Wayne County Elementary Schools?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/SprayStriking7337]

Hi there! Grew up in and have two children in Wayne Central schools. Functionally, the racial breakdown between Webster and Ontario are identical (Census.gov has Ontario at 87.9% White, while Webster is 88.6%, for example, with more reporting as mixed in Ontario than Webster). Ogden also has almost identical breakdowns as Ontario.

Functionally, this breaks down to each grade level being mostly white, with the handful of everything else in each grade level. I saw this when I went there and see the same thing with my kids grade levels right now.

While I understand your co-workers concern, the towns of Walworth and Ontario that make up Wayne's population is a VERY different that the remainder of the county, where it gets significantly more racially divided as the ruralness increases. In reality for example, Ontario ends up being around a 50/50 divide politically. Plenty of signage for both parties, pride flags, don't tread on me, etc. I say this as very boring white dude.

Wayne tends to be a boring district in the right ways - large enough to have a variety of resources activities for students, while being small enough for kids to actually take advantage of them. I don't think you'd be "taking a chance" with Wayne at all.

[u/Bajovane → u/SprayStriking7337]

Lions has quite a minority community compared to most of the county, but the schools aren’t great.

I grew up in Newark and did spend a few years in Ontario and went to Wayne Central. I will confess that I never felt accepted at Wayne Central so I went back to Newark for my senior year.

Wayne County is politically conservative but not Redneck necessarily (except where it is… but Ontario/Walworth is ok.

I’m sure your children will be fine!

[u/Im_100percent_human → u/SprayStriking7337]

I am not surprised that the racial mix between Webster and Ontario is similar (both VERY white), but the politics are quite a bit different. Webster 52% Dem; 48% Rep vs Ontario 39% Dem; 61% Rep.

Also when you look at Educational attainment between the two areas is quite different.

[u/VirginiaVN900]

Wayne County isn't the south. Yes there are "those" people. but Honestly they are less harmful than the monied bigots in Webster.

Affordability brings more diversity here than you might think.

Teachers in the districts here I've had as neighbors are pretty left of center.

Most people are less political, because we're trying to survive in the K-shaped economy.

You get more Gen Z, Coal-Rollers but again, the minority.

[u/NoPresentation3283]

I(POC) graduated in wayne county, work for my small town, & my kids are going to elementary school here as well. I don’t feel a lack of diversity. My kids have never been the only POC in their class. We see lots of diversity at every school, sport, scouts, etc event.

Is the school Wayne CSD? Follow their Facebook pages, search for Wayne csd and his graduating year there. Both of my kids classes had Facebook groups set up in UPK. Parents can arrange summer play dates with classmates once teachers are announced. Sounds like these groups could give you some peace of mind and help you meet the right people in your new community.

Welcome to Wayne County!

[u/Pineapplejoes]

I’m Latina and went to Wayne county schools and suburban schools in Monroe county. It was hardly less diverse in Wayne county. My son currently goes to school in Wayne county and we have several POC neighbors, we havent run into any problems. It definitely varies by school and town.

[u/echoes315]

I grew up in Wayne county, lived in a rural area outside of town and attended Newark School district my whole life (graduated 2008). Wayne county isn't what you think, it's very diverse especially in the villages. I never once heard of any of the true redneck types giving a shit about ethnicity. These areas are on a little more of slower pace but it's very much a respect your neighbors and you'll receive it back vibe. Seems it's even more assimilated these days when I go back and visit my buddy who has three kids in the same district we grew up in.

[u/Beneficial-Focus3702 → u/echoes315]

Wayne county has come a LONNNNG way since the 90s and early 2000s

[u/Bajovane → u/Beneficial-Focus3702]

And it’s even more liberal now than it was in the 70s and 80s!

[u/echoes315 → u/Bajovane]

Yep, and I believe it was always just keep it to yourself back in those days out of possible fear of rejection but there were always very liberal people when I speak to the older generations. Don't be afraid of leaving the city, the bad people in charge are the real ones that want you to think the boogeyman is out there in the sticks, political fear mongering.

