[dbgaeclark]

We are soon relocating to the Bentonville area. We have heard that some of the Elem. schools are "full" and kids may have to go to a different Elem. school, different from where their neighbors go. Specifically, we are looking at Shadow Valley subdivisions and we have heard that the development goes to a couple different Elem. schools because of overcrowding. Can anyone elaborate on this?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dbgaeclark

We are soon relocating to the Bentonville area. We have heard that some of the Elem. schools are "full" and kids may have to go to a different Elem. school, different from where their neighbors go. Specifically, we are looking at Shadow Valley subdivisions and we have heard that the development goes to a couple different Elem. schools because of overcrowding. Can anyone elaborate on this?

I can't answer that question, but this happened to our kids when we moved the Sacramento Calif, many years ago. The district provided a school bus for our kids. At the beginning they were the only ones on the bus, but as the year progressed there were more kids. I don't know about Shadow valley, in our case the following year our kids went to the local elementary school. If not, remember your kids won't be the only ones in this situation.

Nita

[7172]

There's not a bad elementary school in Bentonville and I believe only three middle schools, two jr. highs and Bentonville HS with more schools on the agenda to be built. No matter where they end up they will get a good education.

[Mike Dunn]

Here's a couple of links that may help you with school information. Hope they help!

Great Schools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

Schooldigger.com -- Search and compare elementary, middle, and high schools.

Good luck

[RTTNFAM]

Originally Posted by dbgaeclark

We are soon relocating to the Bentonville area. We have heard that some of the Elem. schools are "full" and kids may have to go to a different Elem. school, different from where their neighbors go. Specifically, we are looking at Shadow Valley subdivisions and we have heard that the development goes to a couple different Elem. schools because of overcrowding. Can anyone elaborate on this?

I can understand the concern. Kids like to make neighbrohood friends, and like for those friends to be in school with them. In this case, it sounds as if many of the kids in the neighborhood will be in the same boat. There is a big demand for new schools in that ever-growing district, that being said, there is some overcrowding. Now Bentonville schools are said to be some of the best in Arkansas, BUT my concern would be the student to teacher ratio, especially if you have a child who tends to do better with more one-on-one help (such as my son). I know that in Arkansas you have the right to choose what school your child attends, as long as that school is not already at maximum capacity, and as long as you sign the right to choose waiver by July 1st of that starting school year. Meaning that you could transfer your child to another school district close to your area, that may not be experiencing such capacity issues, and without having to pay the traditional "tuition" the state school districts used to charge for such tansfers. For instance... We are planning a move to Bella Vista and are considering sending our child to either Pea Ridge Schools or Gravette Schools, depending on which area of Bella we settle in. Yes we will have a few minutes drive each morning, but that's OK. The overcrowding of the schools in Bentonville School District and the sheer size of the schools as a whole has prompted this decision (we are small town folks). Anyway, my long drawn out point being...you have options as far as schools are concerned!

[MSN]

I wouldn't be too concerned. All the schools in Bentonville are good and your children would not be alone in going to a different school. Shadow Valley is in the Central Park Elementary School district. It does tend to have a waiting list because it's in the part of town that's growing and many of the new families move into that district.

Another option is year round school. Bentonville (and Rogers) both offer traditional and year round elementary schools. There are several families in Shadow Valley who choose to send their children to one of the nontraditional elem. schools. I believe they go to Baker Elem. because it's the closest to Shadow Valley. If you choose that route, your children would have plenty of neighborhood friends in their school.

www.bentonville.k12.ar.us is the district web site and it will have links to all the different schools. If possible, I would talk to potential neighbors and the actual schools as they will be able to give you the best guidance. My husband and I don't have children in school, so I'm only able to relay what I know from friends and neighbors.

[Uheflin]

They just built a new elementary school in Bella Vista, which is supposed to be really good and is definitely not overcrowded since it is only their 2nd year there. I will be sending my child to that school once we are transferred to Bella Vista. The school goes to 4th grade and after that they will go to Bentonville middle school.