Private schooling in St Croix

Dave - if your son is already used to going to a private school with small classes, the school experience for him here at Country Day or Good Hope wouldn't be a drastic change. Depending on where you are moving from and the demographics of his classmates there, he may have more of an international peer group here to assimilate into his life. Do make an effort to get to know his new friends and their families. The teen life on STX is very social and some kids run a little wild. If your son is well grounded and doesn't get pulled into a group of new friends who lead him astray, he can have a fun time exploring a different location and culture during his high school years.

It's true there is a lot of petty crime in the islands. You hear about everything that occurs here, so it seems like even more. When you have a small population, the percentage rate of crime seems high statistically. The majority of any violent crime that happens does not involved new arrivals, but instead is related to drugs and/or lovers triangles and domestic violence.

its not so much the crime as when bad things to happen be prepared to have to handle things on your own. You can not rely on the police here or even emergency services. Try getting an ambulance when the line is busy or all 2 of them are in the shop.

I have been reading and posting (occaisionally) on this board for about three years now,and I have lived here for about two and half. It bothers me when I see commenst about crime here on the island that downplay the nature of the crime problem. It is a problem. There were over 40 murders in the territory last year. That is out of a poulation of less than 120,000. Please don't say "well, it only occurs between drug dealers / other criminals/ etc, so it doesn't affect me or my friendsand neighbors." That hhigh of a murder is indiocative of a serious societal problem, either the inability of the law enforcement system to deal with violent crime, a culture that breeds violet crime, or any of a number issues, none of them good. When a murder rate is that high in a community, the WHOLE community is impacted. To brush it off by saying violent crime is no big deal here is wrong. Alexandra, I know you sell real estate, and I am confident that discussing the violent crime rate here does not help in selling property. When a potential newcomer asks about the crime rate, however, to downplay it the way you did is wrong,a nd does that person no service at all.

There have been many posts on crime and suitability for teenagers etc.
I am on record as stating that StX is no place to transplant a teenager to .. unless you are moving them from a more unsuitable place!
Drugs and alcohol are a huge part of the teen social life, even at the exclusive prep schools. The island is limited in what it can offer a teen - unless money is no object and you can afford the plane fares to the mainland etc. Crime is ugly down there. The murder rate is a disgrace etc.....the island is so small that crime cannot be encapsulated. It is everywhere.
I have made the point before about "selling" the VI at the expense of frank and open conversation and solutions.
America's Paradise should not have a murder rate that is the highest in the nation. Perhaps we can sell downtown Detroit or the South Side of LA as the New America's Paradise and urge all the Baby Boomers to flock there before the house prices start to reflect the new demand!
St Croix especially is in the grip of what sociologists label a "geography of despair". New tourist accomodations, casinos etc will not change the core ideologies that fuel the production of asocial teens, inadequate education, callous disregard for the cleanliness of the environment etc etc.
Perhaps De Jongh has what it takes to turn the descent around.

Hi, Jane,
I don't think "despair" is what people experience when they come to STX for a vacation or what they remember after leaving. Permanent residents (not me) may have a different view, however, which may approach frustration and anger, and perhaps despair. The new governor seems to be encouraging those forces leading to a despairing situation in that he favors more tourist-type development - casinos, hotels, etc. A more balanced mix of land use could be one factor helping to prevent destructive social manifestations but who knows? If Cruzans were satisfied with donkey carts, outhouses and Coleman lanterns for light then there would be no need to worry about how to make money but this is not the case. The "geography of despair" is a great concept for all us off-island types to play with but it may also help in some way to understand the changing environment of the islands we like to visit.
PT

You make some very good points - the term "geography of despair" actually refers to a social phenomenom in which the societal problems lead to a withdrawal of economic sources of revenue and investment that can be used by the Government and other bodies to improve the situation for the people of that area - this then leads to further poverty, lack of services and support for the population, which in turn leads to higher crime, more societal problems and makes the area even more unpopular with industriesand revenue generators, which then lowers revenue and services available further etc.
A bit of a confused explanation, but the best I could do.
Casinos and other service industries are not generally regarded as the first choice investments to regenerate a society. They are usually seen as money syphons - paying low wages to the 'locals' while the principals reap the dividends.
The continuing level of illiteracy etc. in the population will keep many potential industries from investing on the islands, especially the sought after 'clean' high tech industries that PR sought so aggressively.
I hope that De Jongh has the strength and outward looking vision that is going to be needed to reverse the downward spiral that has gone on for so long. The VI is a jewel - but it is one that is mired in the muck of neglect, corruption and blind greed and selfishness. I pray that a new broom will sweep clean.

