Private schools anybody?

[PicNic]

Have you met jessifunn? ;-)

Good luck in your search.

No, I've never met Jessifun. We just moved here last summer. I could definately use the luck. :roll: Thanks!

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

Jessifun, Here's my situation. Maybe you can give some input. My boys go to a public school now, and there appears to be a problem with drug use / drinking in the 5th grade. They also have never brought one bit of homework home. Apparently, the 5th grade keeps all the graded papers at school. I don't know how much of an education they are actually getting. How about Rocky Bayou? Drugs, education??

May I ask what school they go to now? I'm assuming Freeport Elementary?

 

[PicNic]

May I ask what school they go to now? I'm assuming Freeport Elementary?

Yes, they are. I can't confirm any "accusations" I've made. Just heresay from a 10 year old.

 

[ShallowsNole]

My first course of action would be to go to Freeport Elementary and talk to their teachers. Find out why no papers are being brought home.

Rocky Bayou has been around since I was young. That is likely why they have a larger enrollment. Another reason is that there are simply more kids in Niceville.

Do be aware that going to a private school isn't going to keep your children away from unhealthy influences. My aunt and uncle paid for my cousin's two children (now grown) to attend a private school in Gadsden County, just outside of Tallahassee, as the Gadsden County public schools are known for race and drug issues. The boy left in 11th grade due to drugs and ended up moving over here; the girl became pregnant in 11th grade. Both are doing well as adults, but it was really bumpy when both found the very things they were being put in the private school to avoid. Meanwhile, my other cousin's son attended Seaside up until last year, and is now attending Walton Academy, awaiting disposition of several felonies.

The point is - a private / limited enrollment school can be helpful, but it isn't necessarily the answer. I'd base my decision on the education instead.

 

[SGB]

Also keep in mind, that as a Walton County resident, you can usually get your child in any of the public schools in Walton County. So if Freeport doesn't meet your needs, you might want to try Bay Elementary or Butler. For middle school, there are 2 good options, Seaside or Emerald Coast.

 

[seacrestkristi]

Amen, sista! That all begins at home. All we can do is talk to them and tell them what happens to people who abuse alcohol and drugs, and try to keep communication lines open. They're going to have to know better when they are exposed to it regardless of where they are. Private school kids probably have more money to buy more, and fancier drugs. I would go get their homework too, and just communicate as much as possible with their teacher about your concerns. Maybe, get an 'assignment' pad and ask their teacher in each subject to sign it verifying they have written down their assignment correctly, then you sign it when they're done at night. A lot of work but hey what are ya gonna do? ;-) It's worth it.

 

[jessifunn]

Jessifun, Here's my situation. Maybe you can give some input. My boys go to a public school now, and there appears to be a problem with drug use / drinking in the 5th grade. They also have never brought one bit of homework home. Apparently, the 5th grade keeps all the graded papers at school. I don't know how much of an education they are actually getting. How about Rocky Bayou? Drugs, education??

Classes are small, only 20 in my graduating class. Your kid will have plenty of homework and if he moves faster in his studies they move him up (at least in the high school they did). They prepare you for college and everyone in my graduating class went to college (all 20 of them). There is chapel once a week where they try to save you. There will be some kids that have been kicked out of public school. There will be the very sheltered kids that have only been to that school and their whole life (usually these are the ones that go wild). No drug or drinking problem at school, if there is the person would be kicked out. When I was there a girl got pregnant and was kicked out immediately. The principal is very cool. The founder is a weirdo, very old and stuck in his ways, but from my understanding he is not there too much anymore.

what else :scratch:

 

[beachmouse]

RB generally has good academics, and I think they've got significantly more opportunities than Freeport MS/High has, but the people on the board are a little bit on the conservative for my taste. Mr. Mouse used to know one of them, and board member mentioned how he felt like a college education was wasted on women.

I'd probably try for a waiver into SoWal schools. You could also see if Okaloosa is letting people waiver into Bluewater Elementary or Destin Middle again. They used to, then stopped the program because of school overcrowding, but since enrollment is down in a couple of areas, it might be worth seeing if they are willing to allow them again.

 

[SGB]

I'd probably try for a waiver into SoWal schools. You could also see if Okaloosa is letting people waiver into Bluewater Elementary or Destin Middle again. They used to, then stopped the program because of school overcrowding, but since enrollment is down in a couple of areas, it might be worth seeing if they are willing to allow them again.

I have several friends that received a waiver for Destin Middle this year. They are happy with the academics, but have had problems with some of the social aspects. Probably true at most schools, but I've heard it consistently about DMS.

If you want to go to a SoWal school and live in Freeport, I'm not even sure you need a waiver if you already live in Walton County. I know a couple of kids that go to school in SoWal and live in Freeport.

 

[PicNic]

My first course of action would be to go to Freeport Elementary and talk to their teachers. Find out why no papers are being brought home.

Rocky Bayou has been around since I was young. That is likely why they have a larger enrollment. Another reason is that there are simply more kids in Niceville.

Do be aware that going to a private school isn't going to keep your children away from unhealthy influences. My aunt and uncle paid for my cousin's two children (now grown) to attend a private school in Gadsden County, just outside of Tallahassee, as the Gadsden County public schools are known for race and drug issues. The boy left in 11th grade due to drugs and ended up moving over here; the girl became pregnant in 11th grade. Both are doing well as adults, but it was really bumpy when both found the very things they were being put in the private school to avoid. Meanwhile, my other cousin's son attended Seaside up until last year, and is now attending Walton Academy, awaiting disposition of several felonies.

The point is - a private / limited enrollment school can be helpful, but it isn't necessarily the answer. I'd base my decision on the education instead.

Thank you for your opinion. I totally agree that problems typically begin at home. I am by no way bragging, but I am confident that we have provided an open line of communication and our children are not ignored as I've seen some. You can put your child in the top of the line private school, but if you don't practice what your preach at home, you may have as well as thrown then to the wolves, most times. I see a problem, and just want to offer my children every opportunity I can, and not expose them to undue risks.

I did call the school yesterday, but the teacher I needed to talk to is not having conferences? Apparently it is optional as to whether they have them or not. I have to request a conference of my own, which I'm going to do. Fortunately, academics are not a problem for my kids. Midterms were great, so I haven't panic'd yet. Thanks again!