RideBikes

I agree w/Lakelander, this is really not that off-topic. Merlin brought it up related to the commuting issue- everyone has various factors that determine where they choose to live in a community, and for most parents, school is a huge issue. I moved to Riverside prior to having kids, and I love being close to downtown where I work as well as working close to where my kids are in school. If we had not been able to afford RPDS and fortunate enough to get on the magnet track, moving to a better district would have been a serious option to consider, despite how much we love our neighborhood and (lack of) commute. Also, Riverside Gator, As an RPDS parent and a member of Riverside Presbyterian Church, we receive no discount. There is financial aid available, and church members may be considered, but I have only seen it distributed where there was clear financial need. (It was a stretch for my husband and me to afford RPDS and we feel like we got a huge raise when my daughter started JWJ last year!) BTW, I think Catholic schools do provide discounts for catholic school tuition if you are a member of the parish.

I agree that this is somewhat off-topic, but as a parent who works downtown, here is my two cents: I live in Avondale, and the elementary school my kids would have had to attend was okay, but not great. I chose private for K-5 and then got my daughter on the magnet route for middle school- at James Weldon. I am happy that it works for her and hope my son can do the same in a couple of years. I am also happy that JWJ and Stanton, are close to where I work! Duval County does have a great magnet program, however, if your child is not "gifted" or "academically talented" you would have to do the neighborhood middle and high schools or choose another magnet program and hope you get in. Lakeshore Middle and Lee High (my district) would not have been acceptable to me. Also, while I am taking advantage of the magnet program, I do not care for what it does to neighborhood schools (brain drain, etc.) I cannot speak for Clay County, but I have not heard anything outstanding about the schools- I suspect both Clay and St. Johns school districts will be (or already are) dealing with some significant growing pains.