help middle schools and neighborhoods (Roanoke, Madison: best neighborhood, apartments, houses)

[va-wa&back]

I am a single mom, moving back to the area with an 11 year old son going in to 6th grade. I need recommendations on schools and neighborhoods for us.

[mccamp]

Welcome back! Moving to Roanoke was one of our easiest moves.

A lot depends on the needs of your son. We found a better academic fit at the city schools. Others will tell you that the southwest county schools were a better fit for them. (SW County schools score higher on the standardized tests. City schools have more socio-economic challenges that drag down their overall scores.)

We love the Raleigh Court/Grandin Court area. WE feel at home here and our neighbors are awesome.

If you could give us a few more details--does your son have any special interests or needs? Is he super smart? Excels in some areas, but lags in others? Into sports? Science? Writing? Theatre?

Where will you be working? Want a short commute and the benefits of city living? How 'bout living in the country with easy access to the city?

Folks here will guide you. They helped us.

Good luck!

[matthews1965]

Yep - Raleigh Court would be a good place to begin looking. It's so beautifully located that if you work downtown or even salem you have an easy drive. When you consider price of housing, schools, amenites of Grandin Village - you just can't beat it. Everyone here knows I'm very bullish on "my" neighborhood!!

[va-wa&back]

Thanks for the advice. Here is more information on us. My son is bright and leans to the geeky side and is a avid baseball player.
I am newly divorced and have been a stay at home mom for 16 years. I'll need a job and most likely need some more up to date education. I have a BA from VA Tech but haven't used it. My preference is in the city. I'm not a country girl.

[Teebyrd86]

Originally Posted by va-wa&back

Thanks for the advice. Here is more information on us. My son is bright and leans to the geeky side and is a avid baseball player.
I am newly divorced and have been a stay at home mom for 16 years. I'll need a job and most likely need some more up to date education. I have a BA from VA Tech but haven't used it. My preference is in the city. I'm not a country girl.

Will you be looking for an apartment or other type of housing? Like Matthews I am biased of my neighborhood. I live in South Roanoke and affordable housing can be found here in a killer neighborhood close to downtown and other ameneties the city has to offer. In my opinion this is the best neighborhood in the city limits with sidewalks, neighborhood resturants,and post office ect. Grandin/Raleigh court is nice as well but for me South Roanoke is the best. The schools here are James Madison Mildde School and Patrick Henry High School. Check out The South Roanoke Circle for a little info. click on demographics for neighborhood facts, and see pictures to see events that take place in our diverse neighborhood. Good Luck and let me know if you need any other help/advice.

[headnsouth]

I'm in Raleigh Court too, in the Woodrow Wilson Middle School district. We moved here last summer from another state, and my brainiac 8th-grader spent last year at Woodrow. He's in AP classes, and I can tell you that Roanoke City AP classes challenged him academically for the first time in his life. He was pretty bored with school going into 8th grade, but the teachers at Woodrow engaged him quickly, and he had a great year. He loves school now and is entering Patrick Henry and the Governor's School this fall. The principal at Woodrow is great, Archie Freeman. He's very hands-on and by all accounts has done a lot for the school.

My older son just finished 9th grade at PH. He was in the general curriculum and I'll be honest with you, the expectations are pretty low. He's going to take AP classes next year and we'll see how it goes. Roanoke city schools are great if you have a motivated student and involved parents.

I cannot speak highly enough about the quality of life here in Raleigh Court. We walk everywhere, and the area is very diverse --- public housing, nice apartments, duplexes, small postwar ranch houses, craftsman bungalows, big four-squares with wide porches ... it's just lovely.