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I recently bought a house in Oak Park--I love the neighborhood (and neighbors), conveniences, proximity to the mountain/five points, easy access to I-565 (thus, work). I have noticed that there seem to be a lot of younger couples (some with small children) moving into the area, and of course there are a lot of what I call "old-timers" who've lived there since the area was a young subdivision. I'm a young professional myself, but don't plan on having kids for awhile.
So what I want to know, are Chapman Middle and Lee High really that bad? (I did go to greatschools.com just out of curiosity, although I'm not sure how good of an indication that was). This has been on my mind lately, for two reasons. 1. Would it be "safe" to send my kids there (when I get to that), and 2. Will it tremendously affect resale value/chances?
When I purchased the home, I was banking on the new Lee High as well as an influx of more young professionals to the area to maintain/grow the area. It seemed like a good investment to me, at the time. But now I'm beginning to worry just a little bit about it.
I was under the impression (after living in Huntsville--SE Hsv to be specific--my whole life) that, while Lee High had some problems, was quite a good school if your kids were willing to learn. I had quite a few good friends growing up that went to that school, and several of my good friends now that did. The ones I've kept up with are some of the brightest, most interesting people I know, although they may have been "corrupted" (I use that word loosely here--I led a VERY sheltered life until about my second year of college) somewhat by the school (not that it seems to have hindered them in the long run). None of them that I have talked to really had anything bad to say about the school.
Plus I know that the theater/dance/choir/art is top notch (being a GHS grad, I was involved in the choir/dance/theater programs, and witnessed Lee High performances which were all quite good, but perhaps comparable to Grissom's--GHS's were really great as well).
If any of you are Lee High grads, what were your experiences? Or parents, have you been concerned about your kids going there? Why? I'm just trying to feel out what the perception is, and how it will affect my housing purchase in the future. I.e. if I decide to stay and raise a family there, should I consider private school? Or maybe not worry about it, and make sure I pay special attention to my childerns' learning/social habits if I send them to Chapman Middle/Lee High? Or, if I decide to leave, will that impact my abilities to sell the house/affect its value tremendously.
I just never though of Lee as a bad school, but after reading some things on this forum, I've started to question that. It's a shame, I really do love the area. The mountain is practically in my backyard, and I love it! Ahh...
I have the same questions, but plan to put daughter in another public school if her local option seems in reality as dire as what has been suggested here. Right now we're doing P/T private Pre-K, but F/T Kindergarten at the same location will be out of our reach, financially...(I mean, we could do it, but then not have the funds left to fix up the house...)
but plan to put daughter in another public school if her local option seems in reality as dire as what has been suggested here.
I'm there with you (same neighborhood). Let me know when and how you do that with the public school. I posted before and I was suggested to play the race card (I am not anywhere near to be considered a minority).
To answer to the OP: I heard the elementary is somewhat good (acceptable), but Chapman Middle is a mess (behavior issues, and those impact academics). Lee High has the magnet program that MIGHT attract good kids, and change the perception of this area, and subsequently the housing market, for the better (higher $$ for you the seller).
Nobody knows when will that happen, IF it will ever happen.
We've been here 5 yrs. The Tax Assessor's Office has a field day jacking up our home value (and most likely everybody's in the area), to a ridiculously $200k+, nowhere near to what we might get for when we sell (I don't even dare to list it for $170-depressed market or not-the quality of schools is factored in and that's not nice number$).
As you and others living here said, it is beautiful and convenient and was cheap to buy but at what price? Even if you don't have kids to be affected by the school issue, you might need to live in the house for many years (15-25?) to see a turnaround and make a little profit on your investment. People with kids may not take that risk (waiting for the schools to improve).
I have a question though: IF HCS rezones the area, where our kids might end up going? over the mountain (Moores Mill), or up the mountain (Monte Sano Elementary), or down the mountain (Blossomwood)?
It may not be the case with us, as we live in walking distance from Chapman, but for those who leave farther and close to the "border" with one of these schools? I assume those living in the mansions on High Mountain Rd. and the adjacent areas send their kids to private schools. Ok, I wouldn't mind driving uphill Oakwood if the HCS were to build a new school on that plateau...sigh..wishful thinking
Last edited by friday13; 03-04-2009 at 12:41 PM..
Reason: added
I recently bought a house in Oak Park--I love the neighborhood (and neighbors), conveniences, proximity to the mountain/five points, easy access to I-565 (thus, work). I have noticed that there seem to be a lot of younger couples (some with small children) moving into the area, and of course there are a lot of what I call "old-timers" who've lived there since the area was a young subdivision. I'm a young professional myself, but don't plan on having kids for awhile.
So what I want to know, are Chapman Middle and Lee High really that bad? (I did go to greatschools.com just out of curiosity, although I'm not sure how good of an indication that was). This has been on my mind lately, for two reasons. 1. Would it be "safe" to send my kids there (when I get to that), and 2. Will it tremendously affect resale value/chances?
When I purchased the home, I was banking on the new Lee High as well as an influx of more young professionals to the area to maintain/grow the area. It seemed like a good investment to me, at the time. But now I'm beginning to worry just a little bit about it.
