Moving to Utah Valley -- best schools? (Provo, Orem: credit, college)

[kerichar]

I am moving soon to Utah Valley. I will be working in Provo and want a short commute since I have not enjoyed my 45 minute commute in the last two places we've lived.

Any insights from locals on schools in central Utah Valley? I will have children in each level (elementary, junior high, and high school). Some of my future colleagues have suggested Timpview and Lone Peak as good high schools / districts top live in. Is Lone Peak area too far to easily commute?

Thanks for your insights.

[chazcrew]

The commute from Provo to the Lone Peak area (Alpine/Highland/Cedar Hills/American Fork) would be about 30 minutes. Lone Peak is a great school, and I love the area around it. Timpview is also a great school, and that area of Provo is beautiful. Both places have higher than average housing costs, so take that into consideration. Timpanogos High School in Orem is also a good school. That would be a short commute. The only place I'd say to stay away from is Provo High School; there are good people there, but lots of problems, too. And don't go south to Springville. That school has issues as well.

[Agoraphobic]

Another thing to take into consideration is - What types of programs do your kids enjoy? Pleasant Grove is pretty good for ballroom dancing, Timpview and Lone Peak usually have great boys athletic programs, I've heard the drama at Timpanogos is good and the band at American Fork is always invited to some kind of parade event in the nation (Rose Bowl for example).

I went to Timpview (10 years ago) and have to say I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of clicks the kids divided into, but I ran with a small group of 8-10 kids and we are still great friends today. As far as an education goes, there were a lot of opportunities to take AP classes if you wanted to. I got a few college credits my Jr. and Sr. years and had a bit of a head start completing college.

Hope that helps. I have a brother that just graduated and I could see what his thoughts are since things could have changed since I was last in school... although it doesn't feel like it was THAT long ago!