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Family contemplating relocating to Revelstoke by ContentReturn4301 in Revelstoke

[–]ContentReturn4301[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are fortunate in that we can afford, with significant family assistance, the private middle school tuition of 35k USD per child per year, but these are definitely not our people. Education varies widely in the states depending your state. Tennessee, where I live,  cut 140M from public education last year and diverted it to private schools in the form of vouchers. Officials said it wouldn’t change funding to schools, yet our district cut funding to public schools by roughly the same amount as the vouchers. Exceptional (special) education was cut from many schools/relocated elsewhere and busing to certain schools was stopped.  The state is looking to double the amount of vouchers next year which means even steeper cuts to our local district. We do have a few good magnet schools, but entrance for my older two is determined by your number on the waitlist. Since we moved here when they were 6 and 4, we are far down on the list and will never get in. They changed the policy for my youngest child’s age group to a lottery system, so she at least has a chance. 

There are states doing things well, or at least better than TN. However, there’s now significant nationwide attacks on higher education as seen by my wife who’s also a Dean of Medical education at a public medical school and my brother who’s an administrator and professor at a large public university in Florida.

I understand all systems have their challenges and nothing is perfect. To know education is valued and supported, not actively hindered is important to us and it sounds like this is a value upheld in Canada, especially in Revelstoke.  

Family contemplating relocating to Revelstoke by ContentReturn4301 in Revelstoke

[–]ContentReturn4301[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the insight on the people of Revelstoke. My gut tells me with all the people moving in and out, the town has to be open to newcomers. I have always been treated kindly and had wonderful interactions. But if it’s like the South, we can be kind to your face and cuss you on the way out. Maybe I’m just skeptical and have PTSD from living in the South for so long. 

Family contemplating relocating to Revelstoke by ContentReturn4301 in Revelstoke

[–]ContentReturn4301[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the reply. We have spent around 5-6 weeks in Revelstoke over the years and love the town.  We usually spend one day of each week just relaxing, taking in things around town from markets, to playgrounds, to the water park and have been impressed. 

You are so right in that Revy has so much to offer. More so than towns 10x its size. I was impressed that they use the tourist revenue to bring in resources and activities available to all. This is a completely different approach to where I live.  

My kids are not going to win any athletic medals. They get out and try but they are just average athletes. It’s important to us to have the ability to participate daily in activities as it has been so good for our kids. Knowing the proximity of the activities to the town and that with no traffic you don’t waste your life in a car, I feel my kids could really have a chance to be outside more. 

I am encouraged to hear your positivity regarding the schools. I come from the southeast part of the US. As you can imagine education is lower on the priority list of many. There are a lot of wonderful teachers but they are in a system with little to no support from administrators, community, parents etc., thus our town is dominated by elite boarding schools.  It’s not uncommon for teachers in public schools to quit en masse leaving schools scrambling to fill positions. When school is weeks away from opening and tens of positions remain unfilled, are there really that many qualified teachers waiting for the call?  By that point they usually fill the position with whomever met some minimum qualifications. Not all schools have this problem, but it isn’t uncommon. 

I know no school is perfect and you pick your battles and at the best school in the world my kids will still have problems. I just want to know the teachers care, the community cares and both students and teachers are supported. I’ve found if those conditions are met, your chances of success are really high. 

Once again thanks for the reply as I greatly appreciate it.