Stonebridge and Spring Hill schools unbeatable combination for families

Rodrock Development’s Stonebridge has long stood as a haven to families of all shapes and sizes. With four neighborhoods — Stonebridge Trails, Stonebridge Meadows, Stonebridge Village and Stonebridge Park — the development offers a wide array of home styles and pricing, numerous amenities and the added benefit of being within the award-winning Spring Hill School District.

As a former teacher and father himself, Darol Rodrock personally understands what families need to thrive. So he sets about to provide just that: neighborhoods with all the extras families appreciate in strong school districts that ensure continued success for both residents and the community as a whole.

In Stonebridge, he outdid himself. Aside from grand entry monuments, lush landscaping and wrought-iron perimeter fencing, a trail system offers residents an easy way to make use of the extended neighborhood’s impressive four pools, various playgrounds and two richly appointed clubhouses complete with workout facilities.

In fact, Stonebridge boasts a junior Olympic-size pool and water slide; zero-entry pools and changing cabanas; pergola-covered grills; picnic areas; hard-surface sport court for basketball, tennis and volleyball; and several well-equipped children’s playgrounds.

Also accessible from these neighborhood trails is the award-winning Prairie Creek Elementary School. Rodrock’s strong partnership with the school district helped ensure a new middle school will be built in the future adjacent to the elementary school.

It’s this focus on family that brings buyers to Stonebridge and the strong community keeps them there. Part of that success is due to Spring Hill School District’s charming vision: To maintain small-town values and achieve world-class results.

With more than 3,500 students in six schools, Spring Hill is small enough to provide ample opportunities to students who may get lost in larger districts, all while providing an unparalleled educational base. In fact, the Spring Hill District schools earned numerous academic awards, exceeding all state and national benchmarks.

The school district was of paramount importance to Stonebridge Trails homeowner and area pediatrician, Amy Voelker. Both of her daughters attend Prairie Creek Elementary School, where their grandmother, retired Olathe School District teacher, Carol Voelker, volunteers.

“The district’s academic programs are on pace with larger districts,” Carol said, “and it’s clear that the district is committed to ensuring that every child receives the education he or she needs. Prairie Creek has received the Governor’s Award for Excellence three times. I don’t think you can do any better than that.”

Matt and Betsy Bunker, who have three children at Prairie Creek Elementary, couldn’t agree more. “After considering many areas of Johnson County, we specifically chose to move within the Spring Hill School District because of the commitment to excellent education. We did our research regarding test scores and class sizes, and the Spring Hill schools were definitely the best choice for our family.

“We also wanted our three children to grow up attending a true neighborhood school, where the families know each other and are involved in school activities,” Betsy continued. “We are very happy with Prairie Creek Elementary, and we’re thrilled that our school recently received the Governor’s Achievement Award.”

It’s a sentiment Becky Seidler, who moved to Stonebridge Park in August of 2013, shares. “Initially, we were drawn to this general area because it allowed us to reside in Olathe, yet still be a part of the Spring Hill School District. Staying within the Spring Hill School District was very important to our family. The neighborhoods along 167th Street are all Rodrock properties and that appealed to our family, since we’ve heard so many great things about living in a Rodrock community. The choice to reside in Stonebridge Park came down to the design of home, the particular builder (KC Builders & Design Inc. in our case), as well as the proposed and existing amenities in this neighborhood.”

But it’s not just the residents who understand what an ideal combination Stonebridge and the Spring Hill School District provide.

Seidler’s builder, Kelley Babb of KC Builders & Design Inc., added, “Being a part of the Stonebridge neighborhood provides builders and residents alike the benefits of the small-town atmosphere with a quality school district such as Spring Hill. It’s a family-friendly neighborhood that provides a range of plans — from beginning your family to retirement — all without leaving your lifelong neighbors. We’re grateful to be included in the Stonebridge community.”

Such incredible support from businesses and residents alike makes a world of difference to the community as a whole and the schools in particular.

“Community support for education is critical to the success of the schools and students,” said Dr. Bart Goering, Spring Hill School District superintendent. “In the Spring Hill Schools, we have strong community and family partnerships in place that allow our teachers and administrators to focus on the academic and personal growth of our students. This is a wonderful place to raise children and call home.”

For more information, visit Rodrock.com or USD230.org.

This story was originally published October 31, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Stonebridge and Spring Hill schools unbeatable combination for families."