[indytoct]

We are moving to CT from the midwest and are looking at West Hartford. Can anyone tell me about the area, specifically the schools as we have a child in middle school. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Stylo]

Schools are excellent. It's a great little city with nice parks, a beautiful downtown, and lots of things to do nearby. As far as that part of the state, it'd be where I would live.

[BagongBuhay]

I've always gone by this list to see year-over-year performance of WH schools:

Strategic School Profiles (http://www.whps.org/pubs/ssp/ssplist.htm - broken link)

Here's the home page of WHPS. There's plenty of information here that should help you make your decision:

West Hartford Public Schools - Home

[AmyBergquist]

There are 2 middle schools in West Hartford, Sedgwick which feeds to Conard High School and King Philip which feeds to Hall High School.

Here's a map which shows you how the town is geographically divided for both of the schools... http://www.whps.org/maps/WestHartfordCT_HighMiddleSchoolDistricts.pdf (broken link)

Try to talk with parents whose children go to both schools, but realize that most people take a "my child's school is best..." line. If there are programs or specialty areas that are important to your child based on their interests or needs, don't be afraid to ask what the schools offer.

[RogerAnthony]

West Hartford has three middle schools. There is also Bristow Middle School which does not go by district lines, but by lottery choice instead.

Bristow Middle School - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[htfdcolt]

Agree with the inputs so far. You can't go wrong with either KP or Sedgwick (Bristow is a long shot if not impossible to get in, for a newcomer). I'm an Indpls native also, with a child in middle school...feel free to PM me if you need more specific details.

[AmyBergquist]

Yes, did not include Bristow, because as rajmelk stated, it's not really an option for someone who is new and hasn't yet established residency, so they can't participate in the lottery until doing so.

[parentologist]

I have had two kids recently go through WH middle schools. WH is a great town to live in. Most of the area is very safe, friendly, diverse, welcoming. KP and Sedgewick are both fine, and I agree that you will have a tough time getting a spot at Bristow. If your child plays a jazz band instrument very well, or sings well or dances well, then you should choose a house zoned for KP and Hall High, because of the potential to participate in the Pops and Jazz show. Otherwise, both sides of town are fine for middle and high school.