Florida?

[lovinannah]

Any momma's in love with their kid's school in FL? Would love to hear about it! DD's father is relocating to FL, along the central Gulf coast. I would like to relocate as well, as long as we're within a quick flight to DD's father. So narrowing our search in regards to where DD might start kindergarten next year. Thanks for any info and advice mommas!

[Nickarolaberry]

My kids attend a public charter Montessori school in Sarasota County called Island Village Montessori School. You can see the website at www.islandvillage.org. As schools go here, we are very happy. Sarasota County actually has quite a few options for public and/or charter schools (or private schools as well if you want to go that route) and is considered one of the top districts in the state. Other public options include an IB (international baccalaureate) elementary school and an IB high school program within one of the regular public high schools. Also there is a great magnet visual/performing arts program at a middle school and a high school (have to audition in); a polytechnical high school that gets very good feedback; and a charter 'military' school (although it's not for troubled kids or a boarding school).

Full disclosure...I teach at the Montessori charter school in the 7th/8th grade.

PM me if you want more info.

There is also a full gifted/talented school in the county that goes 2nd-12th grade and is extremely highly regarded (ranked in the top five high schools in the nation), called Pine View School. It's public. The kids have to test in via IQ testing as well as recommendations, etc. I don't think it's necessarily for every (gifted) kid because they have a quite specific view of what gifted education means, but for the right kids it's a pretty incredible opportunity (basically free prep school).

Florida is not known for its high educational standards. There is a statewide standardized test here (FCAT) which is the pits, and many schools teach to the test. But you can find some gems.

[EVC]

There is also a full gifted/talented school in the county that goes 2nd-12th grade and is extremely highly regarded (ranked in the top five high schools in the nation), called Pine View School. It's public. 

I actually attended PV from 4th-12th grade and had an excellent experience. Feel free to PM for details....