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julybride0706
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1376 total posts
Name:
kaitlyn
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school districts...small vs. large
did anyone choose a district b/c of its size? obviously i want a good school district but i think if it's between 2 districts, i rather have small than a big one.
anyone thought about this? or can anyone is a good small district they can recommend?
TIA
Message edited 1/5/2009 8:40:15 PM.
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Posted 1/5/09 8:38 PM  |
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jteach
2 and through
Member since 9/07 3939 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Some of my fav. smaller districts in suffolk are Sayville and babylon Village.
I taught in Sayville my first year so I know from experience and I have family who goes to Babylon Village, both great.
Although, I went to the biggest district in L.I (Sachem) and had a great experience 
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| Posted 1/5/09 8:42 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
it all depends. there are pros to big districts and cons too...same could be said for small dsitrcts. i think it depends on the needs of your kids. for example, if i had a special needs child, chances are the services are better in a larger dsitrict, but again these things are on a case-by-case as every dsitrict is different.
DH and I just bought in Elwood SD... there are only 3 schools in the whole district... one K-2 school, one 3-5 school and the middle/high school. we have only heard excellent things.
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| Posted 1/5/09 8:50 PM |
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JoesWife628
Our family is complete :)
Member since 8/08 3934 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
definitely Sayville
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| Posted 1/5/09 8:54 PM |
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BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
I think the school experience depends mostly with the student and the parents.
I attended a small school and because of that, i feel there was more attention placed to everybody and there is a chance for everybody to play sports.
keep in my, my graduating class is 100 people.
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| Posted 1/5/09 8:54 PM |
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montimom
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/05 479 total posts
Name:
Misha
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
We're having the same dilemma. We are debating btw. Three Village which is huge and the schools offer so many programs vs. Mt. Sinai which is much smaller. I'm leaning towards the smaller just b/c I'm afraid my oldest son will be lost in the big one. But still not so sure. Pros and cons to both I guess. I would love to know which way you decide and why!
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| Posted 1/5/09 8:55 PM |
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jteach
2 and through
Member since 9/07 3939 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Posted by montimom
We're having the same dilemma. We are debating btw. Three Village which is huge and the schools offer so many programs vs. Mt. Sinai which is much smaller. I'm leaning towards the smaller just b/c I'm afraid my oldest son will be lost in the big one. But still not so sure. Pros and cons to both I guess. I would love to know which way you decide and why!
Three Village is an amazing district
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| Posted 1/5/09 8:56 PM |
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julybride0706
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1376 total posts
Name:
kaitlyn
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Posted by olliesmama
Posted by montimom
We're having the same dilemma. We are debating btw. Three Village which is huge and the schools offer so many programs vs. Mt. Sinai which is much smaller. I'm leaning towards the smaller just b/c I'm afraid my oldest son will be lost in the big one. But still not so sure. Pros and cons to both I guess. I would love to know which way you decide and why!
Three Village is an amazing district
is this in nassau or suffok? i'm looking at nassau. anyone know where i can find out what kind of programs they offer? will the school district website tell me?
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| Posted 1/5/09 9:50 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Posted by olliesmama
Posted by montimom
We're having the same dilemma. We are debating btw. Three Village which is huge and the schools offer so many programs vs. Mt. Sinai which is much smaller. I'm leaning towards the smaller just b/c I'm afraid my oldest son will be lost in the big one. But still not so sure. Pros and cons to both I guess. I would love to know which way you decide and why!
Three Village is an amazing district
We're only looking in Three Village. I think because of the size, they offer so many advanced courses and opportunities with the university. Each year Three Village has the highest number of Intel semifinalists and one of the highest numbers of AP Scholars, etc. I don't want my children to be in an artificially small environment. I want them to experience a competitive, high achieving environment, similar to what their college experience will be like.
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| Posted 1/5/09 10:09 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
I personally prefer a larger district. I want my children to be in a competitive environment.
