Gangs in schools (Mesa, Chandler, Tempe: best cities, crime, school district)

[tancee]

Hello, my family has been planning to relocate to the area for a couple of years now. We are planning our move for spring 2011. I will have several children in school. We are looking into Mesa and Tempe areas. I would like to know if gangs are a big problem in the schools? Are there schools in these districts to absolutly stay away from? I will have two in high school and one in middle. Your help is appreciated.

[LocoAZnative]

Well the gang culture is pretty much in every school even the most affluent school. So as long as you raise your kids with the right values they should escape that culture. I would go with Tempe though. Corona or Marcos as good school, but Marcos is extremely large when my sister went there it had 6000+
Also look into McClintock or Tempe High. I went to Tempe and even though there were a lot of gangs from the Southside there I turned out just fine.

[tancee]

Thank you, I don't think them wanting to join a gang would be a problem. I grew up in an urban area and I know they can be worst some places more than others. I would like to know if the schools have a lot of gang violence and if picking with students that chose not to participate in gangs is a big problem there? Where we live now our kids know people from many diffrent groups includings gangs but, noone bothers them. People tend to stay to their own groups they identify with not bothering others. If that makes sense.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by tancee

Thank you, I don't think them wanting to join a gang would be a problem. I grew up in an urban area and I know they can be worst some places more than others. I would like to know if the schools have a lot of gang violence and if picking with students that chose not to participate in gangs is a big problem there? Where we live now our kids know people from many diffrent groups includings gangs but, noone bothers them. People tend to stay to their own groups they identify with not bothering others. If that makes sense.

I think the same would be the case here. I'd vote for the Tempe area as well.

[Ritchie_az]

I doubt gangs in schools are a big problem outside of the most urban districts. I mean, this isn't Detroit....

[dura]

Gang mentality like crime could happen anywhere, but these schools in West Mesa are reported to be decent:

• Rhodes Junior High School - Mesa, Arizona - AZ - School overview (GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10; Parent Rating of 4 out of 5 stars)
• Dobson High School - Mesa, Arizona - AZ - School overview (GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10; Parent Rating of 4 out of 5 stars)

There are other decent schools in Mesa too: GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

And... the "Best Cities to Live and Learn 2010" list ranks Mesa Public Schools top 3 of 10 large cities: Top public schools: Large U.S. cities - Mesa, Ariz. | GreatSchools

Students in Mesa Public Schools topped the 2009 state average in every subject area and grade level, and all six of its high schools were honored in the 2009 Best High Schools survey by U.S. News & World Report.

Rah rah sis boom bah!

[JSizzle225]

Try to get somewhere into the Tempe Union High School District. Don't rule Ahwatukee or Chandler out...but if you choose to live in Tempe...send your kids to Corona del Sol. Even though they were my schools rival...I will admit that it is a nice school. (went to Mountain Pointe.)