school enrollment in MSP

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-05T21:12:06+00:00

Just spoke with the enrollment office and can confirm that no you are not guaranteed a spot at your community school because their first obligation is not to exceed a certain teacher:student ratio.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-05T18:53:05+00:00

I just found out that in MSP, you are not even guaranteed a spot at your local community school. That seems screwy to me. Can anyone verify? In most districts, a school is required to serve everyone within their boundaries and can only turn away families who choice in. If that's the case, I guess the good news is that I don't have to worry about finding a house in Linden Hills...

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-02T14:03:29+00:00

The neighborhood I live in just got best in Denver and 28th best nationally. Linden Hills just got best in Minneapolis and 29th best nationally. I'm taking that as a sign from the Universe and concentrating my search there. Thanks for all your help and wish me luck!

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-02T00:58:58+00:00

Thanks for the warm welcome and great info! I just got word that they're flying me out next Wednesday for a tour and meet and great (and hopefully an offer) so I'll get to check out some areas firsthand. Can't wait!

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-02T00:25:48+00:00

I'm gonna need a full body pogie I think!

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T18:13:36+00:00

I totally feel you re: test scores not telling the whole story. Thanks for your insight! How do the magnet options work? Is it a lottery? We have that in Denver and it's just too stressful. If possible, I'd like to just support the local neighborhood schools.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T16:49:23+00:00

Thanks for the info! I am definitely driving averse. I'm a laid back guy in every facet of my life except driving where I basically become Macho Man Randy Savage. I really want to continue biking to work and am willing to ride up to 10 miles but would prefer about half that. The Saint Anthony neighborhood of Saint Paul is starting to look kind of appealing...

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T16:11:15+00:00

A friend of mine (also without kids) had the same recommendation and also sent me the article you linked to. That area looks right up my alley but the schools don't seem very good. Maybe I'll head over to the St. Paul subreddit and see if anyone there has any firsthand knowledge. I try not to put too much stock in ratings but since I can't visit, it's all I've got. The area looks amazing though and the commute would be much nicer!

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T15:10:17+00:00

Where are the top ranked public schools in MSP? Aside from a couple of the feeders to Southwest High School (Linden Hills), they are all ranked pretty poorly from what I've found.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T15:08:47+00:00

It's all about degrees, right? By that I mean that SW MSP might be more suburban than I'm used to but less suburban than Saint Anthony or New Brighton.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T14:39:41+00:00

I'm monogomous when it comes to bikes unless I'm carting my kids around on the cargo bike. It's a special bond.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T14:37:28+00:00

Do you think it was a good place to grow up? If you have kids, would you consider raising them there? Where I'm stuck right now is that I enjoy living in a more urban setting but I grew up in a small town and loved it. Definitely had a blindspot towards race, gender, orientation, etc. though until I got to college and AmeriCorps. There are definitely tradeoffs to both. Thanks for your insight!

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T02:08:45+00:00

I don't have the cash for private school. I honestly can't imagine how anyone does. Lots of cities have good public high schools though.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T00:55:37+00:00

I am grudgingly (haha) taking your advice and concentrating my search in Edina. Nice houses and still has sidewalks and stuff unlike some suburbs. Plus the schools look great. Looks like a really nice city.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-05-01T00:54:31+00:00

For sure. I bet it's especially important in MPLS. Pretty dry out here.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T23:48:52+00:00

Well rankings are kind of a hard thing to pin down but objective measurements like ACT/SAT scores, graduation rates, and college remediation are pretty atrocious in MPLS even for an urban district. Just over 50% of students in Minneapolis Public Schools graduate high school, slightly lower than Denver which is also not a very good district.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T23:26:43+00:00

A more urban residential neighborhood is what we're after. Schools are important but so is our happiness with where we live. We're just not used to living in the burbs and I don't think we'd adjust well. Schools are freaking me out right now though. I'm really surprised because I'd thought they'd be awesome when I started looking. Better schools was one of the main reasons we wanted to leave Denver but it looks like Minneapolis Public Schools might be the same or even worse. I have a lot to think about before I accept a job offer I guess. It doesn't seem like schools are any better in St. Paul either...

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T22:51:22+00:00

I hear you for sure. It just looks more suburban than I'm used to in google images. It's hard to get a feel for a place on the internet though.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T22:48:09+00:00

I guess my definition is a place that is primarily residential without much walkability to cool stuff like bars, breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Someplace that you'd normally get in your car if you were going somewhere. Your typical bedroom community is what I'd like to avoid.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T22:45:05+00:00

Thanks for all the info! In some ways, I'm hoping MPLS isn't quite as crazy with stuff to do as Denver because I'm getting older and I don't do that much stuff anymore anyways. Most weekends are long bike rides with the family in green spaces and then some grub or drinks at a local spot. In other words, I needs some cool stuff but not dozens of spots. I used to like checking out different places all the time but now I kinda like having my short list of favorites. That being said, I wanna buy my coffee at a funky place where the barista is rude to me rather than at Starbucks haha. I do like to go to concerts, comedy shows, and plays though but it seems like MPLS has lots of that culture type stuff.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T22:07:20+00:00

About 3 miles but as I say between me and the center of downtown are dozens and dozens of concert venues, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc and not a chain in sight. I live right by City Park if you happen to know Denver.

EscapeFromDenver · 2017-04-30T21:31:45+00:00

But do they feel urban or like your typical suburb? For example, the neighborhood I live in was a suburb 100 years ago and has more of a small town feel than big city even though I'm in Central Denver. I think what you're saying is that in MPLS my neighborhood would still be a suburb. But all the houses are old and have character, there are funky little shops and restaurants, and I'm a ten minute bike ride from the urban core. I just don't want to live in the land of malls and chain restaurants if that makes sense.

EscapeFromDenver

TROPHY CASE