Actually, I don't get the feeling that Pine View parents or students have any attitude issues. I just think that they're very happy to be connected to a great school. I had really been trying to indicate that parents seem to think that Riverview is so dramatically superior to the other public high schools, when it isn't necessarily true. In some social circles, you wouldn't mention that your kids go to Sarasota High. On the other hand, are Riverview families jealous of families who have kids at Pine View? Who knows?

I do have ideas for a few Palmer Ranch homes that may be worth investigating, and comparing to those in Lakewood Ranch. I'm available to discuss them at your convenience.

Charles Offer
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
423 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota 34236
(941) 321-9664
charlesoffer@comcast.net

Thanks for the replies. Charles addresses one of the concerns I had about Riverview. He stated, "In the case of Riverview, I think that parents may have gotten a little too caught up in the hype, believing that it's the only choice if their kids are not accepted to Pineview." I don't know if my kids would qualify for Pineview or not, but I would not be interested in them attending if there were a social undertone that students who attended Pineview were "better" than those that didn't.

It's risky for anyone to offer an opinion concerning which is the "best" school. Individual schools will have strengths and weaknesses in different areas. I think that you can use the Florida Department of Education's "Florida School Grades" as a guide, but it isn't necessarily a real indicator of how well your own child will learn at a particular school. By the way, as I read it, it appears that Lakewood Ranch High School has a higher overall rating than Riverview High School for 2008-2009. http://www.charlesoffer.com/Nav.aspx/Page=Http://schoolgrade… I am not an expert on the education system in Sarasota and Manatee counties, but I do know that both of the schools have good reputations. In the case of Riverview, I think that parents may have gotten a little too caught up in the hype, believing that it's the only choice if their kids are not accepted to Pineview.

I understand that it is difficult to find a home that meets your needs on Palmer Ranch. They do exist, but the selection is somewhat limited. I am aware of current listings in Deer Creek, The Hamptons, Turtle Rock and Prestancia that meet your stated requirements, and I would be happy to show them to you. The good news is that you may find a very nice home in some of these neighborhoods for even less than $600,000.

After reviwing the school information provided by the Florida Department of Education, I hope that you won't rule out Lakewood Ranch. It is a great area with a good selection of quality homes, and many families are very happy with the schools. I would be happy to assist you with your search for a home in Lakewood Ranch or Palmer Ranch, and will gladly discuss the merits of both communities. If I can provide you with more information, or if I can help you in any way, please contact me at your convenience.

Charles Offer
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
423 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, FL 34236
charlesoffer@comcast.net
(941) 321-9664 http://www.CharlesOffer.com

Hello!

Riverview High is a great high school, mostly because of their great IB program. However, your children need to qualify for the IB program so that really shouldn't be considered as part of the normal high school routine. I will say that all Sarasota County schools, in general, are some of the best in the state. Our whole county receives high scores across the board.

I think that having a goal of living in the Riverview district is great, but if it just doesn't fit some other aspect of your lifestyle (i.e. price range), all of the other schools in Sarasota County are great too!

Hope I've been of some help,
Shannon Moore
RE/MAX Anchor Realty http://www.TropicalFloridaProperty.com