What do moms with kids look at first when moving?

I tend to look at schools before house prices. No matter how nice a house is, if the school district isn't good, it's hard to make a decision due to concerns about my child's education.

So, for parents considering moving to Denver, one place they should definitely check out is the Denver Public Schools, or DPS.

I used to think all public schools were the same, but after hearing more, I realized that DPS is large and offers a variety of choices.

Denver Public Schools is the largest school district in Colorado, with over 90,000 students and more than 200 schools.

It includes everything from TK (transitional kindergarten) to high school, and with over 90 languages spoken at home, you can imagine the diversity.

From a Korean parent's perspective, this is both an advantage and a bit of a concern.

"Will my child fall behind because of English?"

However, DPS has a well-developed ELL program for children who are not familiar with English.

There is separate support for students learning English, and teachers have experience working with multicultural students.

Many evaluations suggest that the system for helping children who are new to the U.S. is better established than expected.

What I found most interesting was the charter schools.

While they may be a bit unfamiliar in Korea, in the U.S., they are schools that receive public funding but operate with more freedom in their educational methods. Denver has a significant number of charter schools.

In particular, schools like DSST are known for their math and science education, and they have a high college admission rate, making competition quite fierce. KIPP schools are also frequently mentioned as having high parent satisfaction.

So in Denver, it feels like there is a culture of finding the right school for our children rather than just saying, "It's our neighborhood school, so we'll go there."

Another aspect I liked was the dual language education.

In the U.S., Spanish is no longer just an option; it's almost a second language. Denver has more programs than expected that teach both English and Spanish. Some schools even offer Chinese programs.

In today's world, I think being fluent in two languages rather than just one can be a significant asset for children.

Another advantage of the Denver school district is the Open Enrollment system.

Unlike in Korea, where you must go to the school closest to your home, you can apply to other schools if there are openings. Of course, popular schools are competitive, but having many options is a significant advantage for parents.

When choosing a school, you can check the performance data provided by DPS instead of relying solely on rumors. Academic achievement and various evaluation data for each school are publicly available, which I found appealing for comparison and application.

Of course, there are downsides.

There can be significant differences between schools.

Even within Denver Public Schools, some schools have high college admission rates and good parent satisfaction, while others may not meet expectations. So thinking, "All Denver Public Schools must be good" can be a bit risky. It's essential to examine each school individually.

Additionally, popular charter schools may have lotteries or waiting lists, so it's good to prepare in advance.

For parents raising children, the most important thing is to have an environment where they can send their kids to school with peace of mind.

From the data I reviewed, I felt that Denver is a city where, with just a little interest from parents, there are many options available.

When looking for a home, considering which school district it is, what school assignment you will receive, and whether you can apply to charter schools can help create a much better environment for your child.

Ultimately, good education is not just about expensive tutoring; it's about good schools, good friends, and parental involvement working together. If you're considering Denver for your child, I hope you take the time to look at schools before just focusing on house prices.

I hope you won't have regrets later, thinking, "I should have looked into it more back then."