West St. Paul to Mendota Heights area.... for house purchase

[Piglet99645]

OK don't fight on my account. Thanks for all the input. I realize everyone's opinion is relative to their experience.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by ferr0052

Golfgal - are you really going to try and convince this poor person that Sibley is one of the best high school's in the state??? Really??? I have looked and can't find anything that would back up that claim. In fact, the more I research the more I should of stated it was a "C" school.

However, I still stand behind "B" because an average school in Minnesota is still pretty good. Especially when you take into account what the child puts into the education.

I'm sure Sibley was a great school at one time -- i would argue that the population in that school district is an aging population and the affluence in that area does not represent the younger generation that reside there.

Is it a horrible school - of course not! I have the same argument of people that went to Hopkins. However, people who work in those districts don't have the same opinion. Again, I would argue its just a change in demographics.

Do you work in that district? Obviously I haven't been a student there for a long time but I have friends that have kids that graduated from there about 5 years ago and they still loved the school. Has it gone downhill that fast? It's really sad if it has.

[ferr0052]

First I just want to say that I have nothing against Sibley high school--and I love West St. Paul. I never went to Sibley High School nor any of its "rivals".

I know a teacher who worked at that High School - and also one from Hopkins school district. Both say that the school district is good not great. Its been a running joke with a friend of mine that my High School (in northern Minnesota) ranks higher than her high school in Hopkins.

The point being, is that they are good school districts but not Elite. I believe you when you say Sibley was probably one of the top schools at one time...I know Hopkins was. However, I would argue that is not the case anymore. I know kids who graduated 7 years ago from Sibley and they just shrug their shoulders and say "its okay".

My second point being that I would argue that the basic standards are lower than the elite school. An example may be that the elite school requires 4 years of Math while the other school only requires 2 years. If your child challenges him/herself it probably wouldn't make a difference. Those "standards" would more than likely correlate with testing and graduation rates; thus giving the school a better reputation.

[WendyRLee]

Minnesota has open enrollment so your child can attend any school in the state if there is room there and you can get them there. So if you do move somewhere and find out you don't like the schools you can always try that route. I would say to try the Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented School in St. Paul. It is very tough to get in, but worth the effort to try.