OC 2 MEMPHIS- Moving this summer. NEED HELP with neighborhoods. THANKS.

[DubbleT]

I'm fairly certain that stretch of the Norfolk Southern line is inoperative. Over near Waring Rd/ Graham Rd, the tracks have been paved over. Not familiar with Boswell, though I imagine trains wouldn't be a problem.

I just drove down Lynbar today, saw a couple of for sale signs out. Some of the houses there are just okay and some are nice. It would be worth taking a look I guess.

A big NO on the Mason Rd unless you enjoy living right across the street from the middle school with all the traffic and other associated problems that brings. A decent school, but still...

[JMSTiger]

Originally Posted by FutureMemphian

Thank you for all the wonderful information. It seems to me that the school district and the neighborhood north of summer ave is quickly deteriorating. I have looked into several properties north of Walnut Grove Rd (In WSHS district):

4978 LYNBAR, 38117
5220 BENDEL, 38117
5452 MASON, 38120
5286 BOSWELL, 38120

As far as schools go, we are firm believers in the public education system, and truthfull cannot afford to send 3 children to private schools. I have read alot about the White Station Optional Program (which seemed to be the most recommended out of all MCS) and I am confident that this will be a great place to enroll the kids.

BTW, I've been trying to get information on a neighborhood called HIGH POINT. Information about safety, and overall state of the neighborhood, demographics, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS AGAIN

High Point Terrace is one of the best neighborhoods in the city. I live just west of High Point Terrace and know that neighborhood extremely well. The only downside to that neighborhood is that it is quite expensive, especially south of the tracks. A tiny house in there can run $200,000 easy.

[ColliervilleMom]

FutureMemphian, please take my advice, and put private schools into your budget before you buy here, you will change your mind about MCS. Please read the post from the young High Schooler titled " My First 6 Months in *HELL*..."., and you'll get the idea.

Your kids will NOT get into the gifted program here, even though they were in it in another state, I've been trying for 7 months to get them to put my daughter in the program, which she was in previously in a much better school district in Virginia. It's like pulling teeth...worse. The administration will lump your kids in with "special needs" kids, and they'll test them when they get to it, and no amount of phone calling or emailing will make a difference, your pleas will be ignored.

Other than the schools, I am enjoying several aspects of memphis, and love the downtown area.

[susano]

The "My First 6 Months...." poster was in one of the worst schools in the city. It's unbelievable to me that his parents would have allowed him to stay in that school after seeing what it's like.
It's true that your children will have to test into the optional program but if you don't want to wait to do it thru the school system have them privately tested. It's much less expensive than private schools.

[JMSTiger]

Originally Posted by susano

The "My First 6 Months...." poster was in one of the worst schools in the city.

No kidding. Northside is about as bad as it gets in the Memphis City Schools and that is really saying something. I would rather be hit by a MATA bus than attend Northside for a year. That kid has some guts and toughness to withstand that. His parents need to do some research before making such a big decision.

[ColliervilleMom]

"It's true that your children will have to test into the optional program but if you don't want to wait to do it thru the school system have them privately tested. It's much less expensive than private schools."

Susano,

Private testing is irrelevant when we're talking about GIFTED programs, the public schools will ONLY take their own testing results to decide if the kids get into the program or not. The original poster was thinking about a PUBLIC school, and hoping to get their kids in a GIFTED program.

Trust me, I've learned more than I event wanted to know about this in the past 6 months.

[DubbleT]

Some Memphis public schools are three tiered through middle school. Standard traditional tier, optional tier, and gifted tier. Starting in high school the gifted tier is dropped because students can take AP classes. My son was tested by a private psychologist to get back in the optional program after he let his grades drop and got disqualified one year at WSHS.

[pillow]

I live in Cordova and like it. You might look in this area as there is a lot of affordable housing. I have lived here for 13 years and feel safe. It is close to the Berclair area if you hop on the Interstate.

[susano]

Originally Posted by considering-amovetomephis

"It's true that your children will have to test into the optional program but if you don't want to wait to do it thru the school system have them privately tested. It's much less expensive than private schools."

Susano,

Private testing is irrelevant when we're talking about GIFTED programs, the public schools will ONLY take their own testing results to decide if the kids get into the program or not. The original poster was thinking about a PUBLIC school, and hoping to get their kids in a GIFTED program.

Trust me, I've learned more than I event wanted to know about this in the past 6 months.

Public schools WILL take test results from private testers. Two of my children were privately tested when they were in elementary to get into the CLUE program because we didn't want to wait to be tested through MCS due to the long wait. We called the the CLUE office to find out what tests were needed and scheduled with a private tester. Our son, who will be attending White Station High in the fall, was 1 point shy on his 7th grade TCAP's of what was needed in Math for a transfer into the optional program at White Station. We found out from the Optional Schools office what tests he needed to take and had him privately tested, he scored higher and was given an optional transfer with no problem. There are other factors for approval of a transfer such as grades, attendance and conduct. One of his friends was not granted a transfer because of several "N's" on his report card.

I'm sorry you have had such a problem, all we parents want is the best for our children. It shouldn't be so difficult!

[ColliervilleMom]

They won't take private at Shelby County Schools, I checked yesterday to confirm. We started asking last December, and we are now (June) scheduled this week to be tested.