non mormons moving to slc public or private schools (Salt Lake City: appointed, home)

[Snowbird]

Oops. I guess I'm not supposed to post a link here. Sorry. But there are many websites that help in looking for houses in Salt Lake. I agree with Trailrunner, East Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood, Sugerhouse, by the University and the Avenues are all great places, but a little expensive. I think it is worth the extra cost to get into a more diverse neighborhood however. Best of luck!

[sacfamily]

thanks for the info....i guess the question I have is regarding the home prices there. Our market is on a downturn but yours has go up recently? Are you all hearing talk of it adjusting down....how much have the homes gone up?

[thwrosdlton]

The SLC market was red hot during Spring and early Summer, but has slowed recently. Inventories have doubled since Spring and I'm starting to see price reductions from the current bubblicious levels.

You can see how much prices have gone up here:
http://extras.sltrib.com/HomePrices/

[rottielover]

We moved here 13 years ago when our twins were 2. After time in public school the kids started having problems in 5th grade and 6th was worse, shunning DOES exist here. Much of it is just being exluded and ignored. We moved our children to a Catholic private school and they are very happy there. The non-Catholic children at this school are there because they aren't Mormon and are accepted here.

So if you're going to move here my suggestion is send your children to private school.

I'm sure this will outrage some folks out there but this shunning exists at the adult level also and is worst with the women. I have experienced much of the same attitude from mothers at school functions and out in public as well. Most non-LDS women have a very hard time adjusting here as they are not accepted and there aren't typical functions for women that you would see elsewhere. I'm not bitter, it's just the facts of this state and there are many others that will agree with this.

There are many good things about Utah or we wouldn't live here. Outdoor recreation, a clean environment, and beautiful seasons. And many of the people here are very nice.

Good luck on your decision!

[askslc]

I think rottielover makes an interesting point, but I don't think it's quite that black and white. In many cases LDS and Non-LDS kids don't hang around all that much together, but I think that's for a variety of reasons (doing different things, non-LDS kids don't go to church with the other kids, etc.). My wife went to Skyline a few years back and she was big into sports. She is not LDS but had quite a few friends who were (and weren't) and that's because of athletics. I think if your son is into football and keeps playing he will have fewer problems. Sports provides a bonding experience that transcends some of the other issues.

That's not to say that he won't be shunned by a few folks in public schools (more likely kids than teachers). I think many of us non-LDS feel like we are outsiders sometimes, but it's not a huge deal.

It will probably make his life more complicated. Do you let him play church basketball with people from school? Do his friends (or more likely their parents) have ulterior motives? How will he take being a "minority"? Going out on dates in groups is pretty common (that can be a good thing) but sometimes different. It definitely would be a little more complex at public school .. but as I always think (in my case), how often does a 30 year old, caucasian, male get the opportunity to be a minority. It's not a bad lesson to learn.

Anyhow, good luck. Either decision you make will work out fine. Each has its own merits and downsides.

-askslc

[askslc]

sacfamily-

I was thinking about this after my last post, and while I think all of us here could provide you with anecdotes, it may make sense for you to go to the proverbial horse's mouth (if you haven't). I would probably call a counselor at one of the public high schools near where you think you might live (Skyline, East, or Highland) and then call a counselor at Judge (a good private school) and ask them both their opinions. They could probably provide you a little more insight into the issues.

Here are some numbers:
Skyline: (801) 646-5420
East: (801) 583-1661
Highland: (801) 484-4343
Judge: (801) 517-2100

-askslc

[coolcats]

I think the term "shunned" might be a bit strong, but otherwise I think rottielover and askslc have perspectives on the situation I can't have.

[askslc]

Coolcats-

You are probably right that "shunned" is a little strong. Maybe the better way to put it is not-quite-included. I guess everyone has probably felt that way once, regardless of where you are.

-askslc

[bas1]

I'm from the east coast and have lived in Utah 7 years. i am non mormon but have many Mormon friends some of whom went to Skyline. They kliked it their. However I believe it is a large school. You should stay on the east sid of salyt Lake. Too many gangs and crime on th ewest side especially west Valley City. The further south you go away from Temple Square the newer the neighborhood and schools. Salt Lake is only 50 % Mormon. Mormons do not shun you. They have great family values . There are several good private schools here. You really sound like you would have a great fit in Park City, where I live. The Park City scholls are some of the best in Utah. Good sports programs, AP classes and soend more per student, smaller classes. utah schools are not the best in the nation. One reason is they don't spend enough on schools. Teachers salaries are low.
I don't know what kind of work you do but Park Cit area is an easy commute to Salt lake less than 30 min. Some areas of the school district are only 13 miles from Salt Lake. Many people live in summit County and commute to Salt Lake. It is less crowded, better schools, low crime, family friendly. the schools are only abou 30% MOrmon. Lots of recreational facilities- new ice rink, indoor playing fields, skiing, tennis, and a high school football team. I'm not sure how good their footballl team is but it is a much smaller high school than Skyline and they are building more rooms onto the school. People here are very education oriented.

[sacfamily]

Thanks again for the information.!!!!!