Moving from Chestnut Hill to burbs for better school district--advice please? (Philadelphia: rent, condo)

[airedale]

After many years of living in a small house in Chestnut Hill, we need to make the move to the suburbs soon for our son, who has mild autism. We gave the Philadelphia School District a try for one year at one of the better elementary schools, and it has not worked well. We want to find a school district with better services (any services!) that also has some of the features that we love about Chestnut Hill: shops that we can walk to, a train station nearby, and a reasonable commute to Fort Washington and East Falls in Philadelphia for work. We have heard good things about Colonial, Upper Dublin, and Abington SDs. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

When are you moving? This summer.
Where are you coming from? NW Philadelphia
Why are you moving? Better school district in MontCo
Where will you be working? One parent in East Falls in Philadelphia; other in Fort Washington
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent? Buy, though we may rent if we can't find a place we like immediately.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House or condo. $400K-$500K

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, 2 children.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public school needed for son with mild autism, entering 7th grade next year.
Do you have pets? Yes, 2 cats.
Do you want or need a yard? A small one. Not a high priority.
Are you keeping a car? Yes, but would like to be near a train station.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Quiet but with some pedestrian area nearby.
What do you want to be closest to?
Work Yes
Shopping Yes
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) Yes
Nightlife No
Train or subway stations Yes

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
Don't care

[2e1m5a]

At least you gave the School District a try. Was it Jenks?

I don't have much info on services in suburban school districts, but it may be difficult to find another Chestnut Hill.

Have you heard of The Crefeld School? "Grades 7 through 12. Private,co-educational alternative day school in Chestnut Hill. Specializes in students who may learn differently from others."

It may be another option-but tuition is a factor there unfortunately.

[Hillrunner]

Originally Posted by airedale

After many years of living in a small house in Chestnut Hill, we need to make the move to the suburbs soon for our son, who has mild autism. We gave the Philadelphia School District a try for one year at one of the better elementary schools, and it has not worked well. We want to find a school district with better services (any services!) that also has some of the features that we love about Chestnut Hill: shops that we can walk to, a train station nearby, and a reasonable commute to Fort Washington and East Falls in Philadelphia for work. We have heard good things about Colonial, Upper Dublin, and Abington SDs. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

When are you moving? This summer.
Where are you coming from? NW Philadelphia
Why are you moving? Better school district in MontCo
Where will you be working? One parent in East Falls in Philadelphia; other in Fort Washington
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent? Buy, though we may rent if we can't find a place we like immediately.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House or condo. $400K-$500K

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, 2 children.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public school needed for son with mild autism, entering 7th grade next year.
Do you have pets? Yes, 2 cats.
Do you want or need a yard? A small one. Not a high priority.
Are you keeping a car? Yes, but would like to be near a train station.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Quiet but with some pedestrian area nearby.
What do you want to be closest to?
Work Yes
Shopping Yes
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) Yes
Nightlife No
Train or subway stations Yes

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
Don't care

Colonial school district is roughly 5/10 minutes away from Chestnut Hill.

[BR Valentine]

Originally Posted by airedale

After many years of living in a small house in Chestnut Hill, we need to make the move to the suburbs soon for our son, who has mild autism. We gave the Philadelphia School District a try for one year at one of the better elementary schools, and it has not worked well. We want to find a school district with better services (any services!) that also has some of the features that we love about Chestnut Hill: shops that we can walk to, a train station nearby, and a reasonable commute to Fort Washington and East Falls in Philadelphia for work. We have heard good things about Colonial, Upper Dublin, and Abington SDs. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

When are you moving? This summer.
Where are you coming from? NW Philadelphia
Why are you moving? Better school district in MontCo
Where will you be working? One parent in East Falls in Philadelphia; other in Fort Washington
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent? Buy, though we may rent if we can't find a place we like immediately.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House or condo. $400K-$500K

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, 2 children.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public school needed for son with mild autism, entering 7th grade next year.
Do you have pets? Yes, 2 cats.
Do you want or need a yard? A small one. Not a high priority.
Are you keeping a car? Yes, but would like to be near a train station.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Quiet but with some pedestrian area nearby.
What do you want to be closest to?
Work Yes
Shopping Yes
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) Yes
Nightlife No
Train or subway stations Yes

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
Don't care

Take a look at Springfield Township. I have a friend who has a child who receives emotional support services. His son did K and 1 at Jenks and my friend made the same decision to move that you are making. He's now in seventh grade in Springfield and my friend has been very happy with the level of support his son has received. You'll also be able to find a house in your price range in that district and you'll both have manageable commutes to work.

[yabbadabbadoody]

There are several districts outside of town that are good for special needs. Wallingford-Swarthmore, Council Rock are probably some of the better ones. But they're not in Montco.

Lower Merion *used to be good, but a change in personnel took them out. That can happen in *any* district, BTW. So you might find the perfect placement, but then Poof! it's gone the next year.

You might want to join the Facebook group Main Line Special Needs Parents - they have parents from all over the 5-county area who could give you some better information.

[chicagoliz]

If one parent works in Ft. Washington, go for Upper Dublin.

You could also try Lower Gwynedd or Plymouth Whitemarsh.

[Hillrunner]

Originally Posted by airedale

After many years of living in a small house in Chestnut Hill, we need to make the move to the suburbs soon for our son, who has mild autism. We gave the Philadelphia School District a try for one year at one of the better elementary schools, and it has not worked well. We want to find a school district with better services (any services!) that also has some of the features that we love about Chestnut Hill: shops that we can walk to, a train station nearby, and a reasonable commute to Fort Washington and East Falls in Philadelphia for work. We have heard good things about Colonial, Upper Dublin, and Abington SDs. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

When are you moving? This summer.
Where are you coming from? NW Philadelphia
Why are you moving? Better school district in MontCo
Where will you be working? One parent in East Falls in Philadelphia; other in Fort Washington
Have you been here yet? Yes

Will you buy or rent? Buy, though we may rent if we can't find a place we like immediately.
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? House or condo. $400K-$500K

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married, 2 children.
Do you prefer public or private schools? Public school needed for son with mild autism, entering 7th grade next year.
Do you have pets? Yes, 2 cats.
Do you want or need a yard? A small one. Not a high priority.
Are you keeping a car? Yes, but would like to be near a train station.
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Quiet but with some pedestrian area nearby.
What do you want to be closest to?
Work Yes
Shopping Yes
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) Yes
Nightlife No
Train or subway stations Yes

Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
Don't care

you asked the exact same question 9 years ago. you mean to tell me that within the last 9 years you haven't traveled within the areas you are asking about ? considring you live within a 5 minute drive to the areas you are inquiring about leads me to believe there is more than meets the eye here

[airedale]

Yes, of course we have visited many surrounding areas. Visiting is much different than having a child in one of those districts or knowing parents there, and that is why we have requested opinions. It is rarely possible to actually visit the schools and view special needs accommodations. I'm not sure why you wasted time posting a response if you have nothing positive to contribute.

[bnettles]

Abington/Jenk has great schooling. Also, if you can afford it (commute-wise), I recommend checking out Bucks County. Their school districts do not compare, especially when it comes to their Special Ed programs. However, Abington, Jenkintown, and Hatboro-Horsham in general have all the amenities that you are looking for... including awesome restaurants/family fun.

Abington/Jenk has public transportation as well. You're a short commute to/from the city.