Liberal Family Moving to Chattanooga (East Brainerd, Signal Mountain: dorms, neighborhood, best schools)

[jkmewright]

Along the lines of Toddle's recommendations, My family is associated with the Jewish Community Federation of Greater Chattanooga and I cannot tell you what a great group of people they are. If you want to become a part of a fantastic bunch of people check them out:

Jewish Community Federation

[toddle]

I did relocate here myself 2 years ago. We have been quite happy. I have lived in cities big(Atlanta) and small (Augusta,Ga) Chattanooga is better for us than both of those. There are plenty of things to do with my young family. There are great restaurants and activities. The city is very clean. There are large numbers of socially conscious people. We are even invloved in a Co-op farm share.
There are great schools in the area both public and affordable private. Health insurance in Chattanooga is the same or better than other areas, imo.

Didn't mean to hijack this thread, but I didn't see the need for such large scale negativity.

[Mary77]

Toddle-

Could you list the public schools in the area that you think are great? So far the contributors to this thread have convinced me that the only good public schools are in Signal Mountain, Ooltewah & Soddy Daisy.

[Jon F Moss]

Big Ridge Elementary
Normal Park
McConnell
Alan
Loftin
etc...

[Mary77]

Thanks TriDad, but could you list the area of town these schools are in instead. I'm not familiar with Chattanooga--never been there.

[Jon F Moss]

LW will have to fill you in with those details. Think parts North Chattanooga & Hixson. I'm sure there are others too.

[toddle]

Originally Posted by Mary77

Toddle-

Could you list the public schools in the area that you think are great? So far the contributors to this thread have convinced me that the only good public schools are in Signal Mountain, Ooltewah & Soddy Daisy.

Like others have said Normal Park is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It is about to expand to 8th grade. Normal Park is in North Chattanooga, but is a Magnet school. I believe that parents who work downtown are eligible.

Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences in East Brainerd has a good reputation and is also a Magnet school. There are many other good schools in East Brainerd, from what I've heard.

As far as private schools Boyd Buchanon has a good rep for value as does St Peter's

[Mary77]

Thanks for the info. Could you explain what a magnet school is? Sorry to sound like such an ignoramous, but education choices here in Vermont are a lot more simple--no choice really.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by Mary77

Thanks for the info. Could you explain what a magnet school is? Sorry to sound like such an ignoramous, but education choices here in Vermont are a lot more simple--no choice really.

Here is one article that popped up when I googled "Magnet School"; there are others.

What is a Magnet School? - Public School Review

[Mary77]

Thanks. That explained magnet schools pretty well. So how do Chattanoogans regard magnet schools? Are they popular? Are they better than the regular public school options?