Family Relocating--need advice on locations/schools (Chattanooga, Cleveland: apartments, zoned, job)

[SarkaVrae]

I've read through a few threads here, but was wondering if there was any advice on areas to avoid. I will be moving with my husband (who will be attending UTC in the fall, so that's a factor in location as well), my 6 year old kindergartener, & my 6 month old. i've heard about the magnet school lottery, but sadly we'll miss out on it for this next year b/c the deadline is now & we won't be moving for the next month or so. So in the meantime my school-aged kid needs to be in a decent school. Is East Brainerd ok as far as schools? I went to school in Cleveland & lived over in Marion county for a bit, so I'm familiar with most of the area, but haven't really looked at schools or specific neighborhoods before.

thanks in advance for your help.

[TriDad]

I'm not really qualified to answer your question on the areas you listed. Sorry no one else has chimed in.

[RiverView]

Originally Posted by SarkaVrae

I've read through a few threads here, but was wondering if there was any advice on areas to avoid. I will be moving with my husband (who will be attending UTC in the fall, so that's a factor in location as well), my 6 year old kindergartener, & my 6 month old. i've heard about the magnet school lottery, but sadly we'll miss out on it for this next year b/c the deadline is now & we won't be moving for the next month or so. So in the meantime my school-aged kid needs to be in a decent school. Is East Brainerd ok as far as schools? I went to school in Cleveland & lived over in Marion county for a bit, so I'm familiar with most of the area, but haven't really looked at schools or specific neighborhoods before.

thanks in advance for your help.

I still stand by my North Chattanooga and Signal Mountain recs.

[jkmewright]

E Brainerd has some great schools. Westview Elem is one of them. If you can stomach the traffic that is

[SarkaVrae]

what about East Ridge? looking at apartments off Ringgold/Frawley roads.
what about the Morrison Springs Rd exit off 27? how are the schools in those areas?

thanks for your replies

[jkmewright]

Let's see, we are looking at Red Bank Elem for the Morrison Springs area and McBrien or Spring Creek Elem for the Frawley Rd area. All of these are decent schools and decent areas. The middle and high schools don't rate too bad either though I know you are a long way from that Red Bank will be getting a new middle school that we hope to have completed by the time yours get that age lol

PS I know a GREAT preschool in East Ridge/Brainerd if you need one in the future. They start at age 2.

[SarkaVrae]

i'll take that preschool info! we've been trying to keep the baby out of daycares for as long as possible--finangling (man, is that even a word?) our schedules & the like--but the time will eventually come she'll need the socialization & we'll need our schedules to be more normal.
Thanks for the info on the schools! The Hamilton County Schools website is kinda backwards in looking up which schools are zoned for what area--i had to click on every one of the links of the names of schools to find Spring Creek for the Ringgold Road area. :P You knowing which schools are where & the area is a big help! Thanks!

[jkmewright]

You are SO welcome We go to the Jewish Federation Center and I just can't say how wonderful they are. I am/was a nervous nelly momma so to say we love this school is saying something. Not once has even just a teensy bit of worry crossed my mind. This is the 2nd year for us. You don't have to be Jewish to attend and it is open to everyone from every religion and culture and the children are taught small things about the Jewish faith. Some of which are very cool i.e. did you know there was a birthday for trees? Tu B’Shavt! My lil man actually calls grape juice Shabbat juice and we say our Hamotzi before every meal . Here's their link:

Jewish Community Federation

Here's a link that you can use to find which school you are zoned for by address if you didn't find it already:

http://www.hcde.org/applications/zonefinder/

And yes, finangling is a word, at least in my book! LOLOL You guys are doing a great job keeping baby home for as long as you can too. Keep up the good work!

[SarkaVrae]

that looks great & i'd love my kid to learn more about other belief systems. my eldest daughter's father (i'm remarried) is a bit on the overly traditional and strict side of christian beliefs and i'm always trying to get my eldest to understand not everyone sees things the same as him & others are free to think/believe what they want. the preschool looks great, thanks for the recommendation.

a friend of mine said that the morrison springs rd area is really nice, so that made me feel good too. we're coming up sunday to view an apartment & hopefully we'll be all set!

[jkmewright]

Originally Posted by SarkaVrae

that looks great & i'd love my kid to learn more about other belief systems. my eldest daughter's father (i'm remarried) is a bit on the overly traditional and strict side of christian beliefs and i'm always trying to get my eldest to understand not everyone sees things the same as him & others are free to think/believe what they want. the preschool looks great, thanks for the recommendation.

a friend of mine said that the morrison springs rd area is really nice, so that made me feel good too. we're coming up sunday to view an apartment & hopefully we'll be all set!

Oh great! I have had many friends and relatives who have lived in that area and not many complaints at all. And it's very close to a major roadway that will just zip you right downtown. Usually the complexes have pools so that will be a plus in the summer. There are also lots of kids and families so the children will have some new buddies to ease them through this process. I hope you all have a great trip! Let us know how things go