Relocation to Southwest Shelby County/Olive Branch (Memphis, Germantown: home builders, buy)

[delajode]

My family and I will be relocating to the area this summer due to the job. We were wondering if the schools systems would be better in Shelby County or Desoto County (Olive Branch). Also, we would like to know the names of replicable home builders in the area. We may build or buy a inventory home.

[jbarkley]

Mike Fuller is by far the best builder in the Desoto County area. Beautiful quality homes. You won't find better!

[ColliervilleMom]

Shelby county schools will be much better. Olive Branch is a nice, smaller community. I'd recommend private schools if you move there.

Harrell Homes is a nice builder around here.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by jbarkley

XXX is by far the best builder in the Desoto County area. Beautiful quality homes. You won't find better!

Hmmm, second post to mention this particular builder. I do hope you are on this forum to do more than sell homes. I predict a "not a member" to soon appear below your name if that's your intention.
This forum is NOT for advertising.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by delajode

My family and I will be relocating to the area this summer due to the job. We were wondering if the schools systems would be better in Shelby County or Desoto County (Olive Branch). Also, we would like to know the names of replicable home builders in the area. We may build or buy a inventory home.

My concern is you say southwest shelby county - which is all Memphis. You DO NOT want a city school in Memphis. The incorporated towns are fine (Collierville, Germantown) but I would avoid Memphis proper.
In that case Olive Branch or Desoto County would be your choice.

[KnxGirl]

We moved to Olive Branch in May, and my son just started Pre-K in a public school here. We like the area a lot, and are pleased with his school, which has great academic ratings and parent reviews. Actually, the test scores there are as good as those in Shelby County, so the assumption that living here you would need a private school is absurd.

[ColliervilleMom]

I'm sure PreK is fine there. As a parent, I am more concerned with middle/high schools, which prepare you for college and/or life. delajode should spend some time online comparing, based on his kid's age, and how long they will stay there.

When I checked with greatschools rating, Olive Branch High school is 7 out of 10, Collierville and Houston High are 10 out of 10, Germantown is 9 (probably improving, since they added the international baccalaureate) These ratings are based on a comparison of test results for all schools in the state.

[KnxGirl]

I don't know what age this delajode's children are either. I think that Pre-K / elementary school is just as important as middle and high school, which is why I mentioned it. My son is learning life skills now that will enable him to be successful in middle school and high school, and the rest of his life. I think the comment about needing to send your child to a private school if you live in OB/Desoto is really off base. Why not give information about your area and let someone in the other area give information about that place, rather than making a broad generalization about something you may not know as much about as you think?

My son attends Pre-K at a public elementary school that also has a 10 out of 10 on the Great Schools scale (I am also very familiar with that site). MANY Desoto County Schools have ratings of 9 or 10. Desoto Central Middle School also has a 10 out of 10. Desoto Central High has a 9 out of 10. Lewisburg High School is also a 9 or 10. There is more than one high school in this area. New schools are being built. Quality teachers are being hired.

Prior to moving here we spent a great deal of time on the phone with the schools (public and private), the district offices (Desoto, Fayette, Shelby), parents we know in the area and researching online. We have spent quite a bit of time in Collierville and Germantown over the years since my in-laws are from there. We felt better about living here and sending our son to school here than anywhere else in the area. That is what worked best for us.

[ColliervilleMom]

Originally Posted by KnxGirl

I think that Pre-K / elementary school is just as important as middle and high school,

When your kids are older, you will realize that middle and high are more important.

Again, I'm glad you're happy, but my original recommendation is still valid.

[2nomadic4me]

KnxGirl:

"ColliervilleMom" is extremely biased one everything... if someone wants to live downtown.. she'll suggest Collierville any day of the week.

Go on what you feel is right.