Mother+3children moving to Henrico Cty from London, U.K. (Richmond: neighborhoods, middle school)

[stackie]

Hi. I'm planning to move to the Univ of Richmond area of Henrico Cty this summer with my 3 children (b10, b9, g6) from London, U.K. Tuckahoe and Maybeury Elementary Schools come recommended. Does anyone have a preference of one school over another? I think my eldest will go into 5th grade... it worries me to read that Tuckahoe Middle School isn't as good as Tuckahoe Elementary. Is there a good Catholic school? I hope to save on tuition by moving from England to Richmond so would like to avoid the private schools at least for the first few years.

Why do so many people on this site say to avoid this part of Henrico Cty? I'm very happy to drive to the big shops etc that are clustered in other parts of Henrico. I don't need to live within a mile or so of them. Is there another reason to avoid the Univ or Richmond area of Henrico? I've been living in a city (D.C., L.A., NYC, London) now for nearly 25 years. I am desperate for space for my children but don't want to feel too isolated.

Re: neighborhoods. I would like my children to be able to play outside in the yard or the road. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[rosette8]

We are moving to that area this summer as well. We looked at Tuckahoe Elem. and really liked it, but were concerned about the middle school too. Currently our kids are in catholic school so we decided to continue the tradition.

After a waitlist, we were just informed that our kids got into St. Bridgets. My eldest is going into 5th grade also and that was the hardest grade to get into at St. Bridgets. St. Bridgets is suppose to be an excellent school. I called the high school that my kids would go to in Tuckahoe and asked the guidance counselor what the saw in the kids from St. Bridgets coming to the public high school. They raved about them.

You may want to do Tuckahoe Elem. and get your kids on the waitlist for St. Bridgets for '09....or maybe they still have room for next year. The cost for 3 kids I think is around $11,000. You get a bigger discount with each kid as long as you are a member of the church. We are joining the church now.

The area around University of Richmond is wonderful with lots of space....you are picking a great place in my opinion! Because I am doing the same thing

Good Luck!!

[stackie]

I will look at St. Bridget's. I'm glad to hear the public high school likes the children from there. Where I grew up in New Jersey, we were definitely considered behind the public schools academically because we were at the Catholic school. We're going to Richmond at the end of May / beg of June and will now add St. Bridget's to the list of schools to see.