Registering your kids in Burbank schools as a non-resident? (Glendale: apartments, neighborhood)

[Amiekbm]

We are relocating to Burbank from Northern NJ (commuting to NYC). Following much sage advice (some even from this forum!) we have decided to keep the commute as short as possible and try to live in Burbank proper.

However, we've seen a couple of great apartments that border Burbank that feed into not-so-great LAUSD schools. We know that as an employee in Burbank (husband will be working for WB, I am a freelancer so I can drive them where they need to go) we are able to enroll our kids in Burbank schools. I looked into it and it seemed like a huge PITA, you have to first enroll your kid in your districted school, apply for a waver, and then apply for Burbank schools.

I'm thinking that along with relocating across the country with three small kids that this process will just be too much and we should suck it up and get a smaller, crappier place in Burbank. And I'm worried that you need to reapply every year, although I don't know for sure (we have to in our district here in NJ). I only have to register two kids this year but it will be three soon. What say you, oh sage message board?

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by Amiekbm

We are relocating to Burbank from Northern NJ (commuting to NYC). Following much sage advice (some even from this forum!) we have decided to keep the commute as short as possible and try to live in Burbank proper.

However, we've seen a couple of great apartments that border Burbank that feed into not-so-great LAUSD schools. We know that as an employee in Burbank (husband will be working for WB, I am a freelancer so I can drive them where they need to go) we are able to enroll our kids in Burbank schools. I looked into it and it seemed like a huge PITA, you have to first enroll your kid in your districted school, apply for a waver, and then apply for Burbank schools.

I'm thinking that along with relocating across the country with three small kids that this process will just be too much and we should suck it up and get a smaller, crappier place in Burbank. And I'm worried that you need to reapply every year, although I don't know for sure (we have to in our district here in NJ). I only have to register two kids this year but it will be three soon. What say you, oh sage message board?

You know the saying about "too good to be true"?

You REALLY need to go look at those apartments in person. I agree there are areas of North Hollywood that border on Burbank and are nice enough. BUT.....in my experience, the price difference on rents between that part of Burbank and that part of North Hollywood is negligible. IOW. Say there are equivalent units two blocks apart, one being in North Hollywood, one being in Burbank. They will likely be priced within $100/mo of each other.

Where there IS a difference is in the parts of North Hollywood that are only a few blocks more from scuzzy areas of North Hollywood. So really you have to look in person at the neighborhood.

[Praline]

Its worth it to apply for the school waiver and accompany with a letter explaining your circumstances. It should be fine and its really not the hassle you think. Burbank High is still a good still and they have an exceptional, award-winning Show Choir.

[BRinSM]

I heard recently that since LAUSD attendance is down they are not signing waivers like they used to. You should check directly with LAUSD on this though or in another board that is education specific. Anyways, other areas near Burbank with good schools are La Crescenta and La Canada. I'm not sure about rents there, but they may be worth looking into. Also check Glendale, which has its own school distric independent of LAUSD.