How to Make a Smart Move Before the School Year Starts

Tips for families relocating before school begins, including optimizing timing, conducting neighborhood research, and checking out school ratings. 

Moving before the school year starts offers many benefits over a mid-year move. Children who can seamlessly transition into a new grade with their peers often have an easier time academically and socially. Moving during the summer, before the first day of school, also provides a family the opportunity to settle into a new home during a relatively laid-back time of year.

Kids can focus on getting used to their new rooms and living spaces without having to adjust to new teachers and classrooms at the same time. With a summer move, parents may be able to tour schools and attend open houses before sending their children off to a new setting. Kids have the chance to meet new friends and enjoy play dates, making the first day of school a little less anxiety-filled.

A move before the school year starts is practical and it might make perfect sense to you. But, even if you can get the timing to work, you might not yet know where to move. What city and community will be the best fit for your children and family? How do you know which school district to focus on, ideally honing in on one that offers an excellent education experience through high school?

Doing neighborhood research and checking out school ratings is essential when moving and changing your childrens’ schools.

The Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate team has put together some tips for families transitioning to a new home, ideally before the school year starts. Learn why switching living environments during summer could be your best move – and get advice on how to choose a new community with great schools.

 Optimizing Timing 

Kids usually do better in school when starting the academic year with their peers. They also experience less stress at home when moving during the summer, as mid-year transitions come with many challenges including changes in routines.

Consider the following when thinking about the timing for your move:

 Fresh Start Along with Other Children 

Kids who start the school year along with other children have an easier time making friends and becoming familiar with their teacher and classroom. There’s no catching up on coursework like with a mid-year move.

 Familiarization with School and Community 

A summer move may allow you to explore schools more thoroughly as some campuses offer tours and open houses before the semester starts. You may also have the opportunity to attend parent group meetings and enroll your children in extra-curricular activities that might otherwise be filled mid-year.

 Easier and No-Pressure Social Integration 

Some schools hold summer camps where children can meet kids they’ll attend class with in the new academic year. Schools also often host fun family activities during the summer – such as barbecues or welcome-back parties – which can help children integrate socially into a new grade and setting.

 Less Stress Settling Into a New Environment 

Moving can be difficult for children. Much of what they’re familiar with is changing, so transitioning to a new home before school starts offers the time needed to familiarize kids with a new environment. Your little ones – and even teens – will likely need time to feel comfortable in their new room and you’ll want to be intentional about setting up spaces to optimize their study habits when school starts. You can reduce stress in your home by considering a summer move, if possible.

 Establish Consistent Routines and Schedules 

Summer is a great time to establish sleep and study schedules for children so they can stay healthy and academically enriched. Mid-year moves, on the contrary, tend to disrupt routines and schedules, making it challenging for kids to remain rested and focused. When considering your family’s routine during a school year, consider how your commute will impact your daily schedule. Living near your kids’ school or within a short drive or walk can save time and make life easier.

 Conducting Neighborhood Research 

Start conducting neighborhood research as early as you can when considering a move. You’ll want to think about your new home’s proximity to community schools. Will you be able to walk to school? What are the school’s traffic patterns like (will school drop-off and pick-up lines – and lingering children – affect your home and your comings and goings)?

Are parents actively engaged in the schools? Does the campus you’re considering have after-class activities? What do local parents have to say about the teachers and the overall school culture?

 Checking Out School Ratings and Requirements 

Research the schools in the communities you’re thinking about moving to. You can find detailed data on many independent school rating websites like GreatSchools.org and on city and county education department sites. Reputable news publications like U.S. News and World Report also offer school ratings and rankings.

Check into the academic performance of students at the schools you’re considering. Dive into standardized test scores and graduation rates. Look at after-school offerings and parent reviews. Talk to people at the school and within the community.

Make sure you know when school registration begins and what documents you need to enroll your child. You may even have to have your children immunized to attend your new school.

Consider timing, conduct thorough research, and check out school rankings to help your family make the best the best move with the least stress.

Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate walk you through the process.

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