School Info for Lexington and Surrounding Areas (Nicholasville, Clay: houses, neighborhoods)

[rauroy1]

My family is looking to relocate to the Lexington area and I am looking for information on the schools. There are a lot of posts out here, but haven't found one that specifically answers my questions, so I am hoping my own post will help.

What I am looking for is where the best public schools are in the Lexington area. Some posts said some of the surrounding areas are better, and I have seen some posts say that in Lexington the public schools are better. I have read one post that said to absolutely stay away of Nicolasville. Is that correct?

We have a young family. When we move (hopefully early next summer), one child will be in 2nd grade and the other in preschool. The very most important factor in where we live is the school system where our children will go and the neighborhood they live in. We are coming from Green Bay, WI, where our oldest goes to a good public school and we live in a good neighborhood within walking distance to that school. Hoping to find a neighborhood where the public school is similar in quality of education and to be able to be in walking distance to it.

I don't know where my husband will be getting a job, but he is willing to commute somewhat, not more than 30-45 minutes, so I don't believe that will be a factor in where we live. I have been trying to do research regarding the schools by looking at the data provided on the Kentucky public school webiste. I have been able to see some schools that seem to having lower "percentages", but Nicholasville seemed to be a school district that was okay, and if in reality, it isn't, then I guess my research isn't going to be very helpful alone in finding the best place for our family. Again, the most important thing is the safety and educational experiences for our children.

I must say that we have never been to Lexington before. We chose it as our top possiblity after doing research on numerous cities based on population, crime, cost of living, house values, etc, and weather. Weather is why we decided to move in the first place. Wisconsin winters have finally gotten to much for us, and are looking for a place that is warmer but still has some of the Midwestern qualities that we appreciate. On a side note, are we correct in believing that it does snow a little in Lexington, but just doesn't stay for very long?

I hope I have explained our situation well enough and I thank anyone in advance who can help.

[rauroy1]

Oh, and one for thing I forgot. Definately pie!

[lexingtongal]

Lexington schools are better than the surrounding communities. You have several districts to consider but imo the best is Cassidy, Morton, Henry Clay. Rosa Parks, Veterans Park and Glendover area all very good elementary schools too but with the first suggestion you get the start to finish best package.
I don't know your price range but Chevy Chase is a very family friendly neighborhood. Most locations within 40502 will land you in the school district I mentioned.

[rauroy1]

We are looking to buy a home with a price of about $175,000. I will look into the schools you suggested. Thanks for the information.

[sparks10]

Hi there! I just wanted to say hello because I am also moving from Wisconsin and think I am doing much of the same research you have been! We are moving from Appleton as soon as we can sell our house here. My husband is already working down there and one of his co-workers whose wife is a teacher said this about the high schools: Henry Clay is pretty good, dunbar and Lafayette are better. So we are kind of focusing our search around those. I have been reading out here a ton trying to find good neighborhoods suggestions and that sort of thing - seems like a pretty good source of info.

[LEXpert]

If you could go in the low $200k range, the good school within walking distance you described would be Rosa Parks. The area right behind the school is called Beaumont Enclave. Prices are about $220k though. For $175k, I would look at an area called Hunting Hills. It is in SE Lex just outside Man O War. The elementary school is Squires. It is within walking distance. I do not know how that school was ranked, but I know a few families with kids in that school, and they love it.

Like you mentioned, there are a ton of differing opinions about the schools. There was an article in the paper a few weeks ago with all their perfromace scores. Most of the elementary schools were pretty average, some were bad, and only a few were really good. The really good ones were Rosa Parks, Veteran's Park, and Maxwell (which is a magnet school-not one that is tied to a geographic area.) The worst ones were downtown and Tates Creek Elementary.

Personally, I think as long as you avoid the worst ones you will be okay. Oh, click up there by my name and check out my blog. I have useful info on picking neighborhoods and such.

[lexingtongal]

Interesting; I've never heard anyone rank Lafayette over Henry Clay before. Also Rosa Parks overall score was only 3 over Cassidy last year so I don't see how you could leave Cassidy off the list. Particularly when you consider that Cassidy has socio-economic diversity and Rosa Parks and Veterans Park do not.

[LEXpert]

Cassidy was left off the list because the OP wanted to be witin walking distance to one of the best schools if possible. There are 108 houses listed in Cassidy distict on LBAR. None of them are in the stated price range and within walking distance. There is one fixer upper on Melrose for $189k. She may be able to get it for the $175k she wants to spend, but it would cost a lot more than that to fix up an older house.

[honestypays]

Make sure you avoid sending your children to LCA (Lexington Christian Academy -a private school) that should be forced to replace the word Christian with Cash. The administraion only cares about the MONEY not the Kids. They just want to milk all they can out of families with no regard to helping children. You'll be sorry if you send your child there!!!

[lexingtongal]

I have several friends whose children attend LCA and they absolutely love it!