Question re Louisville Public and Montessori Schools (real estate, home)

[nik]

My husband is interviewing Louisville and I had a couple of questions regarding the schools.

If we move, we would almost certainly live in the area around Cherokee/Seneca Park, so The Highlands, Cherokee Triangle, Seneca Park, etc.

My daughter has 1 or 2 more years until K (she has a Sept b-day) and I have done quite a bit of research about the Jefferson County Schools. I am just having a hard time figuring out how the clusters work and how difficult is it to get your child into a strong school in your cluster. Also, can you apply to neighboring clusters. We live in Charlotte, NC and it is getting next to impossible to get a seat in any school that isn't your neighborhood school here. Does anyone have experience with this? I'm just trying to get a reasonable expectation of what we could realistically expect. What elementaries that area are considered the best? The test schools look like they are all over the place. Our home schools would possibly be Hawthorne. Is Field a good school? Is it hard to get a spot?

Also, she is enrolled to start in a private Montessori school here this fall. What are the most highly regarded Montessori schools in Louisville? From what I can tell, there is Ursuline, Hayfield, Urban and the Montessori School of Louisville.

Any feedback would be highly appreciated. I am aware of the fact that many people do send their children to Private (Catholic) School there. It would be our preference that she go to public school. Our home school now is very diverse (I think it is about 50% caucasian) but it is a good, progressive school, so we are comfortable with that type of environment.

[tomocox]

As you may or may not be aware, Jefferson County Public Schools was challenged in the US Supreme Court. Because the Supreme Court ruled against JCPS, there is only one thing for certain, "nothing is certain" for the next several years. I am interested in your choice of areas to plan on living in the Highlands, etc.

[nik]

Originally Posted by tomocox

As you may or may not be aware, Jefferson County Public Schools was challenged in the US Supreme Court. Because the Supreme Court ruled against JCPS, there is only one thing for certain, "nothing is certain" for the next several years. I am interested in your choice of areas to plan on living in the Highlands, etc.

Yes, the woman who initiated the JCPS case was a college roommate of one of my neighbors in Charlotte and I'd read about the case in the NY Times.

[Elaine S.]

While I don't have any direct information on the schools in the areas you are looking into, I do have a couple of suggestions. You may have done this one already but google "louisville public school" or "Jefferson County Schools Louisville" and go to the JCPS website. They have a pdf of their 'Choices' catalog or you can just call the phone number listed. They have a new edition coming out Oct. 07. I recently talked to someone on their fact line and she said they don't anticpate too many changes until the 2009-2010 school year. Of course, that could change. You might also go to the Louisville Courier Journal website and click on Kentuckiana Moms. Lots of people post school-related questions there. Also check out greatschools.net and schooldigger--two websites that have detailed info and parental reviews. And, lastly, there's a "Showcase of Schools" every year at the convention center. All the area schools have reps there to answer questions. I think it's held in October, which is good since you have to turn in your school choices in February. I'm not sure how helpful this has been but I hope it wasn't a waste of time to read.

[tomocox]

Elaine, you wrote very well. Thank you for sharing all that valuable information. The kind of stuff you included is exactly what this blog is all about. Thank you!

[nik]

Thank you for the info!

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by Elaine S.

While I don't have any direct information on the schools in the areas you are looking into, I do have a couple of suggestions. You may have done this one already but google "louisville public school" or "Jefferson County Schools Louisville" and go to the JCPS website. They have a pdf of their 'Choices' catalog or you can just call the phone number listed. They have a new edition coming out Oct. 07. I recently talked to someone on their fact line and she said they don't anticpate too many changes until the 2009-2010 school year. Of course, that could change. You might also go to the Louisville Courier Journal website and click on Kentuckiana Moms. Lots of people post school-related questions there. Also check out greatschools.net and schooldigger--two websites that have detailed info and parental reviews. And, lastly, there's a "Showcase of Schools" every year at the convention center. All the area schools have reps there to answer questions. I think it's held in October, which is good since you have to turn in your school choices in February. I'm not sure how helpful this has been but I hope it wasn't a waste of time to read.

yeah, thanks alot...i can answer real estate questions but I struggle with these school questions, and we get them alot here. Hopefully you'll stick around and help other people with questions on Louisville schools