I was under the impression (after living in Huntsville--SE Hsv to be specific--my whole life) that, while Lee High had some problems, was quite a good school if your kids were willing to learn. I had quite a few good friends growing up that went to that school, and several of my good friends now that did. The ones I've kept up with are some of the brightest, most interesting people I know, although they may have been "corrupted" (I use that word loosely here--I led a VERY sheltered life until about my second year of college) somewhat by the school (not that it seems to have hindered them in the long run). None of them that I have talked to really had anything bad to say about the school.
Plus I know that the theater/dance/choir/art is top notch (being a GHS grad, I was involved in the choir/dance/theater programs, and witnessed Lee High performances which were all quite good, but perhaps comparable to Grissom's--GHS's were really great as well).
If any of you are Lee High grads, what were your experiences? Or parents, have you been concerned about your kids going there? Why? I'm just trying to feel out what the perception is, and how it will affect my housing purchase in the future. I.e. if I decide to stay and raise a family there, should I consider private school? Or maybe not worry about it, and make sure I pay special attention to my childerns' learning/social habits if I send them to Chapman Middle/Lee High? Or, if I decide to leave, will that impact my abilities to sell the house/affect its value tremendously.
I just never though of Lee as a bad school, but after reading some things on this forum, I've started to question that. It's a shame, I really do love the area. The mountain is practically in my backyard, and I love it! Ahh...
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much yet. IF you were to decide to have children right now, it would be at least 11/12 years before your children were going to middle school(6th grade). So much can happen in that amount of time, new schools, redistricting, etc.
If you were to sell now, you would be selling in a bad market and it sounds like the schools aren't that great right now(I am not there so I don't know). You are happy so why worry? It is worth it to you and when you are ready I am sure you will find a buyer at a higher cost than what you paid.
Friday - Charles was ribbing you, probably more serious with me since my daughter is Asian...(I am not).
Although I don't normally appreciate the whole quota thing, if it comes down to it, I will use it to her advantage. No issue with a majority of minorities in the school - whatever school, but gangs and poor performance IS a major factor for me. Part of the reason we left South Florida was to get away from all that crap. I am scrutinizing the facts before I make a judgment.
I think we have to approach the school(s) early this summer for enrollment - still figuring that out, names, names - who is what grade?...Blossomwood is right down the street and rates fairly. Chapman is a mixed bag......I'm still digging to see what other options we have. It seems to decline with the age of the students...
I need to go die now...and feed Sweet Pea before my death. Baby monitors are not just for babies.
I'll be back later.
Tammie, really good points. Things can change a lot in 11/12 years, and I can just hope that's for the better! I wouldn't dream of selling for quite some time, I just love the area too much!
It will be interesting to see how HCS changes the districts during that time.
And with the money I'm saving on house payments (as opposed to living in a "better" school district) I could always save for private schools if I decide to in the future.
I'm still curious about Lee High. Anyone have any experiences with the school?
Oak Park is a fairly nice area. Older homes by most people's standards I suppose. But many people on these boards think of 8 year old homes as decrepit. I happen to love older homes, particularly craftsman bungalows, which there aren't any of in Oak Park. But I digress...
I can remember driving up and down Oak Park Drive in driver's ed back in high school. That hill you to scare the bejesus out of me! I've always liked that area, mostly because of the proximity to the mountain, 5 Points and downtown. The homes are mostly 60s era ranch homes, but most of them seem to be pretty well taken care of. As for Lee, they do have a pretty solid Magnet program. My wife has a friend that is a teacher and I have a friend who is a football coach at Lee and it is not a school without "drama," for lack of a better word. A new Lee is supposed to be built in the next few years if school board officials can ever agree on the exact location. Quite honestly I don't know if I see the wisdom in that. Some city schools have severely declining enrollment (such as Lee) and a little high school consolidating is in order. Again, I digress...
My take is that Lee is a mixed bag. It certainly doesn't have the reputation of Bob Jones, Grissom, or Huntsville High. But I certainly don't think it's a bad school either. But I graduated from lowly SR Butler, so what do I know about good schools? But the Lee area is starting to grow again as I notice new nice homes being built all along the hillsides heading over Chapman Mountain. I think Lee and NE Huntsville are poised for a bit of revival. Maybe the new high school will help sustain growth and prosperity in that area.
I thought they had settled on an area for the new school, on Meridian St (by the Dr. Pepper (?) plant). I see the signs when I go the back way to Wally World/Lowe's. The fact that they're building a new school makes me wonder if they have plans to expand the district/redistrict the area to fill up the school. Really, if they keep building on Chapman Mtn then they'll need to. Hopefully they don't just zone all those kids to Buckhorn (surely it will become overcrowded).
I have noticed that a lot of people want new homes, but to me, old homes have so much more character! Oak Park fit the bill for me, and I'm very happy with my home. It has been very well maintained (aside from a couple of oddities, more weird than bad). And I purposely avoid that ridiculous hill.
Actually, the people I have known that went to Butler were quite happy with it. Maybe this whole "superior" school thing is overrated. GHS was kinda... meh. Good in some ways, really ridiculous in some other ways. I had quite a few really horrible teachers. And the competition (grade-wise) at the school is unreal (in a not good way). So maybe being one of the brightest kids at a school (and probably getting a more teacher support for it) as opposed to barely above average would have its perks? I know I'm not average, but I sure felt like it at Grissom.
I'll be waiting patiently to see what happens in NE Hsv.
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