relocating to western NC

[KirbyMom]

My daughter lives in Brooklyn and HATES it. She's only there because she also works there and to live elsewhere means gas, unreasonable tolls, etc. She's in a nice area, Dyker Heights so it's not like she's in a slum area, but she cannot take the litter and rude people. Funny, when she lived with me in the 'upstate' NY 'burbs, she couldn't wait to move to 'the city'. Now, she longs to move back to NJ and if it were not for the commute and tolls, she would. I guess the grass is always greener...

[janiceguazzo]

Originally Posted by louise50

Yes, Shooting Stars, Hendersonville, NC does have great schools! In today's local newspaper..

West Henderson High has been recognized as one of the nation's best high schools. | BlueRidgeNow.com

Cheers for the students at West Henderson High!!!!!!!!!GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!

I have an acquaintance in Hendersonville and when I asked her about West Henderson her comment was "it has a high hispanic population'. I am not sure what to make of that other than typical southern bigotry. I am from NJ/NY originally and have lived in Johnson City TN for 6 yrs. I am not phased by diversity. I sent kids to private school in TN to get diversity.

I am looking into schools as we are relocating very soon.
My husband will be working in Arden and does not want to commute too far.
It seems that as previously stated the middle schools sometimes split the high school so friends don't always go with you. I have a 5th grader that will start middle school in the fall. I am not too concerned because I really don't care where your friends are you just better do good in school.

I also have a 1st grader and I am really looking for a school with gifted programs. We are coming from Massachusetts and they didn't do squat for my advanced 7 yr old.

Any advice - opinions are welcome. I will be there in TWO weeks to start looking for a house.
Jan

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by janiceguazzo

I have an acquaintance in Hendersonville and when I asked her about West Henderson her comment was "it has a high hispanic population'. I am not sure what to make of that other than typical southern bigotry. I am from NJ/NY originally and have lived in Johnson City TN for 6 yrs. I am not phased by diversity. I sent kids to private school in TN to get diversity.

I am looking into schools as we are relocating very soon.
My husband will be working in Arden and does not want to commute too far.
It seems that as previously stated the middle schools sometimes split the high school so friends don't always go with you. I have a 5th grader that will start middle school in the fall. I am not too concerned because I really don't care where your friends are you just better do good in school.

I also have a 1st grader and I am really looking for a school with gifted programs. We are coming from Massachusetts and they didn't do squat for my advanced 7 yr old.

Any advice - opinions are welcome. I will be there in TWO weeks to start looking for a house.
Jan

Well, bless your heart. I sure do wish you the best of luck on your re-location.

[noctiluca]

Have you looked into the Fairview area? We have a few friends who are very happy with the elementary school there (Fairview Elementary), and Cane Creek Middle School also has a great reputation. I think they may split so that some of the students at Fairview Elem go to Reynolds Middle, but I don't know for sure. It's a lovely area and not a far commute from Arden. My one friend at Fairview Elem has a kindergartener who just read Little House on the Prairie, so your advanced child would be in good company. I don't think there's much diversity, though.

The schools right around Arden are also quite good; I know Valley Springs Middle is supposed to be one of the better ones around, though it's now just grades 7 and 8. They recently opened a new "Intermediate" school for grades 5-6 called Koontz. It's getting mixed reviews so far.


Buncombe County does not track kids into gifted classes, but they do have AIG teachers who do pull-out programs. Here is the policy for gifted kids in the Buncombe County schools (from their website):

a. K-2 services are available based on a recommendation by the classroom teacher in collaboration with the AIG Teacher. This program is called “Problem Solvers”.
b. In grades 3-6, students are cluster grouped with other AIG students in a heterogeneous class. They are also offered an enrichment class, taught by the AIG Teacher, one hour per week. Students in this phase of the AIG program have demonstrated a definite need for a differentiated curriculum.
c. In grades 7 and 8, students are in subject-grouped classes for Language Arts and Math. Students in these classes have demonstrated a definite need for a differentiated curriculum.
d. In grades 9-12 students are encouraged to take Honors and/or Advanced Placement Classes.

I hope that's somewhat helpful. Good luck with your move!