We are relocating from Northern California to the Shenandoah Valley area or surrounding areas (Charlottesville). Never been there,husband being relocated. Need to find a great middle school and high school. Any input or advice would be so very helpful. Hopeing to get soem advice from those who live there. Websites only tell you what you want to hear! Thank You!

The Shenandoah Valley is a big place. Where's your husband's job?

Your best bet is going to be near Charlottsville. Beyond that, the schools are a bit of a crap shoot since your child will likely be in a mostly rural schoo district in a state that doesn't provide much funding for education.

I'm a Roanoke native, living in Northern CA. On a visit to Virginia last week, we drove from Roanoke to Dulles. The scenery was totally gorgeous. The Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful place. Let us know where your husband will be working so we can give you suggestions.

I tried to post this last night, but evidently it did not post. Handley High School in Winchester is an excellent school. My mother actually graduated from there years ago, and my cousins who still live in the area say it continues to be one of the best in the state. Check the Winchester Chamber of Commerce website.

Oh I am so glad to hear from someone...He is relocating to the new WalMart DC in Mount Crawford. So any help would be appreciated. We should be heading out here right after the first of the year.

Mt. Crawford is near Harrisonburg, VA. Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University--one of the large state schools in VA. The local elem.-H.S. are generally good in the city of H-burg, but not as good in the surrounding counties. (The city/county divide generally holds true throughout the Valley)

Charlottesville would be a far commute for your husband--at least an hour each way, possibly more.

Another town to consider that's about a half hour from Mt. Crawford and has decent schools is Staunton, VA (about 1/2 hour from H-burg).

Good luck.

Thank You schlegal1 I appreciate the input. would Californians be welcome there generally? How about Shopping, Arts music etc. Do you live near there/ Thanks again...CG

Just a thought: Does Walmart provide any relocation services?

Gearclan - I live in Waynesboro (right next to Staunton and about 1/2 hour from H-burg, where DH works). I work in C-ville. So that's my background.

Anyone's welcome in the Valley--it's a very friendly place! Lots of "small town" America feel to it. There is a LOT of outdoor activity to be enjoyed as well as many festivals --Waynesboro has a "fall Foloage Festival" this weekend where artists and craftsmen come from all over and display their works in our downtown.

As far as Arts/music--you have to look a bit but it's here. In Staunton, there is the Blackfriar's playhouse, an authentic Shakesperean theatre. DH plays with a local orchestra for fun. Charlottesville, Staunton, and Harrisonburg have "Fridays after Five" where a band plays downtown for free every Friday in the summer. C-ville has the most artistic community--more writers and painter/sculptor types live here and it's the most liberal of the three cities I mention.

Most of VA is conservative (with the exception of those who work/attend the Universities, who tend to be more liberal). But I think anyone would feel more than comfortable in the Valley --although if you are a Democrat you feel like voting is a bit of a waste of time =). One odd thing I meant to mention in my last post is that a lot of public schools have religious education (Christian only) built in to their day for an hour or so. The kids go off campus for it but those left behind (very few) don't have particularly enriching class time. It's weird.

Finally, I should add that shopping opportunities are scarce. Harrisonburg recently built an area with lots of "big box" type stores and it has a Target. C-ville is about the same. For any serious shopping most people go to Richmond (2 hrs from Harrisonburg, 1 hr from C-ville) or Tyson's Corner (2 hrs from H-burg, 2 hrs from C-ville)because they have huge malls.

Thanks again for the info...Betsy, yes they do have a relocation department , they will pack us move us etc. But as far as local information, which I base my moves on I would rather try this route. . I am surprised to hear about the religion taught in the schools . Isn't that a violation of church and state? I have read that Californians generally are not very welcome there Hope that is not the case. I have been looking at the Harrisonburg area and Staunton. Specically the Turner Ashby School District , as it seems to be mentioned so much as a selling point in Real Estate. Seems very conservative. I can adapt to anything, But I don't want to put my daughters through more than need to be . Ya know? The move will be enough of a change. ...I appreciatte your time schlegal1...CG

Hi,
I don't know the Harrisonburg area that well, but do live in Winchester, VA (in fact, saraho, my older son is currently a freshman at Handley ) which is in the Northern Shenandoah Valley about an hour north of Harrisonburg. I can tell you that there is a lot to do and see in the area. It is also, as mentioned above, a very conservative area (which took some getting used to for me), but that doesn't mean that people aren't very welcoming.

If you like the outdoors, Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive are easily accessible for hiking, bird watching, etc... Natural Bridge and Luray Caverns are nice day trips as well.

There is a great deal of history in the area, mostly Civil War, but not exclusively. It is easy to visit many famous battlefields, the new Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, and The Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton just to give a few suggestions.

As for culture, there is a fair amount if you look for it. Art galleries and antiques, musical performances and more. Charlottesville has a lot of stuff and Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University. If you are a sports fan, then the universities are a great place to go for games.

It really is a beautiful area and, like anywhere, has its advantages and disadvantages. I hope this is useful. Post if you have any other questions.

Good luck with the move.

