Will Move to ATL from #2 US High School Area (Atlanta: apartment, school districts)

[roxyrn]

Sometimes "the best" school district will drive you crazy if you are not 100% competitive in every facet of your life.

[atlmomoftwo]

Sophia, we have been so happy for having moved to ATL. We were in a "pressure cooker" school district in MA, and our other option was NOVA. We were looking in Arlington and McLean. We examined everything and took a chance on coming here. What a pleasant surprise. We chose Buckhead for my husband's commute, and now, after 5 years, we have some middle school decisions to make. We may well come to East Cobb for the better public schools. Note though that living closer in for the elementary years is not a decision we regret.

We have LOVED it here. People here seem more laid back and warmer, and they stop to smell roses. Those living here who have never lived in MA or NOVA will laugh at that, but it's true. I am a native Southerner; my husband isn't, yet he agrees with me and cannot imagine going back. ATL has been a wonderful city for us. (For what it's worth.)

[deacongirl]

Originally Posted by roxyrn

Sometimes "the best" school district will drive you crazy if you are not 100% competitive in every facet of your life.

Hmmmm...I am not competitive in most facets of my life and have been happy so far. I have a kid at Timber Ridge and one at Mt. Bethel. They are both good schools. Good luck!

[WannaBeinBoston]

Can anyone provide general zipcodes for "East Cobb" to search? Our situation is similar to atlmomoftwo. Thanks.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by WannaBeinBoston

Can anyone provide general zipcodes for "East Cobb" to search? Our situation is similar to atlmomoftwo. Thanks.

30068*
30067*
30062*
30066*
30075**
30144***


*A Marietta address, will fall mostly in East Cobb, but parts of each zip code will also include areas outside of East Cobb.

**A Roswell address, a large part of this zip code will also be outside of East Cobb in Fulton County.

***A Kennesaw address, includes a small part of East Cobb, but most of this zip code falls outside of East Cobb.


-->Small parts of East Cobb also include a Woodstock zip code and an Atlanta zip code, but I don't know those zip code numbers off the top of my head.



I hope this helps some. Good Luck.

[deacongirl]

Originally Posted by SophiaATL

I just got a job offer in Atlanta (office zip code: 30339). My biggest concern right now is the education in Atlanta. My daughter will start KG this fall and we currently live in Virginia at the area which has the #2 high school: Thomas Jefferson High School. I know there is still a long time before she goes to HS. But it is also very important to build a good base. So I would like to find the best public school district for her in ATL.

I am currently considering East Cobb (Walton HS) or Fulton county. But I don't know how the commute and house information are. Our budget on house is between 400K - 500K. Which elementary school or schools are the best? I just found out the public elementary schools start on 8/13 which is three weeks earlier than VA. When we move there it will be early or mid September (we will rent first), will my daughter still be able to get into the school that within our future residence area? How about the afterschool program?

Any reply and help will be very welcome.

A rental sign just went up in North Forest--Timber Ridge, Dodgen Middle, Walton High. Worth checking out.
edited to add: for buying eventually, North Forest would be under your budget, but there are more expensive houses on the market as well in that same school cluster.

[ecmom3]

The top two public high schools in metro Atlanta based on rankings and test scores are Walton and Northview. Northview is in Johns Creek and will be a much worse commute from Vinings. They are both large public schools (over 2000 students) with open enrollment - everyone who lives in the district can attend.

I live in East Cobb, Walton district. Most people I know are very happy with the public schools in the area. Parental involvement and support is very good, people really value education. There are a lot of transplants from other parts of the country who end up very happy with the public schools in East Cobb. Timber Ridge is excellent and not as large as most other EC elementary schools - 600 students vs. 1000+). There are no portable classrooms at TR and the facility is newer than some (20 years old vs. 40 years old). Sope Creek has (had?) a lot of portables, but I think they are currently expanding to eliminate them. Eastside has a brand new building- they tore down the old school and started from scratch. Mt. Bethel ES is also a popular choice. Be aware that not all of Timber Ridge and Sope Creek feed into Walton if you decide that is the high school you want.

Pope and Lassiter in EC are also very good schools. I would rule out Lassiter simply due to a longer commute to Vinings. The southern part of the Pope district runs along the northern border of the Walton district, so not much further out than Walton district.

[theoldnorthstate]

Originally Posted by roxyrn

Sometimes "the best" school district will drive you crazy if you are not 100% competitive in every facet of your life.

Absolutely!! and that was my problem with my kids attending Walton. It was a very high performance environment in just about every way.

There were good things about it too, I just wish my husband and I had truly understood the whole picture before we put our kids through it.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by ecmom3

The top two public high schools in metro Atlanta based on rankings and test scores are Walton and Northview. Northview is in Johns Creek and will be a much worse commute from Vinings. They are both large public schools (over 2000 students) with open enrollment - everyone who lives in the district can attend.

I live in East Cobb, Walton district. Most people I know are very happy with the public schools in the area. Parental involvement and support is very good, people really value education. There are a lot of transplants from other parts of the country who end up very happy with the public schools in East Cobb. Timber Ridge is excellent and not as large as most other EC elementary schools - 600 students vs. 1000+). There are no portable classrooms at TR and the facility is newer than some (20 years old vs. 40 years old). Sope Creek has (had?) a lot of portables, but I think they are currently expanding to eliminate them. Eastside has a brand new building- they tore down the old school and started from scratch. Mt. Bethel ES is also a popular choice. Be aware that not all of Timber Ridge and Sope Creek feed into Walton if you decide that is the high school you want.

Pope and Lassiter in EC are also very good schools. I would rule out Lassiter simply due to a longer commute to Vinings. The southern part of the Pope district runs along the northern border of the Walton district, so not much further out than Walton district.

The Wheeler district and a decent part of the Sprayberry district are also excellent for commuting to Vinings. Two great school districts here.

For the Wheeler area, consider the following elementary school districts:

Sope Creek
Eastvalley
Sedalia Park


For the Sprayberry area, consider the following elementary school district:

Kincaid



I hope this helps some. G'Luck!

[ecmom3]

Originally Posted by SophiaATL

When we move there it will be early or mid September (we will rent first), will my daughter still be able to get into the school that within our future residence area? How about the afterschool program?

You will need to rent in the same district where you want to eventually buy in order to enroll in that school. Cobb elementary schools have an after school program until 6PM. Last year the cost was $7 per day per child.