Orlando move (Kissimmee, Winter Park, Conway: renting, houses, neighborhoods)

[sterlinga]

We are moving from NYC to Lake Nona in a month and we want to get advice on Trinity Prep to Lake highland prep. Which is a better private school for middle schooler. Also any advice on living in Lake NOna
Thanks

[Chulchinmae]

Since I don't know your specific situation, my information will be more general. If you can tell us your specific goals, like if you plan on renting or buying, what prices you are considering, and where your occupation is, we can give you a more helpful answer.

Anyway, I can't give personal anecdotes for the schools myself, as I have never attended nor knew anyone or any parents who had children attend either of these schools, but GreatSchools.org does give parent and student reviews, as well as the scores for FCAT and highlights for each school. Here they are!

Trinity Prep: Trinity Preparatory School - Winter Park, Florida - FL - School overview

Lake Highland Prep: Lake Highland Preparatory School - Orlando, Florida - FL - School overview

Although, I do have a concern with your choice of area. Lake Nona, while having a very progressive goal in mind for Orlando with its new beautiful neighborhoods and medical field expansion, is a developing area very FAR away from these prep schools. Both schools are a bit more central to Orlando, being close to Winter Park and Audubon Park, and commute would be literally be a stretch to go either one. Lake Nona is situated in the far south-eastern part of Orange County, practically brushing against the Orange/Osceola county line (Kissimmee). Both schools are directly east of Orlando.

To be closer to these schools, neighborhoods to check out would be Baldwin Park, Audubon Park, Maitland, Old Winter Park (area around Rollins College and Park Avenue), and College Park. They do come at a price though, and homes are much more expensive.

If it's a job situation, like you will be working for the new Medical City, I do recommend perhaps looking for a house in between the two areas. Conway would be a great place to start looking. The area around Conway does have older homes and neighborhoods, which is something to keep in mind. Whatever you do, for Conway (and if you also consider Baldwin Park), stay away from the 436/Semoran. Very rough road with heavy congestion and higher possibility for crime.

As for Lake Nona itself? It's as I said earlier, a very new area. Lots of pasture land, trees, and developing houses and neighborhoods. Shopping and retail is sparse at the moment, but it does have plans to open up a few town center areas starting in the fall of this year to cater to the new neighborhoods. Besides the new neighborhoods, it has a large Publix with some franchise restaurants in a plaza and a 7-11. A bit down the road you'll see a Kohl's, an Aldi, and a Walgreens, if I'm not mistaken. Right now, for travel, the most convenient road is the 417/Greenway, which is a toll road, something to consider, and the only other road is Narcoossee. To learn more about Lake Nona and its plans for the future- Lake Nona

[nativefla]

If your kids are strong academically, Trinity Prep is the better choice.