What are the best neighborhoods in Milwaukee? (Wauwatosa, Greendale: homes, best schools)

[ministers]

I was just wondering where are the best neighborhoods in Milwaukee? I don't want to spend a fortune on housing. The suburbs cost of housing is so expensive. I have been homeschooling my two children, because MPS schools are so bad. I don't want those negative influences in my children's life. I am 30 years old and currently live on Milwaukee's northwest side. I want to move closer in the suburbs, but I don't want to pay so much in housing because I'm in Wauwatosa.

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

Originally Posted by ministers

MPS schools are so bad.

You have been told over and over again that ALL non-private schools in the city of Milwaukee are terrible and unsafe. This is reinforced nightly on your local TV "news" with the sensational stories of fights, shootings, and other things that do happen from time at certain MPS schools. But the TV cameras rarely show up in the good schools. When was the last time you saw a local TV "news" report about, for instance, Milwaukee French Immersion School, located in the City and one of the best schools in the State?

There are over 400 schools in the City of Milwaukee. These schools run the gamut from horrible to stellar. Mind you, about 3/4 of these schools I would not send my child to. But that leaves about 100 that I would send my child to. That's not a low number of quality options to choose from. But you have to be an active chooser. You have to do your research, visit the school, see the environment and the quality of the teaching yourself. You have to be an engaged parent.

Also, under the State's Open Enrollment law, passed in '02, anyone can send their kid anywhere, in any municipality, no matter where they live. So you can live in the city and send your kid to Wauwatosa schools, for instance. I still scratch my head why so few people seem to know about this. I have a friend who lives on Milwaukee's south side, sends her kid to school in Greendale. And, yes, in case you're wondering, she is White. The one caveat under Open Enrollment is that you don't receive busing. So you would have to select a school in a place easy to get to from your home/work.

So, you see, you are not trapped! YOU HAVE OPTIONS! Free your mind and you will live a much more free, liberated life! If you still cannot bring yourself to send your kid to an excellent school simply because it says "Milwaukee" on the letterhead, then, by all means, live whereever you want to and send your kid to a conveniently located suburban school!

[ministers]

I see how these kids act on a daily basis, I would not send a kid let alone a dog to majority of these schools. My husband worked for MPS and said there are some good schools, but you can count them on one hand, most of them are horrible. The kids act so wild and unruley, and pick on the kids that want to learn and get a quality education. Why do you think MPS enrollement is down, most people I talk to are sending their kids elsewhere. I went to private schools all my life, and we were talked about for not doing our homework. You do your research, I already have done mines.

[Sonnenwende]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee Ronnie

You have been told over and over again that ALL non-private schools in the city of Milwaukee are terrible and unsafe. This is reinforced nightly on your local TV "news" with the sensational stories of fights, shootings, and other things that do happen from time at certain MPS schools. But the TV cameras rarely show up in the good schools. When was the last time you saw a local TV "news" report about, for instance, Milwaukee French Immersion School, located in the City and one of the best schools in the State?

There are over 400 schools in the City of Milwaukee. These schools run the gamut from horrible to stellar. Mind you, about 3/4 of these schools I would not send my child to. But that leaves about 100 that I would send my child to. That's not a low number of quality options to choose from. But you have to be an active chooser. You have to do your research, visit the school, see the environment and the quality of the teaching yourself. You have to be an engaged parent.

Also, under the State's Open Enrollment law, passed in '02, anyone can send their kid anywhere, in any municipality, no matter where they live. So you can live in the city and send your kid to Wauwatosa schools, for instance. I still scratch my head why so few people seem to know about this. I have a friend who lives on Milwaukee's south side, sends her kid to school in Greendale. And, yes, in case you're wondering, she is White. The one caveat under Open Enrollment is that you don't receive busing. So you would have to select a school in a place easy to get to from your home/work.

So, you see, you are not trapped! YOU HAVE OPTIONS! Free your mind and you will live a much more free, liberated life! If you still cannot bring yourself to send your kid to an excellent school simply because it says "Milwaukee" on the letterhead, then, by all means, live whereever you want to and send your kid to a conveniently located suburban school!

That is really interesting. I may be giving Milwaukee a second look.