Country Life & Good Schools near Louisville? (La Grange, Prospect: houses, best schools)

[nycmomof2]

We might be moving to Louisville from NYC in a few months. My husband will be working near the University. After 20 years in New York City we want SOME SPACE! We have two elementary age girls (one passed gifted test at school, she's very bright) so good schools are important. We want to spend 200K or under for 3BR 2Bath. And we want some elbow room! Hubby is from Evansville and I'm from Raleigh so it will be great to be in Louisville.
Is there such an area that will be a quick communte (around 30 minutes) to Old Louisville, have great schools, decent homes, great neighbors, and 2+ acre lots. (I can't wait to garden!!!) Not wanting cookie cutter suburbs. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Peace.

[censusdata]

Bullitt, Spencer, and the Western 2/3s of Jefferson Co have awful public schools, so that leaves Oldham or Shelby Co Kentucky or Floyd Co Indiana

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Bullitt, Spencer, and the Western 2/3s of Jefferson Co have awful public schools, so that leaves Oldham or Shelby Co Kentucky or Floyd Co Indiana

Awful schools? I am going to respectfully disagree, census. Have you ever lived in the large cities of the east coast or Chicago? I have, and that is where you find AWFUL schools, in those urban school districts. So to make that statement to those relocating from the NE is very relative.

The fact is, almost any suburb is a 30 minute ride into Old Louisville, unless there is a bad wreck at rush hour. Indeed the top ranked public school system in the entire region is Oldham County, and that would allow you the land you need. I would focus on the area around Crestwood, and also Prospect and Goshen in KY. On the other side of things, Floyds Knobs, IN is closer to downtown, more rural, cheaper, and much more scenic with beautiful hills where homes overlook the city and river. The downside is the shopping amenties are not as great close by, but you have all your staples and a small mall 10 minutes away in Clarksville, IN.

However, at least do an obligatory drive through parts of E and NE Jefferson County. I reserached and made this post in the spring. It is helpful because it lists the best elementary schools on the KY side of the metro as ranked by CATS scores. Be aware that the private, especially catholic schools, are huge in Louisville and are some of the very best schools in the region, and they are not ranked here:

Originally Posted by stx12499

Tom, what private schools in Oldham can compete with KCD, Collegiate, Trinity, Saint Xavier, Christian Academy, Sacred Heart, and Assumption??? I will go ahead and answer and say there are none. Also, where are you getting this idea that Oldham schools are among the best in the nation? I have only seen one objective source compare national schools, and it was US News which looked at high schools. In those rankings, two Oldham schools were ranked in the top 1200, but none were ranked anywhere as high as the three public schools from Louisville that got ranked.

The only objective way I have found to compare elementary schools in the metro area is with CATS scores. As a whole, Oldham schools are better than Louisville schools overall. However, the best schools with regards to CATS scores are STILL in Louisville. So, let me present once and for all the best 2007 CATS scores for elementary schools on the KY side of the metro area:

1: Greathouse/Shyrock 114 (Louisville)
2: Anchorage Independent 112 (independent school district located in Louisville)
3: Goshen 107.5 (Oldham)
4: Schaffner Traditional 105.9 (Louisville)
5: Liberty 104.4 (Oldham)
6: Audubon Traditional 102.8 (Louisville)
7: Norton 102.2 (Louisville)
8: Wilder 101.2 (Louisville)
8: Lowe 101.2 (Louisville)
10: Buckner 101.0 (Oldham)

Cats Index description: All Kentucky schools are evaluated each year by the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System. The CATS index is based mostly on student scores on the Kentucky Core Content Tests in math, science, reading, and other subjects. A small part of the CATS index is dervied from a school's attendance, retention, and dropout rates. A Cats index of 100 would indicate that the schools has reached the state's goal of overall proficiency.

So, it's easy to see that 70% of the highest scoring elementary schools ( the ones with CATS index's above 100) are STILL in Jefferson County. Louisville has some very bad schools; but the best schools are the BEST in the region--at every level. And to answer the OP's question, there are no schools in Bullit with a Cats over 100, but there are some fine schools with Cats in the 90's, just like there are in Oldham and Jefferson.

Source: Louisville magazine November 2007 issue

Each year Louisville Magazine and the KY department of education publish those scores. Call them to find out more!

[sellinggreaterlouisville]

I'm biased. However, as someone who grew up in the Oldham County school district and now sells houses in the east end, including Oldham County -- I don't think you can go wrong with OC. Your biggest struggle will be finding a house sitting on 2 acres in your price range. One acre is much more common, and should still give you plenty of room for the kids to roam and the garden to grow.

I think you are going to get here a bit too late to plant a garden this year though

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by sellinggreaterlouisville

I'm biased. However, as someone who grew up in the Oldham County school district and now sells houses in the east end, including Oldham County -- I don't think you can go wrong with OC. Your biggest struggle will be finding a house sitting on 2 acres in your price range. One acre is much more common, and should still give you plenty of room for the kids to roam and the garden to grow.

I think you are going to get here a bit too late to plant a garden this year though

Not necessarily ..... you can plant a fall garden now if you want to

[Off Topic]

I think the suggestions of Oldham County are right on target. Close to downtown Louisville, close to lots of good shopping areas, still a rural atmosphere, great school system, easy to get a nice house with 5 acres.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by Off Topic

I think the suggestions of Oldham County are right on target. Close to downtown Louisville, close to lots of good shopping areas, still a rural atmosphere, great school system, easy to get a nice house with 5 acres.

I agree with the rest that OC is your best choice.

[Jopers]

We live in La Grange. Nice town, great schools.

[nycmomof2]

thank you for all of the info. Here's hoping that hubby gets the job!!! Praying to live in Louisville, sooooo much nicer than NYC. Does anyone know about Our Savior Lutheran school in Louisville? (We may wind up living in the city at first.) How is Hurstbourne?

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by nycmomof2

thank you for all of the info. Here's hoping that hubby gets the job!!! Praying to live in Louisville, sooooo much nicer than NYC. Does anyone know about Our Savior Lutheran school in Louisville? (We may wind up living in the city at first.) How is Hurstbourne?

Never heard of it but hurstbourne is very nice. very upper middle class to upper class suburban area. Lots of amenities without the traffic and hassle. Good luck!