topic School Open Enrollment? in Denver

School Open Enrollment?

jinmb — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:34:07 GMT

Would love some insight from parents in the Denver metro area. Can you fill me in on the Open Enrollment concept for schools?

We're moving to Denver from Southern California, and I'm so used to the higher-cost neighborhoods correlating to the "better" performing schools. Essentially, that people are willing to pay more for the house to be in a higher-performing public school district. That doesn't necessarily seem to be the case in Denver. Our agent tells us that home values are not as closely tied to school districts in Denver as we may have seen in SoCal because it's fairly easy to get your child into a school that may be outside of the district in which you live. Is this true, and do you agree? We have no kids yet, but hope to soon. Are we better off buying in a neighborhood with higher-rated schools right off the bat, not only for our future-child, but also for future resale value of the home? Or is it really not a huge deal out there?

Re: School Open Enrollment?

Nanomug — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:29:30 GMT

My friends in Denver told me this when they moved there. Then they realized that they couldn't get into one school at the time of the move for one child and then realized that transporting the other two was burdensome. My other friends moved to a suburb because they liked the school district and schools. They are pleased with their decision

My preference is to either live near the schools or the bus stop. In the long run its a sanity saver. I know its a bit difficult to comprehend that prior to have kids. When my kids were younger having their school nearby work/home made it much easier when they were sick.

We've relocated together and separately over our working lives. One thing I can say for sure is that buying a home right away is not the best idea. Rent and explore the area and the neighborhoods so you know whats a great fit for you and your future family. Moving from socal to Denver will provide you with lots of new experiences that will effect where you want to live and the property you want to buy.

Re: School Open Enrollment?

MarkE — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:14:45 GMT

Congrats on your move Jinmb! I do not think you will be disappointed. I am going to have to disagree with the post above about renting. This is a cautious approach that will end up costing you thousands. If you have a good agent, that agent will give you good advice on schools and neighborhoods. What area are you looking in now? I worked as a cop for 15 years in the South Metro area, so I am able to provide you with some insight that other Agents can not. I would be happy to provide you with any information.

I think if you are planning on growing your family, than looking at the school districts is very important at this stage. Except in a few neighborhoods, prices are pretty relative and do not increase or decrease based on that district. But there are some really good schools, and not so good, so pick your agents brain and do some good research.

Best of luck!

Re: School Open Enrollment?

Nanomug — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:08:48 GMT

I respectfully disagree about relocating from socal to Denver without actually knowing the area. It can be costly to buy a home only to discover its not the neighborhood you want or that you didn't understand something local.

Having spent much of my life relocating for work I've ran into a lot of the pitfalls of moving. I've lived in five states and two countries. I've relocated with the family twice. Finding a property that will suit a new resident is well worth the effort of moving twice. Especially when kids aren't yet present.

The last relocation we knew more than a year ahead and we had children to relocate. I spent lots of time visiting the new area over that year (expensive) to pick the school district and schools. Despite my checklists, meeting agents, seeing homes, participating on local forums I still missed a few things that showed up after living in the new area. All the information does not prepare for reality.

It's worth the time to plan and think through. Either renting or buying right away could be deemed costly. Buying is costlier if done incorrect. Everyone has their threshold of risk.

Re: School Open Enrollment?

jinmb — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:07:02 GMT

We feel like we have a pretty good grasp on the neighborhoods and have ID'd the ones that provide the walkable lifestyle and community that closely matches our current lifestyle. We've spent years traveling to visit friends who live in various parts of the city. We're comfy taking the leap to buying. Although if our situation were different and we were unfamiliar, I'm sure we'd be exploring the rental market instead!

Re: School Open Enrollment?

MarkE — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:47:21 GMT

Awesome, and Welcome to beautiful Colorado!

Re: School Open Enrollment?

SSPlage — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:34:08 GMT

You may already have this information from your Broker; however, http://www.cde.state.co.us/utility/k12schls.htm

takes you to the assessment page for schools in Colorado.

I relocating ourselves, we used this resource in Florida and in Colorado to pick the schools that met our needs as well as to select areas to purchase our homes there.

Best of luck and welcome from the Golden State to the Centennial State!

Re: School Open Enrollment?

jinmb — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:22:36 GMT

Thanks, SSPlage! I haven't seen this site before. Great resource!

Re: School Open Enrollment?

Wildcherry — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:39:31 GMT

Cherry Creek school district is the best. I can't agree with your realtor. Also don't be confused with other schools such as smokey hill, grandview etc,,, who are a part of cherry creek. You would be living in SE Aurora and there is a stigma, also the schools are not that great no matter how they try and pretend they are,

Re: School Open Enrollment?

MarkE — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:43:04 GMT

Is it a stigma about SE Aurora, or your personal opinion? Do you live out there, and do you have any factual information to back up your post? I would be curious why you would say this,

Re: School Open Enrollment?

Wildcherry — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:45:59 GMT

I am a native of colorado, Yes there is a big stigma with Aurora, even SE Aurora. A lot of transplants don't know better and move there because of the low cost of housing and there are a lot fo new areas being built.

Aurora never has has a good reputation, often I hear people say but it's SE AURORA. Aurora will always be Aurora.

There are some schools in Aurora that are part of Chery Creek school dist, but they are not Cherry Creek High School and some realtors will use that to sell houses in those areas.