I have also heard good things about Lakeland too! If you are going to take the plunge, I highly recommend the rent to own aspect.

 

Or you could live in the city and go to Grahamwood optional, then White Station optional and get a better education than most of the private schools in the area (St Mary's, and St Don/Agnes excluded).

 

Problem is they are OPTIONAL meaning no guarantee you get in or stay in.

 

Does anyone educate their kids through the Germantown or Collierville public system?

 

I am doing this and we are quite happy with it. Of course as soon as I can talk wife into moving out of memphis I am out of here.

 

My wife, and two daughters live in G'town, just off Forrest Hill-Irene Road, by ECS Elementary School (a private Christian School). We're in the Duntreath neighborhood--very affordable. Houses run from $285k to a several that are in the multiple millions range. Germantown Elementary School, Houston Middle, and Houston High School(s) serve this area. I have not heard one complaint from any of my buds whose children attend these schools. They have very good advance placement programs. My wife has been home-schooling our girls (2nd & 6th grade, currently), but NOT because of any deficiency in the schools. WHEN the time comes to put them into a structured school environment, we very possibly may put them into the public system where we reside. We take a look at it each year during the summer, give each girl a 'how-goes-it' review/evaluation, and to date, have continued the H/S curriculum. The three schools I mentioned are very well regarded by nearly every parent I've ever spoken to. You'd be hard pressed to find a better (public) school in the state of TN. Hope this helps.
Chuck

 

Thanks for the info! I am ok with the school quality at this point, and we have looked into the AP programs and such. It's the unknowns now with the 2013 merger deadline that gives me pause.

I heard that G-town and Collierville were considering their own school district but haven't seen or heard anything more on it lately. I know if I currently lived in the area and had school age kids I would be looking for some protection from Memphis school district reps siphoning off resources, teachers, and money to fix their broken schools as soon as they can. If they start rolling busses in and out of the G-town/Colley schools into the city it will be ungood. I've seen this in other states and never with good results. It confuses kids and causes them to sit on busses instead of spending the time doing sports or homework.

I'm going to continue to watch the events. Thanks to everyone for their input. I realize private schools are an option but would like to see public schools continue to be a viable primary choice instead of a waste of property taxes.

I have seen some nice properties in the Lakeland and Arlington area but I haven't heard much about the public schools there. Some say Great! and some say ehhh..

 

Exactly where I am. Belmor Lakes subdivision.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

Okay, first of all. Let me make a few points.

1) Fayette County schools are worse than Memphis City Schools. Private is definitely the way to go.

2) Surrounding counties, Mississippi included, will probably end up having to raise taxes soon to support the influx of Memphis movers. As population increases, services that are mandated by state statutes (fire, police, schools) will start to kick in and they must be paid for. I am sure the taxes will still be lower than Shelby County but keep that in mind.

3) I suspect if the schools do combine, Germantown and Collierville will apply for Special School Districts and create their own school system. They have already indicated they will do so. At least Collierville has. That is a pretty heavy tax increase in itself.

4) Hernando is a good choice. But in 5-10 years it will be another crowded suburb so buy some land. Haha.

5) Commuting sucks...done it a lot and will never do it again. Works for a lot of folks, but not for me.