Best school system? (Worcester, New Bedford, Shrewsbury: rent, crime rate, house)

[beatrix47]

We are looking to move back to Mass. from Ga. (love the Ga. vs Ma. forum, so true) and need help finding a good school system for our kids. Any info. would be appreciated. We are looking in worcester county. Thanks again.

[smarty]

All 300+ public school districts are free on MA department of education.

Harvard, Shrewsbury, Nashoba Regional, Holden, Mendon/Upton, Southborough, Westboro are all good. Just pick the high income and high parent education level towns. That usually translate to better scores and hence better schools (because they have better scores).

[beatrix47]

Besides the good test scores I would also like to look deeper, such as a district that has good facilities, technology, sport programs, and extracurriculars. I want it all my kids, 2nd grade and 6th I also would like to try and find a district/town that is welcoming of newcomers, growing up in a small NE town myself, I know that most kids have gone to school with the same kids and had the same friends since kindergarten also very rarely are there new kids moving in, so as a result sometime kids may not be as friendly to new students. Really just want to find an upbeat, positive place for my kids to go to school.
Thanks again for any help

[smarty]

Originally Posted by beatrix47

Besides the good test scores I would also like to look deeper, such as a district that has good facilities, technology, sport programs, and extracurriculars. I want it all my kids, 2nd grade and 6th I also would like to try and find a district/town that is welcoming of newcomers, growing up in a small NE town myself, I know that most kids have gone to school with the same kids and had the same friends since kindergarten also very rarely are there new kids moving in, so as a result sometime kids may not be as friendly to new students. Really just want to find an upbeat, positive place for my kids to go to school.
Thanks again for any help

I think you should narrow down to a few towns and then request/research that information. Most towns have their HS rebuild already. Some may still need to redo their elementary schools. Just remember you'll be paying the taxes for it. Hope the town will have the foresight to budget enough money to fill with teachers after the building is renovated or expanded.

Technology I think is a stupid thing. Most use students per computer metric but never ask what they do with the computer. It is like how many blackboards do you have in a class room.

Sport program. Usually only apply to HS not middle or elementary schools. The bigger the high school, the more sport you will have. It also mean harder to participate. Most town now charges $100-200 per sport.

extracurriculars. For middle and elementary school, minimal. High school depends on your kid.

Everyone welcomes generous neighbors regardless of the town you live in. Just donate a lot. Invite your kids friends over for after school play date and even stay for dinner. Have a pool in your backyard. Volunteer to drive everyone else kids to all the events. Volunteer to baby sit. You make friends immediately. Bring 10 kids to see the Red Sox baseball game for his birthday(box seats prefer). Oh. Don't forget to give extra snacks to your kid so your kid can make friends in school too.

[jmfikucki]

i live in worc county and iS NOT A place to raise children we are leaving because the city has got so run down and expensive trust me i have 2 girls and this is not where i want them to grow up. i myself born and raised here so i have seen the changes also fundings for schools arent like it use to be they have cut tremensiously and the kids classes are overcrowded. the crime rate is over the top just look at the statics. to make a move that big OF A MOVE look into not only the schools but all of worcester, it really is a s****hole to live in.

[beatrix47]

Thanks for the reply not looking to move to Worcester, just the county. Maybe south Worcester county area. Can't sell my house here in Ga. so everything is on hold.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by beatrix47

Thanks for the reply not looking to move to Worcester, just the county. Maybe south Worcester county area. Can't sell my house here in Ga. so everything is on hold.

Have you looked in Upton?

[beatrix47]

Do you live in Upton, or know much about the town?

[laamin]

Fair Haven has great schools, small classes and is friendly to outsiders. I moved to beautiful Wesport and live in a fantastic location near the beach but my kids are the smartest in the school, just now breaking in after 2 years (alot of kids related to each other) and the miniscule tax rates here make for poor schools. They are going private for High School so that they are not stymied for life. This area is very historic and beautiful but rent first to see if the community accepts you

[smarty]

Originally Posted by laamin

Fair Haven has great schools, small classes and is friendly to outsiders. I moved to beautiful Wesport and live in a fantastic location near the beach but my kids are the smartest in the school, just now breaking in after 2 years (alot of kids related to each other) and the miniscule tax rates here make for poor schools. They are going private for High School so that they are not stymied for life. This area is very historic and beautiful but rent first to see if the community accepts you

Yes. That area is beautiful. Just beware they are very close to New Bedford or fall river. Those towns are not as nice.

For smart kids, private school may be a good move. One of my kid's friend went to Deerfield and another one Philips Academy. Not only are they smart, they are rich too. I think they score 1400 in SAT in 8th grade. I guess my kid is pretty dumb compare to them. Wish I have better genes.