Moving to Elizabethtown...how are the schools? (Louisville, Russell: apartments, home)

[djthompson]

We are moving to Elizabethtown soon and will be deciding where to live. I need information on which school district is better, the independent schools or the county schools. Any other information about Etown would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[KB-Architect]

The independent honestly never seemed to be much better than public schools. Most people will flock to John Hardin High School for public. I attended both John Hardin and North Hardin and can say that the public schools really aren't bad and that John Hardin does have many pros.

Etown is not a bad area really, if you ever get bored Louisville isn't very far away. I've always been sad to see the historic downtown be so neglected. The buildings are mostly empty and uncared for, and the city looks more and more like a cookie cutter sprawl town each year.

Freeman Lake park is nice, they do have some nice events there as well as concerts. Otter Creek Park is about 30 -45 minutes away and is very beautiful. Burnheim Forest is another amazing park thats on the way to Louisville and of course theres Mammoth cave to the south.

Since I'm a fan of the country over city living, I liked that it didn't take too long to get away from the city and find some farm land and grassy fields. But like I already mentioned, the sprawl is quickly making that time longer.

With Ft Knox going through so many changes I don't honestly know what Etown's future may have in store. I personally believe it will always be a humble small town. Sure would be nice if they could let loose a bit and allow you to buy alcohol outside of a resteraunt!

[Reinheitsgebot]

Most of the schools are good and none are terrible, but the real difference is at the High School level. Hardin County School district has three: North Hardin, John Hardin, and Central Hardin. All three have nurtured amazing students with many going on to the Service Academies or top private colleges. There are also great private elementary and middle schools run by different churches, so look into that too.
When deciding on which school district to buy a home in, it all depends on the ages of your kids and how long you want to drive to work. Younger kids will do well in almost every school, older kids will have better opportunities at EIS, etc...
One a side note, we live in the CHHS district and would be happy to send our kids there when they're old enough.

[stxdreamer]

Originally Posted by djthompson

We are moving to Elizabethtown soon and will be deciding where to live. I need information on which school district is better, the independent schools or the county schools. Any other information about Etown would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If test score performance is important, then Central Hardin is the top county high school, with John Hardin second and North Hardin third. Elizabethtown High School scores slightly higher than Central.

If facilities are important, then the county schools have it all over the Elizabethtown school district. Performing arts center at John Hardin is probably best facility of its type in the state; computer labs, other labs, athletic facilities, etc., county schools are tops.

Of course, if you talk to an Elizabethtown School advocate, he/she will tell you they are far superior. Don't believe it. City schools are good, but so are county schools. Buy where you like and don't worry about schools. You'll be fine either way.

[ndan4487]

We are moving to Etown around the end of June. My son who is 14 isn't that excited yet. We are looking for a good school also for him.I had thought EIS and John Hardin. But I have to plan on what apartments,as well as churches are available in those genereal areas. I am looking for a good size city map of Etown,so that I can much better scope out what is where.

I do look at the scores, because ours here in NY leave alot to be desired. We are still not totally improved. Although we have been doing well on the state tests,I'm not convinced he is getting what he needs as a ADD teen.

I've also been looking for somewhere that would send a general kind of relocation folder of everything you need to know.I am so used to researching everything before I have made a move,so I know what to expect when I get there.

We will not know anyone when we get there,so that in itself is hard. But I am excited because I don't mind moving,and I also need to find a better climate for my RSD.The damp weather gets me all the time.

[EclecticEars]

Best public school systems in state, period: Oldham County, Boone County, Daviess County, Jefferson County (select east end or traditional magnet schools only.) McLean County, Hancock County, and Russell Independent also do very well for very small school systems. I naturally tend to point newcomers who greatly emphasize their desire for great public education to one of these seven systems.

Elizabethtown Independent and Hardin County School systems still rank pretty highly, by Kentucky standards. But in comparison to many of the systems in NYS and other places in the Northeast, I'm sure they're just average. EI and HC score well on state tests, sure, but those tests are subjective in the sense that some systems place great emphasis on preparing students to do well on the test and think like the test takers. That may or may not also mean that those systems have actually great well-rounded educational quality and prepare their students for whatever they choose to pursue or study after high school.

I'm not trying to dog any aspect E'town; in fact, I'd place it in the top five small towns in the entire state in terms of many quality of life variables! There are many more pros than cons to living in E'town. Just ask tough, smart questions, thoroughly research the programs available at EI and HC, and make the most educated decision you can make.