What Do You Need To Know About Kansas City School Districts Before You Buy a Home?
Buying a house is all about three things… Location, location, location. If you’re a parent or planning to be one in the coming years, this is all the more important when it comes to selecting a school district.
And even if you don’t have children, school districts can affect the value, or resale value, of your home. Here are five of the most common questions we find ourselves answering about school districts.
How do I know if a school district is good?
Ultimately, friends and family in the neighborhood will be able to tell you what they love or don’t love, about local schools, but if you’re looking for hard data, consider looking up the zip code of your potential home on School Digger. When looking at local districts, both Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission are five-star school districts, with Blue Valley being ranked #1 out of all 261 Kansas school districts.
What are the boundaries of the school district and will they change?
School district boundaries are set in stone, so it’s not uncommon to have homes on the opposite side of the street fall into different school districts. You can look up school district boundaries at Great Schools.org. If you’re looking for a home in a particular school district, be sure to contact us and we’ll help you find the perfect home in the right location.
Are there any specialized programs for the children with special needs?
Parents who have children with special needs may be dependent on their school district for additional educational services. If you’re moving from one district to another, it’s important to check which services will be available in your new district, or if you can get an out-of-district exemption for continued services. We strongly encourage you to contact the school district to find out exactly which services are available.
What types of school can be found in my school district?
School districts oversee and manage the public schools that serve a particular community. There may be private schools in the same school district and these schools may choose to mirror the school calendar or decisions when it comes to snow days. It’s also possible that charter schools exist in your district. These are schools what are publically funded and privately run.
Can children from other neighborhoods attend schools in my district?
In general terms, school districts usually have two types of school:
- Neighborhood schools
- Schools of choice
Neighborhoods schools exclusively serve children who live within the school district’s boundaries, whereas schools of choice may allow children from other communities to attend.
Ultimately, school districts should be something you consider when buying your home, but for many home buyers, they need not be the deciding factor. Even if you don’t have children, a good school district will have a positive impact on your home’s value.
