Are Jefferson County Schools really so bad?? (Louisville, Prospect: appointed, crime)

[CoMoMom]

I have been lurking on this board for a couple of months now as we are strongly considering a move to Louisville. Up until now, we have mostly been interested in living in Oldham County because

1) We'd like to have a little land (just 1/2 acre or a little less -- nothing huge)

and

2) Our son will be starting kindergarten this fall and from what I've read here, Oldham County has stronger schools.

What I'm wondering, as I read reviews on Great Schools. com, is,

Are Jefferson County Schools really so bad? I see several in different parts of town that have good ratings both by parents and according to test scores.

I understand the policies of the school system -- the possibilities of being bused and such...is it really so hard to get into your resides school? Is there anyone out there who has had POSITIVE experiences in the Jefferson City public schools?

Other questions related to schools:

1) When you say that Oldham County schools are good, are you talking mostly about the high schools? Because when looking at Great Schools, it seems to be hit or miss with elementary schools...

and

2) What about schools in southern Indiana? Floyds Knobs seems to have some good elementary schools...

I would love some feedback here! We obviously want a good education for our children, but at the same time we want to be involved in the communities of Louisville. I look forward to hearing your input...

[missymomof3]

I have to say that Jefferson county schools are very hit or miss. I can speak from experience, there are some schools that are good (mostly in the east end) and some that are horrid. Traditional schools are your best bet here but it's a lottery system and it's not guaranteed you'll get in. Southern Indiana it is based on where you live so if you get into a good neighborhood, you get a good school. I also hear that the High schools are hot or miss too. My sister lives over there and she has to buy her kids' books. Hope that helps?

[JefferyT]

My nephew attends the JCPS math and sciences magnet elmentary school and seems to be getting a pretty good education. From what my father tells me the parents and grandparents of kids who go to school there are fairly interested in their kids' education, which is a good sign for that one school.

[tomocox]

First, your theme. NO, JCPS schools are not that bad!!! They are darn good considering all the issues they deal with. It's just that Oldham County Schools are just that much better. JCPS is a good system. It has several outstanding schools (if you can only get your kid in one of them) and several bottom of the state schools (if you can keep your kid out of them). Typical urban school district.

Here's the facts, simply the facts. Yes, Oldham County Schools are that good. Why? Pretty simple, a huge majority of homes in Oldham County from where the children come from have at least one if not two college degrees. This is not to put down anyone, but rather just to say that parents here know what to expect of their children. Teachers actually spend most of their class time teaching rather than disciplining. If all the JCPS schools had the same expectations as they demand of their traditional schools, JCPS would simply be a fantastic school system.

The great thing about OC schools, there is not a dime's difference between any of the schools. While JCPS may have three or four nationally ranked schools, those schools are "lottery" entry or in JCPS terms, the schools are generally located in less than desirable residential neighborhoods. You won't find that in OC. Yes, there are spots of poverty and even crime zones, but those area's are the exception.

OC is a wonderful place to raise a kid. I have raised 3 while living in Louisville, and I was very involved in helping raise a child here in OC after I moved to LaGrange. I can speak from experience about the differences.

[mbd722]

CoMoMom,
We moved here from Kirkwood, MO 4 years ago. I have close friends in CoMo, and am familiar with the schools there from talking to my friend over many years - our kids are the same ages.

Columbia has wonderful schools - don't expect that in JCPS. We had great schools in Kirkwood, and were pretty disappointed in our son's school when we moved here. He had a miserable 8th grade experience (mostly because it's hard to move in middle school, but also because the school was pretty dismal), but I will say that high school has been significantly better. We live in Prospect, and he goes to Ballard. Most of the kids in our subdivision go to either Catholic school, or Norton, the closest elementary school. Norton seems to have a good reputation.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought in Oldham County simply for the schools. It's easy to get to restaurants in Louisville, and shopping as well. Plus, I don't think the commute to the VA would be bad, unless there's an accident on I-71.

