Florida schools what do you hate about them?

[elf]

Can you recommend any good elementary schools in the Central Orlando area.
We are seriously considering leaving Long Island. The only other place I've ever wanted to live was Florida (love hot weather).
My family loves to hike, ride bikes, swim, kayak etc.
I want to stay within 1 hour to attractions, hoping lots of our family disney nuts will visit often.
One of the places I was looking at was Sanford, Clermont (a little high in my price range), Lake Mary. We are looking at the 300,000-$350,000 range.

I really don't want year round school or an overcrowded school. What do you hate about the schools in the area? What are things to watch for? What schools do you love? and why?
MY kids will be in 3rd and 1st grade next Aug./sept.
I also need some special services for 3rd grader anyone familiar with spec. ed there?
Thanks, for any input.

 

[BethR]

elf, just to let you know, I have copied this thread over to the Community Board where you may have a larger "audience" for this topic.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Couldn't find it on the CB, so I will answer here.

There can be good schools and bad schools. Florida schools are graded based on the previous years FCAT results. So an A school did well in the previous year while another school with an F did horribly.


However--one thing that I do NOT like is "teaching the test". Now I don't mind test prep--however this is like prepping for the SATs. My sitters just the other day were working on their FCAT prep work. one had 8 pages of math in this FCAT workbook and the other had 23 b/c she missed one day of school. I don't know when they started this prep--but FCAT isn't until something like March (I think) and this is all they will be doing until then for the subject areas for which they test.

IMHO--that isn't teaching. That isn't learning. That's just learning how to take ONE test that will get the school its desired grade (if they do well) which makes them look good as well as impact funding.

Children can excel in schools---there are some great public schools...but this one little thing just bugs me. Testing 6 months into the year to assess how students did for the year. School is 9 months long...I think they should have a full learning schedule and then take these as somewhat of a "final".

"No student left behind" is code for "cram test information so we can get $$$$".

Don't get me wrong--I love Florida and we have a good elem. school in my area (I live on the coast). However--one of many reasons we have chosen to homeschool. So this post does have some bias. Though I no many school parents who are on the same page KWIM!

(Note--answered per your request of "what I hate about them")

 

[BethR]

Couldn't find it on the CB, so I will answer here.

Ummm, that's because I'm STUPID and had it copied over here (The Budget Board) instead!

I'm going to move the TWIN of this thead over to the CB...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Ummm, that's because I'm STUPID and had it copied over here (The Budget Board) instead!

I'm going to move THIS one to the CB...

Awe Beth--you're not stupid!!!

 

[BethR]

Awe Beth--you're not stupid!!!

Thanks Lisa. But that's how I am feeling tonight...