New Middle School in Point Washington

Your family moving in was a major event around here. We only had nine before y'all showed up!

Yep...those damn yankees arrived!!! That reminds me of Mrs. Perry and how she divided the class, Confederates and Yankees.....to teach us about the Civil War. She had NO CLUE what she was getting into!!!! Weeks of full out war!!! I wonder what happened to Little Van's desk that he carved the confederate flad into?

I also say thanks to everyone who has posted to give the background and insight to what has happened here. Although my concerns now are High School and the wish for an alternative, small High School. The lack of ability to attract top-notch teachers to this area is another can of worms.

I also say thanks to everyone who has posted to give the background and insight to what has happened here. Although my concerns now are High School and the wish for an alternative, small High School. The lack of ability to attract top-notch teachers to this area is another can of worms.

Why do you think that we don't have top-notch teachers?

And what is the definition of small? SWHS is a small public school, and I never feel overwhelmed over there. Just the opposite.

Why do you think that we don't have top-notch teachers?

And what is the definition of small? SWHS is a small public school, and I never feel overwhelmed over there. Just the opposite.

What is the population of SWHS now? 650? When I went to Gonzalez Tate in 1976 we had 3500 students on campus then. I imagine today it is probably 5000. That is a lot of kids in one place. All of the schools in Walton County are small by that definition.

Also thanks for the help today. I found the place but not sure about the lots so will have to wait until the owner returns.

What is the population of SWHS now? 650? When I went to Gonzalez Tate in 1976 we had 3500 students on campus then. I imagine today it is probably 5000. That is a lot of kids in one place. All of the schools in Walton County are small by that definition.

Also thanks for the help today. I found the place but not sure about the lots so will have to wait until the owner returns.

I think the SWHS number is about 580-ish. The school was built for 600.

Thankfully, the school board is looking ahead a bit and building the middle school big enough to handle growth.

My Ideal? 200 -250 students. I personally like knowing the parents of as many students as possible. In smaller schools, you get to know the families of the students more easily. Regarding the top-notch teachers, I mean teachers who have at least at Master's degree in teaching, have more than a couple of years experience teaching, are all teaching in their major/minor areas and are qualified to teach subjects that are currently not being taught here. I realize this is a wish list but that is what I would like if I had my choice.

I wish that there were more language choices available at the high school level. Is Spanish the only foreign language offered? Is is now going to be offered 4 years?

My Ideal? 200 -250 students. I personally like knowing the parents of as many students as possible. In smaller schools, you get to know the families of the students more easily. Regarding the top-notch teachers, I mean teachers who have at least at Master's degree in teaching, have more than a couple of years experience teaching, are all teaching in their major/minor areas and are qualified to teach subjects that are currently not being taught here. I realize this is a wish list but that is what I would like if I had my choice.

I wish that there were more language choices available at the high school level. Is Spanish the only foreign language offered? Is is now going to be offered 4 years?

I want to say French had been offered, but I don't know if I dreamed that up, or what. Spanish is virtually required, for obvious reasons. In fact, many degree programs at the university level now require not only a foreign language, but specifically Latin-American Spanish.

Even if your desired course isn't offered here, your child can take pretty much anything through the Florida Virtual High School - I heard that one local student took Latin that way last year ;-) (no, not mine. I can't even picture that!)

I would venture to say that your desires for teachers and your optimal school size don't seem to be congruent. It would work for elementary education, but SWHS is only just now being able to offer all that a high school should, based on climbing enrollment.

My Ideal? 200 -250 students. I personally like knowing the parents of as many students as possible. In smaller schools, you get to know the families of the students more easily. Regarding the top-notch teachers, I mean teachers who have at least at Master's degree in teaching, have more than a couple of years experience teaching, are all teaching in their major/minor areas and are qualified to teach subjects that are currently not being taught here. I realize this is a wish list but that is what I would like if I had my choice.

I wish that there were more language choices available at the high school level. Is Spanish the only foreign language offered? Is is now going to be offered 4 years?

Thanks supermom for this post. I agree with you that smaller schools are conducive to a more relaxed and ideal learning environment. Although I have to say that having a teacher with a Master's degree with more than a couple years experience in teaching is not all that it is cracked up to be.

I remember the teachers that influenced and inspired me the most and they were usually the ones that were young, new to teaching and full of fresh and innovative ideas to improve the learning environment of their students. The teachers that had been teaching the same way for 20 years were always the ones that stood behind their experience and Master's Degree like a shield. (They also made me eat every little bit of my lunch, "because that free-lunch is not free...tax dollars pay for it") They were not open to new approaches in education because they had taught the same subject the same way year after year after year.

Education is a science and as a we all know theories in science are ever changing and improving. I would rather my kids have a teacher that no longer makes his/her students write their vocabulary and spelling 5 times each, rather inspire them to perform the newly learned words in a reader's theater, or word sorts. Nor do I want my child grouped in a rigid reading level (remember these?) that they are stigmatized by. New teachers are trained to create a learning environment for their students that flow and are ever changing from day-to-day. I will take enthusiasm over experience any day of the week.

