[DaCounselor]

To answer your question er, the SD Unified enrollment options catalogue lays everything out. You have to go to their website to download it. The short story is that 3 out of the 4 programs actually give priority to the lowest achievers. Once you have transferred, the district’s continuity policy keeps you at that school (if you want) so no need to re-apply. The only students given priority over the lowest achievers are siblings of continuity students, regardless of performance.

There are plenty of local 92037 kids to fill those schools. The 2010 census says there are about 12,000 school-age kids in 92037. That is actually an increase over the 2000 census figures so the school-age population is rising, not falling. The fact is that many opt for private schools and that leaves enough space open for lots of transfers.

From what I have seen regarding CV vs LJ the data is what it is. At the middle and high school level (haven’t had time to look at all elementaries but probably there too):

CV – higher test scores, almost entirely local students, minimal free lunches, higher percentage of educated parents (college/grad)

LJ – lower test scores, substantial non-local students, substantial free lunches, lower percentage of educated parents.

CV has overcrowding issues at a few schools that I think exceed such issues in LJ. CV has a significant and growing Asian enrollment. LJ has a significant Hispanic enrollment.

What people do with these facts, how they interpret them and so on, is up to them. These are just the facts m’am.

[DaCounselor]

What spdrun said, actually. Doesn’t Fannie have 1.7 million homes that are 90+ days delinquent?? What is Fannie, about 50% of the market? So if all the other junk paper out there is equivalent to Fannie’s then we are looking at about 3.4 million homes that are 90+ days. That’s a few homes.

[DaCounselor]

That is very interesting bearishgurl because I thought just the opposite was true – ie; most of the transfer programs give priority to the lowest achievers not the “cream of the crop” as you say.
I recall looking at this a few years ago when LJ was still a contender as a place to raise the family. I will try to find that info. Do you have a link to a source that shows only the cream of the crop are offered these opportunities? Thanks.

I am also fairly certain that there was a study performed in the last decade that attempted to track academic performance of the transfer set and that there was essentially no change in scores, but I don’t have the data, I’m sure it exists somewhere.

Keeping with the original intent of this thread, I still don’t see any basis to support the idea that the LJ public schools can match those in CV or the other top areas.

[DaCounselor]

Thanks for the excellent chart UCGal. Does it include all the PISC and VEEP kids or is it just straight open enrollment data? In either event it does not encompass the continuity students although I am sure that data is out there somewhere. Overall I would hazard a guess that the total number is significant as LJ is an affluent area and about 1/3 of the kids at Muirlands and LJ High are on the free/reduced lunch program.

As for the “lesser students” remark, I admit I could be completely off-base in jumping to the assumption that the test scores and academic performance of the kids coming in from outside 92037 are lower than the locals’. I suppose that data is out there too. How each person feels about the facts surrounding enrollment at the LJ schools is up to them.

[DaCounselor]

Actually I don’t think the LJ public schools are comparable to the CV schools. Far more kids from outside the boundaries in LJ than CV. I think a quarter of LJ High students do not reside in the area. A much much higher % of free-lunchers. Everyone I know who lives in LJ sends their kids to private schools.

In CV a number of schools are overcrowded, including CV Middle. The new middle school should solve that though. Also a tremendous inflow of Asians in CV is shaping the demographic significantly.

$1.2 is going to go way further in CV. It’s going to go even further in La Costa, which is where I would be looking if I didn’t have to commute. You might want to take a look up there. I think that area trumps CV in terms of housing, schools and shopping. Good Luck!

[DaCounselor]

sdresident – I think that neighborhood is near the epicenter of remaining development in the CV area. There are huge tracts of already-graded parcels to the east, northeast and northwest. I don’t know everything that is going in but rest assured it will be built out. In addition to those tracts they will also be building a new middle school to the east of Canyon Crest Academy, a large shopping complex south of Del Mar Heights Rd and of course the rest of PHR. This could be a good thing or bad thing depending on your personal preferences. They will also probably expand the 56 as part of the development of this area. I think there is enough development left in this area, including One Paseo to the northwest, that it is difficult to see how it will all come together when it’s built-out.

[DaCounselor]

Based on your criteria:
1. Rancho Santa Fe
2. Olivenhein

[DaCounselor]

Earlier this year I signed a lease on a 5/3 3100 sq. ft. house in CV for $3600. We looked for several months and trust me this was a good deal. I think 2800 sq. ft would get snapped up quick at $3500 and could likely fetch closer to $4K if its in great shape.

[DaCounselor]

Sorry spdrun but I’m not going to debate child-rearing issues with someone who isn’t raising a family.

