to move or not to move

I would be more worried about the daycare situation and schools. Does the VI University provide daycare for you? As you might have read here public schools are not very good. As a single mother with limited funds I might to go to a mainland University.

Iris

I'm glad the public school topic has come up! I'm 28yrs old and I also have a 4 yr old son and we will be moving to St. Thomas at the end of October. I don't know anything about the schools. My family here in No. Virginia are all very concerned because they say that I didn't consider my sons education in my decision to move to STT. They said I was being "selfish" and that his future was not taken into consideration. When the public schools in STT are described as "not very good" that scares me. What does that actually mean? Are the teachers bad? Are the students nasty to mainlanders? I have told my family...and myself, that the public schools are going to be different than here in Virginia, and that as long as I work closely with my son at home and make sure he understands the importance of education he will turn out just fine. How bad can the schools be?

Hi Katie,

The school situation is dependent on your perspective and what you are used to. The main problems that I understand are overcrowded classrooms and no money. I have yet to see the schools for myself, but I have 'heard' both good and bad. I have a son 7 and a daughter 5 that will be going to elementary school. I will decide where to take them when I get there which is in two weeks. Some of the schools start then, so it will be a quick decision. I have considered home schooling, but only if they still have some interaction with other kids. I strongly recommend that you take a short visit to the islands first before moving and check out the schools in person. That would be the best way to make a decision. Good luck! 😉

Teresa

If you run a search under schools on this forum you can find a lo of informaion. We where old to send our child to private school because the public schools are no good. There is a lot of money in the school system. More then some states on the mainland get. Yet teachers are paid $10 000 below the US average, don;t pass the teachers certifications and money there is no money for books. Good thing is there was an article in the Daily that they are getting 1 Million dollar for books. One think you will have to think about if the public school looses credibility your child will have a much harder time to get into a good University. Also the Vi Island are about to loose close to 50 Million dollars in Federal moneys if they are not re credited. You can figure out what that will do to the public schools. They simply can no attrackt good teachers for he salaries they offer. Indeed the teachers salary puts one very close to the governmen poverty line. Currendly there are no insentive for the current teachers to pass the teachers examen. They do not get paid more having passed the test. I guess they could be fired but because they have trouble finding new teachers that is very unlikely.

One would think however, wih a low student teacher ratio the children would get a better educaion. However, nohing seem to suppor that theory. Just like on the mainland I have heared wappons have shown up in school. We are from the Philadelphia area and public schools here are very bad as well.

Good thing is there are very good private schools on he Islands. Would that be an opion for you?

Iris

Thanks for the comments Teresa and Iris! I have been to St. Thomas on four different occasions and I have seen the schools from the outside and I have seen the children walking to and from school with their "backpacks on wheels" as I call them and I was glad to see they wear uniforms even in public school. I'm all for uniforms in school! Anyways, I would love to be able to get my son in a private school but I worry about the cost per year. I don't know what my situation will be like in another year...hopefully great...but I will have to wait and just see where me and my husband are financially before I even consider private schooling.

I guess I'll just wait until we get there in 11 weeks and start my research. Luckily I have some time before he will have to register for kindergarden! I'm sure it will all work out for the best as long as I take some time to check out all our options.

Teresa, how do you go about home schooling? Are you going to be working full-time when you move here? I'm curious about that option. Fill me in if you have any info. about home schooling! Thanks.

Katie

Hi Katie,
I have many friends that grew up in STT and went to public school. They are all very intelligent, well adjusted individuals. Private school are very expensive - the cheapest that I have found was $980 a month!!! Private schools will often will give your child free tution if you work for the school. There are a variety of non-teaching jobs available - you just have to look around.

I am suprised to read that there are teachers who are teaching on the islands without proper certification. I was just on the Dept. Of Ed. website and the public schools in the VIs require that teachers pass the Praxis I and II and have valid certification.

Homeschooling is a good option and can be accomplished if the parent works. My question would be, what do you plan to do with your child when he/she is at work? I know that there are government funded Headstart Programs for Kindergartners this ight be something you can look into as well.

I am sorry that your extended family is not being supportive of your move. It is understandable that they worry about the children but you are an adult and you have your own family now. Let them know that it bothers you and you would appreciate their support. In a few months they will be the first ones wanting to come and visit. (charge them room and board!!!Just kidding!)

Good luck and feel free to email me with any other questions or insights.

There is no doubt that things will be different for your family in the islands, I have lived all over the world and home is where the heart is. There are problems whereever you live. One has a choice, they can either dwell on the negative or the can embrace the positives.

I a

hi all

I have never had my children in school in the USVI. I am however experienced in the "public school community " in the states. Whatever I say is only a product of experience, observation and opinion.

The USVI public schools are under sanction for various reasons. They are very short on "qualified teachers". By that I mean, fully credentialed teachers who have passed the competency test and have the proper degrees and credentials. However the embarassingly high percentage of "unqualified" teachers does not really tell the story.

The USVI schools often do an excellent job. They are hindered by a government beaucracy that does not reward them or direct them in a competent manner.

They are also hindred by a population that for the "most part" does not support there children as parents. There are too many "kids" in school who were born to teenage mothers {and no known fathers) who were not ready to be role models for their children.

If your children are resilient they will survive, even thrive in the Virgin Island public schools. The amount of violence in the High schools is probably no more than in most schools in the states. (*BUT that is too much). In the lower grades the kids will have a better chance, particularly if the "parents" become a part of their everyday education.

Good morning guys! I wrote a little about myself in an older post title "One-way tickets". Just in case you want to catch up on my story. I'm new to the message board and I'm still trying to figure the whole thing out...I do think it's great though! Anyways, my husband grew up in St. Thomas and his father and all of his fathers side of the family are all in STT to this day. They are all very intelligent and they grew up in the public school system. In fact, my husbands half sister is currently a junior in high school in Charlotte Amaile and is doing wonderful and is planning to go to a university on the mainland. I have good feelings about my son attending public school there, but also some doubts. He will adjust and so will I in time! If money allows, I'll check out the private schools and once we get established there I might even look into homeschooling. But, for now public school looks like his route. He'll do great!

Thanks for everyone's input...it really helps me! Really.

Katie

Antilles is a Fantastic School. My sister and best friend graduated from there. 🙂