I hope we all take a very close look at what is happening in education in this state that I have always called home. Our politicians are trying to trivialized the new budget cut to education by using percents. But the fact of the matter is that OVER 350 MILLION dollars has been cut......I will let that settle in before I continue........350 million......350.

Now, the district office has said that we will see some of the effects of this cut. I have mentioned it before and will do so again, reports have said that Okaloosa county has not rehired over 250 of it's teachers and support staff. I wonder what will be the first to go here....support staff? Trust me when I say that teachers NEED support staff in order to survive the year! The next to go will be the electives, foreign languages, coaches maybe?

Sorry I got off on a tangent. I hate when I do that.

Thanks. My wish is that we would have more with a few years experience but not necessarily 20! Although my experience has been mostly with elementary here, there has been too much turnover - not enough commitment to this area. We are in a difficult situation with housing costs they way they are, to attract and keep teachers who aren't ready to retire but still provide the single income affordability here. Fresh outlooks and new ideas are great (I want those!) but it needs to be combined with a good basis in the foundations. I am all for teachers who can make the core subjects exciting for the kids to learn but recognize we need a broad curriculum with science, technology and language to be global students! I want my children to come home from school excited to tell me what they learned that day and to be challenged.

Regarding language, is Spanish offered all four years at SW? If we are thinking globally, then Chinese would be on my list as well!
I think having Latin taught there would be wonderful too! Just my opinion, but why do we have to use Florida Virtual school, if enough parents want this for their children?

Now, the district office has said that we will see some of the effects of this cut. I have mentioned it before and will do so again, reports have said that Okaloosa county has not rehired over 250 of it's teachers and support staff. I wonder what will be the first to go here....support staff? Trust me when I say that teachers NEED support staff in order to survive the year! The next to go will be the electives, foreign languages, coaches maybe?

Sorry I got off on a tangent. I hate when I do that.

Education in Florida is funded on a per student formula. The per student dollar amount was cut 1.8%. While it is certainly easy to blame the legislature on the job cuts in Okaloosa County, declining enrollment seems to be a much bigger culprit. Personally, I feel this has a cause more rooted in the tax and insurance crisis experienced by the State.

I have heard from more than one current school board member that as long as enrollment holds in Walton County, we again should be able to avoid layoffs and job cuts as experienced by our neighbors. But how long that is going to be possible is yet to be seen.

I went to a public high school of 750 students - big enough for variety of electives and fielding teams for sports and extracurriculars, small enough that kids don't slip through the cracks.

I went to a public high school of 750 students - big enough for variety of electives and fielding teams for sports and extracurriculars, small enough that kids don't slip through the cracks.

I think we're fortunate to have small schools. butler is a little big for my taste, but I hear the teaching staff is excellent. bay seems just right. SWHS is smallish which is fantastic for a highschool, imo. seaside and montessori schools are tiny with unique learning environments. a new middle school on the way. we're doing pretty good around here. I only hear the best about all of our schools. now and then I hear a negative comment from a disgruntled parent, or from someone who knows very little about the school they are badmouthing, but those comments are really rare, I consider the source.

Thanks. My wish is that we would have more with a few years experience but not necessarily 20! Although my experience has been mostly with elementary here, there has been too much turnover - not enough commitment to this area. We are in a difficult situation with housing costs they way they are, to attract and keep teachers who aren't ready to retire but still provide the single income affordability here. Fresh outlooks and new ideas are great (I want those!) but it needs to be combined with a good basis in the foundations. I am all for teachers who can make the core subjects exciting for the kids to learn but recognize we need a broad curriculum with science, technology and language to be global students! I want my children to come home from school excited to tell me what they learned that day and to be challenged.

Regarding language, is Spanish offered all four years at SW? If we are thinking globally, then Chinese would be on my list as well!
I think having Latin taught there would be wonderful too! Just my opinion, but why do we have to use Florida Virtual school, if enough parents want this for their children?

As with all high school subjects taught in Walton County, Spanish is offered on the semester basis. Two semesters of foriegn language is required. For example, my son is tentatively scheduled to take Spanish I in the fall semester of his junior year and Spanish II in the spring.

I'd like to see more courses offered and I agree that It would be great to have a variety of languages, but the problem we are running into is that - even with possible budget cuts looming - South Walton High School is out of space. Totally. Completely. Nowhere to put anything else.

A question for anybody that I'm too lazy to look up - is either Chinese or Latin taught at OWC? Dual-enrollment is an option, if the student qualifies.

As with all high school subjects taught in Walton County, Spanish is offered on the semester basis. Two semesters of foriegn language is required. For example, my son is tentatively scheduled to take Spanish I in the fall semester of his junior year and Spanish II in the spring.

