Special Education Programs in Hendersonville, Mt.Juliet, Gallatin, etc (Murfreesboro: real estate, to rent)

[beartec]

We might be moving to the Nashville area for a job in Lebanon. We are trying to figure out what city would be best for us to move to. One of our children is developmentally delayed in speech and motor skills. He has to have PT, OT, and speech therapy.

We are trying to figure out what would be the top 2 cities to live in. The top 3 things on our list are special education program, 40 min max commute to Lebanon, real estate prices ($250,000 max). We have been looking at Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet and Gallatin. Any suggestions? Any other cities to consider like Murfreesboro? Thanks!

[DonCorleone]

As far as commute goes, Mt. Juliet would be best with Gallatin a distant 2nd. Hendersonville would be 3rd (though it depends on what part of Hendersonville...the area near Station Camp is right along the Hendersonville/Gallatin border and would be a good choice). I know a few people who commute from Gallatin and Station Camp/Hendersonville to Lebanon and it's not a bad commute as long as Highway 109 doesn't have any tie-ups. They'll also be expanding Hwy 109 in the coming years (who knows when) and that could be a bit of a mess.

I have a child in speech therapy with Sumner County preschool program now and we are very satisified with her progress and care she's received. The Sumner County Board of Education offers preschool to children as determined by an IEP: Preschool

This might be worth investigating. I'm sure Wilson County (Mt Juliet) offers something similar as well.

Hope that helps!

[beartec]

Thanks for the information. We might be traveling to Nashville next week to take a look around. We are leaning towards Henderson, preferably the Station Camp area, if we can find something to rent in our price range. Are the schools in Gallatin good (not necessarily referring to special education)?

[septimus]

Do you have an IEP in place already? If whatever district you end up in will have to accept it until they can do their own testing which can take a while.

[beartec]

Yes. He actually had his IEP meeting today.

[DonCorleone]

Originally Posted by beartec

Are the schools in Gallatin good (not necessarily referring to special education)?

I think the elementary schools are fine in Gallatin but as you move up the reputations fall off some. If you're looking at the Station Camp area (which includes both Hendersonville and Gallatin mailing addresses) you're likely to be zoned for SC Elementary, Middle, and High Schools all in the cluster together. Closer into Hendersonville but still in the SC area is Jack Anderson Elementary which is very highly regarded. Closer towards Gallatin is Howard Elementary (I am pretty sure) and I have friends with kids there who speak highly of it. There is also Union Elementary in Gallatin which is a pilot STEM elementary school and has a fantastic reputation. There's an acceptance process though it's not like a magnet school...there is some level of screening.

I'd definitely touch base with the school board and try to give them an idea of the current IEP you have so they can maybe steer you towards a specific school that is a good fit.

[beartec]

Thanks for the information. We will be visiting the area this week to look around the area. Since this visit is last minute, we won't have a chance to sit down to talk with someone at the schools. For now, we will probably have to call and possibly do a face to face meeting the next time we are there.

[DonCorleone]

Good luck with the visit! Should have some great weather.