Grand Junction schools and housing (rental, job, price)

[sweetness34]

I'm planning on moving to the Grand Junction area very soon. I need any info regarding the elementary schools and good housing areas in GJ. Thanks!

[get me outta gj]

I just posted to other threads regarding GJ, but if you're coming, I assume you've already done your homework. I suggest you contact school district 51 and ask for a "school accountability report" to rank the elementary schools. As for housing, it's likely going to be expensive no matter where you go. Good luck!

[CosmicWizard]

'Good housing' means different things to different people. What is YOUR criteria ( renting or buying, price range, what kind of neighborhood, distance form your job, etc ) for 'good housing'?

Here's a link to the district 51 elemenatry school page.

[WithoutaPaddle]

I would also add that the same is true regarding schools-depends on your criteria, and your philosophy on education.

I've seen posts on this forum in the past about how terrible some people believe GJ public schools to be, so they put their kids in private or charter schools, or homeschool (homeschooling is very popular here) because they believe their children get a superior education that way. That has not been our experience, and our children are thriving at their public school. I've got nothing against the private schools or charter schools myself but the kids I know in those schools aren't further ahead or doing anything different than my kids, so it's just not for us. It's more of a matter of parental involvement and partnering with teachers and faculty that determines a child's success in any school, IMO.

We've known parents who were very involved with their child's education at schools here that are not top-rated, and the kids thrive regardless of standardized test scores or other ratings factors. On the flip side, I've seen people send their kids to the private schools/charter schools who don't do as well because the parents are essentially just paying for a name, and/or are minimally involved with their child's education.

You'll get a million different opinions on the best/worst schools that could either scare you to death or lull you into a false sense of security-your opinion is the one that counts. Visit the websites for the schools/areas you are considering, and try to pay visits to the schools when they open up again in a month or so. I think you'll find that what is being taught in the classroom is pretty consistent from school to school, and it'll all depend on where you think your child/children will best thrive. Best of luck to you...