Hello S.!
I am originally from the Buffalo area-we moved here from Texas and I was in utter disbelief at the difference in the schools here. We chose to go private school because the first year here in public school was a repeat for our then 3rd and 1st graders!
You have to be very careful where you choose to live because of the school divisions-it doesn't always make sense. If you are going into Elementary-Washam-Potts is new and the principal is AWESOME-we know him personally (Mr. Geovanelli) and from elementary school 5 years ago. I have heard great things about Davidson Elementary (Davidson borders Cornelius and is very close).
If I could have a "do-over" I would have gone to visit the different elementary schools then decide where to live. I strongly recommend coming here and going to visit the schools unannounced-that way you know they are exactly true and not "putting on a good face" for you. There is not much going on in the computer department-I was disappointed at the lack of technology coming from Texas (we had Dell computers-6 per class plus a computer lab the kids went to beginning in Kindergarten).
I don't know much about the middle schools or the high schools-we've heard both good and bad about them all. They have schools here called Charter schools-they are a lottery drawn school-they have more flexibility and have more parents involved-it is a public school yet they are smaller and better than the mainstream. Problem is you have to be in the lottery in Jan to get in for the following year. There are a few private schools-Davidson Day, Woodlawn, Southlake Christian Academy (tk-12) Grace Covenant Academy (pre-school-6th). These are closest. There is also another charter school that is brand new I can't think of the name of it but quite a few people I know decided to go there I think it is Pine-something-your realtor should know-it is by Davidson, NC and is in south Iredell county.
Private school (Southlake Christian) has been much better than our public school experience here-hands down. I think you should "shop" the public school-bring the kids so they can have some say-they let kids "shadow" for a day and definitely go to the McDonalds by exit 25 and talk to the moms there!
The area is pretty much Exit 28 (Cornelius) Exit 25 (Huntersville with the Birkdale Shopping area) and Exit 23 Huntersville (where Presbyterian hospital is). People will ask which exit do you live at for reference. There is the Penninsula golf and country club with beautiful houses, (Exit 28) there is Northstone Gold and country club also with nice homes at Exit 25. Depending on what you know about the area I can direct you to the neighborhoods by exit so when you look on line you have an idea where the subdivision is located.
You shouldn't be disappointed with the weather here-it is very nice-freezing cold only about 2 months. It stays warm through November! When it snows or ices the area is pretty much closed down!
The area is great here-lots to do and lots of people from NY, NJ and Florida. People are pretty friendly because most aren't from around here.
Oh, Lincoln County has good schools. It is 15 miles west of I-77 on exit 23 it is a growing area and more people are choosing "that" side of Lake Norman. So, depending on what you are after there is lots to choose from. Your realtor can't tell you about the neighborhoods (kids, safety, traffic) but you can ask people in the neighborhood when you are looking around.
Feel free to contact me at ____@____.com I'd like to help if I can.
