Preschool in Fort Wayne? (middle-class, transplants, for sale)

[nwp2008]

I'll be moving to Fort Wayne this summer and need to enroll my 4-year-old in full-time preschool. Do you have any recommendations regarding preschools? Also, I'd like to move to an area that has a strong school district for when my child moves on to kindergarten. I've read a lot about the Aboite area being a strong area for schools, but it sounds like a privileged area of town (I desperately want to avoid McMansion neighborhoods). Do more middle-class families live in the area and/or do you recommend any other school districts in FW? Thanks!

[mbuszu]

Originally Posted by nwp2008

I'll be moving to Fort Wayne this summer and need to enroll my 4-year-old in full-time preschool. Do you have any recommendations regarding preschools? Also, I'd like to move to an area that has a strong school district for when my child moves on to kindergarten. I've read a lot about the Aboite area being a strong area for schools, but it sounds like a privileged area of town (I desperately want to avoid McMansion neighborhoods). Do more middle-class families live in the area and/or do you recommend any other school districts in FW? Thanks!

The SW Fort Wayne and Aboite areas would be the best for you. You don't need to live in a McMansion in that vicinity, there's some older/humble neighborhoods which have great homes for sale right now nearby Exit 105B of highway 69. There are several very good preschools to choose from. I've heard great things about Keystone, and I have had very positive experiences with La Petite Academy.

I know you have preconceived notions about Southwest (SW) Fort Wayne, but I want to strongly recommend that you ignore the negative postings on this forum about it. It has the highest ranked public high school, middle school and elementary school you'll find in NE Indiana. It also has the highest ranked private school (K-12) as well. The area is extremely safe, has all the shopping you could want (and more is coming), has a trail system which is being worked on today but already is excellent where it is completed (a walking/bike trail), and there is tremendous wealth and growth here as well. I would recommend taking a look at homes off of route 14 (where the road is being widened today along with a trail system being put in along its length) and also at the neighborhoods between route 14 and Aboite center road. There's many values to be had, for less than 150k you can get a beautiful 4 bedroom home in a side-walked neighborhood, with large trees on your land - and it is a buyers market right now for sure.

[fabumom07]

I agree with mbuszu on these areas and schools. Aboite is not soley for the privleged, there are many different types of nice and safe neighborhoods to live in. And La Petite is a good full time pre-school. Many people who want a stable, older neighborhood with an awesome school your child could walk to like Haverhill, which is off of Aboite center road close to the Villiage of Coventry. It is in the higher tax area, something a realtor could explain, but the homes are not outrageously priced.
There are, I would say, more "type A"people here than other parts of town, a few princesses who feel they own the road in their luxury SUV's, but mostly people who want the best for their kids and work hard with the schools to help achieve the excellence the schools are known for.I mean no disrespect to luxury SUV owners, I would like to be one someday if they are hybrid.
Carroll school district is also good, as is Leo.Fort Wayne Community schools have some issues, if you wish to avoid them.Best of luck to you!

[nwp2008]

You have no idea how comforting all of this information is...I, too, want a hybrid SUV!

I live in an area of Maryland now that is very diverse along race, class, and nationality lines, which is something I value for my child. It's great to know that the Aboite area isn't too privileged.

I read a lot about the rigor of the high school in the area. I attended a very rigorous public high school (long ago) and just assume my child will be able to handle it, as well. Have you heard anything particularly troubling about the high school, besides the demands on students?

[mbuszu]

Originally Posted by nwp2008

You have no idea how comforting all of this information is...I, too, want a hybrid SUV!

I live in an area of Maryland now that is very diverse along race, class, and nationality lines, which is something I value for my child. It's great to know that the Aboite area isn't too privileged.

I read a lot about the rigor of the high school in the area. I attended a very rigorous public high school (long ago) and just assume my child will be able to handle it, as well. Have you heard anything particularly troubling about the high school, besides the demands on students?

I have heard nothing troubling about the High School. The students there do well and there is an Alpha program your children can test into (a Talented & Gifted program) for even more challenge. If you wish to direct message me further questions I will gladly share more information with you.

[fabumom07]

I have to dish that the Homestead issue number one is a substance problem ( my parental controls block many words, bear with me). There is a feeling that it is caused by some kids with very busy , self involved parents, who have plenty of money. This brings in substances that some other districts can less afford. Two of my 4 attend Woodside Middle School, and there is an excellent drug prevention program that is taught from 6th grade on.We will have our first at Homestead next year. Go to greatschools.com and read the student reviews for a feeling on this.There is top rated security at the school. All of this makes the students more "sophisticated" that say, the average Leo student, for better or worse. But you have to remember that this is Indiana, and it is safer and more stable than many other parts of the country.
Aboite is also becoming more diverse. When we moved here 7 years ago, there were few Black children at our grade school, more Asian and Indian. My six year old now has about one quarter Black children in her class. She has never heard a negative racial comment, and loves all her friends. I believe the higher level of education of the residents as well as high rate of transplants creates less racism than many other parts of Ft Wayne. If you dont bury your head in the sand trying to keep up with the Jonses and stay aware of your child, you should be fine.

[ruru29]

Thanks fabumom07, it's such a relief to hear that, we are an african family, just moved from Philadelphia a week ago which was very very diverse and we are looking for a house in the SW school district but so far we have been actually trying to avoid all other schools except whispering meadows and covington which looked more diverse. Great to hear..may I know which school your daughter is in ?

[Signora]

Is there public preschool in the SW district? If not... is that something they are considering? Also... is Kindergarten half day or full day?

Thank you for the school info!