Sycamore/Lakota Schools (Mason, Sharonville, Blue Ash: real estate, house, magnet schools)

[OhioIsHome]

Ok, so, I'm relocating to the Cincy area around the end of Dec/beginning of Jan. I posted a few weeks ago about good special needs schools. This is the recommendation: Sycamore, Loveland, Mason and also Lakota. Special needs aside, of course, we are looking for a top rated school and it was recommended that we look to see if the town has recently passed a levy. In looking at homes, you can get SO much more for your money in the Lakota school district. We are looking in the 150-200K range and not a lot comes up in Blue Ash, or even Loveland for that matter (although the school in Loveland did say there wouldn't be as much there.) So, I guess my question is, since both schools are rated the same...does it really matter which one we go to? Also, I realize Lakota is a HUGE school district. We are making a house hunting trip next Wed-Tues...and I'm also touring the following schools:

Sycamore
Mason
Loveland
Lakota

Thanks!

[UncleRando]

Sycamore is the best academic district of those options. I would also be wary of Lakota and Mason...both have been growing rapidly and have run into some stumbling blocks with overcrowding and what not. Property taxes in Lakota especially and somewhat in Mason are already growing rapidly, and look for it to continue with schools coming to the taxpayers on a VERY regular basis down the road.

[wastina]

If it's not too late, and forgive me if I've already suggested it, but consider Princeton City Schools. They have effective magnet schools for special needs kids. Evendale is one such, newly rebuilt, and with soe rather extraordinary faculty and students. I believe that you could look in the Sharonville (proximal), Springdale or other parts of the district, where real estate is in your range, and still send your kids to the relevant school, assuming "magnet' qualifications met.

[Sunnydee]

Sycamore is the best choice, but not as affordable. Lakota is the most affordable school district with an excellent rating. Does it really matter?
To some people it matters a great deal, but in the grand scheme of things you really can't go wrong if you choose a school district with an excellent rating.
Happy Thanksgiving.

[homeschool513]

I don't know if you have already done your tours, or if you are still in Cincy. I think you should look at King's Local Schools. They are an excellent rated school district. It is smaller than Lakota and Mason and isn't experiencing the growth of those either. You can certainly find homes in your price range too.

I have also sent you a DM.

Good luck!

[RockyMtnr]

Originally Posted by wastina

If it's not too late, and forgive me if I've already suggested it, but consider Princeton City Schools. They have effective magnet schools for special needs kids. Evendale is one such, newly rebuilt, and with soe rather extraordinary faculty and students. I believe that you could look in the Sharonville (proximal), Springdale or other parts of the district, where real estate is in your range, and still send your kids to the relevant school, assuming "magnet' qualifications met.

I want to echo this thought - although I am not as informed as wastina.
I lived in a little corner of Sharonville. Most kids went to Lakota schools but a few went to Sycamore (no, don't know why).
However, some went to Princeton! I think I recall (but am not certain, please forgive) that these were the young'uns with special needs that could not be met by the other districts.
So, actually living in the district might not be a requirement - bears checking out.
Good luck

[bengalsfan111]

As a parent in the Lakota school district, I can assure you that the schools are top notch. The think I like about Lakota is that no matter where my child goes to school, they will remain Lakota. If you choose Kings or Mason you have a strong possibility of being redistricted between those schools due to growth...just happened to my best friend and she's upset. Her daughter was at Mason and got switched to Kings. Either way, Lakota, Mason, Kings, Sycamore, Wyoming, Indian Hill, Loveland are all great schools in the suburbs of Cincy. Whatever works best for you is what you should choose. Some are closer to downtown so the commute is shorter while others are more of a drive and you get more land, house, etc.