Relo from NJ: Looking for top schools, swim, and lacrosse teams (Cincinnati: neighborhoods, best schools)

[laurajo212]

Hi there!
We are considering a move from Southern NJ to the Cincinnati area. We really love where we are now, and many of the areas of Cincinnati look comparable, but I have a hard time figuring out where to focus - everything looks great!
Our specific needs are: great schools (public is awesome)
Our wants are: Good lacrosse and swim programs, good school choral programs, liberal-ish politics, short (<20 min.) commute
Nice to have: Cool old architecture :-), good restaurants, fun neighborhood social scene - not dependent on a country club.

Commute would be to downtown, Fountain square Area.

In terms of price-point, we're pretty open. Thinking max of $1,000,000 but totally happy to go much lower!

We looked @ Indian Hill, but I'm wondering if it's perhaps too "elite", i.e., we'd be considered needy there. (Difficult to tell town/neighborhood's attitude online! :-/)
And Hyde Park looks nice but I'm concerned about the high school...
And Wyoming looks quite nice.
And KY seems like a viable option too - but where?

Any advice/input is welcome! Thanks in advance. :-)

[RustBeltOptimist]

Cincinnati has all of your wants, so that shouldn't be much of a problem. Outside of Indian Hill, which can be snobby but is a fine choice if you choose to live there, the best public schools with strong choral programs and somewhat liberal-ish neighborhoods that feed them are Wyoming, the SCPA (School for Creative and Performing Arts downtown,) Walnut Hills High School, Withrow and Clark Montessori. Those last four are all city high schools and require an admission application as long as you live in city boundaries, but it's not a difficult process. The SCPA obviously is geared for those that are thinking about music as a career, the rest are more of your typical college prep oriented high schools. I'd concentrate on Wyoming if you're wanting to live in a suburban environment, or if you prefer the city, Mt. Adams, Hyde Park or possibly the Clifton Gaslight area as alternatives in your situation. Other neighborhoods that fit your economic demographic get conservative (I'd include Indian Hill in this, actually) and you may be a fish out of water politically.

[mimi in cinci]

Hi Laurajo,
In the city limits you are correct to consider Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout and East Walnut Hills as good neighborhood options. They tend to have older architecture and a vibrant social scene. These neighborhoods are minutes from the highway and very close to Downtown.

Cincinnati Public Schools would be the public schools option for these neighborhoods. Walnut Hills I would probably be your first choice for a public High School. It does require the students to test in and is academically rigorous. The music/ arts program is very good and their are LAX teams for both boys and girls.

There are multiple private school options in the area as well. Summit Country Day in Hyde Park is a private, Catholic coed school that has very good academics and sports. Seven Hills is private, secular and coed with strong academics and good sports.

Good luck!

[kjbrill]

OP ... If you want a 20 minute commute to Fountain Square, stick with Hyde Park. Hyde Park has the best schools in the CPS system, with WHHS rated the top in the state.

Lacrosse is increasing in popularity, but is still not a top sport here. The Cincinnati Marlins is a swim team founded in 1961. They are based on the west side and offer a lot for competitive swimming.

[laurajo212]

Thanks, RustBeltOptimist! You read my mind: Finding like-minded neighbors is actually more important than I indicated - it took us YEARS to find our crew here in South Jersey. Any thoughts on KY?

[laurajo212]

Thanks Mimi and KJBrill! This is great advice! I am nervous about the "testing in" to Walnut Hills: if my kids are generally 90th percentile in a decent district, do you think they'd have a chance?

I did find the Marlins site. Love it. I think it's perfect. And summer swim teams seem to be plentiful as well.

LAX is secondary to swim but it's so fun we want to be sure it's still available as an option. Also, may be pushing my luck, but do you know if Flag football is available in these areas? Our town here has a really fun and community-oriented flag program. Just a nice to have, but lots of fun.

My daughter is in the Philly Girls Choir. I see there's a Cincinnati Children's Choir. any insight on that?

Thanks again!

[SWOH]

In KY, Ft. Thomas would be by far your best option. And it's a really good option, so I would not pass it up.
The biggest negative would probably be that you would have to rely on I471 to get to work. From what I understand now, traffic is ok, but if the Brent Soence is fixed or replaced soon it could cause some traffic headaches to NKY over the next few years.

Otherwise, neither Maderia not Mariemont have been mentioned yet. Both may be ideal options for you, especially Mariemont. It is a 1930s era planned community with green space, lots of sidewalks and walking trails, a village center, etc. and the schools are great!



It should also be mentioned that Catholic schools around here may better match the type of academic environment you are seeking in general. Ohio public schools are excellent, but the Catholic schools have better Lacrosse / more of an east coast prep school culture. If you do choose CPS, Covington's Millionaires row, Bellvue, etc. no need to worry because Catholic school culture is strong.

Good luck!

[GManorborn]

Originally Posted by laurajo212

I am nervous about the "testing in" to Walnut Hills: if my kids are generally 90th percentile in a decent district, do you think they'd have a chance?

70th percentile on a national test gets you into Walnut Hills.

[kjbrill]

OP ... And don't forget Walnut Hills starts in the 7th grade. So if you test in in the 7th grade they are not likely to throw you out long as grades are maintained.

[laurajo212]

Thanks for the additional insights - I feel better about the Walnut Hills option, and Seven Hills seems like a cool (but PRICEY) alternative.