For the second year in a row, little Pacific Collegiate School,
a private charter school is in the top 5 of all high schools in the
nation. Following up on their last year being rated second with a third
is not bad. Kudos to the kids, parents and staff on this achievement.
While the school teaches 7th graders and up, it has a rigorous
curriculum that "emphasizes
international, cross-cultural, and technological education in order to
prepare graduates for life in the 21st Century."
Santa Cruz has a wide variety of academic choices for students and people of Santa Cruz. For a list of the Santa Cruz schools that might benefit your child, follow the link. While some live in west side Santa Cruz homes, the kids can come from all over.
It has always struck me how as a society we say teachers are
necessary and valued, but pay them peanuts. There is a certain
disconnect as parents no longer seem to discipline their kids, so the
task falls on teachers. Most teachers I know are fairly low on the
economic scale but not on the college education needed to teach. Many
other occupations pay more and have less of an impact on our future
citizens. Until the citizenry decide education is more important and
raise their taxes to increase the salaries, the good teachers will stay
out of public education and go to places that value them more.
Santa Cruz housing is expensive and while the home prices are down,
for an average teacher and spouse, a home is still out of reach.
Thankfully there are some places that are starting to get affordable,
even though just condominiums, at least it is a start. You can do a
quick search for Santa Cruz foreclosures here.