RTP area of NC

[dejr_8]

jimmytammy

for the town you described what would a 3000 sq ft house (3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths) with standard ammenities* on 3 acres cost.


* vinyl flooring, laminate counters, non-custom cabinets, no marble bathrooms, etc.

 

[jimmytammy]

I will PM you that info.

 

[LMHB]

I didn't mention those colleges (Shaw, St. Augustine's, NCCU) because those are traditionally black colleges and I don't happen to be black. I really don't know much about those colleges. I do know that they don't compare in size, however, with the likes of UNC, NCSU or Duke. Meredith is a small college but I mentioned it because I know it...I am alumni.

Onecoolmama, I left you a personal message...(hope it went through!) I can probably give you some more specific info on Wake Forest. But yes, you are right about all your assumptions on the schools, you can be reassigned at any time, you are NOT guaranteed your child will go to or finish at a school just because you pick the right neighborhood, or what is right for you at the time. It is a mess.

In Wake Forest, Heritage is very much in demand. The areas which are "bussed in" to suburb schools are poor areas of southeast Raleigh. As for the suburb areas of Raleigh and North Raleigh which are "bussed in" to poorer area schools, they leave that a secret until they do it, I suppose because they know they would have a real estate crisis otherwise! And of course they change it constantly.Up to now, year-rounds have been fairly safe from this mess, but not this year.

I guess if it is any consolation I have read that the schools in the Disney neighborhood of Celebration, right in Orlando, are lousy. so nowhere is perfect, not even the happiest place on Earth.

Best of luck.

 

[onecoolmama]

Is it by neighborhood? For example, the kids bussed are everyone in a specific neighberhood..ie a subdivision like Abbington Farm..so that all the kids in Abbington Farm are bussed to Heritage or is it any kid in any subdivision can be bussed anywhere? Or are half the kids in the subdivision staying in that neighborhood school and the other half going to be bussed?

I am sorry, but I was almost set on moving there and this is a huge blow to me. I loved it while I was there visiting and I loved the research I did and I loved the Wake Forest area...I was ready to move there with or without my husband..hehehe. But seriously, I was soo excited and as I said this was a huge disappointment..although...I am EXTREMELY grateful that you all are here to give me all of this excellent inside information. Please, keep the advice coming!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by LMHB
I didn't mention those colleges (Shaw, St. Augustine's, NCCU) because those are traditionally black colleges and I don't happen to be black.

Amazing.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
Is it by neighborhood? For example, the kids bussed are everyone in a specific neighberhood..ie a subdivision like Abbington Farm..so that all the kids in Abbington Farm are bussed to Heritage or is it any kid in any subdivision can be bussed anywhere? Or are half the kids in the subdivision staying in that neighborhood school and the other half going to be bussed?

I think it depends on how they draw the lines.

I have a friend that lived across the street from Hunter Elem. (in Raleigh) Her daughter was assigned to Hunter. Her sister lived in the next block and her kids were bussed to another school.

Have you looked into charter schools?

 

[stormi65]

disneyjunkie is right. It is how the lines are drawn. Also, year round schools and magnet schools are by lottery. I know ppl that have been turned down" lost the lottery" each year.

We were lucky because the year my son started kindergarten the year round school in my area was just opening and at that point they didn't have that many applications. But today- many people are turned away. But once you're in, you're in. Once 1 sibling is accepted, you are almost guaranteed the next one will be too. I have seen a couple of exceptions, where they put 2 siblings on 2 different tracks. I can not imagine that! There are not any year round high schools in Wake County. A couple of magnet high schools are on a modified type track plan.

I grew up in a area of Ohio that you went to the schools that were in your city- or your neighborhood. I found this County system thing weird.

One thing about Johnston County- Clayton. It is a growing area and the Cleveland Elemetary School is supposed to be pretty good.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by stormi65
disneyjunkie is right. It is how the lines are drawn. Also, year round schools and magnet schools are by lottery. I know ppl that have been turned down" lost the lottery" each year.

This happened to us 4 years in a row. (K-3 grade) The last year we applied my son got in, but by then I had made up my mind to move back to New York.

 

[stormi65]

I'm sure that was very frustrating. We were very lucky to get in when we did. Wake County Schools need to fix their act!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We live in Guilford County which is about 60-75 minutes from Raleigh. My daughter goes to a Spanish Immersion Magnet School. She is taught everything in Spanish by native spanish speaking teachers. She is already fluent in Spanish after 1 1/2 years! It is also done by lottery. Half of the students that applied were turned down. Once a student is in they stay at that school unless the parents decide they no longer want their child in the Spanish Immersion program. Siblings can automatically enroll in that school.

