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My husband was recently contacted by a resort on stx for a job. He is flying down Monday to look at the resort, decide if we want to move and work out the financial arrangements. They would like him to start the first of the year. This has all happened in under one week and I have tons of questions about family life on stx. I have read back about 6 months on the message board, looked through every page of the website and found every shred of information possible but still have questions. Our children are only 2 and 4, but I am very concerned about the educational system down there. Everything I have seen says either private schools or home schools, but I don't have the patience to homeschool them at this point. Besides I want the social interaction of school. So, do the private schools have waiting lists, are they extremely expensive, do they have pre-kindergarten or 4 year old kindergarten classes, which ones are best? Do the schools have the same curriculum as state side schools and if not what is different? Are there a lot of public parks and beaches that accomodate families? I am a stay at home mom but we are a very active family. We bike regularly, I run and we are outside from morning until night and I want to make sure the kids and I can keep busy while my husband works.
Also, we are planning that my husband will move down about 2 or 3 months before we would be able to. Is this going to be enough time for him to set up our living arrangements so that the kids and I can come down and settle in immediately? Would anyone suggest this or recommend against it? Also, should we expect a relocation package with the offer? Is that common for companies that recruit people from the mainland to offer a relocation package?
Finally, just a quick question because I haven't found any information, does anyone know where a Mormon church on the island might be. I know there is at least one but I am not sure where?
If anyone has any insight into any of this and is willing to share I would love to hear from you. Thanks a ton.
Posted : December 11, 2004 1:57 am
I'm not sure where the Mormon church is, but there definitely is one somewhere. Also, the best private school in my opinion are Good Hope or Country Day. I went to Good Hope, and am now attending Brown University in Rhode Island, and Good Hope definitely has an excellent social environment. The schools have a very similar curriculum to state side schools, but of course we learn about things that apply to us as well (like a lot of emphasis on protecting the environment here, various era in Virgin Islands history, etc..)
Posted : December 11, 2004 2:42 am
Yes, lots of families have one person move down first. Teresa is someone in your exact position who recently moved to STT and posts here often. I hope she sees your question.
If at all possible, come down for a visit. If you've never been here, you really need to see the island and decide if it's right for you. Many people love it, some, not so much. but it's great for the outdoor life.
Good Luck.
Posted : December 11, 2004 5:53 am
wisconsinmom,
You’ll find plenty of parks and beaches for families. There is a pretty big biking and jogging scene on St. Croix, particularly on the south central plains. Here is the phonebook for looking up churches: www.viphonebook.com.
Posted : December 11, 2004 8:27 am
St. Croix Country Day School (private school) is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, which is the regional accreditation body for this area. Some of the public schools have lost their accreditation due to inability to meet the standards set forth by Middle States Association, but they are working on it.
100% of students who graduate from St. Croix Country Day School, and also private Good Hope School, get accepted to mainland colleges including Duke, MIT, Rutgers, and numerous others. St. Croix Country Day School usually has over one million dollars in scholarship offers per year for a graduating class that numbers about 24 on the average. The teachers and staff are excellent, and the curriculum is rigorous college-prep. The technology on campus is excellent, three computer labs, T1 internet access, etc.
St. Croix is not for everyone. It is a very good idea to visit first before making any kind of commitment. Many people cannot take the culture shock, lack of seasonal changes, lack of access to mainland-type services and shopping malls, and if you are Caucasian prepare to become a minority 🙂
Posted : December 13, 2004 6:26 pm
The private schools are expensive! I've been told by parents whose children attend that they pay around $6,000/academic year for Kindergarten. It goes up from there. Both Country Day and Good Hope offer preschool. The children need to be at least 3-4 years old to begin. Montessori is an option for preschool as well. It is also expensive, but less so.
I moved from Iowa. In terms of the parks, they are not planned or maintained the same way we were used to. It's just different. Fortunately the beaches are infintely better than those in Iowa! : )
Good luck!
Posted : December 15, 2004 6:24 pm
Hi,
We're going through the same thing - quick move (Dec. 26). ReMax in STX is getting a list of homes available for us. Also Robin with Chris Haney was very helpful. Her number is 340-773-4850.
I've heard wonderful things about Lee with Econocaribe (?) for moving. He's also answered many questions for us. Unfortunately, the company my fiance, Jim, is going to work for uses only Tropical Shipping.
Good luck!
Posted : December 15, 2004 11:05 pm
Hello,
Visit our Education section at: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/schools/stcroix.php
The private/parochial schools with web sites have links to them. Telephone numbers are listed so you might call and get more info. Some schools do have waiting lists and pre-K is available. Curriculums are mostly the same with a few differences, ie. Caribbean History as a class, might have steel pan as a band, some folks comment on fewer recreational sports/teams.
For running: Check out http://www.virginislandspace.org/
There is a St. Croix group (and a St. Thomas group), and races pretty much monthly.
Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, Hermon Hill (which is just west of Christiansted) 340-773-5188
--Islander
Posted : December 15, 2004 11:15 pm
Topic starter
Thank you all who have responded with wonderful information. My husband is finishing up his visit as I write and it looks like he will be starting within two weeks time. Rather quick compared to what I heard the normal pace for things happening on the islands! lol I thank god for this message board because I would be a nervous reck about what to expect without it. I am sure as I am getting the house and kids ready to move I will have lots of other questions and you will be stuck hearing from me a lot. Thanks again everyone!
--Wisconsin Mom
Posted : December 16, 2004 12:35 am
