Moving in August to Florida, still choosing a town. Want to know the absolute best school for 4th grade and pre-K
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I grew up in Miami and am now living in Ireland. I'm looking to move back near my family. I thought I'd never move back to Miami, but after living out of the country (and having 3 small boys) family is paramount. I too am looking for the best school to put my boys into as I'm very happy with their education here. I taught elem. school in Miami-Dade cty and in Orange cty (Orlando). My advice to you: since you don't know what area to look in yet, I suggest you decide what environment (social/climate/etc) you're interested in being in. South FL is very different to Central or Northern FL. The east coast
North Florida gets colder. If you cut the state in half -- the lower half temperatures are more tropical. On the Atlantic coastline -- the water has bigger waves and stays cooler. The gulf side does not have the waves found on the Atlantic side and the Gulf water temperature is usually more moderate.
The main difference that you might notice is that instead of the majority of persons being from the same geographic location, Florida is a melting pot of persons from everywhere. Not many are from Florida, although there are a few, most are transplants from somewhere else :)
Hurricanes aren't fun, but at least there is usually a warning which allows persons to move out of the path of the storm; and, while possession may be lost -- many lives can be spared -- if prudence is observed. Also, national coverage on hurricanes usually focus on the worst one or two images which make the perception seem often worse than the reality.
Here is a quick reference that may be of some assistance:
www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/
The main difference that you might notice is that instead of the majority of persons being from the same geographic location, Florida is a melting pot of persons from everywhere. Not many are from Florida, although there are a few, most are transplants from somewhere else :)
Hurricanes aren't fun, but at least there is usually a warning which allows persons to move out of the path of the storm; and, while possession may be lost -- many lives can be spared -- if prudence is observed. Also, national coverage on hurricanes usually focus on the worst one or two images which make the perception seem often worse than the reality.
Here is a quick reference that may be of some assistance:
www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/
I guess we will have to wait and keep researching until we know where we wnat to be. The recession has hit every where real hard, I guess I am just a little scared for my children to move, we are from a really small and close town (everyone knows everyone else's business). I have always lived in massachusetts and only visited Florida. I want to try and stay away from the most Hard hit areas of Hurricanes. i have lived thru them, and Blizzards, I know there is always a chance.
Florida is a huge state. There are 67 counties within Florida -- which includes 78 school districts (see attached links):
www.fldoe.org/Schools/schoolma
www.greatschools.net/schools/d
Within each of these counties are both good and bad schools. Some better than others. Even so, Florida has been impacted by the recession. Housing prices are down -- property taxes and insurance costs are up and unemployment is up. School districts are in the midst of large budget crisis and cuts. There are many factors to consider when selecting where to live.
Asking which school is the best in Florida is tantamount to asking which school is the best in the Nation. It would be easier if you narrowed your search down to a particular area of Florida and then within those constraints began narrowing down your search.
Here is a map of Florida with all the districts outlined:
nces.ed.gov/surveys/sdds/ed/in
Once you choose a district - you can use the research and compare feature at GS to select a school within a particular district:
www.greatschools.net/modperl/g
Best Wishes.
www.fldoe.org/Schools/schoolma
www.greatschools.net/schools/d
Within each of these counties are both good and bad schools. Some better than others. Even so, Florida has been impacted by the recession. Housing prices are down -- property taxes and insurance costs are up and unemployment is up. School districts are in the midst of large budget crisis and cuts. There are many factors to consider when selecting where to live.
Asking which school is the best in Florida is tantamount to asking which school is the best in the Nation. It would be easier if you narrowed your search down to a particular area of Florida and then within those constraints began narrowing down your search.
Here is a map of Florida with all the districts outlined:
nces.ed.gov/surveys/sdds/ed/in
Once you choose a district - you can use the research and compare feature at GS to select a school within a particular district:
www.greatschools.net/modperl/g
Best Wishes.
I don't live in FL, but I know another Greatschools member who does, and I'll try to call her attention to your question...
We are not sure where we want to move to in Florida yet, we want to base it on a good school system. I am looking for a school with extracurricular activities, and that they are less likely to be shot. I have been told a lot of horror stories. This is a hard move, it is away from all our family, and our children are the focus on this move, we don't want them to be in a school that they are scared all the time. We want them to learn and have fun and friends. We do not want something that is military like. I can not search a particular area, because we want to learn about the best school systems in Florida first.
Unfortunately, your question doesn't have a "one size fits all" answer...every child is different, as are their family desires. Some parents may want a strict "academic" focus, while other parents may seek a more nurturing environment with a diverse student body. Some parents want to be sure their children attend a school with extracurricular activities like sports, or to know aftercare is available. Others prefer a school with a fine arts emphasis.
If you haven't already tried, I suggest using the "Research and Compare" feature on the green menu bar near the top of this page, to enter various locations and see how schools in that area rate, relative to others. You can click on individual school names to find out more details about them.
If you haven't already tried, I suggest using the "Research and Compare" feature on the green menu bar near the top of this page, to enter various locations and see how schools in that area rate, relative to others. You can click on individual school names to find out more details about them.
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