McDonough - West of 75 vs East of 75 (Kennesaw, Locust Grove: home, high schools)

[jcMoving]

Really trying to narrow down a specific area to move to soon - we were thinking Locust Grove but now are considering McDonough, probably east of 75 just north of Locust Grove. Can anyone help...is there a better area of McDonough...what about schools? We are thinking we would really like to be in an area where our children could attend Ola schools.

[suprascooby22]

Stay away from any area that feeds into Dutchtown High or Middle and I would also stay away from McDonough Middle & High. Try to find a home in the Ola or Union Grove areas, those are the best areas in Henry county. I fleed Henry a year and a half ago with my family because Dutchtown had gotten so bad!!

[jcMoving]

Thank you this is exactly the kind of info I am looking for - do you mind if I ask where you went? (when you fled Henry County)

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by jcMoving

Thank you this is exactly the kind of info I am looking for - do you mind if I ask where you went? (when you fled Henry County)

I moved to Kennesaw in Northwest Cobb county. The schools in Henry county played a big part in my move. My daughter was at Dutchtown for one year and that was enough for me. That school is just awful. Unfortuneatly most of Henry county is going that way but if you stay in the Ola or Union Grove area you shouldnt have much of a problem for the next 5 to7 years. Hope this helps.

[cbreeze22]

McDonough Middle and McDonough High? Did I miss a board meeting?
I'm going to assume you meant Henry Middle and Henry High.

The Dutchtown schools and the Henry schools (not the whole district) have higher percentages of black students than the rest of Henry. You have to decide if that's a problem for you or not.
Union Grove High regularly makes that best high schools in the nation list that considers % of kids taking AP classes, # of AP classes offered, and # of students passing them. The Ola schools and Woodland are well-rounded (receiving accolades for a variety of things, not just test scores).

My daughter goes to UGMS, and I can only recommend it if you're a test-score-driven parent. Otherwise, stick with Ola if you're going to be in Henry at all.

We're leaving Henry too though, but leaving the state completely.

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by cbreeze22

McDonough Middle and McDonough High? Did I miss a board meeting?
I'm going to assume you meant Henry Middle and Henry High.

The Dutchtown schools and the Henry schools (not the whole district) have higher percentages of black students than the rest of Henry. You have to decide if that's a problem for you or not.
Union Grove High regularly makes that best high schools in the nation list that considers % of kids taking AP classes, # of AP classes offered, and # of students passing them. The Ola schools and Woodland are well-rounded (receiving accolades for a variety of things, not just test scores).

My daughter goes to UGMS, and I can only recommend it if you're a test-score-driven parent. Otherwise, stick with Ola if you're going to be in Henry at all.

We're leaving Henry too though, but leaving the state completely.

Sorry I meant Henry Middle & High school. If you dont mind my asking why are you leaving the state?

[cbreeze22]

I kind of hate it. I'm from Los Angeles and left because family was here and I wanted my daughter (then 3) to be raised around a lot of family. I was crazy. LA isn't me either (I'm laid back but far from superficial, corporate, or naturalist enough)

Plus, now that she's approaching high school, I know that her college opportunities are much greater in Cali, and I have figured out that I am very grumpy without access to salt water.

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by cbreeze22

I kind of hate it. I'm from Los Angeles and left because family was here and I wanted my daughter (then 3) to be raised around a lot of family. I was crazy. LA isn't me either (I'm laid back but far from superficial, corporate, or naturalist enough)

Plus, now that she's approaching high school, I know that her college opportunities are much greater in Cali, and I have figured out that I am very grumpy without access to salt water.

Fair enough, good luck!

[jcMoving]

To be blunt - can someone tell me this idea of the schools being "bad" or "good" is simply a race issue? Are there other factors involved or is this the basic issue?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by jcMoving

To be blunt - can someone tell me this idea of the schools being "bad" or "good" is simply a race issue? Are there other factors involved or is this the basic issue?

Most objective determinations of school quality appear to be based (at least somewhat) on test scores and/or on the presence/absence of AP programs.

Those are the lists you see quoted here from web sites and magazines.