CMS vs. Union County (Charlotte, Graham: how much, best schools, tax)

[theS5]

We are considering a move to Charlotte from the Triangle. Since I am in sales, my location criteria will be based on schools and convenience to the airport.
I have found that many people are high on the Alexander Graham-Myers Park pyramid. If you mention any other options, they quickly dismiss them as inferior.
On the other hand, I have heard confilicting opinions on the Marvin Ridge schools as well.
Since we would prefer to send our kids to public schools, we would like comments from those who have had experience with either or both.
Thanks!!

[atwl1011]

One option is going the charter school route. The application process is now open for the 2010-2011 school year, any NC resident can apply. There are many excellent charter schools in the Charlotte area.

[NCgirl]

Originally Posted by theS5

We are considering a move to Charlotte from the Triangle. Since I am in sales, my location criteria will be based on schools and convenience to the airport.

How convenient, 30 minutes, under 1.5 hours? Where in the Triangle do you live now and are you looking for something similar?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by theS5

We are considering a move to Charlotte from the Triangle. Since I am in sales, my location criteria will be based on schools and convenience to the airport.
I have found that many people are high on the Alexander Graham-Myers Park pyramid. If you mention any other options, they quickly dismiss them as inferior.
On the other hand, I have heard confilicting opinions on the Marvin Ridge schools as well.
Since we would prefer to send our kids to public schools, we would like comments from those who have had experience with either or both.
Thanks!!

hmmm...don't know who you are talking to - do they actually have kids in school in Charlotte yet? While Myers Park does have an excellent IB PROGRAM - that does not mean the whole school is fantastic

In my years in Charlotte (21) it was never a school I wanted for my kids. Don't be misled, there are some fine schools in Charlotte, much stronger and better academically as a whole than Myers Park.

What "other options" have people been dismissing to you that you were interested in?

[theS5]

Thanks for all the replies.
I would not want to be more than 20-30 minutes from the airport (w/o traffic).
The people who are high on the Myers Park pyramid are business associates. There are others who tell us that Union County, namely Marvin, are the best schools.
Some of the reasons for our relo are that Charlotte is more centralized for my territory, CLT has more direct flights and (at least we think) there are more things to do in Charlotte vs. the Triangle.

I would love to hear more about the charter schools if anyone has any info or can point to a source of information.

[south.charlotte&union]

Check this site for comparative school information: NC School Report Cards

I have one son at Marvin Ridge High, one at Marvin Ridge Middle and a daughter at Rea View Elementary. We have been very happy with the schools, and the tax rate is lower in Union than in Mecklenburg.

I would suggest you review the school information, then set up appointments with the principals at each of the schools that make your final cut. It will give you a good sense of how the school is run and where your children will feel most comfortable.

[theS5]

We will be making trips to the schools on our next visit to Charlotte.
Thanks for the info.
I sent you a DM

Originally Posted by south.charlotte&union

Check this site for comparative school information: NC School Report Cards

I have one son at Marvin Ridge High, one at Marvin Ridge Middle and a daughter at Rea View Elementary. We have been very happy with the schools, and the tax rate is lower in Union than in Mecklenburg.

I would suggest you review the school information, then set up appointments with the principals at each of the schools that make your final cut. It will give you a good sense of how the school is run and where your children will feel most comfortable.

[FoxworthStudio]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

hmmm...don't know who you are talking to - do they actually have kids in school in Charlotte yet? While Myers Park does have an excellent IB PROGRAM - that does not mean the whole school is fantastic

In my years in Charlotte (21) it was never a school I wanted for my kids. Don't be misled, there are some fine schools in Charlotte, much stronger and better academically as a whole than Myers Park.

What "other options" have people been dismissing to you that you were interested in?

Myers Park no longer has the IB program...its going to East Meck High which really sucks for Myers Park. They (MP) will be losing around 400 of its top students and will no longer be considered a Magnet School. I'm interested to see how much funding they'll lose due to this decision and also what will happen to the school. That also means teachers will be cut from MP...I think its a very bad choice but we'll see.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by FoxworthStudio

Myers Park no longer has the IB program...its going to East Meck High which really sucks for Myers Park. They (MP) will be losing around 400 of its top students and will no longer be considered a Magnet School. I'm interested to see how much funding they'll lose due to this decision and also what will happen to the school. That also means teachers will be cut from MP...I think its a very bad choice but we'll see.

I think you are inccorrect about that. The IB program at Myers Park will continue, it will just be smaller This more evenly distributes IB students into both East Meck and Myers Park - which is severely overcrowded.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by theS5

We will be making trips to the schools on our next visit to Charlotte.
Thanks for the info.
I sent you a DM

Contacting southcharlotte&union is the best decision you could make