NYC to Denver with kids--neighborhoods and Catholic schools? (Aurora, Arvada: rental market, home)

[Renton13]

We're an NYC family of six and I am considering a job in Denver. Definitely seeking to live in the city and hoping for a walkable neighborhood so basic stuff--schools, restaurants, shopping,etc.--does not require a car. We would likely rent at first and budget is up to $4k/month max (but prefer to keep it around $3k).

Our kids (8, 6, 4, 3) are in an excellent Catholic school here and we may continue with Catholic education. What are some good Catholic elementary schools in the city?

But--we are certainly open to public schools. Do any neighborhoods have good schools and the walkability I mentioned above?

Thanks so much.

[ayoitzrimz]

Cherry creek is somewhat walkable, has arguably the best schools in Denver, and is very similar to Manhattan (micro Midtown, keep in mind scale is smaller here) in look/feel/people so you may feel close to home (coming from a former NYer). With your budget you'll find something decent there.

[Claire S.]

The Cherry Creek (neighborhood, not the school district) would fit the bill. Wash Park is fairly walkable and you could find a place near light rail.

[blondmoray]

Cherry Creek North/Hilltop/Congress Park area. All feed into excellent public elementary schools (Steck and Bromwell). There's also a Catholic K-8 in Congress Park (Good Shepherd) and Hilltop (Christ the King), however Steck and Bromwell are, IMO (based on test scores and personal experience), superior academically. (Steck is the top-rated elementary school in the state). All three neighborhoods are walkable, with Cherry Creek being the most so, but a bike would be a good idea.

Your budget is reasonable for all three areas, however the rental market is very tight. There are several new buildings under construction in Cherry Creek, so depending on your timing, that might be a good (and easy) option for you should you choose that neighborhood.

[MtnJam]

Regis High School, Mullen, Holy Family, Machbeuf, St. Mary's Academy, and St. Anne's are perennial Jesuit schools in the Denver area.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by blondmoray

Cherry Creek North/Hilltop/Congress Park area. All feed into excellent public elementary schools (Steck and Bromwell). There's also a Catholic K-8 in Congress Park (Good Shepherd) and Hilltop (Christ the King), however Steck and Bromwell are, IMO (based on test scores and personal experience), superior academically. (Steck is the top-rated elementary school in the state). All three neighborhoods are walkable, with Cherry Creek being the most so, but a bike would be a good idea.

Your budget is reasonable for all three areas, however the rental market is very tight. There are several new buildings under construction in Cherry Creek, so depending on your timing, that might be a good (and easy) option for you should you choose that neighborhood.

The Cherry Creek neighborhood is probably among the better areas and Steck Elementary is very good. I have never heard that Steck is the top rated school in the state, but it is certainly one of the top schools in Denver.-

In addition to Good Shepard and Christ the King, you'll find that St. Vincent de Paul s very good and closer to Cherry Creek than Christ the King is. They are your best bet bet for grades 6-8.

Originally Posted by MtnJam

Regis High School, Mullen, Holy Family, Machbeuf, St. Mary's Academy, and St. Anne's are perennial Jesuit schools in the Denver area.

With the exception of St. Anne, the rest of these are high schools, not elementary schools. There is a St. Anne in Arvada, but it is a long way away from the Cherry Creek area. There is a St. Anne's Episcopal in South Denver which is also very good.

Regis High School is in South Aurora (a long way from the Cherry Creek neighborhood) and is Jesuit.

Mullen High School is in SW Denver (not as far, but still pretty far away). It is a Christian Brothers school.

St. Mary's is coed k-8, but girls only 9-12.

Holy Family is in Broomfield (very far away from the Cherry Creek). It is an Archdiocesan school.

Machebeuf is the the closest high to the area. It is an Archdiocesan school.


Another place to look at would be Old Littleton. There are two Catholic schools nearby - St. Mary's of Littleton and All Souls. Littleton Public Schools are much better than Denver schools.

[MtnJam]

I didn't know the OP had narrowed it down to living in the Cherry Creek area.

[blondmoray]

Originally Posted by davidv

The Cherry Creek neighborhood is probably among the better areas and Steck Elementary is very good. I have never heard that Steck is the top rated school in the state, but it is certainly one of the top schools in Denver.-

Steck is tied for first with a few other schools according to Colorado School Grades.
Search Colorado Schools

[emm74]

Originally Posted by MtnJam

I didn't know the OP had narrowed it down to living in the Cherry Creek area.

I don't think s/he has, but there are not a lot of truly walkable areas with no car required for daily life and family friendly/good schools and I think Cherry Creek may come closest to what they are looking for.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by Renton13

we may continue with Catholic education.

Understand that the Denver Catholic church management is very conservative.
We had friends who yanked their kids because of this.
Trust, but verify.