My son just got programmed for GATE next year. he’ll be in 4th grade.

My son just got programmed for GATE next year. he’ll be in 4th grade.

[quote=UCGal]I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion about school districts. The consensus, from reading here on Piggingtons, is that Poway’s good, CV’s good, Carlsbad’s good, Scripps Ranch is good… and everywhere else sucks.
[/quote]

I wouldn’t call it a consensus because I don’t think this group has a consensus on the topic…instead, I would say a majority of the people have that opinion.

I have been a part of a small but vocal minority who claim that is not true (for example, every school district I have ever seen in any state I have lived in has a GATE-type program). I would say those who misread statistics and think that they must live in a higher average income neighborhood to get a good education live in the school districts you mention.

[quote=UCGal]I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion about school districts. The consensus, from reading here on Piggingtons, is that Poway’s good, CV’s good, Carlsbad’s good, Scripps Ranch is good… and everywhere else sucks.
[/quote]

I wouldn’t call it a consensus because I don’t think this group has a consensus on the topic…instead, I would say a majority of the people have that opinion.

I have been a part of a small but vocal minority who claim that is not true (for example, every school district I have ever seen in any state I have lived in has a GATE-type program). I would say those who misread statistics and think that they must live in a higher average income neighborhood to get a good education live in the school districts you mention.

[quote=UCGal]I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion about school districts. The consensus, from reading here on Piggingtons, is that Poway’s good, CV’s good, Carlsbad’s good, Scripps Ranch is good… and everywhere else sucks.
[/quote]

I wouldn’t call it a consensus because I don’t think this group has a consensus on the topic…instead, I would say a majority of the people have that opinion.

I have been a part of a small but vocal minority who claim that is not true (for example, every school district I have ever seen in any state I have lived in has a GATE-type program). I would say those who misread statistics and think that they must live in a higher average income neighborhood to get a good education live in the school districts you mention.

UCGal,

If you’re kids are exceptional learners, I think you would be disappointed with just about every california public schools that are ranked “good”, simply because of the way resources/time are dedicated to bringing the less than average kids and average kids on par. (Won’t go into the issues with the no-kid-left-behind program). You’re options are probably better off in private schools.

Frankly, some of these “GATE” programs imho vary in usefulness. Plenty of my most successful colleagues never attended them. And conversely, I’m living proof that the GATE programs don’t really help significantly :). Up until the funding issues, CV schools did more ESC enrichment programs…But from what I’ve seen the difference between CV and Poway schools is negligible if any.

I guess you pay for the environment more so than the actual educational content.(Ie you find less gangbangers in better areas then somewhere else).

Fortunately, I have 2-3 more years before I decide whether to send my kid to a private school. The flip side of private schools (aside from cost) is that they tend to be more of a sheltered learning imho.

Alternatively, you can do what some of the parents I know do. Send them to an above average public school, then do an enrichment program afterschool at a private place. Let me know if you need a list.

UCGal,

If you’re kids are exceptional learners, I think you would be disappointed with just about every california public schools that are ranked “good”, simply because of the way resources/time are dedicated to bringing the less than average kids and average kids on par. (Won’t go into the issues with the no-kid-left-behind program). You’re options are probably better off in private schools.

Frankly, some of these “GATE” programs imho vary in usefulness. Plenty of my most successful colleagues never attended them. And conversely, I’m living proof that the GATE programs don’t really help significantly :). Up until the funding issues, CV schools did more ESC enrichment programs…But from what I’ve seen the difference between CV and Poway schools is negligible if any.

I guess you pay for the environment more so than the actual educational content.(Ie you find less gangbangers in better areas then somewhere else).

Fortunately, I have 2-3 more years before I decide whether to send my kid to a private school. The flip side of private schools (aside from cost) is that they tend to be more of a sheltered learning imho.

Alternatively, you can do what some of the parents I know do. Send them to an above average public school, then do an enrichment program afterschool at a private place. Let me know if you need a list.