29 Palms, CA

SAT Scores Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley - Morongo School District

Looking at homes to buy in California before we moved from my husband's last Marine Corps duty station of Twentynine Palms, CA, we tried to balance the purchase prices of homes (husband starting a new career in the civilian world after being a military judge) with great schools for our four children. One of the things we looked at in choosing the Temecula and Murrieta, CA, area to settle in, related to schools, were the local high schools' SAT scores.

We considered staying in the Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley High desert area, but ultimately chose Temecula Valley as nearer to my parents in the Los Angeles area. Here is how the 29 Palms area schools compare on average SAT scores for high schools:

As of February 2010, here is how the high schools in 29 Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley rank on SAT scores (average):

HIGH SCHOOL AVG SAT RANK (on 1 to 10 scale, est'd til official)

1. Yucca Valley High School 1561 3
2. Twentynine Palms High 1515 4

Joshua Tree does not have its own high school.

The scores for Twentynine Palms High School and Yucca Valley High School are better or even for the SAT, though lower for ranking, than those for Murrieta and Temecula high schools, about two hours away and near Camp Pendleton:

1. Temecula Prep (Winchester) 1533 9
2. Temecula Valley High 1533 7
3. Chapparal High (Temecula) 1530 6
4. Great Oak (Temecula) 1516 8
5. Murrieta Valley High 1513 7
6. Vista Murrieta High 1461 7

So what goes into those Ranks? I have done my own research trying to find this out. I have not found any detailed explanation of it. It seems that the Rank is based on test scores as well as whether the school is meeting its growth targets for those scores, as well as teacher-student ratios and programs offered by the school such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses. I continue to look into this, and I will post more information as I discover it.

In December, 2008 the California Air Resources Board passed the most sweeping emissions rule in the nation. This new reguation starts this year.

According to CARB, diesel exhaust causes cancer, and swift action must be taken in order to save thousands of lives in California. This law is intended for all of the big rigs running around the state, but it affects all vehicles with a gross vehicle rating of over 14,500 pounds. All full sized diesel pick ups that I'm aware of have a GVW rating of at least 19,000 lbs. Exempted are motor homes and private utility vehicles. Fleets have to start complying this year; individual owners have four years to comply. This regulation also affects all out of state diesels that operate in the state. So, if you own a 2009 or earlier model diesel pick up, here's how it affects you:

2002 or earlier: you will not be able to operate this vehicle in California, no matter what state it's registered in, after January 1, 2014. There's a $1000 per day fine if you do operate this vehicle in California after 2014! Plan on saying good bye to your beloved pick up.

2003: you cannot operate this vehicle in California after 2014 unless you install a particulate trap in the exhaust system, at a cost of $10,000 (!) per vehicle. If you install this expensive filter, you can then operate your pick up in California until 2016. Good bye pick up!

2004: same as 2003, except installing a particulate filter will allow you to operate until 2019. Good bye pick up!

2005, 2006: same as 2003, except you can operate until 2020, 2021. Good bye pick up!

2007, 2008, 2009: These newer models meet more stringent emissions standards, so no modification is required. However, these models will not be able to operate in California after 2023. Good by pick up! Wonder why new diesel pick ups are so expensive?

2010: This model year is complient with the emissions regulations, therefore can be operated in California indefinately (or at least until CARB passes new regulations). Some other states are watching California, and plan on similar regulations.

I'd like to add a footnote to this blog. This sweeping regulation, which in effect destroys chattel property rights, was made possible not by elected officials, but by appointed officials who do not have to answer to the public. Will real property rights somehow be next? (This information was gathered from various websites, including manufacturers and installers of particulate traps and CARB's official site).

You won't find many 15 and 16 year olds willing to spend their summer without cell phones, TV, and other amenities, but 11 kids from across America did just that, traveling the country by bicycle and sleeping on thin rubber mats most nights.

The group from Overland Summer Programs spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in 29 Palms July 29, only their third night in a hotel since leaving Savannah, GA June 21. From 29 Palms they headed to Lucerne Valley, traversed the Angeles National Foreest before making their way August 1 to Santa Monica.

Their path can be followed at www.meganbentzin.com, which was created as part of a fund-raiser for children's charity.