Edmond or Norman (hotel, neighborhood, gated communities)

[peggydavis]

That is just a stereotype, like you said HT, that OK has poor public schools. Oklahoma has fine public schools. Many people send their kids to private schools for religious and traditional reasons, not just to avoid the public schools. My 2 kids went to public schools and universities, and they received great educations.

I'll admit that OKC schools need improvement, but they are working on that and I don't think OKC schools are as bad as their reputation says. My son went to OKC public schools K-5th grade, and he learned just as much as he would have in the suburban schools.

[happytown]

Peggy...ACT scores are some of the lowest in the nation, not just for OKC but for ALL of Oklahoma. OKC and Tulsa represent the public schools in Oklahoma; both are equally as bad. Edmond and Jenks are great but they dont represent the state in public education.
Maps for kids has placed OKC schools in a great direction, but it will take a few years for the system to really have an effect on scores ect.
I have always believed that 'it is what you do with what you have' so there are exceptions....But overall Oklahoma is lacking by far in teacher salaries and facilities.

[peggydavis]

Oklahoma has some of the lower ACT scores, but among the highest on the SAT. It is a matter of how many students participate in the tests in each state.

I agree teachers' salaries are way too low. That's why I gave up being a teacher. That is a matter of supply and demand, though. Our universities graduate so many teachers each year, there is too much competition for jobs and there is no incentive to raise salaries.

I wouldn't send a child of mine to an OKC high school right now, but there are many elementary schools that are just fine and I wouldn't hesitate to send my child to them.

I'm not saying our schools can't stand to improve, but any student in our public schools can get a great education if they want one.

[Zander]

I have to say, the question, "Is Norman or Edmond better?" is a bit like asking what kind of toenail fungus you prefer. I recently escaped Oklahoma, but if it's what you know and love, all the more power to you.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Zander

I have to say, the question, "Is Norman or Edmond better?" is a bit like asking what kind of toenail fungus you prefer. I recently escaped Oklahoma, but if it's what you know and love, all the more power to you.

What was so bad and undesirable about Oklahoma that you had to escape it?

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

What was so bad and undesirable about Oklahoma that you had to escape it?

Read every other post this member has made. Not a single one has anything positive to say about every other place he/she has lived or is living. Me thinks some people wouldn't be happy anywhere.

[2010grad]

I attend an OKC highschool right now... Well its a magnet highschool which means u have to maintain a gpa and u have to send in an application to get in but its still listed under OKC Public Schools and its a really good school. =/

[shadow42]

We will be moving to Edmond from socal in May. Schools are very impt to us as we have two small boys. From my research, the best schools seem to be in Edmond. In fact, two of the high schools (Edmond North is one, can't remember the other...perhaps Santa Fe) rank on Newsweeks top 1000 high schools in the county. In fact, both are ranked in the top 250 of that list. Sounds pretty good to me.

[FutureArchitect]

Wow.
I never thought that I would see such a hard question. haha.
Those are two GREAT cities.
And I would love to live in either.
Although; Were moving to east Edmond hopfully next may.
Edmond has alot of huge manisions and ive never traveled around in norman but i know that forbes magizine rated it the 6th best place to live in the nation. But im not sure. Oklahoma City is in the middle of both of them. So maybe you could try one of its inner cities or what.

Ive never know Norman to have tornadoes. (Thankfully).
And you never know were they will hit. A EF5 hit Moore.
And thats just north of Norman.
But come on down and check it out.

Whatever floats your boat!
haha.
Good Luck and Welcome to Oklahoma

[nflpa29]

Got kids, then I would look into Edmond and Deer Creek if they are elementary age. Norman has good schools as well. NE Edmond has a prettier landscape. There are more trees and rolling hills which makes for more character. West Edmond is newer, but flatter. Norman is pretty in areas, but not like NE Edmond. There is better shopping in Edmond and NW OKC if that is a priority, although Norman isn't bad. Hope this helps.