Villages Charter School

[dvga11]

Hi,
I am looking at moving from out of state and was looking for people who have kids in the Charter School to let me know how they like it and generally what they think. I know that I have to work in the Villages in order for my kids to go there. I'm basically trying to decide between the Villages Charter School and Fruitland Park Elementary so if anyone had any info on either, I appreciate it! Thanks.

[Bogie Shooter]

Info here on the schools:

The Villages Charter Schools - Central Office (http://www.thevillagescharterschool.org/)
Fruitland Park Elementary School - Fruitland Park, Florida - FL - School overview (http://www.greatschools.org/florida/fruitland-park/1567-Fruitland-Park-Elementary-School/)
Fruitland Park Elementary (http://lake.k12.fl.us/fpe/site/default.asp)

[784caroline]

If you can arrange it , the Villages Charter School will win hands down. I do some volunteer work at the Charter School and have gone to a number of events there....everything is top notch. Alot of people from the Villages donate their time and money in support of this school.

[jbdlfan]

Hi,
I am looking at moving from out of state and was looking for people who have kids in the Charter School to let me know how they like it and generally what they think. I know that I have to work in the Villages in order for my kids to go there. I'm basically trying to decide between the Villages Charter School and Fruitland Park Elementary so if anyone had any info on either, I appreciate it! Thanks.

It depends on what you are looking for in a school. I have had a kid graduate from TVCHS and have strong opinions on the matter. The Villages of Lady Lake Elementary is a wonderful school. Just like any district, there are good and bad aspects. Just be sure to investigate all closely before deciding. "Don't believe everything you read." I have friends that love TVCS and I have friends that consider it a huge mistake.

[Challenger]

It depends on what you are looking for in a school. I have had a kid graduate from TVCHS and have strong opinions on the matter. The Villages of Lady Lake Elementary is a wonderful school. Just like any district, there are good and bad aspects. Just be sure to investigate all closely before deciding. "Don't believe everything you read." I have friends that love TVCS and I have friends that consider it a huge mistake.

Love to hear further discussions about pros and cons of TVCS. Anyone interested in commenting?

[graciegirl]

Generally speaking, How does the state of Florida and the county of Sumter stack up against the national criteria for excellence in education?

Jojo? I bet you would know.

Everyone kind of judges any schools against the system they are familiar with. My children and grandchildren went to Lakota Local in Ohio. My grandson says College is easy comparitively.

Good schools are great, Good parents are greater. Involvement in education makes a difference.

This is one of MY passions.

[dvga11]

Did your child have a bad experience with TVCS? I grew up in Lake County and I did fine in school. I know there are good and bad in every school. I just wondered what local parents thought. Thanks for the feedback.

[swrinfla]

dvga11:

You must be aware that most of the posters here are way beyond the age of children in school, especially in younger than high school!

My personal view: the kids at TVCHS shine! I'm also greatly impressed that both parents and kids are required to deliver many hours of community service hours. I think that may be hard for some folks to do, but it makes a huge, huge difference in the quality of student.

IMHO.

SWR
:beer3:

[paulandjean]

QUESTION.Has anyone been turned away from the Village Charter Schools. I know parents have to work for the Villages in some way.But is it 100% you can go there.

[jbdlfan]

Did your child have a bad experience with TVCS? I grew up in Lake County and I did fine in school. I know there are good and bad in every school. I just wondered what local parents thought. Thanks for the feedback.

I wouldn't say he had a bad experience in so much as limited experience. It is very limited culturaly speaking. The school curriculum is designed to be succesful on the state mandated FCAT test. The high school is very limited as far as AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes. This will limit one's ability to compete with the top colleges outside of Florida. Now, I can offer a ton of more insight, but I will not do it publically on this forum. Every time I have done so, been honest, I end up having to defend myself to people who have very limited experience with the school. I will be more than willing to private message you with more info(good and bad).

[jbdlfan]

QUESTION.Has anyone been turned away from the Village Charter Schools. I know parents have to work for the Villages in some way.But is it 100% you can go there.

Yes, they can be turned away. There have been students that have been asked to leave and seek other avenues.

[angiefox10]

Yes, they can be turned away. There have been students that have been asked to leave and seek other avenues.

