Moving from MS to AL, in search of excellent schools (Huntsville: fit in, low crime) - Huntsville-Madison-Decatur area - Alabama - City-Data Forum

Husker94 · 09-28-2015, 01:32 PM

Hi

My husband is getting relocated to Huntsville. We will
Have a child in 4th grade and Kindergarten. Where we live currently the district has excellent schools. I've don't plenty of research online and have heard all of Madison's city schools are great. My question is where in the city of Huntsville are great schools compare to Madison? When searching for homes online they list schools but I'm clueless as to where in Hunstville is good. I'm looking for a great neighborhood with lots of kids, low crime, and excellent schools.

Any particular that come to mind? I've heard central and Mt. Carmel.

Thanks

TN2HSV · 09-28-2015, 02:48 PM

In HSV city schools, Blossomwood, Jones Valley & Hampton Cove elementary schools for sure. There are others and those more knowledgeable with HSV can chime in. I'm in Madison, so more familiar with those!

The neighborhoods you describe would be:
(1) anywhere in Madison. practically all the neighborhoods have lots of kids of varying ages because of the schools. If you're looking at homes online, be aware of the Madison addresses with 35757 zip codes....those are not in the city limits and are zoned for county schools. Not saying that's bad, just a heads-up because people looking from out-of-town can get confused by this.
(2) Hampton Cove area: prettier views than Madison (IMO); more established but still "newer". HSV city schools. Not sure how recent zoning changes have or will affect the high school
(3) Blossomwood & Jones Valley: more mature neighborhoods & pricier than 1 & 2. HSV city schools. New zoning changes might have impact here. Not sure.

In HSV city, Grissom High and Huntsville High are the best, academically, with Grissom #1.

Basically, there's been a lot of drama with the HSV city schools over the past year or two. Both Madison Middle schools & high schools are great; some elementary schools may be better than others, but not by much.

I've never heard of Central or Mt. Carmel???

LCTMadison · 09-28-2015, 03:05 PM

The ones TN2HSV gave you, and I would add to that Whitesburg, Weatherly, and Mountain Gap, all of those are in South Huntsville and will feed into Grissom.

Central is going to be the fartherest out, and I've never heard rave reviews nor that they are terrible. Mt Carmel is fantastic, so is Riverton...both feed into Buckhorn which is a great high school. Those schools are in the Madison County school system. We have three systems here...Madison City, Madison County, and Huntsville City.

There is a frequent poster on here that I think lives in the area of Central so he may be able to give you first hand reviews of the school.

Check out www.greatschools.net, that site has reviews of all the local schools.

Husker94 · 09-29-2015, 01:59 PM

Thank you. This is very helpful.

1973PINTO · 09-29-2015, 02:26 PM

you can live within a 15 mile radius of Huntsville center and you will find all these things you desire .. going west will cause you the most traffic grief though ..

RocketDawg · 09-29-2015, 03:00 PM

To meet your criteria, southeast Huntsville, and just about anywhere in Madison city. As others have mentioned, Hampton Cove is good but is quite a drive from the airport if that's a consideration. The Huntsville airport is essentially in Madison. There are some newer areas in west Huntsville near the airport but I'm not sure what the schools are for that area.

Good schools and nicer neighborhoods mean higher housing prices, of course.

LCTMadison · 09-29-2015, 05:50 PM

Just be sure you check to make sure the school zoning is correct. For example, most assume everything in the zip 35758 is Madison city and Madison city schools. This is not correct for about 5% of properties in that zip. There are houses that are still zoned county in the 35758 zip code, especially along the east side along Slaughter Road. Potter's Mill is 35758 zip and has a Madison address but that is actually HSV city zoned for Providence Elementary. There have been people purchase in Potter's Mill that thought it was Madison city schools because it is in the 35758 zip code. Madison also has had a few rezonings within the system over the past several years and I see houses listed for the wrong school zone all the time, so be sure you verify. Don't go by the house having a "Madison" address or by zip code. The school system websites have address verifications but I always recommend calling as well just to be sure.

JakeWilliams · 09-30-2015, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCTMadison

Just be sure you check to make sure the school zoning is correct. For example, most assume everything in the zip 35758 is Madison city and Madison city schools. This is not correct for about 5% of properties in that zip. There are houses that are still zoned county in the 35758 zip code, especially along the east side along Slaughter Road. Potter's Mill is 35758 zip and has a Madison address but that is actually HSV city zoned for Providence Elementary. There have been people purchase in Potter's Mill that thought it was Madison city schools because it is in the 35758 zip code. Madison also has had a few rezonings within the system over the past several years and I see houses listed for the wrong school zone all the time, so be sure you verify. Don't go by the house having a "Madison" address or by zip code. The school system websites have address verifications but I always recommend calling as well just to be sure.

Creekwood (next door to Potter's Mill) is the same, HSV city but Madison mailing address.

Husker94 · 10-26-2015, 08:07 PM

Thank all of you for your advice. Looks like we should know this week if we are moving. Thank you for letting me know about the Madison zip codes.

Upnorth1 · 10-27-2015, 07:27 AM

Once you have determined some area's you like I would suggest touring the elementary school to get a better idea of how you and your family would fit in. We live in Madison and the elementary schools are very similar but each offer a little different experience as far as clubs and what type of events the PTA puts on. We really like our neighborhood and the kids are able to walk or ride their bikes to school which is a bonus. My child has made a lot of friends this way and it has been easier to get to know other families. We came from a top district in another state. It has been a learning curve for us as the teaching styles are different in the south but overall have been happy with our choice in schools.