Jane,

You make some good and valid points from time to time, but your negativity is overwhelming and you should try to be a little humble about what you think you know.

First of all, your comment that:

"The VI is a jewel - but it is one that is mired in the muck of neglect, corruption and blind greed and selfishness."

This Is simply YOUR OPINION and not a statement of fact.

Secondly, you should always make it clear that you USED to live on ST CROIX, but that you no longer live in the territory,

Thirdly St. Croix is St. Croix. It is not St. Thomas, St. John or Water Island. You need to recognize that your perspective comes from living on one island and one island only, and that the island you lived on is different in many major ways from the other three islands. In fact, each island differs from one another quite significantly in many respects.

I have happily lived on St. Thomas for nearly a year now and my perspective could not be more different from yours. Does the VI have some very serious problems? It most certainly does. Will those problems be solved overnight? No. But I for one, LOVE living here and see a lot of wonderful people and good things happening.

Jane, you are no expert on the Virgin Islands and please do not try to hold yourself out as such.

Peace,
Mell

Mell your statement about being a expert on the vi goes both ways. I am impressed with the depths of janes thoughts and explanations. She is actually talking about local cruzans. People who were born and raised here for generations and will continue to do so, we can not claim to know what it is like to grow up here. I think jane raised alot of very valid points and have no idea why this angered you on a personal level. This is a forum to talk about the islands. Many people here are not going to have a glowing review of them. I have only been here 3 years but can find no fault with the things she mentioned. And we all know these are peoples views.

bnk1227 - in actual fact, the vast majority of violent crime on STX is not centered in the transplant population. Stating that doesn't downplay that crime occurs. Crime occurs in every location around the world. I don't think it's necessary to scaremonger by giving a murder rate and then failing to point out that statistics can be misleading and that there are more factors to consider than just the raw numbers. No matter where you live or consider living, raw statistics won't really tell you how the crime rate in a location might affect you personally. Looking at where the crimes occur and the demographis of who they affect can tell someone what their own risk level might be depending on where they plan to live, who they hang out with, what they do for fun, etc. They can then make their decisions with that info as background.

And, no, discussions of crime really don't affect my real estate sales figures. A very small percentage of the total newcomers to the USVI participate in this discussion board and a high number of those who do still choose to come to the island and many purchase property at some point. Making new arrivals aware of the more dangerous zones and/or activities that could make them more likely to be a crime victim is necessary. Making them feel they will be killed in their beds within weeks of arrival is NOT.

oops sorry Mell, I forgot that I was a certifiable looney ( or whatever it was that you called me last time you disagreed with me)...hmmm nearly a whole year, eh?
Well, I'm off to write home with the blunt crayons the nice people let me have. What is that smell of rubber?

In all seriousness, I was in a very good position for years to see exactly how bad things really were.... During my years on StCroix I was married to Bill Turner. This was long before your time, Mell. He was the ED of SEA, a columnist for the Source and the Daily News, a co-founder of Chant. He worked closely with the Board of Realtors to support a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. We were there at the birth of Farmers in Action..I saw first hand the plight of the disenfranchised. I stood in raw sewage while children with ringworm played in the yard...that was across the road from Sugar Beach condos. A very brave young woman faced down intimidation from Government officials to give testimony. Bill caught EColi from sewage in Campo Rico. He testified before the Senate. He gave special testimony to the Dept of the Interior in WashingtonDC - specifically on the muck and mire. He worked very closely with the Federal Investigators from the DoJ. We were both connected socially and work wise with many of the key players in the fight for justice and action in the VI.
My extremly long winded point being, I guess...I do have half a clue!
Perhaps my negativity comes from frustration at seeing the VI losing ground fast and fear that De Jongh might not be able to turn it around. You have my apologies.

ALexadra - like many people onthe board I am a transplant. I am aware that much of the violent crime is not drected at transplants, I have never been a victim of violent crime (here or other places I have lived), nor do I intend to be one. When the crime rate is as high as it is in the territory, the entire community is the victim. I know that violent crime hasits genesis in a number of couses. My concern is when people on this board make statemenst such as "every area has crime", "it is no worse here than (Philadelphia, Little Rock, Atlanta, Kansas City, etc., insert city of your choice here)", "avoid certain parts of town and you will be safe", etc, etc, etc.. It is less about personal safety than it is about the overall health of our community, and that is the problem. People considering relocation are asking residents for advice. I think they should be given accurate information.