Orange Co. schools are great. I went to UNC and did my student teaching in Carrboro just outside of Chapel Hill. When we had open house or parent teacher conferences we had 100% parent participation. It is parent involvement along with good teachers that makes a school great.

Lori

 

[onecoolmama]

I went to my local elementry school. In the early 80's it was a new concept...but my school opened the spanish immersion program. My cousins and I all went to the same school...they chose to do it and my mom decided not to...to this day I fault her for that. She received horrible advice...and it was so new she didn't know. So, ok not completely her fault..but my cousins are far more better off for it then I ever could be. SO I would LOVE to get my kids into a program like that.

My son might be able to get into the magnet program. He is starting to read (he just turned 3) and he can write his name and mommy and a few other things. I have him in preschool, just for social...but I have to challenge him at home becuase he would be bored otherwise.

I just want to make sure that just because he gets in..or maybe not..but I dont want my kids bussed all over the place into different schools becuase one got in and the other didn't.

The brand new delvelopments off Clevland Rd is where we would live if we moved to Johnston County. and I looked, the schools are in walking distance to some of the houses...which is great for me. My husband is Asian, and my kids are mixed..so it is important to have diversity..for us. That is why the other areas appealed to us...but from what I could tell, give the area..where the Food Lion is just off Cleveland Rd another 5 years and they will need a mall and a Super Target or Walmart..because it looks as though that area is starting to boom. Although, if that is the case..in about 7 years..they might end up with the same problems that you all are dealing with now!

I am sorry, I am thinking it out on the boards. THANK-YOU to ALL of you...you have been extremely helpful! And thanks to the MA guy who started the post. I hope you are getting as much out of this as I am!

 

[onecoolmama]

Can you explain to me what a charter school is exactly. I am sorry, I have seen them listed, but I never knew what it was.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I believe that Charter schools in NC are funded by the State. Anyone can start a charter school. They are differently themed. We have one that is based on traditional teaching. One where the students wear uniforms etc. The state will only fund a certain number of charter schools.

Lori

 

[onecoolmama]

Should I not mention that I am a Ruben Studdard fan? hehehe

 

[stormi65]

I am sure that will be fine!!!! About 5 or so miles up from I40/42 in Cleveland School area they just built a Super Walmart. Also a huge shopping complex is going up on the next exit 40/Hwy70. They put in a Best Buy and some other big stores. There were some lovely homes in the Cleveland school area.

 

[LMHB]

When you are accepted to and enrolled in a year-round school, you ARE guaranteed to remain in the year-round "prgram," but not necessarily at that school. They do have certain funny exceptions about fourth or fifth graders, etc, so they don't have to change schools in their last year or so, but that doesn't include siblings. It is very strange that they are opening Jones Dairy as a year-round just five minutes from Heritage year-round, but at least that should mean that after the turmoil THIS year, it should be set for a while...can't imagine them opening a third year-round right in the same area...but who knows!

There will be one year-round high school, Heritage has designated the land but not started building the school.

The way they draw the lines, as explained to us, is by some infinitely confusing computer model which somehow blends lower economic with higher economic neighborhoods...so it is anybody's guess! To the naked eye the computer models make no sense.

 

[onecoolmama]

Does anyone know anything about the schools in Youngsville? Is that town any good? It is a little north of Wake Forest. Any ideas would be great. Also, the kids that are zoned for Cleveland school live in Garner. I thought Garner was in Wake County...ideas thoughts..am I wrong?

 

[stormi65]

Somehow the town of Garner expanded into that spot in Johnston County. Really weird.

 

[onecoolmama]

dejr 8,

I forgot to tell you. While I was there..I got a newpaper. i was looking for the job classified section. The newpaper I got Saturday's News and Observer didnt have the section. But if I remember correctly..if I am wrong I can repost..the newspaper is in my car..I read that on Jan 11th..they are having a huge empolyment section in the News and Observer (the local paper.) Just thought I would throw it out there if you need it.

Ok, so garner is in both Wake and johnson counties..got it. thanks

 

[2bemarried]

Youngsville is a very nice small town. Not sure what the schools are like. Same for Louisburg.