Westminster or Thorton (Denver, Arvada, Boulder: homes, private schools, move)

[Mike78613]

Family of 4 looking to see what has more quite and safe neighborhoods. Great schools and maybe see some mountains @ the door step, ok if not .
Would either Westminster or Thorton be good choices?

[2bindenver]

A lot of homes have views of the mountains. Look at both cities and see which one *feels* better to you.

[Carrie_Blair]

Originally Posted by Mike78613

Family of 4 looking to see what has more quite and safe neighborhoods. Great schools and maybe see some mountains @ the door step, ok if not .
Would either Westminster or Thorton be good choices?

Hi Mike! If you are choosing a new neighborhood based on schools, I would check out GreatSchools.net You can look up all the CSAP test scores from the previous year and it will tell you every school's ranking - even private schools.

If you want to see some mountains and be in a school district with high test scores, then I would suggest looking in Boulder Valley (Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, Niwot, Eldorado Springs, etc).

Denver Public Schools (DPS) also have several schools with Excellent and High rankings. If you want help with Denver neighborhoods, let me know. I have two children in DPS and one in a private preschool. I also just moved from Boulder so I know all of the Boulder schools very well.

Just let me know if you have any questions about specific neighborhoods.

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by Carrie_Blair

Hi Mike! If you are choosing a new neighborhood based on schools, I would check out GreatSchools.net You can look up all the CSAP test scores from the previous year and it will tell you every school's ranking - even private schools.

If you want to see some mountains and be in a school district with high test scores, then I would suggest looking in Boulder Valley (Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, Niwot, Eldorado Springs, etc).

Denver Public Schools (DPS) also have several schools with Excellent and High rankings. If you want help with Denver neighborhoods, let me know. I have two children in DPS and one in a private preschool. I also just moved from Boulder so I know all of the Boulder schools very well.

Just let me know if you have any questions about specific neighborhoods.

Carrie, thank you for all the information that you have provided to me. Looking at Westminster city itself, looks very joyful and pleasant to live due to the parks and lakes. I don't want to be to far north of Denver though.

So which do you prefer out of Arvada or Westminster?

[2bindenver]

I like this site better for school evaluations because it uses Google maps. CSAP Scores

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Carrie_Blair

Hi Mike! If you are choosing a new neighborhood based on schools, I would check out GreatSchools.net You can look up all the CSAP test scores from the previous year and it will tell you every school's ranking - even private schools.

If you want to see some mountains and be in a school district with high test scores, then I would suggest looking in Boulder Valley (Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Longmont, Niwot, Eldorado Springs, etc).

Denver Public Schools (DPS) also have several schools with Excellent and High rankings. If you want help with Denver neighborhoods, let me know. I have two children in DPS and one in a private preschool. I also just moved from Boulder so I know all of the Boulder schools very well.

Just let me know if you have any questions about specific neighborhoods.

Niwot schools are not in Boulder Valley. They are in the St. Vrain Valley School District. They are great schools. There are no "bad" school districts you should avoid altogether. there is much information on schools on the forum. You could do a search.

[Broomfielder]

Westminster is nicer than Arvada or Thornton. You may also like Broomfield. It's a smaller area and we have our own small waterpark which is great for kids. I think the rec center is better in Broomfield and the organized sports are bigger here (track, gymnastics, etc.)