Elementary schools in AA: private vs public (Ann Arbor: places to live, buses)

[margekr]

Hi all, considering moving back to the USA and trying to narrow down on where to live. We used to live on Long Island, NY for 3 years but wanted to find somewhere else now. Bonus, AA is close to Canada, where we live now.

I wanted to ask about schools. Our daughter is in grade 2 in private and doing well. I had a look at private elementary ones in AA and nothing strikes me in particular.

Can anyone share experiences with any private elementary ones in AA? Good or bad?
Also, how are the public schools? What is the ratio of students vs teacher?
Are they academic and also known for quality education?

We can be anywhere in the USA and Ann Arbour comes up often as one of the best places to live. Is that so? TIA

[scorpio516]

Unless you are Catholic or looking for something very specific, public schools in and around Ann Arbor are superior.

[margekr]

Thank you! Not affiliated with any religion.
Any feedback on where the local kids end up going after HS? It's a long shot but we moved so many times that wanted to make sure we won't have to move again if we end up settling there.

[craig11152]

I have lived in Ann Arbor since 1984. I have 3 adult daughters' who went K-12 in Ann Arbor. It was many years ago as the graduated high school in 2000, 2001, 2004. But I have been a school bus driver for AAPS for 3 years. So I have some "first hand" experience with Ann Arbor and AAPS.
I think it is fair to say overall the public schools in Ann Arbor are very good. Not the best in the state, but rather highly ranked on most lists for what it's worth.

I would also say that of the 18 or 19 elementary schools some are more "desirable" than others on paper.

Ann Arbor participates in the "schools of choice" program whereby a kid can potentially go to a school outside their assigned address. The catch is its based on availability. Kids that live within the boundary get first choice.
So if one wanted their kid in say King or Angell elementary the only sure way is to live inside the boundary.
The more popular elementary schools won't have any space, or very little space for schools of choice kids.
Aside from AAPS and private schools there are charter schools as well. They are technically public schools without a physical boundary and take kids first come first serve who apply. The problem there is some are excellent and some are bad. Its not hard to get in the bad ones. The good ones have more applicants than space and there is a lottery to get in.
There are no "hidden gems" to be found in the charter schools around here. People do their homework and know the good ones from the not so good ones.

Its not hard to do your own homework and figure out what works best for your family.

[margekr]

Thank you! Which ones would be more desirable?

[craig11152]

Originally Posted by margekr

Thank you! Which ones would be more desirable?

I would say King, Angell, Burns Park would be some on my list of schools you can "buy in to" based on address that would be a good option.

[margekr]

Thank you!

[Chief End]

We've had such a great experience at Thurston. The culture here is great. The principal knew my son's name within the first few days he was there. His teacher knows his older siblings' names after meeting them once (they're not at Thurston). Great school, and great community.

[craig11152]

Originally Posted by Chief End

We've had such a great experience at Thurston. The culture here is great. The principal knew my son's name within the first few days he was there. His teacher knows his older siblings' names after meeting them once (they're not at Thurston). Great school, and great community.

I drive school buses for AAPS. Currently Thurston is on my morning run. The kids I take into school have been very well behaved on the bus all year long.
I can also say I can't remember a Thurston bus driver asking dispatch to have the principle meet the bus when it arrives. That "principle meet the bus" thing means there was a problem on the bus with some student or students.