Relocating with children

Donna... Chris & Teresa... any comments about your kid's adjustment in the USVI (I know you are both on St. Thomas but thought you might have some feedback just the same).

Thank you!

--Islander

Rachel,

Let's put it this way. My kids have adjusted better than I have! 😉 They think living on an island means going to the beach everyday and getting a chocolate shake. My kids are 7 years, 5 years, and 8 months old.

I have decided to home school and have hooked up with a neat home school group on Water Island. For elementary children, I would not rule out public school. I have met a few teachers and they highly recommend the elementary schools. Although most agree that junior high and high school are quite different and not as well funded - which unfortunately trickles down to the students not doing well in studies. The rule here is that you have to see for yourself. Everyone's opinion is different and everyone's perception seems to vary a lot too.

I don't know about the pre-schools or day-care since I stay home with my kids. We have not yet checked out doctors either. But as far as the kids adjusting - they love it here. I haven't been to a beach yet that is unfriendly for kids. Just check out the 'ratings' on this site to get an idea.

A word to the wise, after dark do be careful with the kids. Crime does exist here as it does everywhere, but we have not had any trouble with the kids. We did have gas stolen out of a vehicle, but we left it downtown overnite as we were driving another vehicle. So it was not smart of us. Won't make that mistake twice! 😉

The best advice I have - bring spray on sunblock. You need to re-apply so the kids won't get burned and a pump spray sunblock is so fast and easy! It takes up to an hour for me to rub sunblock lotion on three kids and husband's back, so I know! Have fun while you are scouting out the place! I am jealous as my husband says STX is beautiful and nicer than STT. I hope to go there soon. Please let us know what you think!

Also, we moved here the first of August this year and planned since May of this year. Good luck!

Teresa

Teresa,

Thanks so much for the input. I too have a 7 year old and an 8 month old so the info really hits home. I'll let you know how it goes, we're coming down for Dec/Jan for a month, so I hope to get a good feel of it all. One other question, Christmas? My oldest has been asking about a christmas tree,(I suspect theres not a lot of pine) I have read about the Crucian Festival... Just looking for a bit more detail....
So Thanks Again- Rachel

We have lived on St Croix for nearly four yrs. I have a senior in Private School - i am a staunch supporter of public schooling, but here on St Croix THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE but to put one's children in the private system. The Public Schools are not an option - both of the high schools have lost their accreditation - test scores throughout the age ranges are at the very bottom of the US range - we might have beaten Guam - lol! There are no books and equipment, under qualified teachers, no supervision, violence, filthy facilities and no substitutes.
My daughter spent one year in PS due to my principles and I will regret doing that to her for a long time. She was subjected to racial taunts and was very isolated as she was one of only two Caucasian students at the large school. The lessons were obviously ot planned to take into account the presence of a white child. Even locals were shocked that we would subject her to the public system.
95% of our swollen ed. budget is spent on administration - it shows. many of our public school teachers are good people struggling to help the children.
We all refer to the cost of private schooling as the education tax for st croix. Locals and immigrants alike will pay for private schooling if possible. The private schools are superb and embrace diversity and reflect our rainbow coalition.

That said, we love our life here - just be realistic about the trade offs for Paradise.

Hello,

Many people decorate the outside of their homes with lights and have Christmas trees. Santa often makes appearances at local events and at shopping areas, schools, parties...

K-mart and other stores carry fake Christmas trees and an assortment of ornaments, wreaths, lights, yard ornaments ect.

Various stores/vendors sell live, cut trees that are brought in from the states; usually you will see the refrigerated trailors parked on the side of the road in commerical areas with a big sign "x-mas trees" (they pop up several weeks before the holidays).

Also, plant depots/stores on island carry potted "christmas" trees; they are norfolk island pines, if you wanted something live that you could stick in the yard after Christmas that is a good route to take.

Often folks pick up potted poinsettas to decorate the house; again different stores will carry them around the holidays.

