"Bad" schools .. Truth or Fiction? (Tampa, Brandon: mortgage, credit)

[familyofour]

I keep hearing how "bad" the schools are but on-line many seem pretty much on par with NY/NJ schools whether I check Great Schools, or the Hillsborough Cty and FL state sites. Yes, I'm sure there are some to avoid and every school has issues so what's so "bad" about them? Could someone please tell me what the real deal is?

Schools on our possible list are Sickles, Alonso, Gaither and Wharton based on looking at Lutz/New Tampa, Odessa, Westchase, Carrollwood and Brandon. Also, I just read a post that kids might not be admitted to their neighborhood school ... Is that true, and if so what's up with that?

Please help! Want to be sure we make the most informed decision possible.

[somesnapper]

I've been touring Florida researching schools for my daughter. As a NYC resident, nearly every school is worlds ahead of any NYC public school. Most of the schools in FL are like Sweet Valley High in comparison. The people who claim some of those schools are "bad" probably never witnessed a bad school. Try William H. Taft High School (William Howard Taft High School (New York City - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) ) in the Bronx - most of the board would be scared to even stand out front .. its all about perspective.

[Antony Francis]

As a former New Yorker, I was a little disapointed with the schools when my kids started school down here, but I see in my daughter who is now 12, that she is turning out ok I do believe that you need to be involved in the school and involved in your kids education though to get the most out of the schools. I often quiz my kids randomly when they are stuck with me in the car to see what they are learning and what I need to teach them.
Antony Francis
Realtor

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by familyofour

I keep hearing how "bad" the schools are but on-line many seem pretty much on par with NY/NJ schools whether I check Great Schools, or the Hillsborough Cty and FL state sites. Yes, I'm sure there are some to avoid and every school has issues so what's so "bad" about them? Could someone please tell me what the real deal is?

I'm sure there are schools in Florida that are better than schools in NYC (5 boroughs).

What are you looking at for a relative comparison when you look at greatschools website or similar?

Just because a school in Florida on one of these websites gets a high rating doesn't mean it's a good school. I think (I may be wrong), that these sites are comparing schools in Florida to schools in Florida. If this is true than thats not really saying much at all if you are trying to compare schools here to schools in the northeast.

If you can get a hold of some of the SAT, ACT, or any other national testing results, you can comapre between the states and get a better comparison.

I also look to see the average graduation rates for schools. The student to teacher ratio's. Student percentage for free and reduced lunch. Student racial demographics (most people say this does not matter to them although I believe most people are just afraid to admit it), education level for teachers as well as years teaching, and then of course you can look at the FCAT scores and school letter grades.

Oh, and I can say that when comparing school districts within florida the top 3 counties in my opinion are in order:

1. Okaloosa
2. Seminole
3. Brevard

[stpeteguy]

Originally Posted by somesnapper

nearly every school is worlds ahead of any NYC public school. Most of the schools in FL are like Sweet Valley High in comparison. .

Moderator cut: comment You must be new here.

There are gangs, shootings, murders in the Tampa bay area schools, just like any other rough school district in America. It's all about money and location. If your wealthy and live in a good district, things will be better than if your dirt poor and live in the hood.

[didi768]

If you can stand the long bus rides and getting up early, send the kids to magnet schools in Tampa.
Muller Elementary in Tampa is nice and so is Williams IB middle. GREAT TEACHERS AT WILLIAMS.

[mquintana]

Schools here are different than schools in the north. I have a friend from Jersey and she actually graduated before her class because she had more credit than the kids here. It wasn't because she was smarter, but because the level of learning up there is more advanced than down here. Brandon schools aren't so bad, I think Riverview ones are better.

[familyofour]

Thanks everyone for your input! I think you've confirmed what I've been thinking, i.e., all Tampa schools aren't terrible and I really need to just check them out for myself. Was getting really worried that they were all generally below standard and I'd end up paying for private schools.

Any advice on high schools to avoid? Also, is it true that kids might not get into their neighborhood school?

[kelly3120]

depends were in tampa ..lutz has grade "a" schools.
You gotta do your research and you are the best judge ....visit the campus!!!!

think Gaither is a "c" ....or you can ship the kid off to the "ghetto" magnet school which aren't usually good at all. Struggling schools w/ a mag. school attached to them.(to boost its grade of course).
I have heard that Sickles is a great school ...lots of nice private schools around here as well but they will cost more then a mortgage monthly.

We plan to let our kids go to public schools in elementary and high school. I'm already saving money for private middle schools

[Davachka]

Yes, the schools here are bad. At least the one my daughter just started. And it was a grade "A" school. She came from private schools up north, to this supposed "A" school. It's at least 2 years behind her last school, and she in all honors/advanced here, and they don't offer languages!!! I knew we should put her in private but my husband talked me out of it because of the "A" grade, said will wait to put her back in private until high school. Now we are scrambling to find a decent private (which IMO they're not as good here if you don't want religious). And the poverty she witnesses at school! And yes, we live in an upscale area, yet the school she goes to makes her feel like she is in the inner city. In her words, she has never seen such ignorant people in her life, nor such poverty. I would be scared of the public system here if I were you. Thats just my opinion, and my standards are probably much greater than most, but education is a priority.