For many, making the move to a new home is about more than the house itself. It’s an investment in an ideal future, one that will benefit the entire family. In real estate, we talk a lot about location, layout, and condition — three key considerations when evaluating a new home. If you have children, that “location” aspect also includes a key factor in your family’s future: the quality of the schools and daycare centers you live near. Follow these four steps for evaluating whether the childcare and education options in a new area align with your needs and values.
1. Define your priorities
Before diving into research, get clear on what matters most to you when it comes to child care and school districts. Factors that may come into play here might include:
the ages of your children
any future plans for having more children
the interests and goals of your kids
your family’s values
your budget for childcare
Writing a physical list of the things that matter most to your family can help guide you in your fact-finding mission toward the best educational opportunities, and thus the best area to move to.
2. Research accreditations and ratings
If you’ve got your eye on a home and are taking steps to evaluate the associated school districts and daycare options, a great starting point is to research accreditations and official ratings.
For public schools, you can search the Colorado Department of Education website or check the school’s own website for ratings, awards, and accreditations. Researching private schools can require additional steps. You may need to check the school website for accreditations, then cross reference the accrediting group’s website to make sure that the school does show up in the list of approved schools.
At the daycare level, a great place to start is to review Colorado Shines ratings. Schools with a Colorado Shines rating meet qualifications such as health and safety standards, and you can see more granular accolades by referring to the Colorado Shines levels. Childcare options with a level of 4 or 5 have met rigorous benchmarks to support health and safety, provide a supportive learning environment, demonstrate good business practices, and more. You can also view immunization rates on the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website.
Evaluating schools is not always straightforward, but beginning with the basics of accreditations and ratings can provide a quantifiable baseline for an in-depth decision.
3. Browse school offerings
Assuming your school options are comparable in terms of ratings, it’s time to return to your list of priorities and dig deeper into what life will look like for your children at a given school. Taking a look at school websites and community reviews can help give you a full view of what each school has to offer.
Especially at the high school level, school offerings can vary and can make a huge difference in your student’s experience and their future. Most school websites will provide extensive information on their offerings, including:
AP or IB programs and course lists
Foreign language courses
Partnerships with universities and trade programs
Sports offerings
Arts classes and extracurriculars
Community groups and clubs
Leadership opportunities
Returning to your priorities list from step one and comparing them to the offerings available at potential schools can help you weigh your decision about which school district to move into and determine whether a home is right for your family’s needs.
4. Arrange visits
In the process of scoping out a new neighborhood or comparing potential areas to move into, arranging visits to assigned schools or nearby daycare centers can go a long way. In person, you’ll get a more thorough idea of the school culture, the attitudes of the staff, and how the current students engage. While it may not always be possible, it’s a great step if you have the time and opportunity in the midst of your search for a new home!
A move to a new home has implications that ripple across every aspect of life, for every family member. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate the educational opportunities that will be available to your kids in a potential new neighborhood will not only impact their next few years, but their future as a whole.
Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent gives you a head start to understanding the reputation of schools and daycare centers near the homes you're interested in. At the RC Homes Group, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have, no matter your stage in the home search process. Reach out anytime at 719-337-7254 or 720-498-9592.
