SBISD + small house or private school + bigger house? (Houston, Spring: houses, neighborhood)

[meers]

Hello All,

We are currently looking to buy a home in Memorial Area. Our budget for memorial is $600K. We can't find very many good hosues in that price range. One or two that we could consider are smaller houses (2700 SF). If we move a little further west, we could buy a bigger/newer hosue for less money (Ideally would like ~3300 SF and 4 bdrms.). There are a few houses around $500K including in Lakes of Parkway. However, eventually we would have to send our son to private school. Correct? I understand its a personal opinion, but would like to see what you all think.

I would appreciate any advice!

Meers

[Maybe So]

There are pros and cons to both. You have to decide what you want from your school and neighborhood.

If you do private and a neighborhood like Lakes of Parkway know that most others in the neighborhood are doing the same. There will be more neighborhood "disconnect" than if you go to a area public school. Most likely the kids in that hood will go to several different private schools. Your kids school friends could be scattered throughout the city. However, you get a newer, bigger house with lower taxes. Your
kids will get a private school education for what it's worth.

On the other hand, if you do a Memorial public, you will get a community that supports a single area school. More of a total community feel. However you get a potentially smaller, older home with higher taxes. The public schools, for the most part in SBISD are good to great - do your research.

You also need you decide if 12 years of private school tuition is what you want- otherwise you may find yourself moving at some point.

[EasilyAmused]

Definitely a personal choice.

If you look at it as Community v. Community rather than House Type A v. House Type B, you will have a much easier decision. A house is a house, but a community makes it home.

Lakes of Parkway feels like an island out there. It has a very different vibe than Memorial.

[meers]

Thank you Maybe and EA. We are planning on seeign the Memorial neighborhood this weekend. My husband alsready loves the neighborhood feel. But I have not been there yet and will find out soon.

Would you be able to throw any light on the resale value? You think Memorial has reached its peak? We plan to be in Houston for a long term, but never know what life throws at ya!

[EasilyAmused]

As long as people keep moving to Houston, Memorial has not reached it's peek.

It may remain level for a while, until this economy mess gets figured out, but it's a solid investment. It's not like the area can come up with more land for building. Lot value is extremely strong.

[westres1]

I would go with Memorial vs Lakes of Parkway...but you may find something you like in 77079 and still be zoned for SBISD. If you decide to go private and bigger house I would look in Briargrove Park...it has beautiful homes,neighborhood feel and much closer in than Lakes. Most kids in BGP go to area private schools. Check it out on HAR

[Vicman]

Lakes of Parkway itself is zoned to Westside.

For university preparatory programs, here are comparisons to all of the SBISD schools (Westside is in HISD):

Memorial is: 1160 SAT average, 25.4 ACT average
Stratford is: 1093 SAT average, 24 ACT average
Westside is: 1001 SAT average, 20.9 ACT average
Spring Woods is: 942 SAT average, 18.9 ACT average
Northbrook is: 851 SAT average, 16.7 ACT average

And a magnet:
Westchester Academy is 1044 SAT average, 21.1 ACT average

So Westside is below Memorial and Stratford, but above Spring Woods and Northbrook.

Also for fun, here's Katy Taylor (serves far west Memorial):
Katy Taylor is 1082 SAT average, 24 ACT average

[testmo]

I know our education system is dumpy but a 1160 average SAT score is pretty low. I know it is an average but that is surprising

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by testmo

I know our education system is dumpy but a 1160 average SAT score is pretty low. I know it is an average but that is surprising

Among public schools that's the high end.

AFAIK the lowest of a zoned public high school is Jones High School (SAT average of 752)

Remember that the ones on HAR are out of 1600, not 2400

[testmo]

i figured they were out of 1600 but an 1160 still sounds low. Granted it's been awhile since I took the SAT. Out of a school like what people describe Memorial as being I thought it would be higher

a 752 is just sad