<p>Hi,
I was wondering if there is any parent out there (or student) who could comment about the education results from the school on Catalina Island in Avalon. How good was it for your family? or for you?</p>
<p>What was it like living in that area? Is it as safe and small town as it seems?</p>
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<p>Depends on what you mean by “safe.” Avalon certainly is small, and it has a low crime rate, but the town almost burned down in the recent wild fires.</p>
<p>I have no personal experience with the high school, but according to an article about it in the LA Times a few years ago, the kids when they graduate can’t wait to flee to the mainland. They often feel hemmed-in and limited on the island.</p>
<p>I live on the mainland from Avalon and in this part of the country, both on the mainland and on the island–yes, wildfires can be a problem. I just returned from Avalon on Sunday and the town was completely saved. Sadly and yet amazingly they lost one house up in one canyon. The flames were absolutely at their doorstep. But the fantasic firefighting crews saved Avalon. </p>
<p>I was referring more to the atmosphere that seems so peaceful and carefree–is it really hiding an ugly side or drug problem or gangs or crimes??</p>
<p>Avalon is a tourist town. From the few that I know that actually live there, it a very low key, blue collar existence on the island. There are the yachters that are regulars. It is very, very, very small.</p>
<p>They had a large graduating class this year in Avalon, with many going on to college. California Maritime Academy seemed quite popular as the next step. I don’t know much about that school–is it hard to get into?</p>
<p>I have found one person who told me that alcohol and pot are the biggest problems for the kids who are bored. She said many kids are hesitant about leaving this small town to make it in the big world.</p>
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<p>Lol the same could be said for kids at any high school in the entire world. replace small town with “high school bubble” when appropriate. <em>shrug</em> it doesn’t seem like a reason to dismiss this school.</p>
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You wouldn’t know it from the real estate prices.</p>
<p>I think the alcohol and pot scene is very common and not a reason to dismiss the school. In fact if that is the worst of their woes, they are lucky. Gangs, hardcore drugs, fights and racial tension make our current local public school the problem that it is. </p>
<p>Bandit–that’s for sure! the cost of housing is really high per square foot–and the old cabins are really cute, but the expense of maintaining that age of house can be very costly. This kind of limited housing makes the prices high. Yet it is sad, walking around town and seeing how many homes haven’t even been lived in for years–someone owns it, but never comes out there. The houses are sad and need life in them. I would love to get one of those places and fix it up.</p>
<p>We have been so busy with summer and back to school that I haven’t been on the board much. We are still considering Catalina as a possible next stop for our family. I am always seeking more input–so please if you see this “old” thread, I am happy to hear from you.</p>
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And the trip to Home Depot can be a bit daunting!</p>
<p>I think I read your other thread on this before and you got me curious enough to check into real estate prices in Avalon and wonder what it’d be like to live there. I can see the appeal for you. Somewaht isolated and small town yet right next to one of the largest metro areas in the country. Close to the ‘car and freeway capitol’ of the country yet only generally has electric golf carts (and feet) for transportation. And every house is close to the beach.</p>
<p>Yes, it is so charming and my kids love the water and boating. I spent my summers on an island in the Puget Sound, so it brings a flood of warm fuzzy thoughts to me whenever we are out there.</p>
<p>I am keeping brief contact with a family who is restoring one of these darling cottages and it’s taking twice as long as anticipated and about twice as much money. No running out to home depot–that is for sure. And the cost of the houses are incredible. I need some dear 100 year old grandma out there to adopt me and put me in her will! But you don’t spend lots of money on gas for the car or going to movies or shopping.</p>
<p>Each week that goes by, makes it seem more appealing as far as letting the kids grow up as just normal kids, who can walk to the high school for their activities and can spend the weekend swimming and hiking. I am working on getting a rental lined up for our family to spend more time out there–see if we really will like it or not. We still have two years to figure it out. :)</p>
<p>My son was out at Catalina last weekend. I asked him what he would think of living there. He said, “Mom, we wouldn’t like it there it’s too small. There is ‘Small’ and then there’s Catalina”. Hmmm, looks like I have some more information to consider in our decision. Let’s hope he makes it into Troy!</p>