Understanding the Independent School District in KY (Murray, Mayfield: school districts, to live in)

[Lonestar1836]

I have looked at possibly relocating to SE Kentucky (London/Corbin area) and have heard people mention Independent School Districts. Could someone please explain how Independent School Districts operate and how one might enroll children into such schools?

Thank you,

John

[InLondon]

Independent means it's not a County wide system. The city schools are called "Independent" basically. They are still public schools. You just usually have to live in the city limits in order for your children to attend them.

[Lonestar1836]

Originally Posted by InLondon

Independent means it's not a County wide system. The city schools are called "Independent" basically. They are still public schools. You just usually have to live in the city limits in order for your children to attend them.

So, if you live within the city limits do your children have to go to the independent schools or is there an option between attending an independent school and a "standard" public school?

Also, how do the independent schools compare with other public schools? Is there any difference? Is there more local involvement in the governance of the schools?

[mtsmylie]

Also, is there a tuition cost for the independent schools, or is it free like the public schools.

[kygman]

The "independent" school system IS the standard school system. I graduated from Mayfield High School, which is the Mayfield Independent School System. All the "independent" means is they are not a part of another school system, such as Mayfield not being a part of the Graves School system. They are both free and both public schools.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by Lonestar1836

So, if you live within the city limits do your children have to go to the independent schools or is there an option between attending an independent school and a "standard" public school?

Also, how do the independent schools compare with other public schools? Is there any difference? Is there more local involvement in the governance of the schools?

The other option would be private school. Typically, the Independent schools have better test scores. That's certainly the case with Corbin Independent Schools. The main difference is that Independent schools are almost always smaller.

[kentuckydad95]

I can speak first hand of Murray Independent vs Calloway County. I will be putting my son into the Murray system and will have to pay tuition because we live in the county school district. The test scores to the dropout rates are better, as well as the teacher to student ratio (at least the last I looked). Of course I am a Murray grad, so I am biased...lol.

[Lonestar1836]

Originally Posted by kentuckydad95

I can speak first hand of Murray Independent vs Calloway County. I will be putting my son into the Murray system and will have to pay tuition because we live in the county school district. The test scores to the dropout rates are better, as well as the teacher to student ratio (at least the last I looked). Of course I am a Murray grad, so I am biased...lol.

Are the tuition rates high (comparable to private school tuition)? Is there any risk that there will not be enough room for your child?