Moving but worried about how to find the right neighborhood with the best school? You are not alone.
During a move, children often have it the hardest when it comes to adjusting to the new setting. This is why it is so important to take into account every aspect of their life when finding the right neighborhood.
And at the top of the list are schools.
Given that your children will be spending a considerable amount of time each day there, which can directly affect their mental and physical growth and health, it is crucial that you find a great neighborhood with really good schools and a learning plan and concept that fits your child’s learning style and personality.
If you have already broken the news to your children, you may be dealing with the constant stream of “I don’t wanna move!”, or if you haven’t yet, you’re probably dreading the moment. While we can’t help you deal with the crying or grumbling—that is exclusively parental territory—we can certainly help you with what we do best: helping you find the best neighborhood for your family.
To make the process of moving easier for you and your children, here are some handy tips, right from our secret stash of experiences.
If you are moving for the first time, this checklist would be quite useful.
Discuss it with Your Agent
Consider your agent as the friend with all the inside scoop about different neighborhoods. Discuss what type of schools you are looking for. Is your child a sports enthusiast and you are looking for a school that hosts many extra-curricular activities? Or are you looking for a school that has flexible programs for new students.
No matter what your requirements, your real estate agent can help you land in the right neighborhood with schools that both you and your children will be happy with.
Most real estate agents are very well networked in the community and have moved many families. Even if they don’t know a specific answer, their network will allow them to find out for you. They can often connect you with other families with children in the same neighborhood who can answer questions about the neighborhood and schools directly.
Let Numbers Guide You
Researching education statistics will provide you with detailed performance metrics of each school. Numbers don’t lie, and if a school is higher in the ranking, then—more often than not— it is because of an admirable level of parental and community involvement.
Online resources like Great Schools will help you view the rankings of different schools in the areas that you want. It will help you make a more educated decision.
Make a list of all the schools that you like and the districts where they lie in. Again, check with your estate agent or the school district to confirm the boundary of any specific school or schools, because they are subject to change over time.
Visit Schools and Talk to Parents in the Neighborhood Before You Buy a Home
It can be a daunting experience to move to a new neighborhood with children. Are there lots of children in the neighborhood? What will their new school be like? Will your children adjust easily to the different environment? Will they make friends easily?
If these worries surround you, then you should visit the schools in the neighborhood and meet with the office staff and Principal. You can ask if the school offers any special programs for students who join mid-semester. Moreover, meeting your child’s potential teachers will give you the peace of mind that you are making the right choice. Sometimes just walking through the halls and seeing how the children interact is enough to know if you have made the right choice.
While you are on the school premises, you can talk to the parents who may be around about their experience with the school’s system. It will give you the confidence that the school is just right for your child.
If you want an expert’s advice about schools in the neighborhood that you want to move in, give us a call! We would love to answer your queries or find someone who can!
About the Judi Wright Team
Judi Wright/The Judi Wright Team is a real estate group specializing in the suburbs of Frisco, Plano, and surrounding areas. Named the “Best Realtor in Dallas,” by D Magazine ten times and a Five Star Realtor with Texas Monthly, Judi is also a Company-Wide Top performer with Ebby Halliday and the #1 Top Small Group for Ebby Halliday Frisco.
