Moving to Miami area - have kids, need best schools info (Hialeah: condo, houses)

[MrsGHenderson]

New to the forum

My husband will be working in North Miami and we can live anywhere that makes his commute ok. We are moving from California and have a 3 year old and 5 year old who will just be entering school (the younger one in Pre-K). It would be nice to be able to put them somewhere (together) and not have to yank them out once we figure out where we want to live. I'm asking if anyone can give me a heads up on the area in terms of schools - public or private. I know I can live in Weston (although the commute might be far) and the public schools are "A" rated, but I'm worried about the planned community environment, not sure it's for me. The Sagemont School (in Weston) has a Pre-K program so both kids could go to the same school, which would be good for them considering the dramatic change they about to encounter. The school looks good on paper, but until I get there, I won't know for sure. (If anyone has an opinion on Sagemont, please share.) I know I have options, but it's almost like there are too many and I don't know where to begin. A search for south Florida private schools gave me a long list of schools, but no info on the school itself (and the list is long!). I'm not interested in any religious education, so that narrows it down. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thank you!

[MarieStory]

Mrs. Henerson, you might want to look at Pinecrest and the surrounding area. We have excellent schools, as a matter of fact, it's usually the #1 reason family have for moving here.

[SIZE=4]The Village of Pinecrest is a beautiful eight square mile city within Miami-Dade County. Pinecrest was officially incorporated in March of 1996. During the 1950´s and 1960´s many ranch style homes were built on acre lots. Today, many of these homes have been updated or are being replaced with gorgeous mansions and lovely gardens. Pinecrest has its own governing council, police department and newspaper.

Location, location, location...Pinecrest is adjacent to Coral Gables and though no major roads run through Pinecrest, we are very conveniently located to the expressways and the turnpike. The metro rail system is also a wonderful option we Pinecrest residents have to go downtown or to bayside. We´re just minutes from hospitals, universities, downtown Miami, the Miami International Airport and the beaches!
We are close to all the conveniences and amenities of Miami, yet we maintain a wonderful community atmosphere. We have a wonderful mix of ages and cultures here; approximately 20,000 people live in Pinecrest. Our price range is from $400,000 to $5,000,000. Families, and celebrities, are drawn to Pinecrest because of the top rated public and private schools. It´s an easy place to get to know people and enjoy the south Florida lifestyle. That small town feeling can be found at one of our parks, shopping centers or at the popular Pinecrest Gardens.
[/SIZE]
The commute for your husband though I think will be about 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Best of luck on your move.
Marie

[culturedmom]

Hubby and I grew up in Dade-County (Hialeah to be exact, but I don't suggest you move there) and when we came back after grad school for a few years, we moved to Weston. It will be quite a drive for him to get to Miami, that is for sure, even though he will be very close to I-75. However, if you do decide to move to Weston, there are other options then planned communities. You cna live closer to the 595 side (the name elludes me) and the houses there are nice and it is more like an open community rather then gated. The school there is Indian Trace, and I ahve heard nothing but great things about it. I used to run my Girl Scout troop out of that school.

When we lived there, we lived in the Ridges and it was very nice. But gated. However, my DD wen tot Everglades Elementary and though the school is A rated and I can't fault the curriculum, I hated that school with a passion. And this is coming from a woman with a Ph.D. in Education!

For older, but nice houses in moe of that neighborhood style vs gated, you can also look at the Cooper City/Pembroke Pines area in between Flamingo and Palm right off of Taft St.

[culturedmom]

BTW, my mother is a Srgt. for Dade County School police, so I can ask her what she thinks are the best schools in Dade. Feel free to e-mail me if you ahve any other questions.

[HowGoesIt]

The schools is Florida really aren't too good. Even if the school is A-rated, I would take that with a very large grain of salt.

The commute from Weston to North Miami would be pretty rough, but do-able. I would also check out Aventura if you don't mind high rise condo living. Cooper City is also an option.

[♥♥PRINC3Ss♥♥]

Pinecrest is a very long commute. I hope someone familiar with this area can suggest something closer. Miami lakes is a good community but I am not familiar with their schools. Pembroke pines has good schools on their west side but it is full of close gated communities

[MrsGHenderson]

No hi-rises for us. With two boys, we need access to grass

I read about Gulliver School, but there are multiple campuses. What's up with that?

Pinecrest, I'll take a look.

thanks

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by MrsGHenderson

No hi-rises for us. With two boys, we need access to grass

I read about Gulliver School, but there are multiple campuses. What's up with that?

Pinecrest, I'll take a look.

thanks

Pinecrest is really nice check it out. Gulliver is one of the best private prep schools in Miami. Yes they have separate campuses, for the different age groups.

[StilltheSame]

I would go private. Sagemont is good in Weston and just north is American Heritage which IMO is much better. Pincrest is excellent. In Dade - Gulliver is good as is another in Miami Shores (sorry I cannot remember the name). I think the options in Miami are better than Broward, but there arent many. Anyway you choose the commute for your spouse will be a nightmare. Do your research and you will find the right fit.

[StilltheSame]

The Cushman School - I have heard really good things - thats the one in Miami Shores.