> One odd thing I meant to mention in my last post is that a lot of public schools have religious education (Christian only) built in to their day for an hour or so. The kids go off campus for it but those left behind (very few) don't have particularly enriching class time. It's weird.<

schlegal1, Could you be very specific in explaining the details of this? I also live in Virginia, the southeastern home-to-Pat-Robertson part. I'd describe my community as pretty damn conservative but the circumstance you describe would be Off. The. Charts. Not. Happening. in a public school.

gearclan, Good luck with your relocation. You're doing the right thing by investigating the region by neighborhoods. There are great school systems out there.

But I am so curious to know, where did you read that Californians are generally are not very welcome in Virginia? That is so sad.

obxgirl:
So here's the deal with the religious ed. Several years ago the elementary school classes would break during part of the day, those who were taking the religious ed classes would stay in the classroom and those who weren't would leave. Talk about violating church and state!

Some parents who wanted to change the system did so, but only to an extent. Now, instead of staying on the school grounds, the children are dismissed to an "off grounds" facility close to the school for their religious ed. time (usually once a week). Others stay in the classroom for art or another activity. This is constitutional.

One of the major problems with it is that it immediately stigmatizes those kids who don't go to the Bible class as being different. Many kids just go because that's what their peers are doing. After all, can you really expect an 8-year-old to be ok with being one of one or two kids who remain behind while others go off with their friends to another class?

Many school boards are now ending these "Weekday Religious Ed." programs but there are still 20 school districts in VA that have them. Mostly here in the Valley and Southwest parts of VA.

schlegal1, Wow. Thanks for the education on WREs! Who knew. It does sound as if they're becoming more and more of an anachronism as the population of the communites change.

It's a rare day when I can say I live in a more liberal town than another fellow Virginian (exclusive of NoVa).

i grew up in mt crawford and went to public school k-12 there. as noted, the county schools are a bit better in my opinion that the city, but everyone has an opinion. depending on where you locate, if in rockingham county, you'll either feed into spotswood hs or turner ashby hs - both very good. i'm pretty sure the ms that feeds spotswood is still montevideo but it's been awhile. there are a few private schools - eastern mennonite in h'burg and stuart hall (girl's boarding ) in staunton. i also think it's what to student makes of it but i think the teachers are 100% commited and growing up in that area was a pleasure. the people in that area are so friendly, get involved with a community organization and you will meet tons of people. obviously very different than northern CA but i think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Gearclan,
Welcome to the Valley. I don't think you will be disappointed with the move.

There is so much to see and do all along the I-81 corridor that you won't be bored, and the beauty of it is world known.

We are in Woodstock, north of Mt Crawford, but come to Waynesboro for the art shows, and Staunton for its charm and antiques.

ooops, hit the wrong key and it posted.

James Madison has a great football team, and its basketball team plays some pretty stiff competition.

Thank You everyone for your replys!
They are so very helpful, and way more educational than in the books . We are coming out to the Valley area in November , hopefully to catch some of the great Autumn color. Probably Nov 18-Dec 1st. I want to see the area, the schools, homes etc. I was looking at the Bridewater Inn, In Bridgewater.Although still looking and would like to find a nice place to spend Thanksgiving with my husband and 2, daughters 16 and 11. Just trying to get a good feel of the area . My huband will be going out in February . And it looks like I will follow him out when the kids are done with school. End of May. Keep the feedback coming in. I love to get the responses. Happy Holidays to all!...CG

Dear kugs and ronkala,
Thanks for the great information . Very comforting to hear it straight from the horses mouth (as they say). First a few updates. November 18th we are flying into Dulles and starting a 2 week driving trip through your beautiful state. From Dulles down the Shenandoah Valley etc. (surrounding areas) then staying in the Staunton area , Bridgewater area and surrounding. I wanted to to get a "feel " for the area and the people and look for the "signs" to see where we should plant ourselves. Then off towards the University of Virginia to see a good old fashioned Autumn Football game, and hopefully a Volleyball game as well as I am a coach and my daughter plays varsity VB as well. Then off towards the coast to Jamestown , as just today in our local paper in North.CA There was a great little article about a "Colonial Thanksgiving set in Williamsburg" We were trying to figure out what to do for the holiday in a unfamiliar city. And this literally dropped in my lap. After the holiday we will make it up the state North again and eventually ending in Dulles to fly home around Dec 1st. So... after all that if you had any ideas or insights on must see sites throughout that trek. I would really appreciate your feedback again.
Kugs...you spoke of the schools , do you specifally know about Montevideo, and Turner Ashby? Their reputation, school life, teachers, sports etc. 1 daughter would be at the HS and the other at the Midd.
I would love to hear about great hotels , restaurants, sites , beautiful bridges, farmers markets, antiques, etc. Thanks to all you are already making me feel welcome there!
Most Sincerely, Charisse G.

Bridgewater is a neat little college town. Dayton, just north of it on route 42, has the Dayton Market which is quite interesting. Lots of local meats, cheese, and other products. Most of the towns in the area have farmers markets during the growing season.

Meems Bottom covered bridge is just off route 11 between Mount Jackson and New Market. There is a large antique emporium in Strasburg, and smaller ones throughout the Valley.

I was going to suggest the Strasburg Hotel (circa 1905) in Strasburg for Thanksgiving, but your present plans for the day sounds more exciting. There is much to see in the Yorktown-Jamestown-Williamsburg area. Try to
drive along route 5 between Jamestown and Hopewell if you can so you can see the plantations.