We are currently in the Irving/Valley Ranch area, which I love. It's a convenient location-20-30 minutes to just about everything and the schools for where we live a ranked pretty good as far as academics. However, it's an expensive area and when conisdering home ownership, I know I will likely not get as much house for my money as I could somewhere else. I want to explore other cities and having a good school district/good schools is very important to me. Can you offer any suggestions or your experiences with the schools/school districts where you decided to buy a home?
We are in Plano. Love it. You do have to research the schools. I recommend the central area.
I'm a substitute teacher in PISD. My daughter is in middle school. There are some changes going to be made on boundaries but if you stick to the Central area, you will be ok. Great Sr High School.
Carroll-southlake is a great school district, but the homes and taxes are high. I have heard coppell is good also. I grew up in Grapevine-colleyville school district and it was top rated when I went there 12 years ago.(not sure about now though)Good luck!
T.
We live in north Carrollton - the part that is in Lewsiville ISD, and the schools around here are excellent. I am not sure abou the rest of LISD, but I imagine it can't be too different. This is also a great location. We are half way between I35 and the Tollway and close to 121 so we can get anywhere pretty fast.
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD is great ( www.hebisd.edu ). I worked there for 7 years and loved it! I'll be working in Lewisville ISD ( www.lisd.net ) this year and it is also a great district. I grew up in this district!
There are several very good schools in all districts. HPISD is excellent, however home prices in the Park Cities are extreemly high in comparrison to other areas. We are in East Dallas is an excellent Elementary school, however the upper schools are not ranked as high. Richardson ISD has extremely high ranked elementary schools but again, the upper schools are spotty. Check the school districts websites, all the districts will give information on specific schools, what they are ranked and what extra-cirricular activies are available.
As a real estate agent I would suggest you look at your budget and if you want I will be happy to run some properties in diffent areas for you so that you can get an idea as to what your money will buy in the school districts you like. There is absolutely no obligation on your part to use me later. Anything to help a mom in need.
I love HEBISD! check out our website!
p.s. if you do go to this school district pick a school of choice! They're much better!
K.
I made a move last summer as a single mom with my two girls (now 6 and 10) from DISD. I researched many school districts and it was important to find one with a good special education program for my oldest daughter with PDD, SID and ADHD. I ended up choosing Rockwall because my job at the time was in Mesquite and the drive to and from Plano would have killed me. I received so many responses from moms right here on mamasource who had nothing but good things to say about the Rockwall ISD. However, something you'll want to consider before choosing a school district is distance from you work or your husband's work. Once you've chosen the ISD, then you need to research the individual schools. I searched a registered sex offender listing and found several of them all living within a one mile radius of a certain elementary school so I knew I didn't want to live in that neighborhood. I also spoke to several moms about certain schools and principals and that helped me to narrow my search to a few neighborhoods to get them in the best elementary school.
There's lots to consider. Good luck to you.
Erica,
it does matter where you go, especially if you have a child with any learning disabilities.
I live in Flower Mound, which isn't cheap, and LISD is a great school district. It's a huge district so there is a range of prices in homes, but some of the schools are not as good as others.
My friend moved out to Argyle recently. She raves about Argyle Middle and High School. The houses there are much more reasonable. I'd try Argyle. You get a lot more for your money there.
We are building in Mira Lagos in grand prairie. Lots of Bang for the buck and it in the Mansfield School District, and they lowered the school taxes, just recently, because they have a high reserve.
Grand Prairie/Mansfield is a great family friendly place close to both 20 and 30
We just moved her from one of the best school systems in the country, in northern VA, where I was a public school teacher, so I am very hyper-sensitive to the quality of a good educational system.
Here is what to look for in a school district.
1. very few apartment homes
2. very high home ownership
3. higher school taxes or a school system with lots of tax reserves.
4. PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS THAT HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN THE SYSTEM.
5. A system that has higher salary for teachers.
Be leary of school systems the say they have high test scores, they are the top rated blah blah blah. That means nothing when it comes to quality education. The quality of education is better measured in how a school and the school system utilizes it funds to EDUCATE, not test children. So when you find a school system that has higher salaries for teachers that mean they can be very selective in the people they hire, and generally get the best. When a school system spends money on building new schools, to make sure the student:teacher ratio is low, that means they care about building quality student skills. When a school system requires lots of professional development, that means they want their teachers to always be ahead of the curve and have the best skills for the most diverse population. When you find a school system where there are at least three times as many owners as renters that means a greater tax base and much more funding for the school system.
Just in case you are interested we are selling our home in Valley Ranch. It would be a great size for you and your son. 1525 sq ft 1 story and only 6 years old. Move in ready. We are located just behind Ranchview high school. Also I have heard a lot of people moving to Aledo and loving it. Hope this helps.
Northwest I.S.D. i hear is a good school district
azle i.s.d is too but are kinds far from the metroplex
We live H.E.B.I.S.D. we our school but i think the houses here are alittle expensive. thats why we are moving to Northwest i.s.d.
My husband and I are in mortgage and real estate so this was a big concern for us when we planned our last move (from the M-streets in Dallas - DISD) for our 5 yr old to begin Kindergarten this Fall. I did 6 months of research on every area North of 635.
We chose Plano - not East, not West, just throw a dart and hit the middle of Plano. Great schools with excellent track records, well-maintained, established neighborhoods with solid, steady appreciation ovet the years. We are very pleased with our decision. Our son will attend Carlisle Elem. (which is in walking distance from our house) in the Fall. The Middle school, hike and bike trails, and community pool are also all in our neighborhood. We love it!
C.
Message me if you have additional questions!
