john caronna

For everybody out there who is interested in comparing school districts or individual schools in the San Francisco bay area, I have attached the most recent California Standard school scores (API index) showing the school scores for all the public schools in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda (Lamorinda)

Note: I am on the fundraising board for the Orinda schools. If you have any questions I can help.

2011API 2010API Growth

Acalanes Union High School District 903 897 6

Acalanes High School 910 897 13

Campolindo High School 923 919 4

Las Lomas High School 868 862 6

Miramonte High School 923 929 -6

Lafayette School District 922 922 0

Burton Valley Elementary 926 928 -2

Happy Valley Elementary 965 962 3

Lafayette Elementary 939 940 -1

Springhill Elementary 921 917 4

Stanley Middle School 907 909 -2

Moraga School District 955 945 10

Camino Pablo Elementary 966 961 5

Rheem Elementary 976 971 5

Los Perales Elementary 961 953 8

J.M. Intermediate 941 934 7

Orinda Union School District 957 954 3

Del Rey Elementary 968 969 -1

Glorietta Elementary 961 966 -5

Sleepy Hollow Elementary 977 975 2

Wagner Ranch Elementary 959 965 -6

Orinda Intermediate 946 938 8

Just read a sad and disturbing story in the Contra Costa Times (our regional paper for the East Bay) and it talked about how most schools in California have cut out the counselors at high schools.

Many of the students interviewed in our local area, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hil, and Oakland were discussing how they have never even had a "one on one" meeting with their counselor and that they have to figure out college choices on their own.

Wow! the experts they interviewed talked about: higher drop out rates, less kids going to college and many other issues.

The schools themselves are trying their best, as most schools have given this job to their already swamped assistant principles.

Here in our small school district, our local high schools in Moraga, There is a separate counselor(s) for students with issues or problems. Lafayette, and Orinda have four counselors that strictly do the academic and career/college counseling.

this is a ratio of about 1 counselor for every 300 students.

Most or all of the salaries are paid for by the private fund raising we do in our towns.

i am saddened by these cuts, because the reality for almost all kids in Californina public schools is a continuing deterioration of education.

Luckily, here in Lamorinda, we have great schools with a committed population that continues to give our kids the best opportunities to achieve their goals, whatever and wherever those

Here in Lamorinda, many of the kids (age 5-18) do the recreational swim teams we call OMPA.

AND Wednesdays at 5:30pm means swim meets.

From the 6 and under group to the advanced 15-18 year swimmers, recreational swim is a long time tradition here in Orinda, Moraga, and Lafayette.

Over 2,300 swimmers, largest rec swim league in the nation. Many Olympic swimmers and water polo players have come from our small towns.

All three high schools, Miramonte, Campolinda, and Acalanes have fantastic swim and water polo teams for both boys and girls.

We are really lucky, we have great academics at all three schools, and for anything who is looking to move here, we have great programs in sports, clubs and electives at all the schools.

I'm currently working with a family that is looking for a 3 bedroom home, not condo for under $500k, in our school district and I think we may have something!

As a member of the fundraising board for the Orinda schools, I am very well versed in how we make our schools continue to stand out, especially during these tough state budget times.

Please let me know if you have any quesitons about our area.

Met another family today that is looking to move to Lafayette, Moraga, or Orinda. They read the article in Forbes from May describing how Moraga was the best town in the Bay Area for great schools and good value on a home.

They aren't telling any of us anything we don't already know.

I have been on the fundraising board of the Orinda schools for the past eight years, and learning first hand how we continue to have the best schools anywhere has been very rewarding.

I am hoping to meet and help many more families who are searching for a new home in our area, as it is truly an great place to live.

25 minutes to SF on BART. great weather, beautiful scenery, and great schools!

It doesn't get any better, unless we are in Paris or Florence maybe!