AWESOME!!! That's the kind of school I would want my children in! Clearly they have a standard! No wonder so many people work so hard to get their children in the school!

When my husband and I were down there setting up our home and closing, we were able to speak to so many young people working in The Villages so their children could go to The Villages schools. I'm starting to understand why! :MOJE_whot:

[dvga11]

I would love to hear from you! Thanks for the info!

[jbdlfan]

Generally speaking, How does the state of Florida and the county of Sumter stack up against the national criteria for excellence in education?

Jojo? I bet you would know.

Everyone kind of judges any schools against the system they are familiar with. My children and grandchildren went to Lakota Local in Ohio. My grandson says College is easy comparitively.

Good schools are great, Good parents are greater. Involvement in education makes a difference.

This is one of MY passions.
Florida is at the bottom six states when you compare ACT and SAT scores.

[paulandjean]

I did not mean they where asked to leave, I wondered if they could not enter the school lets say for low marks at another school.Low test scores,learning disabilities,etc.

[Irishmen]

There is a tier system. 1st tier for kids whose parents worked directly for The Villages of Lake Sumter etc. 2nd tier was for subcontractors of builders and 3rd was for parents who worked for rented commercial property Subway, and the like. At first we volunteered back in early 2000's. There was no room for 3rd tier kids. Now with construction down and all that goes with it the school is filled with kids from the 3rd tier. we saw a big change in student behavior over the lat few years. It nots what it used to be for sure. Great facilities is really the only difference between Lady Lake Elementary and TVCS. if your child has any special needs like a learning disability or exceptional student go to Lady Lake.

[hedoman]

VCS was recently rated as a top school in the state for acedemics, graduation and college prep per the Daily Sun. Interaction with every student I have met has ben a pleasure.

[paulandjean]

So in a sense the Village Charter School is a private school,meaning they can pick and choose students.Someone living at 466 and 301 who could walk to school could be turned away if not meeting tier1,2, or 3. Correct?

[cappyjon431]

So in a sense the Village Charter School is a private school,meaning they can pick and choose students.Someone living at 466 and 301 who could walk to school could be turned away if not meeting tier1,2, or 3. Correct?

It is not a private school (it is a charter school see FCPCS (http://www.floridacharterschools.org/) for full information on florida's charter schools), it is paid for with tax dollars and is under the auspices of Sumter County Schools. Students must meet all state test scores (not necessary in private schools) such as the FCAT.

[paulandjean]

Charter schools are different than Florida public schools. Charter schools are schools for profit,correct?

[cappyjon431]

Charter schools are different than Florida public schools. Charter schools are schools for profit,correct?

Incorrect.

[paulandjean]

Charter schools then are not schools for profit.Are county millages for schools also effect the villages schools?

[The Village Girl]

Charter schools then are not schools for profit.Are county millages for schools also effect the villages schools?

Florida School Choice | Charter Schools (http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/charter_schools/)

Charter school - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school)

[jbdlfan]

There is a tier system. 1st tier for kids whose parents worked directly for The Villages of Lake Sumter etc. 2nd tier was for subcontractors of builders and 3rd was for parents who worked for rented commercial property Subway, and the like. At first we volunteered back in early 2000's. There was no room for 3rd tier kids. Now with construction down and all that goes with it the school is filled with kids from the 3rd tier. we saw a big change in student behavior over the lat few years. It nots what it used to be for sure. Great facilities is really the only difference between Lady Lake Elementary and TVCS. if your child has any special needs like a learning disability or exceptional student go to Lady Lake.

You are 100% correct about students with learning disabilities! The middle school only has one or two ESE teachers. For a school its size, they would normally have many more. They do not, to the best of my knowledge, have any support facilities for students needing self contained arrangements. When you don't have to deal with these issues, it becomes MUCH easier to achieve the higher test scores. (as well as having the right students missing testing...) I think there is only one intensive reading teacher also.

[dvga11]

Jbdlfan,

I don't know how to private message on here but I would love to hear from you. thanks!

[graciegirl]

Jbdlfan,

I don't know how to private message on here but I would love to hear from you. thanks!

Click on her post. A drop down menu will fall. Click on PM and you can message her.

[dvga11]

Thank you!