Schools - Gilpin, Nederland, or Coal Creek? (Denver, Boulder: to rent, how much)

[Althea]

I am trying to find a house in the mountain areas around Boulder, but cannot afford to be in Boulder, so I am looking at homes around Ned, in Coal Creek Canyon and in Gilpin County.

I have a 2nd grader and would love to get your first hand experiences with the schools nearby - Nederland, Gilpin, and Coal Creek.

Thanks so much!

[2bindenver]

what can you afford? And why Boulder?

[Althea]

Thanks for your reply, but I am not really looking for a Realtor. I am, however, looking for reviews on the schools mentioned.

Thanks!

[Katiana]

I doubt 2beindenver is trying to solicit you as a client. She lives in S. Denver metro. She was trying to be helpful.

That said, Nederland Elementary is part of the Boulder Valley SD, Coal Creek Elementary in that area is part of Jeffco (not to be confused with Coal Creek Ele in Louisville which is part of BVSD). Parts of Gilpin Co. are in BVSD. You can check their website, Boulder Valley School District - Home Page for attendance areas. I would imagine Jeffco has a similar page on their website.

[Althea]

I live outside of Boulder now and am familiar with the other schools as far as their location and their websites. I was just hoping to get some first hand knowledge of the schools in Gilpin, Nederland, and the K-8 in Coal Creek Canyon from parents who had experienced it for themselves.

I wasn't meaning to be rude, but the response I received to my question about schools was how much house I could afford and why I chose Boulder, and it seemed very much like a Realtor's question, and had nothing to do with the schools I was inquiring about.

I apologize if my reply came across as terse. I recently lost a lot of equity in my house in Bend, OR and am not up for discussing what I can afford and why I am looking at the areas I am.

[2bindenver]

I was seeking first to understand. No one here with knowledge, can help you if we don't know what you are looking for, and more importantly why, you are looking for that.

People here give their time and attention and some really good advice, but we need more - uh, clarity, in order to give you the good advice you seek. Give a little get a little. Of course the price is the best part - zip!

People do not seek housing based on one person's opinion on a school, esp. from a forum...but with all of our shared knowledge we could get you some food for thought, so you could investigate and decide.

If you read the posts on the forum, both Charles and I often ask why this place, and what do you consider affordable - because it's relevant in the context of the conversation.

It doesn't matter to us if you want to rent something for $800/month or pay $1,975,000 for a house.

p.s. Thanks Kat, I really appreciate you saying what you did.

[Katiana]

You're welcome. I've known you to be one of the most helpful on this board, esp. re: "good" schools and just what that means.

[Althea]

I definitely took your questions the wrong way and again, I apologize. On top of having strep and having my house in Oregon closing soon for 60K under my asking, I also lost my sweet kitty, who slipped out of the house by accident 2 days ago and was most likely eaten by a fox. Sigh.

Let's just say I am not at the top of my game at the moment.

I am enrolling my child in a charter school in Lower Coal Creek, and am looking at homes in the area which fall in three counties - Jefferson, Gilpin and Boulder. In case the charter school doesn't make it, I am trying to determine which school would be "second best" - Nederland, Gilpin or Coal Creek K-8.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[Katiana]

I'm sorry for your troubles and especially the loss of your kitty (though 60K is no picnic, either). I'm not sure where in Gilpin you're referring to. As I said earlier, part of Gilpin Co. is in the BVSD, as is Nederland. If you don't live in the Nederland Elementary attendance area, you will have to open enroll. Coal Creek Canyon is Jeffco schools. Same diff. BVSD and Jeffco are both great school districts. I think you'd be fine putting your kids in their neighborhood school. I do not think you have to worry about which is "second best".

[SpoonBread]

well, I don't know much about the elementary schools in Nederland But I went to High school there, and I can say with out a doubt it was the best school I went to. (growing up I lived in 3 states and went to a total of 3 different middle schools and 3 different High schools). The high school I was at the longest was Nederland. I graduated in 03 and I can tell you it was a great school, educationally, culturally, socially. Great teachers and resources. Hope this helps.