Public schools in Harrisonburg, VA (houses, neighborhoods, to buy)

[Cornbowler]

We have five children and will be relocating to Harrisonburg. We are committed to public schools and would like anyone's input on what they like/dislike about the schools in Harrisonburg. We are moving from TN where public schools are much maligned, but you can find good ones if you look hard enough. I am really not interested in test scores as our experience has shown there isn't always a direct correlation to quality (usually a correlation to neighborhood income). We could afford $250,000 for a house so that may shut us out of some elementary districts, but we do have middle school and high school to consider. Thanks!

[WillV]

In general, I think you will find Harrisonburg Public Schools to your liking...my wife taught at Keister Elementary for 5 years; yes, Harrisonburg is a "growing" city with a diverse demographic base - but it is may opinion that the University community (hence, children of professors, college administrators, etc.) add a terrific dynamic to the local public school system...

Also, for the price range you mentioned, in general you will likely be looking at homes priced at the "upper end" of Hburg's housing market...I don't have to tell you that now is a terrific time to buy, although Hburg's housing market is drepressed, it is still strong compared to other parts of Virginia, and the Country...

[Cornbowler]

Thanks WillV. I had heard Keister was a good school. I wonder if the growing pains of Harrisonburg have impacted the perception of the public schools. The little I have read from the newspapers online (and posts on greatschools.net) imply there is friction over the impact of ELL. Perception can quickly ruin or slowly help a school system depending on if positive or negative. That seems to be one of the major problems here in Nashville. They have a PR problem and are trying to woo people back to public schools. Is there a similar drain to private schools in Harrisonburg?
Thanks again.

[Dr.Jim]

250K IMHO is not at the upper end of Hburgs housing market. I guess like everywhere it will depend where you look around here, but there are tons of upscale neighborhoods that you couldn't touch with 250K.
So I might say you could get a nice house for 250K, but not the 'upper end'......

[WillV]

Dr. Jim - I guess places like "Stonewall Estates" ect. (east 33) would be out of thier range, but then again, who would live in such a bland McMansionesque "neighborhood"...or more like a field with a bunch of huge houses on it...yuck!

Let me rephrase that again...with 250K, you should be able to find a "comfortable" neighborhood in the city of Harrisonburg...

[Dr.Jim]

heh.....completely agree. Not a fan of anything like that myself either.
Agree again, 250K will def. get a nice house,,.......with the market as it is you also can get a decent farmette or a cozy little place in Masenutten if you like the touristy/resort feel...........