You might enjoy an article in our Nov. 04 newsletter: "Island Christmas Memories"

http://vinow.com/news/Nov03/myxmas.php

--Islander

Moved to St. Thomas four years ago with a five year old. She is doing great although went through an adjustment period the first six months or so. Not so much because of the Virgin Islands but more because of the change - missing friends, missing her old house, missing her old teacher, etc., etc. It helped A LOT to but some fiction kid books about kids moving, being the "new kid" in school. I read them to her and she identified with the new kid, the lonely kid, etc. (Even cried a little in one book). That said, though, she made friends very quickly and loves it here. Just be prepared for a little adjustment.

Donna,
I am moving to STT this November with my 7 year old son and he is very excited. Did you send your daughter to public or private school? I am a single mother and will not be able to home school my son. Also, do all the public school kids wear uniforms?
Thanks,
Tara

Another question. How do I know what school to register my son? I checked out all the public schools and they provide phone numbers but I am not sure to the locations. Is there a general phone number? Is the Peace Corp School different from the rest of the schools? I am moving rigth down the street, walking distance, to Antillies Private School. Unfortunately thats not going to be an option this year unless I can get some serious financial aide, unlikely.
Thanks,
Tara

I would also check if any of the private schools offer some assistance or have scarlaships (sp)
Iris

Hi Jane,

Thanks for your info. My son is 14 (a ninth grader), and we are considering a move at the end of Oct. / early Nov. Schooling is a huge concern for me, but seeing that public school appears to be out of the question helps make my decision pretty easy.

What school does your daughter attend? Where is it at in comparison to the rest of the island? Does the island provide a busing system? Does the school have a website?

Any info. will be greatly appreciated!

Hello,

Yes all public school students and most if not all parochial school students wear uniforms in the USVI.

Your question about Peace Corps School... is it refering to the name? If not what do you mean "is it different"?

Check out https://www.vimovingcenter.com/schools/
there are links to the district web sites which contain addresses for schools and links to a list of schools on each island; the schools with web sites are written in blue text with little orange arrows; you can click on the name to visit the web site.

Yes there is a bus system.

--Islander

Islander,
Yes I was referring to the name of the school, it seemed like something for peace corp people??? I did check into many of the schools and made phone calls today. I was told that there arent any public schools where I live, there wont be any public transportation. However, I was told I could pick the school of my choice and drive him to school not a problem for me. I looked into a few of the schools and their neighborhoods too. I also checked out Antilles, unfortunately their first grade is full this year. I will most likely enroll him in this school for next year but as for this year possibly Sipilly or home school.
Thanks for helping,
Tara
P.S. If anyone is interested in play-dates when I arrive dont hesitate to email me. tlh75@comcast.net This address will most likely be changing once I arrive on the island.

My daughter is at Country Day - situated mid island - near Christiansted, Hess housing, the North Shore and a little further away from Frederiksted. Good Hope, the other larger non-parochial school, is on the west End almost in Frederiksted.
www.stxcountryday.com is the web site - great school - almost always 100% college acceptance for seniors - over $3 million in merit scholarships last year and Ivy League and MIT etc not unusual.
sports not really up to Stateside standards but we do our best lol

Tara,
When will you be in STX?
Rachel

Rachel,

I am moving to St. Thomas the first to second week of November.

Tara

Tara and the rest:

My daughter goes to Montessori which is less expensive than Antilles (but that isn't why she goes there). It is private and a great school. Check it out. I know that they have room in the first grade. You will be living very close to me (I live near Antilles). Email me. All the schools have bus service but none of the school buses go to Frenchman's Bay - go figure - we live the country. I know the Montessori kids who take the bus can catch it downtown or up at Tillet Gardens. It is easier for me to take my daughter to school. Some years I have been able to find someone to carpool with. Peace Corps is just the name of a school. I have heard that the good public elementary school is Sibily. Don't know how it is determined which school your child attends. Definitely check out the private schools - Montessori, All Saints, St. Peter and Paul.

Thanks Donna,
I will look into the Montessori school.

Tara