by Osman Parvez
—-

Neighborhood desirability (and thus appreciation) is closely linked to school performance. We routinely bring this topic up with buyers, whether they have children or not. It’s just one of the ways we help our clients make a smarter real estate decision. 


We recently learned that a database is now available to look up immunization rates for individual schools in the 20 largest districts in the state, including BVSD. We put together a chart showing local schools with the highest immunization exemption rate.  


Take a look. 

If you have concerns over unvaccinated children, you may want to avoid the mountain towns. More than 80% of the students attending Gold Hill Elementary, 50% of Jamestown Elementary, and 31% of children are exempt from vaccination. Exemptions are granted for medical, religious, and personal belief with the last category making up the majority.


These are astounding numbers. For parents with immuno-suppressed children or infants who haven’t yet been fully vaccinated, it’s potentially life threatening information. 


“High exemption rates—around 10 percent or higher–can have serious implications when there are outbreaks of contagious diseases like measles and whooping cough. That’s because herd immunity usually requires immunization rates of 90-95 percent. If too many students in a school have opted out of shots, the spread of disease is more likely. The same may be true when compliance rates drop below 90 percent, even if exemption rates are low.” 


Source: Colorado, find your school’s immunization compliance and exemption rates

—-