Dayton, OH (Beavercreek) VS Colorado Springs, CO (Falcon) (Cincinnati, Kent: buy, living in)

[MommyMomMaXoXo]

Originally Posted by SWOH

Dayton public, Trotwood, Jeff. Twp., that's about it. The top ~70% of all schools are virtually the same IMO. Primary differences come in special programs and abilities/resources to handle handicaps.

I don't trust 90% of area charter schools.

Also Fairborn and Xenia get lower scores than Beavercreek and Bellbrook on school quality. They also have a lot more economically disadvantaged students

When you say you don't trust 90% of area charter schools, does this include the Dayton Regional STEM school?

[hensleya1]

Originally Posted by MommyMomMaXoXo

Does the crime in Dayton affect the safety in Beavercreek?

With the exception of the Wal-Mart by the mall, the general answer is "no."

I say that because except for the Wal-Mart and nearby stores, Dayton's RTA doesn't extend into Beavercreek.

RTA was the source of a big fight that dragged on for a few years, with Beavercreek being almost unanimously opposed to it, and they only gave in once the DOJ got involved and threatened to pull millions of federal infrastructure dollars.

Originally Posted by MommyMomMaXoXo

Are there any schools I should be weary of? My kids are school age.

The usual suspects: Dayton, Trotwood, and Jefferson Township are pretty much at the bottom of the barrel. West Carrollton and especially Stebbins High School (Mad River Township) are declining fast.

I don't like Fairmont (Kettering) either. It still scores reasonably well on proficiency tests, but the culture I've seen in the students is something out of this world (source: I was a youth leader at a church a couple years ago).

I'd stick to the outside of 675 for your best school districts: Springboro, Centerville, Bellbrook, Beavercreek.

[RDriesenUD]

Originally Posted by MommyMomMaXoXo

When you say you don't trust 90% of area charter schools, does this include the Dayton Regional STEM school?

Charter schools shouldn't exist if you ask me. Not a fan of how they are run.

[RDriesenUD]

And you know what, I could say I don't care for Centerville or Alter based on some experiences I have had with a few people who went/go there. The point? Something you experience with a few kids has nothing to do with what the school, or it's students, are like. As someone who went to Fairmont, knows kids who still go there, and have friends who teach there, it #$*$*$* me off every time you bash it. You go out of your way to bash it and you are so biased it isn't even funny. If you don't like the school, fine, but quit bad mouthing it when you have no clue what you are talking about.

[SWOH]

Originally Posted by MommyMomMaXoXo

When you say you don't trust 90% of area charter schools, does this include the Dayton Regional STEM school?

No! That is a great charter school, along with DECA, etc.

There are a number of dismal charter schools like City Day and Arise Academy (I believe both are now closed), and others. A good rule of thumb is if the school has an overly pretentious name it probably is horrible.

[SWOH]

I do not believe in "lists" like this one, IMO all they are is clickbait, but....

This one has some reasons why they like Beavercreek. I'm sure Fenton made the list too. Anyways, hopefully this could be a good current resource to learn more about each city.... just don't read too much into the numbers or the undoubtedly questionable ranking methodology:

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/bl...ll-cities.html

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by MommyMomMaXoXo

Does the crime in Dayton affect the safety in Beavercreek?

I wouldn't say so. The biggest crime factors in Beavercreek are petty theft and shop lifting from the two malls.

I was just in Denver in September and Colorado Springs two weeks ago. I have to agree wholeheartedly with Meg's comments about the Springs and sprawl. While there is sprawl in Dayton, especially between Cincinnati and Dayton (Butler and Warren Counties, which are more socially linked to tea partyism and Christian conservative values than Montgomery or Hamilton Counties, Greene being kind of between the two), it is more controlled because of the local municipal controls on development.

If you love the mountains, go with the Springs. But I actually think besides that and New Mexico's desert, there is more natural diversity closer to Ohio than much of the Springs. The Atlantic Ocean or Gulf can be reached with an easy 1-3 hour flight. A day to day-and-a-half drive as an alternative. There is Lake Michigan, which is rather gorgeous I hear (and see from friend's pictures) on Michigan's Western Shore. You have the rolling hills off the Appalachians in Kentucky, Hocking Hills (Ohio) and West Virginia.

And overall, I do think the nature of the (somewhat) less transient community would be a benefit to raising kids. As a note, I grew up in Beavercreek, loved it and would do it again with my kids if I had the option (and kids).

I don't think you could make a bad choice, I just think Beavercreek (or Centerville, Miamisburg, Northmont, Bellbrook, etc.) would be the better choice.

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by MommyMomMaXoXo

When you say you don't trust 90% of area charter schools, does this include the Dayton Regional STEM school?

That would be a big exception. I know a few family friends in Beavercreek who send their kids here. They love it from what I understand.

[RDriesenUD]

Originally Posted by wrightflyer

That would be a big exception. I know a few family friends in Beavercreek who send their kids here. They love it from what I understand.

Agreed

[cjmeck]

I lived in the Dayton area for over 20 years (Centerville/Bellbrook) and also lived in Colorado Springs for 4 years. Hands down, I'd chose Colorado Springs, no contest. Neither is a bad decision, however, just different and really apples to oranges. I also personally preferred the overall vibe of Colorado Springs; its kind of like the Midwest meets West Coast, very laidback. Are you a military family? Both areas are great for military/defense jobs but the Springs is much more centered around the military community. Everyone is a transplant there whereas the Dayton area lots of people are locals and have lived there their whole lives. Dayton area is a bit more affordable, the lots are bigger. Colorado Springs is a semi-dessert climate so not as green and you really have to water, water, water your lawn. Every time I came back to Ohio to visit family while living in the Springs, I was just shocked at how GREEN everything was. But then I'd get eaten alive by mosquitos and sweat to death in the humidity of the summer season and be grateful to return to the Springs where those things didn't exist. Good luck with your decision! There are great schools and fantastic kid's programs in both areas. For my family, Colorado Springs was a much better fit.