What do suburban schools offer?

[sharencare]

Hmm. That's very interesting data.

[claiz]

Semiurbanite, great dataset and thanks for sharing. I think you are right in your previous comment about Somerville being a tale of 2 cities, in that schools can be vastly different even within district and certainly treating school with a urban/suburb divide is too crude.

Besides the very high score for the Cambridge elementary schools in Semiurbanite data I remember Cambridge has one of the highest, if not the highest, spending per student in Metro Boston area (double of Belmont!!) and smallest class size. Quite impressive actually.

[semiurbanite]

Originally Posted by sharencare

Hmm. That's very interesting data.

Yep interesting. 2013 scores are out today, very similar trend. I'll post soon.

[kingeorge]

I think that you should think in terms of urban vs. semi-urban vs. suburban, and semi-urban being that sweet spot between two complete opposites. That is why so many little towns around Boston are so popular with young parents. You get sense of community and good schools, sidewalks and even public transportation, but also more space, fields and playgrounds within easy reach to Cambridge and Boston. I would concentrate on those areas, if I was in your shoes. Going suburban will be too different in my opinion. Suburban to me, meant living in such an environment where you might depend on the car for all or most of your needs, and that was scary prospect, seemed very alienating. Semi-urbanity was great way to reconcile kids need for more space and better schools, without mom and dad going bonkers from doing long commutes, living in our cars, and spending our weekends on tending to our huge yard/house.
Moving from adult-friendly area, and into more family-friendly areas is not just about schools and scores, but certain quality of living that you gain. And I am writing this as a "reformed" big city person who though that moving to smaller town was terrible idea, some years ago.
Good luck!!