My husband and I have found a home in Coatesville, PA that we love. However, I heard the school district is not that good, we would like to know our options such as sending her to a private school, charter school or can we send her to Downingtown school district? My daughter is only 2 so we have some time.
I personally think your best bet is to look for homes in Downingtown. The housing prices may be a little more, but you will be paying lots of $$ for private schooling if you choose Coatesville. There are many good options in Downingtown as well.
J.,
Private school is a good option but also consider homeschooling. There are many teaching options with homeschooling to fit your lifestyles. I'm getting ready to incorporate a montessori style program with my 2 year old in the fall - you can do it too! There's a lot of good info the web and at the library. Best of luck to you, whatever you choose!
You can not send you child to another school district.
There are a couple of good charter schools.
The cost of private schools for two children is the same as raising the mortgage $2000 to $3000 a month. Or you could to use that money for college or a more expenses house in a better school district. Remember the school taxes in Coatesville are 29 mills and in Downingtown are around 24 Mills where West Chester is only around 16 Mills.
A big concern we had was how far to travel for work and how convent it was to things we need to go to.
Good luck. At least right now is a buyers market
The advice you've received is correct - your mailing address determines your district, so you can't send your daughter to Downingtown unless you live there or use a relative's/friends address (not really ethical or legal :) I personally would not send my kids to Coatesville, as I don't feel it provides the kind of education or environment I want for my kids. But that is of course an individual decision. We are in Downingtown, so good schools, not superior by any means. There are many options for private schools in the area, West Chester, Malvern, etc. If you are Catholic you should consider St Joe's in Downingtown. If you can keep looking, do in Downingtown, West Chester, Unionville, Chadds Ford areas. All good districts. I know loving your home is important, but so is making sure your kids are in a good educational environment. I wish you luck!! It's not easy!
I myself am a graduate of the Coatesville School district. In my opinion I would give the school a year. Maybe send her there for Kindergarten, and watch closely. Their reputation is manily gained because of the population of people in the area, not necessarilly in the school iteslf that your child will be attending. Rather than spending the money for private schools right off the bat, I would give it a year. Of course, if you have a bad experience right away, then yank her out, but I think you will find that the reputation is unwarranted.
I am 99.9% sure she can't go to Downingtown. You need an address that is in the district or she can't attend. I DO know people who used a grandparents address to attends Dtown (i went there) but if you get caught, that menas trouble. We just bought a house and sucked it up and paid a bit more to be in Dtown than Coatesville, even though you can find much better homes for the same price in Coatesville district. I suggest looking at homes in Downingtown WEST schools....tend to be a bit cheaper than Dtown East are.
As for a charter or private school....if you love the house, these are 2 great options and are easy to research once your child is around 4 yrs old. Just remember, EVERYONE on your street/in the neighborhood will be at Coatesville, and you'll probably have a hard time convincing a 5 yr old that she wants to go to a school where she won't know anyone. I heard the elementary schools are pretty good, it's just the middle and high schools in Coatesville, so you could try to transfer her then. but again, what 12 yr old wants to leave her friends?!?!
good luck in your decision!
