Schools in STT

I'm sure people with children will answer this much better than I, but, IMHO, I would be very concerned about putting a 10 year old into public school here, unless he/she is:

A.) Very resilient
B.) Has an outgoing personality
C.) Has a good self-image
D.) Has good study habits
E.) Is of African-American descent

Changing schools for any child is a bit traumatic, but changing to here might be a little more so.

A PMV (with child) might be a very good idea.

Hello Lynne,

I think the public elementary schools are ok as far as teachers, classes, socialization. Its the junior high schools that are intimidating; peer pressure becomes a bigger issue. There are only two public junior high schools on St. Thomas so there are a lot of students with varying backgrounds from gangster to those that really want to learn, go to college and do something positive. The environment can make teaching and learning a challenge. Combined with that is poor upper management which creates frustration among teachers/adminstrators. The public high schools have been struggling with loss of accreditation in recent years.

Teresa, on this board, recently put her two children in public elementary school and last reported favorably about the teachers and her children's opinions of their classes/classmates. Hopefully she might give a little personal feedback.

--Islander

Sorry for being off-topic, but I hate when people refer to the Black majority population of the Virgin Islands as "African-Americans". The only African-Americans in the Virgin Islands are Blacks who moved from the mainland. The Black majority is of West Indian descent... which is different from "African-American". That term refers to Blacks from the mainland. The Virgin Islands are politically American but culturally not. "African-American" is a cultural term, so it would be incorrect to describe Black Virgin Islanders with West Indian ancestry as "African-Americans." I wouldn't call a Korean a "Chinese", so please make sure you get your ethnic terms right.

Hi Lynne,

I disagree with Marty on this subject. My two caucasian/asian children are in public school and I have been pleased with their progress and the school in general. My son went to a top public school in the States and is not in any way falling behind here. The ethnic background of the students here is diverse. Examples being, West Indian, Latino, Middle Eastern, French, Danish, etc. When we first moved here, I tried to homeschool, however with three children I just couldn't give them the proper education. Putting them in public school was much debated, but we thought we would try it. I was pleasantly suprised with the dedication of the teachers and staff. I know that the teachers don't get paid very well, but that problem existed back in the States as well.

That being said, there are a few schools on STT that I won't send my kids to unless some major changes are made. Many locals feel the same way. Most of the elementary schools are very nice. One junior high school is in the middle of political debate on what to do with it. It was built in a commercial area and is close to the sea. Saltwater, fire, and age has almost destroyed it. They still hold classes there. Twice last month they evacuated the school because of strong odors thought to be gas. Both turned out to be false alarms, but the complaints of the school are many.

The public school situation here can only be described as different. I do agree with Marty that you would have a better understanding if you came on a pre-move visit. See the schools yourself and talk to people who have kids in public school. Besides me of course. 🙂

Living here is completely different than the States in general, let alone the schools. I don't know how to describe the 'areas' that are good places to live. It really depends on your perception and what you want and need. It depends on transportation, where you work, apartment and houses availability, etc. Some areas you may want to avoid are downtown Charlotte (no parking, safety), West End (lack of cell service, distance from most jobs, distance from grocery stores, etc.), but that is only from my perception. If you don't need internet, cell service, and want to be away from the 'city', than the West End is the ideal place. If you work near Charlotte and don't own a car than an upstairs apartment downtown might be ideal. It is difficult to describe so again a visit might be the best advice.

I hope this helps. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Teresa

frequently recieving the top k through 12 rating in the nation is Antilles school. I went there as well as public schools, the curriculum is much more intense at Antilles.

I may be wrong on this, TH, but, in my 7 years here (1.5 of them living with a West Indian family in their home), I have read/learned that the majority of the locals here are descendants of the slaves brought here from Africa back in the early 1800's. Being "American" by being born here, and of "African" descent, certainly makes the description "African-American" a valid one. "West Indian" is a more general term describing anyone born in the islands after Christopher Columbus goofed and thought he was in India. The truest "locals" (or "WestIndians")are the descendants of the Carib and Arawak Indians...the first inhabitants of these islands. Now, since there is a large French-descendant population here, too, and they have white skin vs. black/brown skin, does that mean they are not "West Indian", too? We are now getting into semantics, so I will just drop it, but, by no means did I mean to offend anyone. Please accept my apologies if I did.

I thought the correct terminology was "Afro-Caribbean"?
And I do agree with TH that local West Indians/Afro-Caribbeans do NOT appreciate being referred to as African-American. I have been corrected by locals many times on this point.

I had never even heard that term before this posting. Hmm...guess I should make a phone call! Haha!

Thanks for all your replies and help. I have been digging out from recent snowstorms and this is my first chance to log back on. I am planning a premove visit in May/June, if I get the school position.

One more question could we do without a car to travel around is there a bus system or scooters??
Thanks Lynnne

Some people live without cars, but,if you can afford one, you should get one. The public bus system isn't as reliable as it could be, but there are dollar buses that run similar routes, albeit not with a standardized schedule. You can rent scooters, but buying one would be more econimocal. If you are going to work for a school, I would think that promptness would be of utmost importance, therefore, I will say that a car would be your best bet. I, myslef, ride my Harley everyday, but as a teacher, you may not want to get wet on the way to work (doesn't happen often, but it DOES happen! Haha!).

Just had to add a little story about the "Afro-American" divergence on this thread.

I'm English and have lived here for 20 years and before that spent many years on the mainland. A couple of years ago when one of my nephews was visiting me from England, I asked him, "You know, I've got an odd question but something just popped into my mind. What do we call blacks in England?"

He thought about it for a couple of moments and then said, "Well, English."