[ali518]

Hello,

My husband I are contemplating a move to Norwalk, CT. We currently live in Larchmont. We moved here about 2 years ago and in that short time we have already outgrown our very small home. It seems like the Larchmont market has intensified a lot in those few years and we have more or less been priced out of the area. Not wanting to spend 1 million + on a newer/bigger home in Larchmont, we decided to look in CT. Greenwich, Stamford & Darian are out & we really love the vibe in Norwalk so that is where we put our focus. However, going by the "greatschool.org" guide, it looks like Norwalk does not have the best "rated" schools. I know that ratings only mean so much, but coming from a district where schools are rated 8/9/10...schools that are rated 4/5 is a little concerning. I've been trying to research more about them but I can't get a good feel for why the ratings are so low. Do most people send their kids to private/magnet schools? I have a daughter entering Kindergarten in the fall and a 8 month old. So we're not really in the school grind yet, but I do want my kids to have a solid education, preferable in public schools.

I would love to hear any insight/advice/opinions regarding schools and general life in Norwalk for a younger family.

PS - We are trying to keep on the metro north train line so my husband doesn't have a crazy commute to the city, which is another reason why Norwalk is appealing.

Thank you!

[CTartist]

There is another poster that started a thread that lives in Norwalk and they want to move for better schools. It would be good if you give your budget too. Follow that thread.

//www.city-data.com/forum/conne...-but-need.html

I had cousins that lived in Rowayton and it is very nice there. But they did not attend the high school in Norwalk. We also have friends that live in Norwalk near Darien by the Parkway which is a very nice area. Their child was home schooled online for high school and maybe even jr. high.

[beerisgood02]

Depending on budget you could try Westport.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by CTartist

There is another poster that started a thread that lives in Norwalk and they want to move for better schools. It would be good if you give your budget too. Follow that thread.

//www.city-data.com/forum/conne...-but-need.html

I had cousins that lived in Rowayton and it is very nice there. But they did not attend the high school in Norwalk. We also have friends that live in Norwalk near Darien by the Parkway which is a very nice area. Their child was home schooled online for high school and maybe even jr. high.

That poster does not have kids in the schools though. I think the OP is looking for real anecdotes.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

That poster does not have kids in the schools though. I think the OP is looking for real anecdotes.

They have a daughter entering kindergarten. I think they are concerned about the schools. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by ali518

Hello,

My husband I are contemplating a move to Norwalk, CT. We currently live in Larchmont. We moved here about 2 years ago and in that short time we have already outgrown our very small home. It seems like the Larchmont market has intensified a lot in those few years and we have more or less been priced out of the area. Not wanting to spend 1 million + on a newer/bigger home in Larchmont, we decided to look in CT. Greenwich, Stamford & Darian are out & we really love the vibe in Norwalk so that is where we put our focus. However, going by the "greatschool.org" guide, it looks like Norwalk does not have the best "rated" schools. I know that ratings only mean so much, but coming from a district where schools are rated 8/9/10...schools that are rated 4/5 is a little concerning. I've been trying to research more about them but I can't get a good feel for why the ratings are so low. Do most people send their kids to private/magnet schools? I have a daughter entering Kindergarten in the fall and a 8 month old. So we're not really in the school grind yet, but I do want my kids to have a solid education, preferable in public schools.

I would love to hear any insight/advice/opinions regarding schools and general life in Norwalk for a younger family.

PS - We are trying to keep on the metro north train line so my husband doesn't have a crazy commute to the city, which is another reason why Norwalk is appealing.

Thank you!

Norwalk is a small city so it has some of the issues you would find in a city including lower performing schools. In general the elementary schools seem fine but once you get to middle and high school levels, issues seem to come to light. In my experience, those years come up very fast. Many then chose to send their kids to private schools at that point or move to a town with better schools. It is up to you if this is what you want to do. Jay

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by ali518

Hello,

My husband I are contemplating a move to Norwalk, CT. We currently live in Larchmont. We moved here about 2 years ago and in that short time we have already outgrown our very small home. It seems like the Larchmont market has intensified a lot in those few years and we have more or less been priced out of the area. Not wanting to spend 1 million + on a newer/bigger home in Larchmont, we decided to look in CT. Greenwich, Stamford & Darian are out & we really love the vibe in Norwalk so that is where we put our focus. However, going by the "greatschool.org" guide, it looks like Norwalk does not have the best "rated" schools. I know that ratings only mean so much, but coming from a district where schools are rated 8/9/10...schools that are rated 4/5 is a little concerning. I've been trying to research more about them but I can't get a good feel for why the ratings are so low. Do most people send their kids to private/magnet schools? I have a daughter entering Kindergarten in the fall and a 8 month old. So we're not really in the school grind yet, but I do want my kids to have a solid education, preferable in public schools.

I would love to hear any insight/advice/opinions regarding schools and general life in Norwalk for a younger family.

PS - We are trying to keep on the metro north train line so my husband doesn't have a crazy commute to the city, which is another reason why Norwalk is appealing.

Thank you!

East side of town is great. Some leave, many stay. That "move before middle and HS thing" gets a little overdone here. Personally I thought the middle and HS were cupcakes and peaches. No fights, never attacked, High Honors in AP classes all the way through, then Masters and a CFA in higher Ed, not bad.

[CTartist]

Originally Posted by Stylo

That poster does not have kids in the schools though. I think the OP is looking for real anecdotes.

This was in the OP's first post......
"I would love to hear any insight/advice/opinions regarding schools and general life in Norwalk for a younger family."

I am telling the OP that the friends & relatives I know that live/lived in Norwalk did not have their kids go to the high school at the least. I think one child did not go to the jr. high school either. Even if your kids are not in school yet most people with kids are looking for a good school system in the town they buy into. I personally don't know anything about the schools but I am just passing along information about how the kids went to school there.

I did say that Rowayton and the area near Darien is nice in Norwalk. My cousins had a great life style in Rowayton but they did not go to the Norwalk HS. I had a nice life style also when my aunt would take me to Bayley Beach in Rowayton. I loved it there.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Raider111

East side of town is great. Some leave, many stay. That "move before middle and HS thing" gets a little overdone here. Personally I thought the middle and HS were cupcakes and peaches. No fights, never attacked, High Honors in AP classes all the way through, then Masters and a CFA in higher Ed, not bad.

You'd think they were entering a war zone starting in 6th grade.

[allanny13]

Hmm I would never group Larchmont and Norwalk together so this seems like an odd comparison (yea, maybe Rowayton, but doubt you will get much more for your money in home price). You would save on taxes however vs. Westchester. If you could spend the $1M you could get into some parts of Greenwich which like Larchmont is diverse but well off, good schools, some international population, not as bad a commute, etc. Can you invest instead in expanding your home?