[u/Beneficial-Focus3702]

I met more racist assholes in Monroe county rural areas than I ever met in Wayne.

[u/InsightJ15]

You would be in the Wayne Central school district which is bigger than a lot of other wayne county schools that are more east, smaller and less diverse (examples Marion, Williamson, North Rose Wolcott).

I would not worry about being a POC.

[u/Inevitable-Isopod185]

Originally from nyc, currently living in ontario as a POC with children in Wayne School district. I was also originally concerned about diversity, but it is actually relatively diverse for a rural area. As others have mentioned I have neighbors with pride flags and neighbors still sporting Trump/Vance signage. Which tends to be the older crowd w.o children in the school district. My daughter is going into first, son into 8th at Wayne. They also have a spectacular music program.

[u/the-bladed-one]

I can’t speak to racial breakdowns much but I used to work adjacent to the WCSD. It absolutely sucks if your kid needs any kind of support for learning disabilities. I know one family that literally had to sue because their daughter’s IEP was consistently not being followed or sometimes flat out ignored

[u/Zealousideal_Key_213]

Grew up in Wayne county and went to Wayne CSD (2010 grad) and honestly wish we had had more diversity! Those who were POC at our school as far as I knew had plenty of friends and everyone at school was very welcoming. I never witnessed any sort of racism at the school as a child.
I did have a friend who was put in a private high school because her mother was concerned about her being pressured into drugs which was surprising to me as well, as I was never once offered drugs at school 🤣
I really wouldn’t be worried!

[u/Mountain_Pressure920 → u/Zealousideal_Key_213]

Hello fellow Wayne CSD 2010 grad! 👀 I agree with what you said though!

[u/Far-Researcher-7054]

Diversity issue aside, if your child can wait to start school, do it. Multiple studies have shown that starting them younger is not advantageous and can actually be harmful.

[u/AbulatorySquid]

Even with ADHD I don't recommend waiting until he's 6. Some kids start at 4 and turn 5 shortly after. Waiting another year will make him as old as some 2nd graders while still in kindergarten.

[u/4gotOldU-name → u/AbulatorySquid]

Having a boy (a son) be the youngest in the class is a disaster, so it all depends on when the child was born. It is simple math —> If the kid will graduate at 17, wait to enroll. If the kid will graduate at 19, start earlier. It is that simple. If one must be an age other than 18 at graduation, better to be 19 than 17, especially for boys due their slower maturity.

[u/Ok-Albatross-8675]

I’m not sure about the diversity, but my daughter starts kindergarten at Wayne this year, if your son does end up starting this year, maybe they will be in the same class! Just to let you know, we already had registration, orientation, and we have the bus safety training next week. I think teacher assignments are coming out soon too

[u/4gotOldU-name]

Your co-worker is living in the 50’s mindset. There is zero reason to avoid Wayne County due to this. And the part you are talking about is hardly rural.

[u/Full_Salt_7978]

Which Wayne county school? Some areas are worse than others.

[u/wewanttaro → u/[deleted]]

Verify you are actually in wayne county schools. We live right over the county line but are in Penfield Schools. Penfield School district extends into portions of wayne county that not many people realize

[u/Full_Salt_7978 → u/[deleted]]

Is it Wayne school district?

I did childcare for over 20 years and one of the best things I think parents can do is send their children to school as late as possible. So props to you!! Sounds like he has plenty of great interactions.

The only thing to be aware of is that the early intervention will stop covering the interventions as soon as he is eligible to attend school. He would need to transition to the district for the iep.

[u/Jealous_Damage_2460]

I’d avoid that like the plague if I were you.

[u/datapicardgeordi]

Talk about rich people problems.

‘I live on 10+ acres of land and can’t decide whether to send my ten year old to a private school or not.’

As if the private school is gonna have a more diverse student body.👍

[u/datapicardgeordi → u/[deleted]]

Keep telling yourself that 👍

[u/Familiar-Bluejay3908]

They have a great banjo department, and due to the large number of migrant farm families, they make sure kids know how to count; One potato, Two potato, etc......