[ahads]

My family will be relocating to NW Arkansas region right after Christmas. We have visited once & will visit again sometime in the next couple of weeks. So far, we really like the Rogers & Bentonville area. I've heard great things about both cities. Is one school district any better than the other, or are they pretty much equal?

We have 3 small children, so schools & preschools are going to be a big factor for us. Does anyone have any good recommendations for christian-based preschools? Which schools are the year-round ones?

Also, our kids are fairly active in recreational activities. Do both towns offer decent recreation programs? Is one better than the other?

I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions once things are finalized & we start the transition! Thanks for all of your help!

Amy

[RTTNFAM]

From what I have been told, statistically, Bentonville is better than Rogers, but they are on fairly equal ground. You have to realize that these two towns are fairly close together and commutes won't be a big issue.

[ahads]

I'm not too worried about commutes simply because the 2 towns are relatively small & are essentially 1 bigger town. I'm most interested in the schools & where to find a house that would be a good fit for us.

[nicandmegan]

I have lived in the Bentonville/Rogers area for 10 years now. As far as the schools go, I would recommend the Bentonville school district. They are both pretty good, but Rogers has recently become overcrowded (both districts have experienced a surge of population growth, but Rogers has had more trouble keeping up), and the elementary schools are largely suffering because of the influx of children who do not speak English. Again, both Bentonville and Rogers will have some of this, but Rogers significantly moreso. Elm Tree Elementary is a great year-round elementary school in Bentonville. My younger siblings both attended here and our family has had a very positive experience with the school. As far as Christian schools, I have heard great things about Life Way Christian School in Centerton (on the outskirts of Bentonville) as well as Shiloh Christian in Springdale. Shiloh also has a bus that picks students up at a church in Rogers, so you could still live in Rogers and have your kids attend school in Springdale. Good luck with your relocation, I think you will love it here!

[ahads]

Originally Posted by nicandmegan

I have lived in the Bentonville/Rogers area for 10 years now. As far as the schools go, I would recommend the Bentonville school district. They are both pretty good, but Rogers has recently become overcrowded (both districts have experienced a surge of population growth, but Rogers has had more trouble keeping up), and the elementary schools are largely suffering because of the influx of children who do not speak English. Again, both Bentonville and Rogers will have some of this, but Rogers significantly moreso. Elm Tree Elementary is a great year-round elementary school in Bentonville. My younger siblings both attended here and our family has had a very positive experience with the school. As far as Christian schools, I have heard great things about Life Way Christian School in Centerton (on the outskirts of Bentonville) as well as Shiloh Christian in Springdale. Shiloh also has a bus that picks students up at a church in Rogers, so you could still live in Rogers and have your kids attend school in Springdale. Good luck with your relocation, I think you will love it here!

Thank you for your input. Since I originally posted this, we have discovered both Shiloh & Life Way schools. We're actually planning to visit both of them when we come to town next week! I'm glad to hear a good recommendation about them though!

We're still torn on which town to technically live in, but I think for now we're going to just find a house to rent & then look into buying a house in 6-12 months. That will let us get a feel for which neighborhoods we would like & a chance to check out the schools.

[grahamkadybug]

Good luck on your move ahads!! Like you I am also relocating my family to the area and should be there by the end of the year. And we have decided to do a 6 month lease so that we can get to know the area before buying a house. I have been doing a lot of research into the schools and keep hearing really good things about both Bentonville and Rogers. Well anyways I just wanted to say "Hi" and wish you and your family the best of luck on your move to Razorback country!!

[ahads]

Originally Posted by grahamkadybug

Good luck on your move ahads!! Like you I am also relocating my family to the area and should be there by the end of the year. And we have decided to do a 6 month lease so that we can get to know the area before buying a house. I have been doing a lot of research into the schools and keep hearing really good things about both Bentonville and Rogers. Well anyways I just wanted to say "Hi" and wish you and your family the best of luck on your move to Razorback country!!

Thank you! It sounds like we'll be getting there around the same time! We're planning on moving the week between Christmas & New Years. How old are your kids? Mine are 4, 3 & 1. The oldest will start Kindergarten next fall. We're also going to lease for 6 months (possibly 1 year) for the same exact reason you are - to get a feel for the schools & figure out where we want to live.

We should keep in touch since we'll both be going through the same stuff around the same time!

[grahamkadybug]

My child is in 8th grade so a little older than yours and my husband has already been there for over a month and loves it. Good Luck and keep in touch.