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Help! Relocating to DM
Hey, ladies, if you have a second I could really use some help!
My husband and I are thinking of moving back to DM - we both grew up there, but have been gone 10 years. We have a 10 month old son. I'd like some input on school districts - elementary schools up to high schools.
Background: we both attended a small, private school in the DM area. We've decided that's not the route we want to go for our son, but are clueless as to the CURRENT state of various metro/suburb schools (we have opinions on various schools, but those are not based on any recent experience). We LOVE older neighborhoods, especially Beaverdale, but aren't wild about Hoover. Ladies who live in Beaverdale - what's the neighborhood like NOW? It seems like a lot of young families are moving there, so the high school might be a lot different in 15 years.
We do not want to be on the South or East sides (not close to family or the prospective jobs we've found). Ankeny is too far out.
Right now our front-runners are Johnston, Urbandale, and Dallas Center Grimes (DH isn't pro DCG). We also love "old" West Des Moines, but I'm concerned that Valley is SO huge a kid will feel lost in the crowd (our graduating class had less than 40 kids). What is the likelihood Valley will split in the next 15 years?
Our favorite metro school is Roosevelt. We've *heard* good things, but when you look up test scores it seems to noticeably lag behind the burbs.
Things that are important to us are decent racial diversity and a good balance between academics/arts/sports (all types of kids have opportunity).
Where do you live? Why did you pick your current location? Do your kids attend school - which one and what do you like/dislike about it?
This is the longest post ever - thanks for making it this far 
Re: Help! Relocating to DM
DH, DS and I live in Grimes. I love it! It has as small town feel, but is very close to DSM and WDSM for activities. The schools are great and I've heard nothing but great things about their programs. DS is only 2, so we haven't experienced much/any of that so far. DCH school district is small enought where kids can be involved in everything and I like that.
I work very close to Beaverdale and DS goes to daycare there - it's a very nice, cute neighborhood. I don't know much about the schools, but the neighborhood is nice.
Really I think DSM and all the surrounding areas have good schools. Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Altoona...all nice communities with good school districts.
Good Luck with your move!
I am not going to be too much help, but thought I would share our experience. We bought a house last November after moving back to DM 3 years ago. Like you, we had almost the EXACT wish list but ended up in Ankeny where we could get more house for the $, a house that was not cookie-cutter, and the schools/public areas are fantastic!! Diversity was also a BIG deal for our family as we are a bi-racial family and I wanted my children to be around all kinds of people. From what I have seen here by the time that DD gets to school, there are going to be a lot of other children like her in the area as well. We have been SO pleased that everything works out for us and are pretty sure that we'll stay in Ankeny forever.
We have family in WDM and seriously, Ankeny is not that far away. I don't know why everyone thinks that Ankeny is so far away from everything, but that's me. When we lived in Ohio, I worked 30 miles from our house, so it's all relative.
There are a lot of ladies on this board that do live in Beaverdale and from what I can tell, they all LOVE it. So they would be more help!!
P.S. Go RoughRiders! (My DH coaches FB there)
Really Ankeny isn't that bad of a drive. 2nd Ave is a decent drive. I know when I go to my friend's house up there, it takes maybe 15/20min, but I live near the airport, so it takes me 15/20min to get everywhere.
I live in Johnston and pretty much love it. We're in a new development but there are also neighborhoods that have been here for ages. We picked this area because we love the wooded lots, good schools, and general easy access to the dining, shopping, and activities that we like to engage in.
Johnston schools are packed right now, so by the time our kids get to high school, they're going to have to have expanded. I'm happy with Johnston schools (for the most part) as well as the location. Property taxes are higher here than in Urbandale or DCG though.
I think in the North and West 'Burbs you're going to have a difficult time finding a ton of diversity but that can be said for DSM in general, ya know? Beaverdale might be more diverse than the other choices if I had to pick one. I'm certainly no expert though. I happen to think Beaverdale is adorable and a favorable neighborhood for the most part. They also have a great little splash pad there. (Ashby Park.)
Anyway, I don't know if that was helpful or not but best of luck in your decision!