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Old 04-08-2012, 12:11 PM
 
1 posts, read 5,053 times
Reputation: 10

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Hello!

I am looking at grad school at UPenn, and will be relocating from Indiana. I've read so many posts on here about relocating, asked friends who have gone to school there, etc, but it's really hard to find out any information specifically to my needs. Our friends who live out there are single with no children, so the lifestyle they have is completely different!

When we arrive, our daughter will be 5. So, obviously, we will be looking at schools. We'd like to live close enough to campus, or even on campus, that it won't be a hectic commute to school, work, and then campus, or however it pans out.

I have yet to find anything that really pertains to those needs... I don't know what public schools are like around the UPenn for my daughter. We enjoy multicultural areas, but I don't want her to be in a "ghetto" school (I will probably get flamed for that, but I'm just being honest here!). If we need to look into private school options, we are willing to do that, but not a religious private school. I don't want to be worrying about her in kindergarden all day while I'm in school!

I would rather not live in an apartment, so renting a home would be ideal. We are used to the city (Indy) but like living far enough away that it doesn't feel too "city like" but close enough to be easily accessible.

I realize this probably leaves us with very few options or areas to choose from. Grad school is an important step for us, and UPenn is first choice, but if the area and schools are going to be too much of a change, or too hard to accommodate, then I may have to consider going elsewhere.

Please, be honest and don't hold back! Thank you
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Old 04-08-2012, 02:42 PM
 
2,269 posts, read 7,588,692 times
Reputation: 962
You can definitely live in University City, which has everything you want. Just be sure you are in the catchment area for this school.

Penn Alexander School | Penn GSE
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Old 04-08-2012, 04:08 PM
 
10 posts, read 24,207 times
Reputation: 14
I would agree that you want Penn Alexander school if you want to be near the campus. Although Penn Alexander is a public school, living in the catchment area does not guarantee admission (I have 2 kids at the school right now). There are a limited number of spots and more and more people moving into the neighborhood, so you have to stand in line (this last year the line started Sunday morning and registration was Monday morning in January). That doesn't mean you won't get in, I just want you to be aware you might be camping out to make sure your child gets in. It's a great school. The teachers are wonderful and the parents are super involved. The neighborhood is wonderful too. Lots of families and diversity.
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Old 04-09-2012, 09:57 AM
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA
8,700 posts, read 14,698,612 times
Reputation: 3668
I would also suggest staying right in University City where Penn is located... they have their own school district. The area is great. Check out neighborhoods like Clark Park and Spruce Hill.


http://athomebysteveposes.files.word...8/img_8215.jpg


http://www.universitycityhousing.com...s/picture5.jpg


http://press.visitphilly.com/uploads/photos/1028_l.jpg


http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarkin...a77644fee3.jpg


http://www.uwishunu.com/wp-content/u...k-park-fm1.jpg


http://joshaas.net/weblog_images/wes...lark_park1.jpg


http://phillyskyline.com/photo/joemi...SpruceHill.jpg


http://www.wpre.com/wp-content/uploa...4795178475.jpg


http://www.wpre.com/wp-content/uploa...5409762153.jpg


http://phillyskyline.com/photo/fall/..._greenline.jpg


http://www.wpre.com/wp-content/uploa...4795247416.jpg


http://phillyskyline.com/photo/joemi...SpruceHill.jpg


University City, Philadelphia - YouTube


Community Video: University City, Philadelphia - YouTube


Philly Neighborhoods: University City (Neighborhood) - YouTube

You can find a lot on this link including Real Estate info.
Home | University City District


You must live within this area to have a child attend Penn Alexander


Here is a link to the school districts website
Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander - The School District of Philadelphia

Here is a map of University City and Center City


http://www.ucnet.com/images/maps/ucdmap_boundary.gif

http://www.business-services.upenn.e..._ccity_map.jpg

University City in the foreground

http://images.fineartamerica.com/ima...an-pearson.jpg


Hope this helped

Last edited by RightonWalnut; 04-09-2012 at 10:41 AM..
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Old 04-09-2012, 11:34 AM
 
8,983 posts, read 21,169,137 times
Reputation: 3807
Just to clarify the previous point: Philadelphia is all one school district but there are "catchment areas" of neighborhoods that (mostly) dictate where one goes to school. There is definitely a positive correlation between higher income neighborhoods and more popular or "better" schools. High schools are open choice although the more competitive schools require challenging entrance exams and auditions.
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Old 04-11-2012, 07:57 AM
 
49 posts, read 151,702 times
Reputation: 50
I know that for kindergarten being the Penn Alexander school catchment is no guarantee, but what about beyond kindergarten? I thought I had read here and other places that once you are in grades 1+ if you move into the catchment area you are guaranteed the catchment school. Is that not true?
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:15 AM
 
2,939 posts, read 4,127,371 times
Reputation: 2791
Jackson, Meredith, McCall, Greenfield, etc are all popular schools

Schools | K-8 Public Schools & Catchment Map

Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill and Manayunk/Roxborough also have popular schools. You'd just want to make sure that in addition to living within those catchment areas you also live near one of the trains or the #9 express bus.
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:44 PM
 
10 posts, read 24,207 times
Reputation: 14
It used to be guaranteed that 1st grade and above your child would have a spot at Penn Alexander if you lived in the catchment area. But as of this last year there were a few people who did not get into first grade. Basically, they have a registration time in August for new students (1st grade and up) and if more people show up then there are open spaces then they are waitlisted. Of course, if your child attended Penn Alexander as a kindergartner you don't have to re-register. The registration in August is only for NEW students. So, no, they are not guaranteeing spots anymore. If you show up early you probably will have no problem getting a spot, but the key is to show up really early.
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