What is your opinion of Shakopee schools? (Minneapolis, Minnetonka: low income, 2009)

[prettyhappyhere]

The school ratings seemed lower than others in Minneapolis (west) suburbs. The homes are great in the 325K - 400K.

Also, what city from Wazata to Chanhassen has the least amount of apartments......or the most single family homes?

Thank you

[golfgal]

Shakopee schools are ok, not great. There are better options on that side of the city. I see from one of your numerous other posts you will be working in Hopkins. Look in the Hopkins area either in the Hopkins or Wayzata schools. You might get a little bit smaller house for your money but your resale will be MUCH better and the schools in both those districts are excellent. If you want to be a bit further out Chaska would be the best smaller town option there.

[Slig]

Based soley on English and Math proficiency scores Shakopee schools are slightly above the state average and slightly below Wayzata, Minnetonka and some of the other western suburb schools. I personally highly doubt you'd even be able to tell the difference in the quality of education in the different school systems. When it comes down to it it'll be the quality of individual teachers that make the difference, not general statistics or reputation.

[prettyhappyhere]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Shakopee schools are ok, not great. There are better options on that side of the city. I see from one of your numerous other posts you will be working in Hopkins. Look in the Hopkins area either in the Hopkins or Wayzata schools. You might get a little bit smaller house for your money but your resale will be MUCH better and the schools in both those districts are excellent. If you want to be a bit further out Chaska would be the best smaller town option there.

Are Hopkins schools rated well? I am having a hard time figuring out the best place for a package deal for a young family. $350K - $400K doesn't go nearly as far as it does where I currently live. I appreciate all the help!!!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by prettyhappyhere

Are Hopkins schools rated well? I am having a hard time figuring out the best place for a package deal for a young family. $350K - $400K doesn't go nearly as far as it does where I currently live. I appreciate all the help!!!

Yes, they are very highly rated, better then Shakopee. You will be able to find something in your price range in the Hopkins area. Yes, you can probably get a little bit more house in Shakopee for that price but overall Hopkins will be a better choice for schools, commute, etc.

[Slig]

Unless there's another source I'm not aware of Golf Gal is basing her "ratings" on this:

2009 Minnesota school test scores

In the Hopkins district in 2009 73% of students were proficient in math and 78% were proficient in reading compared to 67% and 72% in Shakopee. If you look though Shakopee has more low income and special ed. kids taking the tests so after putting that into consideration it's basically a wash. Also, I don't think you should base your opinion on the quality of schools in an area because of average proficiency scores based on one exam for all schools in an area. It makes more sense to look at individual schools since there could be low achievement alternative schools pulling down the overall scores as such is the case for Minneapolis schools. Some Minneapolis schools have very high proficiency scores despite a low score for the district.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Slig

Unless there's another source I'm not aware of Golf Gal is basing her "ratings" on this:

2009 Minnesota school test scores

In the Hopkins district in 2009 73% of students were proficient in math and 78% were proficient in reading compared to 67% and 72% in Shakopee. If you look though Shakopee has more low income and special ed. kids taking the tests so after putting that into consideration it's basically a wash. Also, I don't think you should base your opinion on the quality of schools in an area because of average proficiency scores based on one exam for all schools in an area. It makes more sense to look at individual schools since there could be low achievement alternative schools pulling down the overall scores as such is the case for Minneapolis schools. Some Minneapolis schools have very high proficiency scores despite a low score for the district.

One of those deals where people have to wiegh it all out. Some will compromise everything to get what they believe is the best possible schools, others have additional criteria to weigh and balance.

Personally, I would take hopkins over shakopee but not based on schools scores alone. Many people would look at difference in housing stock as the primary factor in this situation. Older and probably smaller home for the money vs. longer commute with a newer and larger home. My opinion is that a lot of people will opt for more sq ft in situations like this, but it does certianly seem like people are now starting to place value on time spent in the car and factoring in fuel and vehicle costs these days. This can help some people learn to apprciate that less is sometimes more.

Perception of school district does effect pricing, but this is just one of many factors. In this paticular situation, I don't think the school district is a major factor in pricing. It is not like Shokopee is a bad district by any means. My thought is the river crossing and longer commute is a bigger factor as to why housing is going to cost less in Scott County.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Yes, they are very highly rated, better then Shakopee. You will be able to find something in your price range in the Hopkins area. Yes, you can probably get a little bit more house in Shakopee for that price but overall Hopkins will be a better choice for schools, commute, etc.

Keep in mind that the Hopkins School District covers significant areas of other suburbs as well like eastern Minnetonka and a sizable chunk of Golden Valley (Hopkins' Charles A. Lindbergh High School absorbed Golden Valley High School during my senior year ... in 1980-81).

http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/sites/d...p_Detailed.pdf

[prettyhappyhere]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

One of those deals where people have to wiegh it all out. Some will compromise everything to get what they believe is the best possible schools, others have additional criteria to weigh and balance.

Personally, I would take hopkins over shakopee but not based on schools scores alone. Many people would look at difference in housing stock as the primary factor in this situation. Older and probably smaller home for the money vs. longer commute with a newer and larger home. My opinion is that a lot of people will opt for more sq ft in situations like this, but it does certianly seem like people are now starting to place value on time spent in the car and factoring in fuel and vehicle costs these days. This can help some people learn to apprciate that less is sometimes more.

Perception of school district does effect pricing, but this is just one of many factors. In this paticular situation, I don't think the school district is a major factor in pricing. It is not like Shokopee is a bad district by any means. My thought is the river crossing and longer commute is a bigger factor as to why housing is going to cost less in Scott County.

seems like www.greatschools.com rated Hopkins a 5? We may start looking in Chanhassen as well. A lot of home for the money and the schools are rated excellent. any opinions?