Hi Jane,

Apologies accepted :)!

One last word:

There are many participants on this board who are at least as politically and socially "connected" as you claim to have once been, and who do not share your "sky is falling" analysis of the territory and its problems.

Miaow!

bnk1227 - I think that when people ask about the crime rate they definitely ARE asking for info on how it is likely to affect their personal safety. They can't impact positively on the "health of the community" until they get here, really, and scaring them from moving to the islands has no beneficial effect on either them or the island. Yes, they are asking residents for advice... and do you know what? I am a resident! So why is it that you feel your ideas on what they should be told is the only viewpoint they should hear? The info I provided was not innacurate. It seems to me that you are saying you don't want new people to consider the situation surrounding crimes that occur and only want them to look at the raw statistics. How can that benefit them or the islands?

I agree that most mainlander transplants are not likely to have to worry about being murdered here but there are alot of other crimes like robbery and rape that are not isolated at all.

Thanks Mell. Jane is absolutely the most NEGATIVE person on this board! I'm glad she's gone!!

I think personal attacks show a little bit of immaturity and really have no place here. Jane is giving her opinion as everyone on this board does. I personally think its good for new comers to hear different points of view. And if you only have positive things to say about all aspects of living in the vi you have to be living in some kind of perfect bubble and I want in. The islands are a beautiful place or we wouldn't be living here for the politics, crime and poverty that is here.

Dave,
I do not have a teenager in my house, however I have a nine year old who attends Country day school. I can tell you with the upmost honesty that the school is the main reason I love living on this island.
I am not sure if you have visited the website
http://www.stxcountryday.com/index.html

They challenge the children, but in a more inviting, interesting manner. It is the one "safe" place on this island I have never received even one bad vibe. (where I often feel in "local" places.)

Your son would also be privy to all sorts of scholarships etc because he is in a "territory" and last year, every student made it into their first choice University.

This is one of the main reasons I wish to remain on the island, as I can see how happy it makes my daughter, and our entire social calendar revolves around the school.

They have a maximum of two classes per grade, with a max of 20 children per class. Therefore, your son would be graduating in a max class of 40 children. Great odds for a healthy scholarship and wonderful future!

Lindsay
P.s. I'll pm this to you as well :0)

Hi everyone,
Country Day School and Good Hope School have been highly recomended to us to almost everyone we have spoken to. Does anyone with first hand experience with these schools have any input. The good, the bad, differences between the schools. Any input would be appreiciated. Thank you.
Tammy

I shall unfortunately have to break the mold with this positive post. Oh, how I hate to disappoint my loyal little fan club!
Country Day was a great experience for our High School daughter. The academic offerings were top notch, the teachers and the curriculum were stimulating and challenged all the students. The Mini Gusto work experience weeks and the trips to Renaissance Europe etc made for a very rounded school life.
As a college prep school, they have their game on. Orchestra, choirs, sports, clubs - something for everyone.
Many of her friends had siblings in lower grades and they seemed to be just as happy with their education.
I also heard that Good Hope was extremely good as well - perhaps a little stronger in the arts than CD.

Thank you Jane,
Anyone else?

My sons went to Good Hope School and had a good academic experience there. I probably would have sent them to Country Day but when we moved here one of my sons was in the middle of his junior year in high school and there wasn't time left in his high school schedule to complete some of the specific course requirements Country Day had while Good Hope was willing to work with him to accommodate a transfer student who was on track to graduate where he was coming from. The class sizes were very small and each student received a lot of personal attention. They were challenged in their classes and also had requirements to perform community service, etc. to show them that there was a larger world out there and they should find their place within it. Good Hope does include a strong Arts program that all students are required to include in their curriculum. Various artistic classes, art appreciation, art history, band, choir, school plays, etc. are available so that each student can pursue whatever avenue most suits his abilities and interests. There are assorted sports teams and clubs and language classes and class trips and field trips to broaden the experience.

Either school is a good choice for incoming students. Many people choose the school closer to where they live on the island for ease of transportation, but some make a special decision to choose the further school if one of the programs it offers really suits their child. I know a few families who have split their kids between the two schools according to which is best for each child. The tuition rates are similar and the kids tend to socialize between the schools since they don't have all that many peers to hang out with at just their own school.

I have a 5 year old son. If we move hw will be closer to 7. Any insight as to grade schools would be appreciated. I am interested in St Croix