good schools in urban area? (Denver, Boulder: school districts, college, income)

[RonAriba]

Originally Posted by AustinMama

Is there an area in Denver that has both older homes/character and good schools?

When you say good schools do you mean good public schools? If so, Denver public school would probably not be your first choice. IMHO, if you want to live in Denver you would be looking at private schools for your kids. I would be looking at Jefferson, Douglas, and Arapahoe Counties.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by RonAriba

When you say good schools do you mean good public schools? If so, Denver public school would probably not be your first choice. IMHO, if you want to live in Denver you would be looking at private schools for your kids. I would be looking at Jefferson, Douglas, and Arapahoe Counties.

Also Boulder County. Some of the Adams districts are quite good as well.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by RonAriba

When you say good schools do you mean good public schools? If so, Denver public school would probably not be your first choice. IMHO, if you want to live in Denver you would be looking at private schools for your kids. I would be looking at Jefferson, Douglas, and Arapahoe Counties.

Wow. That's a fairly blanket statement.
What's the matter with Bromwell Elementary?
Both my kids went to this central Denver school and did very well indeed.

Greatschools Rating for Bromwell

[RonAriba]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

Wow. That's a fairly blanket statement.
What's the matter with Bromwell Elementary?
Both my kids went to this central Denver school and did very well indeed.

Greatschools Rating for Bromwell

There are exceptions to everything. Also, that is in a highend neighborhood, North Cherry Creek. If Bromwell Elementary School eventually fed into South High School would you roll them at South? If not what Denver Public High School would you recommend? Again there are exceptions: the Denver magnet schools are good, CEC Middle College of Denver, Denver School of the Arts, and Denver Center for International Studies. But they are harder to get into and you will in all probability have to be bused.

Again, be informed visit the school, check the CSAP scores, and talk to the parents and teachers.

[steveindenver]

There are plenty of good schools in DPS and plenty of bad schools in the boonies.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

There are plenty of good schools in DPS and plenty of bad schools in the boonies.

Yes.

Originally Posted by RonAriba

There are exceptions to everything. Also, that is in a highend neighborhood, North Cherry Creek. If Bromwell Elementary School eventually fed into South High School would you roll them at South? If not what Denver Public High School would you recommend? Again there are exceptions: the Denver magnet schools are good, CEC Middle College of Denver, Denver School of the Arts, and Denver Center for International Studies. But they are harder to get into and you will in all probability have to be bused.

The OP's price range can afford Bromwell's neighborhood. There are older homes, bike lanes and parks galore, and plenty of character.
Bromwell feeds into East, and I sent one of my kids there, the other one went to George Washington. Bromwell's middle school is Morey, and I did not send my kids there, they went to Hill and Place, respectively.
Since then, Morey has improved, and my brother sent his son there (He's now at East High).
But some of the other posters named some other good choices for neighborhoods.
People who believe in public schools usually spend time there (volunteering or whatever) and learn how to work the system (assertively if necessary).
I just think it is too bad that so many people automatically assume that if you live in central Denver, you *must* go the private school route.

[Moonwalkr]

Originally Posted by AustinMama

We are considering relocating to Denver with two young children. Good schools are a top priority.
We like:
an urban atmosphere with character
older homes (1940's and older)
public transit, pedestrian and bike friendly
kid-friendly parks

Is there an area in Denver that has both older homes/character and good schools?

What's your definition of urban atmosphere with character? It sounds like something I may read from a nice real estate ad, but seems to me everyone has a different definition for that.

Maybe you would like a pre-planned urban town like Stapleton?

[RonAriba]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

There are plenty of good schools in DPS and plenty of bad schools in the boonies.

CSAP tells a very different story! Just look at the 2008 CSAP proficiency rate for Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science. Name me a school district in the Denver metropolitan area with lower proficiency rates!

However, I will agree Denver public schools are improving thanks to the hard work of the teachers and superintendent Michael Bennet.

[2bindenver]

"good" in "good schools" is entirely subjective.

What makes a school "good" to one person makes it bad for another.

[steveindenver]

CSAP is a load of crap. The intentions are of course good, much like the no child left behind initiative, unfortunately in both cases when it came time to implement things went awry.
You are penalizing a district that has the largest percentage of non English speaking immigrants, a higher percentage of poverty and a much higher incidence of parents both working multiple jobs just to put food on the table.

To generalize and assume that every county school is better than every city school is inaccurate and dismisses the benefit of city schools where children are exposed to different socioeconomic groups and cultures.

Furthermore, DPS, while still incredibly top heavy in administration has improved. There are a number of primary schools that are very well ranked, as well as middle school highly gifted and talented programs that are showing promise and a series of well respected and rated high school programs, from the IB at George Washington through to the Science and Tech and Performing arts schools.

The reality as more parents are discovering is that you do not in fact have to move out from the city when you start having Children. Yet another nail in the coffin for Highlands Ranch resale values.