Possible move to KY, info on schools (Lexington, Louisville: to buy, best school)

[MamaRam]

My hubby may be offered a job in Lexington and I just want to get an idea about home, schools, property.

We will want to buy a home, preferably one with acreage. Our biggest concern is high schools for my nephew, age 17, who we are raising. He moved in with us 6 years ago. He's got some mild learning disablilities which has improved greatly once he enrolled in our school system. He's active in sports, altho he's not great at them - he just enjoys playing.

I'd like to move somewhere that has a smaller high school that knows how to deal with kids with LD's without medicating. Our school system is wonderful with dealing with our nephews problems and we hate to leave them but there is the possibility.

We're thinking of areas near Lexington, but out in country, more to the eastern part of area.

Can anyone give me some ideas?

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by MamaRam

My hubby may be offered a job in Lexington and I just want to get an idea about home, schools, property.

We will want to buy a home, preferably one with acreage. Our biggest concern is high schools for my nephew, age 17, who we are raising. He moved in with us 6 years ago. He's got some mild learning disablilities which has improved greatly once he enrolled in our school system. He's active in sports, altho he's not great at them - he just enjoys playing.

I'd like to move somewhere that has a smaller high school that knows how to deal with kids with LD's without medicating. Our school system is wonderful with dealing with our nephews problems and we hate to leave them but there is the possibility.

We're thinking of areas near Lexington, but out in country, more to the eastern part of area.

Can anyone give me some ideas?

You might want to post on the Lexington board--you'll get more replies!

[onthamove]

as a alumni of tates creek highschool let me tell you the school system here is a sad failure unless you want private schools i would not choose lexington pub schools the system here has failed in fact in 2003 they were 3rd worst in the nation behind only two other school dirticts somehwhere in mississipi

[censusdata]

Well, in my personal experience avoid Fayette Co Public Schools at ALL COSTS

Woodford Co schools are great, but that's the Western (not Eastern) part of the area. Again, probably anywhere is better than Fayette in Central KY

Originally Posted by onthamove

as a alumni of tates creek highschool let me tell you the school system here is a sad failure unless you want private schools i would not choose lexington pub schools the system here has failed in fact in 2003 they were 3rd worst in the nation behind only two other school dirticts somehwhere in mississipi

I had an LCC professor who stopped by TCHS - he said if they would just put a fence around it Lexington would have another prison!

[teebird1012]

On the whole Fayette County Schools are not very good, but there are two exceptions. Dunbar High in SW Lexington and Henry Clay in ESE Lexington are a huge step ahead of the other public high schools. I attend a private high school here called Sayre, (expensive, but worth the money) and there are other good private schools. LCA (Lex. Christian Academy) and Lexington Catholic High School would not be bad choices. I've heard negative things about Jessmine County and Clark County schools, but I can't tell you anything specific unfortunately. You should post on the Lexington thread. I'm 17 also, so let me know if you have any more questions. I personally would avoid some of the county school systems east of Lexington (Harrison County, Bath County, Rockcastle County, etc.) If you want to live further out from Lexington (1 hour), Laurel County (London) has a good school system and I've heard Boyd County (Ashland) is decent. If you're going to stick to public schools and you don't want to enroll around the Lexington area, Oldham County just outside of Louisville is about the best in the state as is Kenton County just opposite the Ohio River to Louisville. Kentucky doesn't have much in the way of great schools, but here and there you will find a good institution or two.

[lexingtongal]

I totally disagree with the statement that Fayette County schools overall are not good. There are certainly some schools that are far better than others but there are some very good schools. One just has to do a little research (fcps.net to look at each schools actual scores) to see this. Dunbar and Henry Clay do very well. Even Tates Creek, which historically has been a bad school is working hard to change this. They now have an International Baccalaureate program which should do wonders in pulling this school up. Dunbar has the MSTC program, Henry Clay has the Quest Accelerated Cluster program. In other words there are many choices. Having said this I would have to refer you to someone at FCPS to talk to about your particular situation. The high schools are large and I don't know what they offer for children like your nephew. If you want a small community outside of Lexington Versailles probably offers the best school system. The further east you go the more dicey the school situation will be.
There are good private schools but overall most of the National Honors Scholars, perfect ACT scores, etc have come from Fayette County public schools not the private ones. Interesting, hmmm?

[goldenmom7500]

Right, it's always been my understanding that Lexington (Fayette Co.) schools are among the best in KY and rank quite well nationally (top 20%, if not higher). But, as far as what school would be best for your nephew, that I can't answer. If you are talking about acreage, I think Versailles, Georgetown, Paris, Richmond, etc. Further out, you hit Danville, Berea, ... what is in the east exactly? (I actually drive on 64 a lot, I should know this ...).

[teebird1012]

OK it appears I overstated what I meant. There are good schools in Lexington, most tend to be in SW- SE Lexington. I know Tates Creek is trying to make improvements, but as of now I would still be hesitant to enroll there. Lafayette tends to be pretty good on the whole also. By the way, I did not say that FCPS were the worst in the state, but rather nationally standing they are not quite up there with say Arlington County, VA. By Kentucky standards, FCPS is close to the top along with Oldham County and Kenton County. If I were a parent I would not hesitate at all to send my son/ daughter to a FC public school, but I would make sure I moved into an area with better schools because some schools here are great and some are downright awful. Goldenmom, to the east is Mt. Sterling, Winchester, Morehead, etc.

[goldenmom7500]

Right, right ... there is a range for sure. There are schools to be avoided and then there are others that could compare to .. most anywhere. It's funny you mention Arlington, VA - I've lived there (plus Fairfax County which has some great schools).

[teebird1012]

One of my best friends lives in Bethesda, MD and I usually go two times a year to visit him. He told me about Arlington County schools (he goes to Landon). Sorry about overstating my response earlier.