Denver area moms

[yborodow]

Hi,

We might be relocating to Denver in a few weeks and my DD will have to start kindergarten. Any recommendations on top private or public schools? We'll get to pick a place to live and I would like to pick based on the school location.

Thanks!

[ijack]

do you have any preference in location? city of denver or suburbs? it's a pretty big area.

[yborodow]

No real preference at the moment (we haven't been to Denver and don't know anyone there to ask). Any areas you would suggest? We need a pretty big house (5 bedrooms or more), so I looked at Cherry Hills or Cherry Creek areas.
I am trying to make a list of top 5 or so schools and then see who can admit on such short notice.
Thanks!

[ijack]

Well most places will only admit based on your address (that's not true, you can try and choice in, but there is no way you can choice in at this date). Bromwell is one of the top schools in the metro area, but you have to live in a certain area to get in (most real estate agencies should know this) it's in congress park. Steck is another good one. Most of the schools in the Cherry Hills area are really good - a close friend has been the principal at belleview and Cherry Hills Village.
Private schools depend on what you want to pay. Graland is supposed to be awesome, but it'd ridiculously expensive. I know a lot of people like Stanley too.
Here is some more info www.greatschools.org/colorado/denver/

[Deleted]

Do you have a budget (housing or private school) &/or work location? Those would help narrow down areas & schools. 5 bedrooms is hard to get & very expensive in good public schools districts in Denver proper...but pretty easy in some burbs. It really depends what lifestyle you want & your budget. Private totally depends on what you want...Montessori, International, secular, parochial, Waldorf, etc. There are lots of options in public (charter) & public both. Cost ranges are huge as well...good private will likely be super pricey or full (you could waitlist). I have a 5bd house in central Denver & my kids go to a private school...almost everyone in my neighborhood does private school or choices into another public.

[definitelyO]

ijack and carolbrady are great resources for the city of Denver. We live in a western suburb and DS goes to Jefferson County schools. they are just so hit or miss. we love our neighborhood public school and are keeping DS there for 1st grade.

my friends were fighting hard to get into Slaven - I think that's in the observatory park area - but then went to buy a house in Arapahoe Lakes neighborhood - just south of CC Resevoir. not anywhere we like to live - but they did a ton of research (her DD will be in 1st grade as well).

[yborodow]

Thanks everyone! I knew I came to the right place!
Unfortunately we just found out that we won't know if we are moving for at least another 2 weeks, so I am trying to be as prepared as I can in case things work out in the end. My husband might end up in a pretty high position at one of the companies there, and according to them getting my DD into any school of our choice won't be a problem (I take it with a grain of salt of course, that's why I won't to have a few potential schools on the list). Potential office areas are Westminster or Highlands Ranch. From my research it looked like Cherry Creek, Cherry Hills or Washington Park are some of the nice areas. I know the rent will be high there, but we are willing to pay.
I am not interested in Waldorf school, and the only parochial one would be the jewish one, as we are jewish. It looked like Challenge school was a good one among public schools, but I don't know if we stand a chance of getting in this late. We are willing to spend money on school, especially since our DD will have a lot of adjustments to go through. So far I looked at Graland, Montclair International, Denver Jewish Day School. Any thoughts?
Thank you for all the help!

[ijack]

I think at this point it's really up to you because they are all very different schools and it depends on what you're looking for.
Good luck!

[DazeyDee]

I don't have a ton of advice on schools as we are still a few years away from those decisions, but I live near Westminster, and just wanted to point out that the commute from Wash Park/Cherry Hills Village/Cherry Creek would be horrific. It typically took me 45 minutes just to get downtown at rush hour, and if I had to go to Cherry Creek for an appointment I planned on more like an hour and a half. Just something to keep in mind (if it matters).

If you decide to look on the north end of town, Hulstrom Options is a wonderful school (and one we are seriously considering). Not sure on timing, though, to be able to get in now if you don't live in the neighborhood. You might try posting on the local board - conasties.proboards.com/index.cgi - there's a pretty good cross-section of moms from all over town, and you'd likely get some good information.