How to Find a Las Cruces Neighborhood with Great Schools

Finding a great school for your kids always depends on their needs and what you're looking to get out of the school. It can be daunting comparing schools, districts, and individual classes. So how are new home buyers supposed to figure out where to live, in what school district or zone, and how they know it's the right neighborhood?

Here are some simple tips to finding the best neighborhood in Las Cruces for the best schools for you, your family and your kids.

#1. Do the research.

There are plenty of websites out there with times of information right at your fingertips. Greatschools.org is a great place to start as it offers test scores, rankings, and demographic information. You can find out diversity, the percentage of students on free lunch programs or student to teacher ratio and get reviews from other parents, students, and teachers. Other sites such as schooldigger.com allow you to compare schools and read ratings and reviews.

#2. Don't base your reviews on one factor.

You want to take other needs into account such as the needs of your own child. Your kid needs more one-on-one time, may be they need a bigger classroom setting or special needs? Test scores might not be the end all for finding the best school for your needs. Examine the school from a wider perspective rather than single data points. You might want to find schools excelling in areas where more affordable housing is offered.

#3. Understand what you can afford.

It's not surprising that many of the neighborhoods with the best schools are also some of the priciest. Where demand is high prices tend to go up. It's important to talk to your real estate agent about your budget and finding the best schools for your needs and your price range.

Read More: The Price Shopper vs. the Value Shopper - Which are you?

#4. Consider alternatives.

If you like a certain neighborhood but the schools are not up to par, you can always use alternative education such as homeschooling, charter schools, private schools, or even neighborhood schools if available.

#5. Visit the school.

This is a great way to find out if you'd even like the school. Ask about pickup and drop-off times, school bus routes, meet with teachers and the principal and find out if you like the curriculum before curriculum night. Also, take a look at the entire district. Find out who else will be attending and educate yourself about any capital improvements that may be in the works to rebuild or renovate the school. Remember, public school improvements can have an impact on your property taxes so everything really does work together.

If you're looking for specifics throughout Las Cruces when it comes to schools, zoning, and housing affordability, contact me today. Let's talk about your needs when it comes to schools in the area and what's available in that neighborhood.