale) are usually better. It's an unfortunate fact that school quality tends to correlate with an area's affluence. Can't speak to Scottsdale district but if the same assumption holds, north > south.
That said, there is something called open enrollment where you can put your kids in any school you want that has open spots.

[CCS414]

Arizona public schools arent the greatest but a lot of the statistics that are used to evaluate schools are skewed by the massive influx of poor, uneducated, non english speaking immigrant children from Mexico.

[goolsbyjazz]

Arizona ranks near the bottom when it comes to funding and teacher pay. However, there are more than a few schools and districts where kids can get a good education. You just really have to do your due diligence and be involved as parents and your children should do ok.

[relocationfromcal]

Thank you all so much.

[Maroon197]

Originally Posted by CCS414

Arizona public schools arent the greatest but a lot of the statistics that are used to evaluate schools are skewed by the massive influx of poor, uneducated, non english speaking immigrant children from Mexico.

Right right...or possibly they are skewed by the fact that we spend significantly less per student than Mississippi.