Kindergarten in Charlottesville (apartments, renting, houses)

[lilles]

We will be relocating to CVille in the summer and I am looking for Kindergarten recommendations. Are there any elementary schools to be avoided? At this point we are looking into both private and public schools. Ideally we would like a school that has a strong Spanish program in addition to a strong general curriculum. We don't know yet where we will be living so that is also something we are looking into. Are there any family friendly areas? We have 2.5 and 4.5 year olds. We will be renting either an apartment or house. Are there any nice apartments near Fontaine Avenue that are for families and not full of students? Or nice housing in the area?

[lilles]

Anyone have any experience or info about Cale Elementary?

[iorena]

Hi, I know a couple families who sent their kids to the Free Union Field School and RAVE about it. I also know lots of families who love the Charlottesville Waldorf School.

As for public schools, any that are in a good neighboorhood (wealthy), are usually good. I don't know much about county schools but Cale is near a decent neighboorhood (Mill Creek) so I would assume it has pretty good students. I am more familiar with city schools and I have mostly heard great things about Venable. I also think that Greenbrier and Burnley Moran are good schools.

[YesMovingagain]

Please check out greatschools.org for school ratings. If I recall, it is graded a 3 out of 10. So bad. They consider test scores and other factors to rate the schools. Cale elem is in an area where all schools rate poor so that is why the houses are cheaper. Best public elementary schools here are merry whether Lewis rated a 10, Hollymead and other ones like agnor hurt rated a 7, coincidentally they are located within affluent neighborhoods. Good family neighborhoods with good schools are dunlora, forest lakes, hollymeade, peacock hill, and outside town free union and crozet. Good luck!