Deciding Between Heatherwood and Boulder Country Day School

[Notakicker]

My children spent a few years at BCD. I wasn't impressed with the education. It was very mediocre compared to the BVSD public schools. BCD teaches using old fashioned methods and rote memorization. I don't know anything about Heatherwood. Alexander Dawson, a nearby private school offers a better curriclum for math, language arts, science and history. Another nearby private school, Mountain Shadows Montessori is good for younger children.

[mjdcolorado]

Does anyone know about Nevin Platt Middle school? Is it good? The schools in south boulder sound like they are the best in Boulder (bear creek and area). Is it worth looking into moving to that area for the better schools, rather than stay with Heatherwood and Nevin Platt?

[brown_dog_us]

It's almost impossible to compare the schools because rarely does a child go to both. Platt seems like a good school where a motivated child can do very well. Southern Hills (where my daughter goes) is a great school where it's easier for a kid to fall in with a motivated group of kids.

As for Bear Creek Elementary, it's a unique school. I wish I had the skills to explain it, but sadly I don't. It's a great school full of dedicated teachers with a high expectations. The high expectations are for effort, attitude, and behavior.

The housing stock is very different between Heatherwood and Bear Creek. I often wish our house was as nice as the ones in Gunbarrel.

[OhioToCO]

Originally Posted by mjdcolorado

Does anyone know about Nevin Platt Middle school? Is it good? The schools in south boulder sound like they are the best in Boulder (bear creek and area). Is it worth looking into moving to that area for the better schools, rather than stay with Heatherwood and Nevin Platt?

My older one went there for 8th grade (we moved that summer). It's a good school, and I wouldn't move to South Boulder just to have my child go to Southern Hills for a middle school. There are other things about South Boulder that I like, but I agree with brown_dog_us - the housing stock is very different. Frankly, you don't get as much for your money in South Boulder as you do in Gunbarrel.

As I said before, we open enrolled our rising 6th grader into Summit, even though Platt is our neighborhood school. Summit's lottery is tough, chances are about 1 in 2.5. We weren't worried if our son didn't get in, as Platt was still a great option.
Also, your child(ren) is/are still pretty young, right? Things change, and in 5 years Platt maybe a different school. They have a new principle, btw. I know they hired several new teachers since my older one graduated. Things change .