Which Lee's Summit High School would you suggest? (Blue Springs: fit in, cliquey)

[zammies45]

Once again, a year later to be exact, we are contemplating a possible move from CA to KS/MO. I've done some research regarding KS, but just starting with MO. My husband has a potential promotion waiting for him in Lenexa, KS. Once we find out for sure whether we'll be relocating, we plan on making a trip out there and deciding on KS or MO.

We were looking at Lee's Summit, MO as a very possible contender. Any areas that are better than others? Every city has areas with reputations so any input would be helpful. Overall though, it seems it is a good place. We have 2 girls, one still in middle school and the other going into high school next year, so schools are important to us. Just based on stats, it looks like Lee's Summit would be first choice-they won as one of America's best high school in 2009, and second Lee's Summit North. A good academic and sports programs are paramount.

I don't really want to put my kids in a snobby school, but I don't want them in the poor school either. Can you make suggestions and give me some pros and cons. What are the ideas, suggestions and advice you have???

Thanks

[Okey Dokie]

If you are looking in Lee's Summit and going to work in Lenexa I strongly suggest you drive your commuting route DURING RUSH HOUR for a few days before you make a final decision. You probably will change your mind.

[kcmo]

Yea, Lenexa is a nice area. If you will be working there, I would just live in the area unless you find you really like Lee's Summit. Traffic is relative though, depending on what you are used to in CA, even the LS to Lenexa commute is not too bad, half hour most days.

As far as LS high schools, I have never heard anything bad about any of them. North and West are newer, but the city is constantly upgrading the older schools too.

FYI, the northern parts of LS will go to Blue Springs South High, another good school.

I don't know about how the different high schools in KS compare sports wise, but Lee's Summit and Blue Springs are two the top powerhouse districts in the state of MO always competing with the top high schools in metro St Louis for state titles.

[OneKC]

I'll vouch for Lenexa. We nearly bought a place in Colony Woods. Loved the neighborhood - nice neighborhood parks, lovely well-kept up older homes. Just too far away from my wife's work.

That's a big factor. You really don't want to spend ten hours of your week stuck in your car.

[TabulaRasa]

My SO works in Olathe and we live in Lee's Summit. The commute isn't terrible, but it also isn't something you'd necessarily choose if you didn't have some overwhelming reason to live in Lee's Summit specifically.

[callxmexleah]

I just read your message, and as a student at Lee's Summit North, i would just like to share that I love my school, the academics and sports are amazing, and the community around it is very nice, and clean. LSN is not a snobby school, but isn't poor either. The teacher are amazing, and i actually enjoy coming to school. There are many different types of groups and people, so I am sure your daughters would fit in just fine. From being in the jock/popular kind of group, unless you despise someone, most of everyone is nice to each other, and the school IS NOT the cliquey type. Everyone talks to everyone.

[KC lover]

Lee's Summit has three high schools with a fourth in planning stages. Lee's Summit, being the original and serving the city's poorest area demographically, has a drug problem. West seems to have a "snobby" reputation. North might be your best bet. If you are considering private education, you might consider Lee's Summit Community Christian-- a consortium of about 140 churches and over 40 denominations--it really is a "community" school. I think it has been renamed Summit Christian Academy. It is currently the largest private protestant school in the city and the test scores are far higher than Lee's Summit schools. That's really something considering that LS has some of the best schools in the state. The Christian school seems very diverse in both faculty and students and has a cross-section of families who send their kids there, from the local dentist to several KC Chiefs and Royals players. It also competes with public schools on the sports and other extracurricular activities level.