I'd like to see more courses offered and I agree that It would be great to have a variety of languages, but the problem we are running into is that - even with possible budget cuts looming - South Walton High School is out of space. Totally. Completely. Nowhere to put anything else.

A question for anybody that I'm too lazy to look up - is either Chinese or Latin taught at OWC? Dual-enrollment is an option, if the student qualifies.

Latin is taught through Florida Virtual School, and Will has enjoyed it while working his tail off.

Latin is taught through Florida Virtual School, and Will has enjoyed it while working his tail off.

Will is such a nice, smart young man.

I want to say French had been offered, but I don't know if I dreamed that up, or what. Spanish is virtually required, for obvious reasons. In fact, many degree programs at the university level now require not only a foreign language, but specifically Latin-American Spanish.

Even if your desired course isn't offered here, your child can take pretty much anything through the Florida Virtual High School - I heard that one local student took Latin that way last year ;-) (no, not mine. I can't even picture that!)

I would venture to say that your desires for teachers and your optimal school size don't seem to be congruent. It would work for elementary education, but SWHS is only just now being able to offer all that a high school should, based on climbing enrollment.

I agree and think it would be difficult for a public school with our levels of funding to offer everything and every class- heck, private schools of this size can't offer everything either!

A high school with 200-250 kids? I'm thinking a private school, again with limited options due to size, or one so far out in the boonies that there aren't any kids. Or maybe some sort of charter/magent, but our high school needs to be the object of attention and funding first until it is meeting most expectations. I don't think it would be right to suck money from it to start yet another new school so soon.

BTW- SWHS offers all A courses that Niceville does, in a much smaller, nicer atmosphere.

Parents that take the time to participate at SWHS will not feel too lost- and remember this is high school, and we don't need to be there every minute of the day! These are the years that our kids need to start making some of their own choices, and not feel like the parents are around too much.

Will has had some amazing teachers this year- very responsive, and now that we have reached the end of the freshman year, overall I am pleased. High school has been a huge adjustment for me as a parent- it is hard balancing being involved yet dropping back enough to let the kid grow up a bit and not have "mommy" around all the time micro-managing and making sure absolutely everything is perfect for my "baby"- because the world isn't perfect either and at some point our kids will have to figure that out. Better sooner than later.;-)

Great Mom. Great Son. Congratulations on making it through his Freshman year.

My preference would be a small, private High School. We have gone from 60 students at SWMA, to 113 students at SNS and to double that figure would be fine with me. We have choices for elementary, and middle schools in South Walton but not High School yet. Not every child fits in a traditional school setting. What would be good for one, might not be necessarily good for another. I have two very different children. While SWHS would be a good fit for one, I'm not sure about the other.

Congrats to Will!

My preference would be a small, private High School. We have gone from 60 students at SWMA, to 113 students at SNS and to double that figure would be fine with me. We have choices for elementary, and middle schools in South Walton but not High School yet. Not every child fits in a traditional school setting. What would be good for one, might not be necessarily good for another. I have two very different children. While SWHS would be a good fit for one, I'm not sure about the other.

Congrats to Will!

Yes, more choices would be wonderful, but I realized rather quickly after moving here that we are not a major metro area with a large, well funded school district- so we won't be able to open up a bunch of different schools to suit all of the different needs. For the time being at least, we are going to need to really put some thought and muscle into the schools that we have, instead of just dismissing them and wanting yet another new school.

I think the point the I am trying to make (and not making it well) is that as a small community, our school system isn't going to be able to be everything to every person. I do think that if more people like Supermom and SGB would step up and get involved (like they are), we would have more "customization" of our current schools. Many of us have moved here from areas that had a smorgasbord of educational opportunities- public and private- but those areas also had the population, the funding, and the resources to be able to have many different types of schools.

I think we are lucky here since we do have some alternative opportunities with Florida Virtual and OW and Collegiate High School. There are many communities that do not have alternatives outside their county school system.

Thinking about our kids starting high school is very stressful, no matter what 'flavor" kid you have! My suggestion to all parents is get to know everyone in the front office at SWHS - they are a great group of people and are really willing to help. I have had zero problems with access to teachers- they have e-mail, which is the best invention ever for parent/teacher relationships!

My preference would be a small, private High School. We have gone from 60 students at SWMA, to 113 students at SNS and to double that figure would be fine with me. We have choices for elementary, and middle schools in South Walton but not High School yet. Not every child fits in a traditional school setting. What would be good for one, might not be necessarily good for another. I have two very different children. While SWHS would be a good fit for one, I'm not sure about the other.

Congrats to Will!

hey supermom!

I totally hear what you are saying. choices for different kids and families are very important. but I have to say that I am thrilled with the choices we have in sowal currently compared to 10 or so years ago. and every school in sowal has something great to offer.

I have concerns about highschool too! not necessarily the school, but the kids and their hormonal challenges.. but I do hear good things about SWHS and it is sounding better and better each year.