In high school my family moved from one of the biggest districts in Suffolk to a tiny one. There were only 60 people in my class.
The smaller districts had less of everything. Hardly any clubs, sports teams that were mediocre, and anyone who tried out was on the team. Electives were canceled because the classes never filled up. Also, everyone knew everything about each other, and there was no diversity at all.
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| Posted 1/6/09 12:41 AM |
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kristinel
Steinbeck
Member since 5/08 1224 total posts
Name:
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Posted by greeneyes361708
The smaller districts had less of everything. Hardly any clubs, sports teams that were mediocre, and anyone who tried out was on the team. Electives were canceled because the classes never filled up. Also, everyone knew everything about each other, and there was no diversity at all.
Couldn't agree more. I attended a small school district from K-12 grade, graduating with 106 students. Everyone knew everyone and all their business. There was no way of escaping into the crowd. That's one of the reasons why I moved to the NYC area.
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| Posted 1/6/09 7:34 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
I prefer a smaller district where the chances of my kid having more one on one interaction with the educators is greater.
Sayville doesn't have the most competitive sports teams because they have a smaller pool of players to choose from - but they DO have an adequate program and they DO get scouts out to look at their athletes for college. And the community itself has a very strong little league and youth soccer program.
Sayville also doesn't have the most advanced honors system on the Island - but they do have an honors program - and I know that if my kids wind up being academically savvy - they will be supported every step of the way.
I also know that SEPTA is very alive and active in this town - so if my child needs special assistance - he will be supported in those needs.
AND - most kids ARE average - I'd like to think I have a genius and an athlete on my hands - but chances are that my boys will be 100% average. Having a smaller district lets me feel that they won't get lost in the mix.
I like the fact that the nurses, teachers, principal and aides all know my kids by name. I like going to community sponsered events and having the principal come over to greet me and mention something special Robbie said or something neat that Noah drew.
I think it would be harder for me to get that sense of community and involvement in a bigger school. I feel like it wouldn't be as easy to prevent my kids from becoming just another face in the crowd.
BUT - I do know several parents who seek larger districts because they have a kid who is spectacular at a sport or because they have a kid who needs that extra science lab because they are a genius. Or simply because that's what they like and are used to.
It's all personal choice.
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| Posted 1/6/09 7:41 AM |
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Each has its pros and cons.
I went to Sachem and had no problems. The great thing about a bigger district is that there are more electives for high school students and more available courses.
DH is a teacher in a small, north shore district, and there are not as many options for electives.
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| Posted 1/6/09 8:53 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Does a large district necessarily mean larger classes?
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| Posted 1/6/09 8:57 AM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Posted by Kara
Does a large district necessarily mean larger classes?
No. School reports often list average class size, but large district doesn't necessarily mean that the classes are larger.
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| Posted 1/6/09 9:04 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
Posted by Kara
Does a large district necessarily mean larger classes?
Not at all. Some larger districts have pretty small class sizes - and some smaller districts don't have the budget for enough teachers to make the classes smaller.
But larger districts will require more staff and more staff means that some of the administrative staff or specials staff may never get to see my kid or know my child unless they have a need. And that's NOT important to a lot of people.. but it IS important to me and it is one of the factors that makes me more comfortable with a smaller district.
I guess I narrowed it to small district.. and then narrowed it further based on the districts themselves. I mean - there are probably some horrible small districts out there! And there are DEFINITELY some outstanding large districts!
Message edited 1/6/2009 9:21:27 AM.
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| Posted 1/6/09 9:19 AM |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
I know a lot of people (in my area) prefer the Port Jefferson Village SD. It's small and inclusive.
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| Posted 1/6/09 9:20 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: school districts...small vs. large
some other small schools: Harborfields, Elwood (mentioned), Cold Spring Harbor, East Williston, Bethpage all have great reputations.
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| Posted 1/6/09 12:33 PM |
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