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We are relocating to the triangle next year and recently visited the area to get a feel of the towns and neighborhoods. We really liked Brier Creek community but upon further research see that the Brier Creek Elementary school has a Great Schools rating of 6 while many of the elementary schools in Cary are rated 9 or 10. Are those Cary elementary schools (Davis Drive, High Croft, Adams etc) really that much better than Brier Creek Elementary? Does anyone have first hand experience with Brier Creek Elementary? Is this a Cary vs North Raleigh issue?
That's a nice looking school, I had occasion to be in that area a couple of weeks ago.
If you're only looking at test scores, you're probably only going to get half the story. Demographics will somewhat play a role in that. I will also say, as a Davis Drive parent, that they put a tremendous amount of importance on doing well on the tests. They stress the kids out to the max over it - and they get the desired result, but it's somewhat annoying. Other schools don't do any test prep and don't place a huge emphasis on it - that can make a difference.
You should visit the schools you are looking at to get the full story, maybe contact the PTA, etc.
Brier Creek Elementary is a nice school in a new facility with a very strong PTA.
The Teachers and staff are also quite good, some better than others, ofcourse.
PTA organizes quite a few programs - Spelling Bee, Odyssey of the Mind, Battle of the Books etc., and Electives like Spanish, and almost all classrooms have Ipads and Smartboards.
There is also a Community Center adjacent to the School (buildings are attached), and City of Raleigh conducts their After-school and Track-out programs, if that is important to you.
My kids went to another Cary school and then Brier Creek, and they were much more happier at Brier creek.
The school is Year round and is currently in session, so you may want to take a tour and then decide.
Just a warning about Brier Creek Elementary - if you want your kids in Before/After school there at the school, parents line up at like 4AM the day registration opens (in early March for the following year) and even then you aren't guaranteed a spot. It fills up that day. Just something to think about if you need that service.
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