We all know that when it comes to real estate, it's all about "location, location, location." And for home buyers with families, school district gets particular attention. So what if you find a home you love, in a great location, but in school district with a less than stellar reputation? If you truly love the home, and plan to live in it long term, then this isn't a deal breaker. You do have options, and a little creative problem solving is all you need.
Here are some tips from a teacher with experience as a real estate agent in the Cedar Rapids area:
- Don't judge a book by its cover. Make a point to visit the school yourself and formulate your own opinion. Look at the teacher-student ratio and the visibility and interaction of administrators. What is the overall tone of the school when you walk through? Are the children happy and quietly engaged, or running wildly or acting defiantly? If you decide it is NOT the place you'd like to send your children, you still have some choices and options.
- Private/parochial schools are located conveniently throughout the area with an elementary school in every public school district. Busing is often available, as is before and after school daycare. This is helpful for families with work hours that do not coincide with school day hours. These schools do charge a tuition which varies greatly depending on parish membership, etc. Scholarships and aid are also available to those who qualify.
- Consider open-enrollment. You can choose to keep your children enrolled at their current school, regardless of what district you move to. You can also choose to enroll in any of the other area schools that are not at their maximum capacity. The application process is simple. One thing to consider is transportation. You will likely be responsible for transporting your child to and from school. Think about carpooling or arranging your work schedule to accommodate this.
- The age of your kids and grades served in your neighborhood's school should be considered. If your youngest child is in fourth grade, and the school is K-5, then the issue may not be as crucial as you thought. One year of making accommodations for open enrollment isn't a deal breaker. On the other hand, one year at that school will not make or break your child's education.
The best advice is to be realistic, creative, and informed when it comes to choosing a home and school for your family. Your Realtor should be able to provide you with resources about area schools, and each school's PTO will be an excellent source for you as well.
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