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Questions:
Reviews of Schools:
August 2006
My husband and I are debating if we should stay in Richmond and
send our kids to private schools or move to a neighborhood with
better schools and send them to public schools. If we decide
to move, where? What advice can you give regarding relocating
and schooling? Thank you for your inputs!
Kien
We too had a similar dilemna. Moving was not an option because we are
happy
where we live (home, spacious yard, and neighborhood) and for financial
reasons.
We opted for private school even though we really can't afford it! Our
son goes to
Windrush in El Cerrito and loves it. The school and afterschool
program have been
ideal for him and the family as well. Please feel free to contact me
if you have
specific questions.
Elizabeth
I missed the original post, but we are staying in Richmond, have
a 3rd grader in private school (and going into serious debt to
do it, but renting elsewhere would be comparable to our current
mortgage payments, then no equity, etc.) I am seriously
considering an inter-district transfer for my younger one even
though I love the private school. I think the schools are
generally improving and will continue to with parent support
(but my local school looks like a bleak prison and I am not
inclined to consider that one......)
satisfied with Richmond
Feb 2006
My husband and I are looking at buying a home either in the Richmond
Heights( a.k.a
Richmond View) or Richmond Annex. We like the feel but are not familiar
with the
areas. Any advice on either area in general?-Mainly, Elementary
schools? Safety?
Diversity?
Much appreciated
Hi. I live in the middle, El Cerrito, and know several families
whose children attend the neighborhood elementary schools for
Richmond Annex and View, Fairmont and Mira Vista. Each family I
know who has children in these schools is happy with their
school. Each family I know is also happy with the safety and
diversity of their neighborhood.
However, I chose to live in El Cerrito (and pay slightly more
for slightly less rental housing), becaue I prefer the El
Cerrito city recreation services (daycare, camps, and teams) and
would end up paying much more for them as a non-resident.
Another thing, if you plan to stay in your home long term, be
sure to also consider and visit the neighborhood middle and high
schools.
--anon
Before last year, we had never seriously considered buying a
property in Richmond or sendi ng our kids to a WCCUSD school,
based on what we had heard about the area and the schools in
general. When we did go round Richmond Annex to see it for
ourselves, however, we got a strong feeling that it was a safe,
quiet and interesting neighborhood. Going with our instincts, we
bought our place. Since moving into our Richmond Annex home
about 10 months ago, we have grown very fond of the area. Our
neighbors are a mix of older folks and young families with kids.
We have always felt safe when we go for long walks around the
area, at times in the early part of the evening. In fact, since
the Annex is close to El Cerrito, we get to walk to the library,
Bart, the El Cerrito Plaza, the Pacific East Mall, the El Cerrito
Community Center and almost everywhere within walking distance.
As for the K-6 schools here, I can only speak for Fairmont
Elementary (on Kearney at Stockton Ave next to the El Cerrito
library), since my older son goes there. It is a small public
school that has very experienced and caring staff, a hardworking,
approachable principal and a safe environment where there are
clear expectations for student conduct. It also has a very
diverse student population, and I mean diverse in a wide sense of
the word. We have students of different ethnicities and coming
from various socioeconomic backgrounds. We also have students
with disabilities. From what I see in my son’s classroom, the
students are hardworking, motivated and respectful. And with the
passing of Measure J last year, the school will finally get a
facelift that it deserves. You may want to look at some data to
start with, but please bear in mind that standardized test scores
are standards of accountability within a narrow framework and
don’t give the whole picture. (Start looking at the 2005
Accountability Progress Report on the district’s website
http://www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/index.shtml.) I would suggest
visiting schools in whichever area you choose during school
session (do take advantage of the kindergarten tours being held
around now) and talk to parents who actually have kids studying
in the schools.
For all that it’s worth, here is my real reason for sending my
kids to the neighborhood school -- I want my kids to learn in a
classroom of kids from the same community from various
socioeconomic backgrounds, so that out of this shared experience
they will grow to understand the realities of the community
they live in and learn to be responsible for the community.
Please do not give up on public elementary schools in this
district or anywhere else for that matter. They are fine, as
long as we invest some time and energy offering our kids ample
opportunities for learning outside the scope of formal schooling,
which we should be doing anyway.
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