I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this over the past several years of working in real estate. In Lake County, it’s a major concern for homebuyers and people considering moving here. Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer. The Lake County School District is in transition. The schools are not perfect, far from it, but there is a lot of good going on as well. For those interested in the topic, I would suggest beginning your investigation with the web site www.coloradoschoolgrades.com. You will see that Lake County schools have some of the worst grades in Colorado. Not so good. BUT, a good realtor will know more about the comunity and will dig deeper to find information. There are a lot of good things happening. A bond issue was recently passed which made Lake County High School eligible for a large state grant. The funds are being used to build a brand new high school, which will provide modern systems for classroom education. Community involvement in youth issues is on the rise as well. Full Circle began in 1991, and is now recognized as a leader in innovative youth and family programming in Colorado. See more about this program here: www.fullcircleleadville.org. Since Leadville is a bedroom community, and many parents work out of County with longer comutes, after school programs and activities that organizations like these provide are important. Another great program that has started in Leadville is Rachel’s Challenge. It is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments where learning and teaching are maximized. Rachel Scott was the first victim of the Columbine tragedy in 1999. It is an inspiring program and story. See more information here: www.rachelschallenge.org. Causing the most buzz, in December of 2013, the Lake County School District voted to adopt Expeditionary Learning in kindergarten through 6th grades. Expeditionary learning is an educational model that focuses on transforming schools by focusing on teacher and student engagement. The bottom line: get involved and get informed, as a real estate agent in the community or as an interested parent. Volunteer in the schools, get to know the teachers and administrators, help with fundraising and school auctions, go to meetings. There is no simple answer to the question, but a well informed realtor will be able to give you added insight into what is really going on in the local school system!