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[quote=Anonymous][quote=neuropoetry]Positive and negative posts are welcome. It is good to receive as many opinions about the situation as possible. I know I've had a lot of soul searching about how I envision the perfect education experience while navigating NYC and Westchester school systems. It is true Westchester's schools are ran at a local level but that also means that you can pay as much as private school in your property tax bill, and depending on the town  - you do not always get what you pay for.[/quote]

I’m the Bergen poster from page 1. Here’s my take on the academics - and maybe this only a reflection of my zip code - but nonetheless, my experience.

Academically, it’s decent. I have only experienced virtual learning as my gauge, but I do believe some of the teachers are doing the best they can. The district did purchase a new math and reading/writing curriculum - benchmark universe and eureka. I’m not a huge fan of the benchmark but it does work for a virtual setting. I have liked that my kids do get ample time to write, but I do think because there are a lot of students who don’t turn in their work, my children, who have the ability to be supervised by me, tend to get a lot more down time while the teacher figures out a way to get the other students to do their work. You can’t fail a kid in MCPS. I am disappointed that there are not options for on level and honors SS or English for our middle school....because as a secondary teacher I understand what this will really translate into politically.

Here’s what I miss the most about leaving a town system. I generally feel like I live in a “town” (it’s still quiet on my side) without the “town benefits. Sports are regional and a 20 min drive at least as opposed to local leagues based on the school district and played locally. My 4th grader has been able to find a school team for soccer only, but my 5th grader Has not - for soccer, baseball, or football. There are kids in our surrounding streets/neighborhood, but the vast majority of them go to private school (all seems extreme but only our neighbors across the street use public),  so I do not get the feeling of a tight nit community despite most people being friendly. We left the town of Ridgewood, and while certainly not perfect, kids played after school before extra curriculurs or when middle school got out, would walk to town to hang out. Everyone knew everyone. Not perfect and perhaps a bit bland for adults, but a kids paradise in many ways. So that’s been our experience. I imagine had we done private, which if you have one child only the high NY / NJ property tax makes it a wash, not so if you have two.

As for ease and convenience to do “errands”.....meh. I can only compare to what I came from and they are born equally frustrating experiences. I mean everything is here, but I don’t feel like you can really get to anything other than a grocery if you live within the 495 in 10 min: Bethesda Row, yes, but it would have to have the “stores” you’re looking to shop in.

I hope that helps. It’s not a bad place....but it is different. You just have to decide what you want more for yourself and for your kid(s). [/quote]

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