[DaCounselor]

“For reasons beyond what I’ll get into I’d say pot is far from kid-neutral. Kids dont need isolation or shelter but they thrive under safe healthy conditions and a positive environment moreso than not. A single 32 year old male from NY with a disdain for authority and no life experience in parenting is not a relaible source of information nor is a bitter old lady in the south bay. You can have each other as you both “get” it.”
________________

You have got to be kidding me, I thought the spdrun guy was raising a family in OB and walkin’ the walk. Oops.

OB is a great family neighborhood, pot is kid-neutral, this guy should write a book. Classic!

[DaCounselor]

I suppose we could go back and forth all day debating what are the best family-friendly areas in San Diego, but I don’t have the time or inclination to do so. I think the demographic stats of each particular area in San Diego tell the story of who lives there, and if you want a great family area go where the families are and the schools are top notch. It’s really not very complicated.

I believe the discussion I was involved in pertained to OB being a great family-friendly neighborhood to raise kids, and I’ll say one more time that I disagree and that I think there are many, many better options in San Diego.

If I was going to drop $1.5 mil on a family house it would not be in an area where 85% of households do not have school-age kids, 65% of households are renters and the place is inhabited by many overly “colorful” street characters. That’s OB. But again, to each his own. Nevertheless the opinion that OB is a great area to raise a family is certainly a minority opinion and that is backed up by the demographic stats.

[DaCounselor]

I’m glad you are enjoying raising your kids in OB, spdrun. Most people would not agree with you that it’s a great place to raise a family and the OB demographics support that, but to each his own.

Unfortunately you have taken to bashing people like me who have chosen to raise their family in one of many very nice north county coastal suburban areas. You present the typical boilerplate and frankly tired argument that we are “fraidy cats” as you say. To the contrary, many of us are former OBecians or emigrated from South Mish or PB to the quite idyllic north county coast where the schools are top notch and the family lifestyle is amazing.

We still visit the old neighborhoods, with our kids, and we also travel with them to points around the country and the globe with far more (ahem) ‘character’ than OB will ever have, so the kids are plenty exposed to all walks of life. We simply choose not to live in a cramped high-density somewhat run-down area with a considerable hodgepodge population of homeless, drug users, transients, 60’s relics and young singles where the properties and lots are small and the public schools are not very good. That’s it, and it’s really pretty simple.

[DaCounselor]

Here’s a few thoughts:

If I told my realtor I was looking for a family-oriented, family-friendly area and they took me to OB, I would fire them immediately.

In rired’s price range, for a family of 6 looking for property in a family-friendly area in a great public school district, I would be looking into the following areas (in no particular order):

So. Carlsbad/La Costa area – you can get into a beautiful gigantic later-model house in your price range. The schools are fantastic, tremendous shopping options on the El Camino corridor, easy beach access. Lots to like about this area, especially if the husband’s office isn’t too far south.

Encinitas – worth a look but it’s a little slim on truly great family neighborhoods with large houses in my opinion. My take on Encinitas is that if you are going to live that far north you may as well inch a little further into the La Costa area.

Solana Beach – pretty small area with alot of one-offs west of 5 and older tracts east of 5. On the low to mid portion of your budget you can get into a 5 bed 3000 sq ft tract along the golf course or maybe a view lot. SB has great elementary and middle schools and the high school district is also great. Good shopping options at the 5/LSF intersection, easy access over to the beach.

Del Mar – you may be able to find something that would work off of DM Heights Rd/Mango area west of 5. It’s kind of hit or miss in there, lots of homes that would probably be too small. Worth a drive through. Great schools and easy beach access and access to ‘downtown’ Del Mar on PCH. Local shopping center west of 5 is okay, or go across the freeway to the Carmel Valley Ralph’s center monstrosity…

Carmel Valley – this area gets talked about alot as ‘the’ family area in San Diego. Tract housing built from about the mid-80’s through present, highly rated schools and lots of families. In your price range you will get a great house. Demographically there has been an ongoing influx of Asians to this area with a number of the schools pushing 40% Asian population and trending upward. Because there is ongoing new development in the area there are still some growing pains – crowded (sometimes obscenely) shopping center, school crowding, etc.

These areas are primo San Diego coastal areas that are within your price range. I would come out and spend a few days driving around these areas and you will get a pretty quick feel. Best of luck to you, you are looking at moving to one of the best areas in the country to live.

[DaCounselor]

Sage’s boundaries give you a different demographic than Ocean Air, that might be part of the reason.

Of course I have heard that both schools have been impacted, so I would be looking into that before I committed to anything.

[DaCounselor]

Good luck SDR it is slim pickens out there. It’s been a popular location for awhile but the pacific rim money flowing in continues to increase which adds even more demand. Tough sledding with low inventory.

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