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Public or private schools for kids
Main Post:
Hi There,
I have two kids - 4 year old and 2 month old.
We live in a good school district (Elementary - 7, Middle - 9, High - 8).
Are the public schools ranked at this good enough or should we consider sending kids to private school? I have read good reviews of the schools from parents on nextdoor.
My 4 year old is enrolled in a private school for pre-K and it is extremely academic over there. He seems to like it, but I am not sure if it makes sense to have such a regimented elementary school experience. On the other hand, I don't know how public schools are. I am an immigrant and don't have first hand experience on the education system in the US.
Sending two kids to private school will break our backs, so trying to understand the pros and cons of public education system.
TIA!
Top Comment: Honestly the best predictor of your child's success is your income and education level (of you, the parents). Next best predictor is parent involvement.
How are the public schools in Oakland? Asking the natives..
Main Post:
Alright guys, real talk. How are the public schools in Oakland? I just had a kid and I’m probably planning a bit ahead. But, I’m wondering how the public schools are here? I hear a lot of rumors of how terrible they are, but I can’t find any hard data on the school rankings amongst other Bay Area schools. It’s almost like Oakland unified does not release those statistics.
I currently reside in East Oakland with no intention to move. I didn’t grow up here, I grew up in SF. So, I have literally no insight into the school system here.
Any help from the natives would be appreciated.
Top Comment: I think it entirely depends on the child. Some thrive in chaos and disfunction. Others are harmed. There are many kids who do well in OUSD. However, the system is overwhelmed with a perpetual systemic budget crisis, a shrinking student body, twice the campus space needed for the number of students (with a controversial plan to close something like 24 campuses), and a mission to serve the students most in need (appropriately). There are many laws mandating common core, standardized testing, and classroom instruction hours. Kids get little to no PE, less outdoor time than developmentally recommended, in favor of the mandatory curriculum and instruction. There are ongoing labor issues that are kicked down the road ever few years. There is a looming budget crisis besides the “too many campuses” problem. The plan to sell off extra campuses is presumed to cause charter schools to pop up in those locations due to local demand, further draining the public school of students and exacerbating the problem. The open secret is that most wealthy people send their kids to the top tier private schools locally, or move to a place with top tier public schools, like Lafayette. I have a child in 6th grade OUSD. We are trying to make it work, but not ignoring the serious challenges. Some of the teachers are pretty amazing. We have been lucky to get into the schools we did.
Looking for good flight schools in the bay area
Main Post:
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for good flight schools in the bay area for PPL training. Please share your experiences.
Also, If you know of any good instructors who won’t milk you for money please share.
Top Comment: Aerodynamic Aviation in RHV is basically the cheapest and oldest school San Carlos Flight Center in SQL has reasonable rates if you live closer there, more expensive instructors for newer planes. Advantage Aviation in PAO if you don't care about money and want shiny stuff. Depends on where you are in the Bay really
What are areas with good elementary schools in the Bay Area?
Main Post:
Where are the good elementary schools in the Bay Area, specifically for area from Palo Alto down to San Jose. It seems like fewer class enrollments might change the schools a lot in the upcoming years. But generally what are the good areas for families with younger kids?
Top Comment: All the expensive cities, los altos, cupertino, saratoga, los gatos. Mountain view, Sunnyvale not as good cuz there's poor zipcodes. But once again the schools don't teach any different than the average, you just get classmates that are wealthier.