Minneapolis vs. Saint Paul Public Elementary Schools (St. Paul, Ramsey: rent, homes)

[mdavis2]

Hello,

My family is considering a move to Minneapolis or Saint Paul (from South Metro). We have children who will be approaching elementary school and we were hoping to get recommendations on what neighborhoods have the best K-5 schools? My wife and I would enjoy a neighborhood that is safe, walkable and has a variety of shops and restaurants.

Thanks!

[QuietBlue]

I think people might need a bit more information before they could make a recommendation -- are you looking to buy or rent, what's your budget like, is commuting a factor, etc. Especially since the south metro has good schools already, knowing more about what is prompting the move could help people give suggestions.

[cheddar]

Highland Park. If you live near Highland Village, your kids would go to Horace Mann. Further away from the village, your kids might go to Highland Park Elementary, which is good also. That one has an elementary IB program. Both are undergoing construction projects now or in the near future.

[Thedosius]

I would second Highland Park (in St. Paul), but I have tunnel vision on the issue: my brother and sister-in-law lived in Highland Park and their kids went to Horace Mann so I'm mooching off their (insanely thorough) research. I have no kids of my own, but I know several parents who sing the praises of Nova Classical Academy (also in St. Paul). I'm sure there are other good schools in both cities but (as I'm sure you know 1000 times more than I do...) parenting is more than a full time job so getting your kids in good schools is going to take a lot of research and hard work.


I suspect but do not know that the schools in southwest Minneapolis are probably good, and those are great, family-friendly neighborhoods. I'd research schools in that area of Minneapolis to see if there is one that looks good for your kids.

[cathedralhill1]

Not everything about St. Paul school choice is complicated. If you live within the attendance area of a neighborhood school, you have a slot. If your attendance area school is a magnet, then you have preference (and I think it's rare you would be denied). My understanding is that isn't always the case in Minneapolis. If you are trying to get into a school outside your attendance area or certain magnet schools, things can get more complicated. Highland has good choices in schools, Mac Groveland as well, and don't overlook Saint Anthony Park, which has their own elementary, and is about as charming an area as you could ever hope to live in.

Saint Paul has chosen to enlarge many of these schools, presumably to get more kids into the most desirable schools, but at the same time I kind of wonder about the small school character that may be lost. My kids were are Horace Mann and in my opinion that was the biggest thing it had going for it.

[mdavis2]

I appreciate all of the advice that has been provided thus far. To add additional context to my post... my wife works in Saint Paul and I work in Minneapolis. We currently rent in the South Metro but are looking to buy a single family home (preference of at least 3 beds & 2 baths) with a budget of $325,000. Beyond moving to Minneapolis or Saint Paul to improve our commute we hope to increase our proximity to cultural activities and live in an area that is more "community-focused" than where we currently rent in the South Metro.

[gopherviking]

You may want to look in Kenny and Armatage as well. Kenny and Armatage which is Montessori elementary feeds into Anthony and SW high, Burroughs feeds into Ramsey and Washburn. All very good schools. The neighborhoods are nice, convenient locations. This is a nice home for $325 - http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...0_M86991-30198

[MidwestRedux]

Originally Posted by gopherviking

You may want to look in Kenny and Armatage as well. Kenny elementary feeds into Anthony and SW high, Armatage feeds into Ramsey and Washburn. All very good schools. The neighborhoods are nice, convenient locations. This is a nice home for $325 - 5415 Washburn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410 - realtor.com®

I believe Armataage has same neighborhood schools as Kenny - Kenny, Anthony and Southwest. Armatage Montessori is a magnet school, not neoghborhood.

I would second the recommendation of both neighborhoods. My daughter will start kindergarten at Kenny in the fall and we have been extremely impressed by the school and its leadership ao far.

[gopherviking]

You are correct, sorry - I mixed it up with Burroughs, which is Ramsey/Washburn - thanks for the correction, will edit.

[Relibean]

Originally Posted by cathedralhill1

Not everything about St. Paul school choice is complicated. If you live within the attendance area of a neighborhood school, you have a slot. If your attendance area school is a magnet, then you have preference (and I think it's rare you would be denied). My understanding is that isn't always the case in Minneapolis. If you are trying to get into a school outside your attendance area or certain magnet schools, things can get more complicated. Highland has good choices in schools, Mac Groveland as well, and don't overlook Saint Anthony Park, which has their own elementary, and is about as charming an area as you could ever hope to live in.

Saint Paul has chosen to enlarge many of these schools, presumably to get more kids into the most desirable schools, but at the same time I kind of wonder about the small school character that may be lost. My kids were are Horace Mann and in my opinion that was the biggest thing it had going for it.

Are you sure you have a spot if you live in bounds in St. Paul? We are moving to the Twin Cities, and I was told by SPPS that spots aren't guaranteed to your local school. Possibly they are if you make the February lottery cutoff?