Insider view of Germantown schools anyone? (elementary schools, kindergarten, teachers)

[ZenDog]

My kids went to Riverdale and then to Germantown High-- they were happy and we were happy with the schools. We lived in the Poplar Estates area- it is almost in MEmphis, so we were close to a lot of stuff. My kids walked or rode their bikes to Riverdale in nice weather-- that was a good thing for them.

[mzloolue]

I am getting the impression that the op is thinking that she is comparing schools in different systems.

Collierville, Bartlett, Arlington, Germantown, Houston, Millington, Bolton; they are all run by the same folks, same superintendent, same supervisors, same books.

All the Shelby County Schools are good.

And all the public schools in America are "teaching to the test".
Testing is a political thing forced upon the schools by the politicians that you elected.
It doesn't mean that the schools have knowledge of the content of the tests, but they have developed a pretty good idea of what to expect.

What it boils down to is that politicians want to please the voters so they push the tesing. It looks good on paper and the testing companies make a lot of money.

Money from your taxes.

Pressure comes from the top and trickles down to the classroom.

When they pressure the classroom teachers to continually improve their student's scores and make producing higher scores necessary for job security, then the kids are going to feel that pressure too.

After the test everyone, teachers and kids can breath a bit easier.

Until the next year...

[jami20]

My wife and I have lots of friends who haved moved into the area from different parts of the country. We live in Germantown and have friends all over the city, but mainly in Germantown and Collierville.

Every one of the elementary schools you mentioned is good, all are among the top in Shelby County/Memphis. Riverdale elementary was recognized as the best in the county last year by some publication, (I just can't remember where I read it, but I think the local newspaper.)

All of our friends who live in Collierville (4 couples) who were originally from other states say that they wish there realtor had led more to Germantown. But all are happy in Collierville. It's just that Germantown is anywhere from 15-25 minutes closer to most of the action of Memphis, and is a little more established.

Saying that though, you get more house for the money in Collierville. But your resale value isn't as high. That may be important if you're looking to move in the next 2-5 years.

If you want a brand new house with new everything and an open layout I'm betting that you're probably going to go to Collierville. Of course you can get the same thing in Germantown it will just cost you 15-20% more.

If you don't mind an older (20-30 year old) house look into the poplar estates area and the area that is bordered to the north by Wolf River Pkwy, to the south by Poplar, the West by Kirby and the East by Germantown Pkwy.

In these areas you'll find some of the best combination of housing values, neighborhoods, parks, quick access to everywhere, higher resale (a lot of younger couples are moving into these areas and remodeling and enlarging these homes that are usually 2,200-3,000sf) and location in good school districts. This district is in Riverdale elementary district which is a K-8th grade school.

Really both Germantown and Collierville are nice. It just depends on what you're looking for. And all of the elementary schools are good.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by SchoolsRTheWorstTiptonTN

The schools in memphis are awful and that is every where in memphis not only the city it is in Tipton County and everywhere else. If you are a teacher, your child is safe. If not then your child better be able to accept the fact that they will never fit in. Well, of course if you are related to everyone - then you may have a bit of a chance. I wished someone would have warned me before I moved out here 6 months ago. There was one thing posted on a sight that I looked on but I thought "that is only one person" BIG MISTAKE!!! people don't speak up because they are scared. I literally had to make a comment to a teacher asking her if she needed me to come over to my sons school and let her know in front of other faculty members. That you do not tell children to SHUTUP!! Other comments were made as well but if I write too much this won't get posted. Please look to move some where else. If I can help one child have a better education due to this posting, it will make me feel better. Maybe someone that has some Clout around here will see this and realize something is wrong. I have already made the board aware. Praying for something better.
Loving mother of one,
M

Um, why are you posting this exact post on every thread so far? The OP is asking about Germantown schools which are nowhere close to Tipton County.

Plenty of people are speaking up about the status of local schools; however, it takes change from within the system for changes to happen. I think, in all fairness, if you'd look back at the posts about schools on here, you'd see that there have been plenty of posts about the abysmal state of the Memphis schools here.

[SchoolsRTheWorstTiptonTN]

Just because it is the best in the county it doesn't mean anything. If you move here be sure you are able to put your child in private school. Supposedly the BEST in Tipton County is Brighton, and that is where we chose to buy a house and for that specific reason. My child comes before everything, most of the people that live here are on welfare. The only reason they have babies is so they don't have to work. They have babies and more babies, very seldom get married because it is an easier way of life if you stay unmarried. They have the mentality that they can get checks from the government fr the kids and then have their kids watch the younger kids. Unfortunatley,
this does not teach the children any values.

[SchoolsRTheWorstTiptonTN]

The reason I am posting this on every thread is because I want to make sure it is seen, I have been sickened by the system here. If I can save one person from coming here I will feel much better. Maybe, this will help change to happen. Is there a problem with that? You seem to be bothered by it.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by SchoolsRTheWorstTiptonTN

Just because it is the best in the county it doesn't mean anything. If you move here be sure you are able to put your child in private school. Supposedly the BEST in Tipton County is Brighton, and that is where we chose to buy a house and for that specific reason. My child comes before everything, most of the people that live here are on welfare. The only reason they have babies is so they don't have to work. They have babies and more babies, very seldom get married because it is an easier way of life if you stay unmarried. They have the mentality that they can get checks from the government fr the kids and then have their kids watch the younger kids. Unfortunatley,
this does not teach the children any values.

Wow, you're just full of negative generaities. I'm not sure where you heard that Brighton had the best schools, but the research doesn't bear it out. Munford actually has the best rated schools in Tipton County and Drummonds has the schools showing the most improvement. It sounds as though you didn't do your research into your relocation choice and for that, I'm sorry.

And I agree wholeheartedly about the private schools. I've lived here all my life and I went to private school as does my child.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by SchoolsRTheWorstTiptonTN

The reason I am posting this on every thread is because I want to make sure it is seen, I have been sickened by the system here. If I can save one person from coming here I will feel much better. Maybe, this will help change to happen. Is there a problem with that? You seem to be bothered by it.

It's just that sounds more as though you have a grudge to share than a desire to illuminate the situation. As someone who's lived here for decades, a posting full of grammatical errors on a forum isn't going to change anything about the school systems.

[Pearlbob]

This is a little much. Referring to an entire community of people as baby factories to make money?

Please do not duplicate post over and over. If you have something specific to add to the question at hand, please do. But please do not randomly post a rant that has nothing to do with the OP's question.

Originally Posted by SchoolsRTheWorstTiptonTN

Just because it is the best in the county it doesn't mean anything. If you move here be sure you are able to put your child in private school. Supposedly the BEST in Tipton County is Brighton, and that is where we chose to buy a house and for that specific reason. My child comes before everything, most of the people that live here are on welfare. The only reason they have babies is so they don't have to work. They have babies and more babies, very seldom get married because it is an easier way of life if you stay unmarried. They have the mentality that they can get checks from the government fr the kids and then have their kids watch the younger kids. Unfortunatley,
this does not teach the children any values.

[mkim]

I posted this thread awhile ago, but have been checking for the responses still from time to time as it is now certain that we will be moving to Memphis. Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts.