Kettering schools (Dayton, Beavercreek, Centerville: rental, house, school district)

[macata]

I've gotten the impression that Kettering schools are just ok. Could someone elaborate what makes Centerville schools better?

I've researched on here, read on the school rating websites and even talked to some people who are from the Dayton area. One man I spoke with used to teach in the Kettering school district and had said they were wonderful but then his wife corrected him and said they were good but couldn't really compare with Centerville and he agreed.

We're in the process of trying to find a rental and struggling to find a place within our needs in Centerville. We have 3 kids (16, 13, 10) - so one in every school. I'm just trying to understand the difference between Kettering & Centerville. Should we be persistent in looking in Centerville and hope something comes available within the next couple weeks or should we give Kettering a chance?

[joe from dayton]

Probably funding and parental involvement. Centerville also probably has a higher per capita rate of "professionals" and citizens with college degrees, higher incomes and higher home values, so the expectations are higher. The HS might have more advanced or college prep classes, but I don't know. That said, a good kid with parental support can certainly get a good education in Kettering.

[wrightflyer]

Yeah, as much as I even say Kettering schools are "just good," I still believe Kettering can give a quality education. Part of the problem is socio-economic. There are some really wealthy areas of Kettering, but also a large blue-collar population (still holding out from when GM & Delphi were still here a few years ago). Not saying though that people from a blue-collar backgorund don't value education, just that not as many do as those with professional degrees. As Joe said, it's an expectation thing. Most of those with college BA/BS degrees or higher tend to live in Centerville, Oakwood, Bellbrook, Springboro, Beavercreek, and parts of Kettering for the south and eastern suburbs.

Personally, I like Kettering because the populace shows a lot of community involvement in their city. They value their parks and tend to pass levies for schools. There is just a large amount of diversity in Kettering in a socio-economic sense. Kettering also though has higher crime, though not violent, than Oakwood or Centerville (though Beavercreek might be higher than Kettering, though that could be from having two malls and tons of retail).

In the end, I would have no qualms with living in Kettering, and many of my co-workers live there.

[macata]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it!

[Transitory]

Kettering schools are good. The difference between Kettering and Centerville is that Centerville has an overall population with higher socioeconomic statuses - they simply have a larger educated population and therefore transmits that culture to their children (and by extension, the schools).

Kettering is a large piece of land and has much more variation. The West and Northern ends are very educated and affluent whilst the eastern sides are more blue collar.

From an educational perspective, Centerville schools might have a better overall culture of high academic achievement, but if you took the experiences of an AP/Honors track student at Fairmont vs CHS, I do not think you would find a significant difference.

[BattleBend]

Kettering Fairmont High School offers the IB Programme- International Baccalaureate

I just wanted it mentioned- Fairmont also offers the International Baccalaureate Programme (ibo.org)

More found here- Diploma Programme at a glance

Hope this is helpful to someone.

BB

[bam989863]

If you are involved in your child's education I think you will find the chances of your child's success vary little whether you send them to Kettering Schools or Centerville Schools. Both offer a lot of programs that go above and beyond basic classes. If I were looking to rent I would go with Kettering because you will get a better house for a lower price and it is a wonderful community.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by bam989863

If you are involved in your child's education I think you will find the chances of your child's success vary little whether you send them to Kettering Schools or Centerville Schools. Both offer a lot of programs that go above and beyond basic classes. If I were looking to rent I would go with Kettering because you will get a better house for a lower price and it is a wonderful community.

Agreed. And I live in Washington Twp.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by wrightflyer

Yeah, as much as I even say Kettering schools are "just good," I still believe Kettering can give a quality education. Part of the problem is socio-economic. There are some really wealthy areas of Kettering, but also a large blue-collar population (still holding out from when GM & Delphi were still here a few years ago). Not saying though that people from a blue-collar backgorund don't value education, just that not as many do as those with professional degrees. As Joe said, it's an expectation thing. Most of those with college BA/BS degrees or higher tend to live in Centerville, Oakwood, Bellbrook, Springboro, Beavercreek, and parts of Kettering for the south and eastern suburbs.

Personally, I like Kettering because the populace shows a lot of community involvement in their city. They value their parks and tend to pass levies for schools. There is just a large amount of diversity in Kettering in a socio-economic sense. Kettering also though has higher crime, though not violent, than Oakwood or Centerville (though Beavercreek might be higher than Kettering, though that could be from having two malls and tons of retail).

In the end, I would have no qualms with living in Kettering, and many of my co-workers live there.

I believe that a good education can be had in EITHER district. (and I live in Washington Twp.) Certainly, both districts have good schools and both have involved parents. So the dtermining factor just might be finding the best "bang for your buck" in housing.