[mdawg]

Originally Posted by mbd722

CoMoMom,
We moved here from Kirkwood, MO 4 years ago. I have close friends in CoMo, and am familiar with the schools there from talking to my friend over many years - our kids are the same ages.

Columbia has wonderful schools - don't expect that in JCPS. We had great schools in Kirkwood, and were pretty disappointed in our son's school when we moved here. He had a miserable 8th grade experience (mostly because it's hard to move in middle school, but also because the school was pretty dismal), but I will say that high school has been significantly better. We live in Prospect, and he goes to Ballard. Most of the kids in our subdivision go to either Catholic school, or Norton, the closest elementary school. Norton seems to have a good reputation.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought in Oldham County simply for the schools. It's easy to get to restaurants in Louisville, and shopping as well. Plus, I don't think the commute to the VA would be bad, unless there's an accident on I-71.

Ballard is definitely one of the better high schools in Jefferson County. Where did your son go to middle school if you dont mind me asking. It is very true a lot of kids go to private schools, especially in the East End, but Ballard, Eastern, Manual, and Male are all very decent schools.

[missymomof3]

male is a traditional school so you have to be in the traditional program to go there.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by mbd722

CoMoMom,
We moved here from Kirkwood, MO 4 years ago. I have close friends in CoMo, and am familiar with the schools there from talking to my friend over many years - our kids are the same ages.

Columbia has wonderful schools - don't expect that in JCPS. We had great schools in Kirkwood, and were pretty disappointed in our son's school when we moved here. He had a miserable 8th grade experience (mostly because it's hard to move in middle school, but also because the school was pretty dismal), but I will say that high school has been significantly better. We live in Prospect, and he goes to Ballard. Most of the kids in our subdivision go to either Catholic school, or Norton, the closest elementary school. Norton seems to have a good reputation.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought in Oldham County simply for the schools. It's easy to get to restaurants in Louisville, and shopping as well. Plus, I don't think the commute to the VA would be bad, unless there's an accident on I-71.

Which middle school? 8th grade is probably the hardest time for a kid to move. It was probably as much the fact that he had to move as the school if it was in the Prospect cluster. I had to move in 7th grade and it was awful

Comparing Columbia, MO or Kirkwood, MO to JCPS is apples to oranges. Columbia is a small college town. Kirkwood is a suburban district outside a fairly large urban one. JCPS, on the other hand, has 100,000 students (and projected to grow), and is among the largest school districts in the nation, clocking in at number 16. Personally, I think there are very very bad schools in JCPS, but if you get in a good one, it is worthwhile for the diversity of people your child will be exposed to and the great resources of an urban school district (students at Manual and other schools, for example, can take college level courses their junior and senior years at UofL).

To the OP, I have been advising people to call JCPS after they find a home they like, and ask what schools are associated with that particular address. If there are some low ranked schools associated with that address, then ask them what are the chances your child would have to attend those poor schools.

To mbd, if you live in one of the higher end subdivisons in Prospect, your neighborhood is probably full of high earning executives and professionals. I doubt these people are allowing their kids to attend poor schools. That said, what was the process for your child to get into Ballard? Was it hard given your address, and was there any chance he could have gone to a poor performing HS like say, Shawnee?

[CoMoMom]

1) If my oldest child is in a particular school in JCPS, is he guaranteed to stay in that school year after year or can he lose his spot?

2) If my oldest child is in a particular school in JCPS, will my second child have any kind of priority to get into that school as well or is the process for him separate?

I'm just wondering if it's possible that both my kids will be going to different elementaries??

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by CoMoMom

1) If my oldest child is in a particular school in JCPS, is he guaranteed to stay in that school year after year or can he lose his spot?

2) If my oldest child is in a particular school in JCPS, will my second child have any kind of priority to get into that school as well or is the process for him separate?

I'm just wondering if it's possible that both my kids will be going to different elementaries??

With the system in flux in JCPS, nobody can answer that question honestly as of TODAY even if they may tell you how it was this year or five years ago. The only people that can answer your questions about JCPS for sure are the administrators there. You really need to call them and ask. Don't worry, they won't mind.