Good schools for Special Ed?? (Kennewick, Richland: home, best school, camp)

[IntlMom]

Ok, I am the next person saying "we are considering a move to the TC area and have questions"..... yadda, yadda, yadda.

Hubby has a job proposal in the area. I've figured out that the Richland and Kennewick locations will be the desireable towns for us to look at. But which one really has the better schools, specifically for spec ed? We don't need to make this move, but if we can get better schools than we have in CA, we will do it. I am from the western side of the state, and other than attending Eastern 20 years ago, I don't know too much about the east side of the state. I have read through all the threads about all the areas, and I just want to say "thanks" for everyone giving so much inpiut and inforamation to those of us considering a move. This is a great place for great info.

TIA

[ourrousehouse]

I'm not sure what type of Special Ed programs you need but my foster son was in Sunset View Elementary in Kennewick School District, he had an IEP and was in special programs to help him progress. He started in kindergarten shortly after he arrived to our home and had the comprehension of a 3 year old and didn't know any letters or numbers. Everyone there was an awesome advocate for him and we put him in various reading and math programs at the school for extra help. By second grade he was doing great. The compassionate and attentive staff and parent involvement at that particular school is awesome. In general I would think that any of the Tri-Cities schools would beat many California schools as far as learning/social environment and they have quite a bit of community and financial support. I am from the Santa Barbara area and went to school there and my nieces are in schools in Lompoc, CA. The Tri-Cities in general is very family-oriented. I prefer Kennewick myself for shopping and the huge library here.

[j_k_k]

Best school for Special Ed? WSU-Pullman!

[M3 Mitch]

I don't think there is enough difference between Kennewick and Richland schools to make that the main reason to pick one town over the other. If you are looking at work at Hanford, me, I would go with Richland or rural areas near Richland to shorten the commute. In any case I don't think much of an argument can be made that Richland's schools are not as good as Kennewick. Full disclosure - I don't have kids, and do not/have not lived in either town proper (if you don't count temporary apt. back in '91)

Or, don't listen to me, and join the herd as they shift from the trendy areas of South Richland and Kennewick out to the Area in the morning, and idle on the Bypass in the evenings waiting for the lights to change. It's not like CA traffic but I don't see any sense in volunteering for it.

[j_k_k]

Mitch is accurate in all particulars, as is his custom. I don't know why people prefer to live in brand new mansions that are far too enormous and costly for their budgets, manufacturing something (a hideous commute) that should be all but impossible in the TC unless you live in WR and commute to south Finley, when there are tons of good places to pitch camp in north Richland. If I had to ranch out at the Lazy H, I'd get as close to it as I could and still need night lights.

[IntlMom]

thanks everyone....... I've talked to the spec ed directors at both Richland and Kennewick. I surely got a much better "feel" from Kennewick. Combine that with the little that I know, and what you all are saying.....and Kennewick looks to be the early front runner. (now there's the pesky problem of deciding what to do about the job offer on the table)

thanks again.