School district question

We are on the hunt again for a larger house and we saw some amazing new homes built in Baiting Hollow, however, they fall into Riverhead SD which I've heard doesn't have the best reputation. On the same note, several people are telling my DH that the district may improve over the next few years due to the types of homes being built. However, I have not seen a major change in any district on LI and I've lived here most of my life... the great one's are still great and the one's my parent's wouldn't have sent me to are still in that catagory. However, it is hard to believe that a district could be "bad" with the homes that are being built - they were beautiful. I'm not really willing to compromise school dist though so if people know exactly why the Middle and High school seem to have this sub-par rep - I'd like to know details... FM is fine too. I really don't know much about the area other than what I am hearing from others, but I get no details.

While I would love a Commack or a Smithtown district, our price range is under $500k and a house that isn't falling apart or grossly outdated in those areas is nearly impossible to come by for that price. The Realtor suggested Eastport Manor schools, but DH is concerned about Manorville as a town - not sure why, but if people have thoughts I'd love the insight. We were also told Miller Place, Rocky Pt and Mt Sinai are all good... as well as Pt. Jeff schools. I prefer to be closer to the highway if we go out there since there's only 347, 25 and 25A which my experience when I went to Stony Brook was that at certain times of the day those roads are awful. Schools come first though.

I put this under parenting rather than Home b/c SD is important to us. Also, very important... we are not willing to send our kids to parochial school, that has been another option that has been tossed to us by others (realtors) but we want the public system, but a good district. Parochial won't work for us. ETA: I guess I meant by Parochial school - no Catholic or otherwise religious affiliated private schools. Sorry if I was incorrect in my description.

TIA!!!

Message edited 4/24/2009 3:52:32 PM.

Re: School district question

I went to Miller Place, but I am totally confused by your question--do you think that means anything?

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I'm not sure the exact reasons Riverhead has a bad rep, but I have always heard that too. I'm not sure how a district ever really changes it's repuatation though even if it does improve, KWIM?? The only thing I have heard about Manorville is that the taxes are VERY high compared to surrounding areas. Would you consider private schools? I know there are a few Catholic school around Riverhead that are pretty good.

ETA- NM, I just saw you don't want parochial.

Message edited 4/24/2009 3:46:57 PM.

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large homes doesn't = good school district.... and what's considered a good district is somewhat an opinion.... I mean, you can look up statistics, but that doesn't give you a good idea of what a school is like, or how the students feel.... KWIM?

that being said, harborfields has a wonderful reputation, as does bethpage's school district.....

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Not sure what you are looking at but there are plenty of homes that are in decent shape in Smithtown/Commack. In fact my mom's best friend just bought new spot construction in Nesconset for $475 (4 bedrooms, 3.5 bath, full basement, etc).

I would leave realtors out of the equation and look on mlsli.com. There is a TON of stuff under 500K in your desired areas. You don't have to settle to be all the way out east.

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My DH is on mlsli almost nightly trying to find homes not in need of major renovating for the price and taxes also under $10k or just about. We are hoping coming into the summer months that more homes will go up for sale. The prob for us I think is that we have done SO much work on our current house... to start over just seems exhausting so the "easier" way is something newer. However, ITA with the poster who said - you can change the house but you can't change it's location. I'm not terribly opposed mind you to eastern suffolk as long as schools are nice. I currently live near Garden City and HATE the traffic. It's a zoo here and I honestly never leave my house other than for work... I never take DD anywhere b/c it's a hassle and the lack of courtesy coupled with the tremendous congestion has just amounted in many situations I'd rather avoid with her with me. I like the idea of a large property and a large home... however, I'm in agreement that SD is has to be at the top of the list. My DH on the other hand is a whole other story - he wants rural living and I'd rather live on the east end then in Bucks County PA. It's a compromise between us I suppose. He's a Queens boy and hates the pace even in Nassau. Not sure I can change him on that note.. he's also seeing his friends buy homes - new homes out east... but one has no kids with no intention of having them and the other is going to send his to Catholic School. So then there's us - LOL I don't want to fight with DH about it, but I know he wants the most house he can get for the cash. I'd personally take a house in need of updates in a good SD... but I can see why DH doesn't want to live through that again... and it is expensive and with 2 little one's soon... it's going to be tough to just rip up half a house. Only thing in our current house that is not updated is the kitchen - which is just too small to do anything with. The rest of the house is really nice and we had 2 offers last summer we had to turn down b/c we had no place to go.

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If you are willing to spend up to 500k, you could get beautiful houses in a great school district. If you want to be out east the is Shoreham-Wading River, Miller Place, Mt. Sinai, and Port Jefferson school district. Port Jefferson schools are absolutely amazing, they are one of the best districts on LI.

Also, Eastport-South Manor is great. You could find a ton of beautiful houses in your price range. I don't know why your husband would be concerned about Manorville, it has a great reputation, and its safe. Maybe because you have to drive a bit to get anywhere?

The Riverhead school district has a lot of violence in the high school. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable sending my children there. If you have only driven through Baiting Hollow so far, and you can't imagine the district being bad, drive through Riverhead. And you'll see. Big houses doesn't equal great neighborhoods.

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Sayville?
BAyport?
Islip?
All good districts too.

IMO, a school district does not change - (As a teacher)....a district is what it is - don't think Riverhead is changing.

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You can find a house in Commack/Smithtown SD for under 500K, but you are probably going to be hard-pressed to find taxes under 10K there. I went to Commack, and honestly, I don't think its all its cracked up to be.
How about Hauppauge SD? It is also in that area and the taxes are much less because of the industrial park.

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What is a good district for typically developing children can be the worst for children that need special services. Just something to keep in mind, since it's something many people don't think about.

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