Which is Better...Cherry Creek or Douglas County School District? (Aurora: renting, how much)

[familyofseven]

Hi, we're a family of 7 who will be relocating to the Lone Tree/Littleton area from Michigan in late June of this year. We have 5 children, infant to High schooler. We're looking to find out some information on the public schools in the area. We'll have 2 in elementary, 1 in middle school and 1 in high school. When we arrive we'll be staying with my SIL whose address is in Lone Tree. I believe Acres Green Elementary is the nearest (about 1/2 mile away). Can someone tell me the quality of schools and neighborhood in that area? Also, which high school and middle schools would my children attend near there?

And finally, what is the job market like? I work in a print shop in a graphic design type position and my husband is a highly skilled personal trainer. I love forums like these and the internet that make a cross country move so much easier!

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by familyofseven

Hi, we're a family of 7 who will be relocating to the Lone Tree/Littleton area from Michigan in late June of this year. We have 5 children, infant to High schooler. We're looking to find out some information on the public schools in the area. We'll have 2 in elementary, 1 in middle school and 1 in high school. When we arrive we'll be staying with my SIL whose address is in Lone Tree. I believe Acres Green Elementary is the nearest (about 1/2 mile away). Can someone tell me the quality of schools and neighborhood in that area? Also, which high school and middle schools would my children attend near there?

Zip 80124 is Lone Tree, Douglas County School District. See: City of Lone Tree, Colorado - Official Website - Schools

Also see the One Report posted by 2binDenver that rates the schools.

Can't tell you much about the job status, having a local address and phone number will help a lot with that.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by familyofseven

Hi, we're a family of 7 who will be relocating to the Lone Tree/Littleton area from Michigan in late June of this year. We have 5 children, infant to High schooler. We're looking to find out some information on the public schools in the area. We'll have 2 in elementary, 1 in middle school and 1 in high school. When we arrive we'll be staying with my SIL whose address is in Lone Tree. I believe Acres Green Elementary is the nearest (about 1/2 mile away). Can someone tell me the quality of schools and neighborhood in that area? Also, which high school and middle schools would my children attend near there?

And finally, what is the job market like? I work in a print shop in a graphic design type position and my husband is a highly skilled personal trainer. I love forums like these and the internet that make a cross country move so much easier!

If I were moving a family of seven across the country, I would have the job lined up first. There has been some discussion about job opportunities for graphic designers. I personally know one who is managing a Dairy Queen. She would prefer to be using her degree. I don't know what the market is like for personal trainers. There are a lot of health clubs around, which should make for a decent job market. Just my opinion.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by familyofseven

Hi, we're a family of 7 who will be relocating to the Lone Tree/Littleton area from Michigan in late June of this year.

Can someone tell me the quality of schools and neighborhood in that area?

Why are you moving to Denver?

Did you do any research like analyzing Colorado Department of Education school data?

[familyofseven]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why are you moving to Denver? Did you do any research like analyzing Colorado Department of Education school data?

Of course I have. I was mainly trying to get impressions from people who live and work in the Denver area. We are moving to Denver because we have family out there, (a FIL getting older and needs more help) the economy in Michigan is the worst it's ever been and it's not improving.

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

If I were moving a family of seven across the country, I would have the job lined up first. There has been some discussion about job opportunities for graphic designers. I personally know one who is managing a Dairy Queen. She would prefer to be using her degree. I don't know what the market is like for personal trainers. There are a lot of health clubs around, which should make for a decent job market. Just my opinion.

Yes, I agree that having the job is important before moving, but in our line of work and living cross country, it's been impossible. So, we are moving in with relatives. We've got a savings that will sustain us for some time while we get on our feet. As for graphic design work, I'm not cemented to that profession, it's only what I've been doing for the last couple years. I have legal & secretarial background also.

[Katiana]

Well, it's good that you have savings and an alternative form of employment. You may need to use both.

I personally would not worry so much about which school district. There are a number of districts in the metro area, and each has proponents that claim it "best". Any school district in the area will give your kids a good education. There is also fairly liberal open-enrollment throughout Colorado.

[slowlazygc]

cherry creek school district is 10 times better than douglas county schools.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by slowlazygc

cherry creek school district is 10 times better than douglas county schools.

Really?

Here are ACT data from 2004 and 2005.

District Name CHERRY CREEK 5 DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1
04 Total Students 3195 2480
04 Average Composite 20.6 20.8
04 Average English 19.9 20.2
04 Average Math 20.8 21
04 Average Reading 20.9 21.1
04 Average Science Reasoning 20.4 20.7

05 Total Students 3270 2651
05 Average composite 20.7 21
05 Average English 20.2 20.5
05 Average Math 20.7 20.6
05 Average Reading 20.8 21.5
05 Average Science Reasoning 20.5 20.9

[th3]

Both are great...tough to dissect which is really better. We chose our home to be in the Cherry Creek School District and are very happy with our kids experience so far. I have many friends whose kids attend Challenge and are doing great. At least in our school, the parent involvement is very high and that leads to better results for the kids. Good luck!

[Katiana]

Just remember that the average ACT score tells you nothing about how your kid will do. High scoring schools tend to be in areas of high socio-economic status.