Redmond v. Ravenna: debating a move, quality of schools (Seattle: neighborhood, school district)

[archigirl72]

Hi, I've lived in Redmond for five years now, and we're debating moving to Seattle. We like our house, but feel like we're in the boonies. We're originally from Evanston, Ill., (go Northwestern!) and miss that urban feel; however, we now have two kids, 2.5 yrs and 7 months, so, of course, I am concerned about education, and would only consider a move to a city neighborhood known for its better schools. For instance, Ravenna schools have great WASL scores, some better than Redmond schools' scores, and yet the default assessment is that all Eastside schools are better. Anyone have an opinion/insight here? Anyone out there move from the Lake Wash. district to Ravenna? If we were to stay put, our kids would go to Emily Dickinson Elementary. Thanks.

[Ira500]

There are some really good Seattle Public Schools, but the school district as a whole seems to make some boneheaded decisions. When people on here say " Only go to eastside schools" I think they're talking about the Seattle School district as a whole, and probably aren't aware that they're are some great schools in Seattle with active parents. Bryant, Wedgewood, and Montlake are a few highly regarded elementary schools not too far from Ravenna.
I think the only way you can be a happy parent in the Seattle schools is to stay involved. The Seattle district has a history of making seemingly arbitrary changes that makes nobody happy and parents have had to fight to keep things working well.....But Ravenna is a great neighborhood, as are some neighborhorhoods nearby, including Wedgewood and Montlake.