Moving to Kansas City Area and Looking for Good Schools

Your husband's work is in an ideal place because you can easily live in Kansas! My husband works in MO (downtown) and before I became a freelancer six years ago I also worked in MO, but we live in KS, not far from the state line in Prairie Village (very close to Leawood). Our schools (Johnson County - Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley districts) are excellent! Shawnee Mission is Leawood, Prairie Village, Mission Hills, some OP - all within a few minutes of your husband's office.

The weird thing is, we spend most of our time, and practically all of our money, in Missouri but choose to live in Kansas solely for the schools. In fact, that is one reason we are so close to the state line (about 3 minutes away) and my son currently attends preschool in MO on Ward Parkway.

If you are planning a public school education, it seems the only choice in that short commute area - plus with no rush hour highway needed - is Kansas. KCMO is unaccredited and while they have some great charter schools that are free, and NOT part of the district, there are lotteries and waiting lists that you can't guarantee. However, if you are thinking private school anyway, there are wonderful ones in MO in the Brookside/Waldo area (close to your husband's office). Many of our friends live in Brookside but none of them attend a KCMO school. Some are now moving to our area as their kids get closer to kindergarten to avoid private school tuition.

For specific schools, ones that have good reputations less than 20 minutes away are Prairie Elementary, Belinder Elementary, Highlands Elementary, and another in Leawood that escapes me. Maybe Corinth Elementary? We will be attending one of those in 2013.

Feel free to message me if you have other questions about the neighborhood! Or preschools for your youngest!

Will he be working on the Missouri side or KS side? Keep in mind that if you live in MO and work in KS...there is extra paper work at tax time. Not a lot but it drives my husband crazy at tax time, since we live in MO and I work in KS.

RayPec Schools are FANTASTIC.

Personally I would stay away from Lee's Summit (over crowded and less one on one) but it is a really good school district. It would be our second choice.

KS, Blue Valley schools are good, it's where the kids of a co-worker attend.

If you purchase near Ward Parkway there is the Center School District, I know they are acredited but I don't know how great they are.

KCMO schools - non accredited and are on the verge of being taken over by the state. I would stay away from KC School District.

Independece, Blue Springs will be a longer commute. If he wants only 20 minute commute with traffice you will have to stay south of I-70 and 435 (on MO side) and east of Olathe on the KS side. Depending on where in Olathe...they have decent schools too.

Depends on what area of Kansas City he is working in. For southern KCMO I would go with Lee's Summit, Independence, or Belton. On the north side Kearney, Riverside, Parkville, Blue Springs or Independence would also work. Just FYI KCMO schools are in trouble right now and the state is going to be taking over from the school board. There are also good school on the Kansas side of the state line, but depending on where he works the drive time could be longer.

I've lived in the greater KC area most of my life.. In regards to what you asked, I would recommend looking on the Kansas side (johnson county) in which to live--these public schools are great---Shawnee Mission is the district, if you want to look it up. It is just over the state line (Leawood, Prarie Village, Overland Park) from where you are describing he will be working. Further south on the Kansas side will put you in the Blue Valley school district--also great public schools! If you choose to live in KC, MO, I would strongly recommend looking at private schools. Some of the elementary schools in KC MO are probably fine, but not so much the middle schools or high schools!

Based on your hubby's work location and commute times you can also take a look at Overland Park (Shawnee Mission - South district) like Brookridge Elementary and Oak Park Carpenter. I'm a born and raised MO girl but live on the KS side based on location needs as well the fantastic public schools. Feel free to message me as well if you have any further questions. Good luck on the move!