Acreage lots with good schools and community

[Moonwalkr]

Nope, I don't think I was asking if my post was being condescending. I am but one voice, I can't speak for everyone's priorities. As stated, we have friends who let us know their priorities, which do not involve even knowing what schools they were districted in. If they did not even know what school or district they are in, how would they know if test scores are involved?

And I also suggested in my post that parental involvement in a child's education trumps where they go to school. I grew up in a low SES environment but my parents were quite involved in my academics. I instill the same in my kids, they don't hand you A's just because you are more well-off.

As stated in my post, not all schools are the same, so don't lump every school in one district together. We visited multiple schools to get a feel of the teaching environment, what sort of parent volunteering goes on, the type of curriculum, etc. Test scores were not even a metric for us when were evaluating the schools.

[Katiana]

Actually, I said your post was condescending.

I think there are other things to look for in a school district than test scores.

[beazy1]

Originally Posted by livecontent

Ignore all those wizards behind the curtain. All that smoke and noise is o.bscuring the real reason you posted. I want to know what you thought about the home I found in Arvada.

Livecontent

Thanks for the helpful info. The house something we would consider taking a look at. OUr house is for sale but not yet sold - leaving us in the research stage for a bit. anything priced over 300K in the Twin Cities burbs is slow going for selling..

[beazy1]

Originally Posted by Moonwalkr

We live in CCSD but not all Cherry creek schools are the same so do your homework! Also we moved here not because of what someone on a forum told us, but we actually visited the schools in a number of districts we were interested in! So yeah, maybe that's part of parental involvement. Schools were the top priority for us when we were looking at homes. However we have friends who had other priorities (like acreage land for keeping horses, nightlife, etc) over education so they live elsewhere. Not everyone is as concerned about education as you may be. Then again, if you have a nurturing home environment that promotes strong academics, your kids will excel no matter where they go in any of the Denver metro areas.

Absolutely we will visit individual schools. I posted to get a possible idea of where to start looking. House for us is secondary to schools. I'm just trying to get an idea of areas, locations, etc.. while waiting for our house to sell here. When we sell, we can jump on a plane and really do the hwk. The market here is slow (like most everywhere). Thanks for the reply.

[beazy1]

I appreciate the information from those who understood my post and were helpful. We feel like we have baseline to at least start visiting neighborhoods, schools, etc. From here, we'll have to find the right match for us. No need to post further threads for me.

[Nav]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....
As to your original question, you may want to look at Franktown or Castle Rock in the southern half of Denver. You said you primarily work at home so commuting wont be a problem. The southern half of the denver region is not flat, like the north. Its primarily rolling hills, mesa's and valleys, both treed and open prairie. It has more of a country feel to is since most places are on larger pieces of land. Cookie cutter-ism is kept to a few contained areas. Castle Rock is only 15 minutes from the Mall in LoneTree if you are into that kind of thing so you are not isolated. Franktown is just east of Castle Rock and is smack in the middle of a ponderosa pine forest. Horses are the norm and you can find just about any type of lifestyle you like. Franktown prices start around 350 and climb to the heavens, depending on what you are looking for. Its fairly easy to find mountain views. If you want larger, less expensive tracts of Land or want lower taxes, go another 5 miles east and cross into Elbert County and look in Elizabeth. Property taxes are much less since you are not considered "Front Range" and therefore are exempt from the Taxes, Emissions and other burdens of the front range. Libraries share across county lines so you can get a card in neighboring counties without a problem. Property values in the south are higher than the north because the demographics are more geared towards Ranchers and white collar professionals who appreciate a more "open" type of living. As for schools, here is a link posted in the past which displays the local school performance Colorado School Performance Maps . As mentioned earlier, every school is different and depends of the quality of parents and their interest in their child's education.

Hope this helps,
Nav

[formercalifornian]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I think there are other things to look for in a school district than test scores.

I agree, but test scores can help you narrow your search. Visiting schools is really time-consuming, so it's nice to establish limits.

[ZmanColo]

Originally Posted by Sheridan1962

Check out the Foxfield neighborhood in Aurora. It is Cherry Creek Schools (one of the best in the state), and one of the few neighborhoods around with 6 acre parcels. My DD takes riding lessons out there.

Just so you know, Foxfield is a town on its own, and not located in Aurora.

[Roloc]

Originally Posted by formercalifornian

I agree, but test scores can help you narrow your search. Visiting schools is really time-consuming, so it's nice to establish limits.

There are other "statistics" to other than test scores. Kids per teacher, funding per student etc.

Also I attribute how well a school does a lot to how the parents are. I know this may seem kind of unconventional but it really makes a difference. Don't to the school necessarily but stopping by a PTA meeting is probably one of the best things you can do in my opinion.