MetroWest area "pressure cooker" schools? (Boston, Framingham: houses, elementary school)

[TX2MA]

We are planning to move to MA with 3 kids (currently in elementary / preschool) and I am wondering what schools (if any) in the MetroWest area might be considered "pressure cookers" or high pressure / lots of homework, focus on test scores, etc.? I have read a lot on this forum but it can to hard to tell what people mean by "great" schools. I would like schools that provide a wonderful education but that are also positive places for kids to be. I do not want an overly intense environment that prioritizes test scores at the expense of recess, the arts, and a generally well-rounded education. The job may be in the Hopkinton area so I have been looking there as well as at Natick, Framingham, Westborough, Southborough, Holliston, Ashland, etc.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by TX2MA

We are planning to move to MA with 3 kids (currently in elementary / preschool) and I am wondering what schools (if any) in the MetroWest area might be considered "pressure cookers" or high pressure / lots of homework, focus on test scores, etc.? I have read a lot on this forum but it can to hard to tell what people mean by "great" schools. I would like schools that provide a wonderful education but that are also positive places for kids to be. I do not want an overly intense environment that prioritizes test scores at the expense of recess, the arts, and a generally well-rounded education. The job may be in the Hopkinton area so I have been looking there as well as at Natick, Framingham, Westborough, Southborough, Holliston, Ashland, etc.

Most of the schools out by I-495 aren't considered "pressure cooker" compared to most of the ones along 128. IMO the closest one is A-B, although towns like Westborough and Shrewsbury are getting worse. I think the worst pressure cooker schools are in towns with the highest population of engineers.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Parsec

I think the worst pressure cooker schools are in towns with the highest population of engineers.

Are there stats on things like that?

[G-fused]

There are towns that have a rep of pressure cooker type schools but for the most part, I don't think those schools sacrifice recess or the arts for better test scores. Expectations are high and the pace in general is fast and can be intense. This isn't the South. But there is a balance of course - have fun, do well.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Are there stats on things like that?

I wish, it would have made my decision much easier. I prefaced my comment with 'IMO' which is just that - my opinion based on my limited experience speaking with people from work, parents from other towns whose kids play sports with my kids, other parents at Chinese school, etc. Engineers tend to push their kids harder academically than parents working in other fields, again - based on my limited experience.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Engineers tend to push their kids harder academically than parents working in other fields, again - based on my limited experience.

I guess you are right. My kids are 3 and I may or may not have already begun steering them....

[semiurbanite]

I would say the corporate exec management types push them the hardest.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I guess you are right. My kids are 3 and I may or may not have already begun steering them....

I still have horrible memories of my engineer relatives trying to help me with math homework as a kid.

[Partial Observer]

Originally Posted by Parsec

Most of the schools out by I-495 aren't considered "pressure cooker" compared to most of the ones along 128. IMO the closest one is A-B, although towns like Westborough and Shrewsbury are getting worse. I think the worst pressure cooker schools are in towns with the highest population of engineers.

This is probably true. I'm not aware of any stats on point, but your cutthroat-engineers theory makes sense when you consider population trends and cultural stereotypes (see profiles.doe.mass.edu). It's no coincidence that the three towns you've listed near I-495 have remarkably high concentrations of Asians, particularly Indians, who tend to gravitate toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. According to the Mass DOE site, my daughter's elementary school was more than 40% Asian last year, and no other minority group had more than 2% representation.

Anecdotally, two different parents asked about the "sciences curriculum" and "STEM opportunities" during my daughter's kindergarten pre-orientation, and one of her classmates reportedly told her that she wouldn't be allowed into 1st grade because she colored some apples blue during an exercise. I wasn't there to hear it, but I wasn't the least bit surprised based on the questions/interactions I've witnessed during open houses. If the parents are this bad in kindergarten, I wouldn't put it past them to lie, cheat, and murder to get their kids through high school with top marks.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

I still have horrible memories of my engineer relatives trying to help me with math homework as a kid.

That was my dad. Not "getting" math was not a valid rationale in his mind. The man did programming on an Apple 2+ for "fun" at home, and built our joysticks.