Stonehaven school districts (houses, neighborhoods, buying)

[Bank228]

Hypothetical Question - My Wife and I are thinking about buying in the Stonehaven Subdivision. We are a professional couple in our early 30's(both work) have no kids, but plan to start a family soon. We're looking to a buy a home that we can raise kids in and hope to call home for 10-15+ years.

What scares me about Stonehaven is the schools it is zoned for. Again, we're talking about our make believe children here. Private schools are something that we could probably afford, but just can't stomach paying $1k+ per child when there is free GOOD education out there.

Is there any chance that Stonehaven could get realigned or could the schools improve within the next 5-6 years?

As much as I love Stonehaven - maybe I should just give up on the neighborhood.....

[Charlotteborn]

If you are committed to having kids and staying put 10-15 years I would look elsewhere.

[ex-burgher]

I used to live in this school zone. I think Rama road is fine, but you want to avoid McClintock Middle. After middle school, if your kids are high achievers, the East Meck IB programs is excellent. Although the rest of the school has mediocre numbers, the IB program is mostly separate and people choose it to attend it from other areas as well.
Having said that, many people in Stonehaven do send their kids to private or magnets. Providence Day is practically in the neighborhood.

Edit: when we lived here, we did not send our kids to Rama road, rather to the language immersion magnet from K-8.

[Bank228]

You're saying that you think Rama Road is fine? Middle School is potentially 12+ years away....no chance younger couples will continue to buy and reno in Stonehaven and change this? Or do they not ever redistrict? Sorry we just moved up here from Metro Atl, so it's all new to us.

[ex-burgher]

It's always possible that the schools will improve. I base my opinion more on hearsay - I know one family who sent their kids to all three schools in the district. They weren't impressed with McClintock, but all three kids graduated from East Meck IB and attended top colleges (Michigan, UNC). As everyone knows, it's the parents and upbringing that matter most. They are about to finish a brand new building for McClinntock - it looks pretty slick. Do you have the link to the school progress reports at CMS? They are a few years old, but will give you a good idea of schools.

School Progress Reports
(scroll to the bottom of the page to get the reports for individual schools)

I doubt redistricting will happen in that part of town (too close-in with no new development or new schools). In the past, they have tried to pull kids from Sherwood Forest into that zone (from the better Myers Park zone) but it was too difficult politically.

[Sasquatches]

We're young professionals with a baby in Stonehaven...awesome neighborhood, considering magnet, Rama, and private as a last resort. I can't justify paying $100k more for a not so appealing neighborhood. Who knows what will happen in 10 years with school zones.

[Charlotteborn]

Originally Posted by Sasquatches

We're young professionals with a baby in Stonehaven...awesome neighborhood, considering magnet, Rama, and private as a last resort. I can't justify paying $100k more for a not so appealing neighborhood. Who knows what will happen in 10 years with school zones.

What 'not so appealing' neighborhood would be $100k more?

[Bank228]

Beverly Woods - MountainBrook - Beverly Woods East - Barclay Downs - to name a few. I have the same thoughts as Sasquatches. We like Lansdowne as well, but it's $50k+ for a slightly better Lansdowne School District. Stonehaven is a beautiful neighborhood with a great swim/tennis not too far from Uptown/Southpark. We went and looked at a few houses last night that we liked...stomach is hurting. Already own 1 house in Metro Atlanta that we can't get rid of..don't need 2.

[Charlotteborn]

Originally Posted by Bank228

Beverly Woods - MountainBrook - Beverly Woods East - Barclay Downs - to name a few. I have the same thoughts as Sasquatches. We like Lansdowne as well, but it's $50k+ for a slightly better Lansdowne School District. Stonehaven is a beautiful neighborhood with a great swim/tennis not too far from Uptown/Southpark. We went and looked at a few houses last night that we liked...stomach is hurting. Already own 1 house in Metro Atlanta that we can't get rid of..don't need 2.

I consider these neighborhoods very appealing...

I understand the dilemma but the school assignment will always affect desirability. As a parent, there is no way I would buy in Stonehaven (or Landsdowne) unless I was willing to pay for private school. (edited to add that I like both of these neighborhoods but schools would be a deciding factor in my decision)

If you own a house in Atlanta that you can't get rid of it should be easy to understand that school district will matter when you sell a home.

[chuckles34]

Beverly Woods - MountainBrook - Beverly Woods East - Barclay Downs

Out of these, I think Barclay Downs is considerably more expensive but they're all great, great schools. Landsdowne and Stonehaven are lovely neighborhoods but unfortunately, the schools are not up to par.