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We might be relocating to the Boston area from a top Westchester County district, where the school culture is intensely competitive and college admissions-focused.
We'd obviously still like a good, reputable school district, but could really do with a little more variety and a little less all-consuming preoccupation with Ivy League admissions.
Has anyone attended or sent their kids to Norwell or Cohassett schools? What are the kids like? What are the parents like? What are the teachers like? Oh, and very important, what is the homework load like?
And while I'm asking questions, is there any sort of center of activity/downtown area?
I'm also interested in replies to this as I'm a Norwell resident with preschool-aged kids who chose this town based on having great schools without the intense pressure-cooker school culture that is prevalent in some areas. So far I've had great experiences with the other kids and parents, but my kids aren't in the school system yet
In terms of downtowns, Cohasset definitely wins in that category. Cohasset's downtown has bakeries, restaurants, boutiques, etc. and Norwell's is very small (though a new coffee shop did open this week, so that is pretty exciting).
Norwell and Cohasset both have great school systems so there is some pressure, IME, but nothing intensely pressure cookery-y like Lexington. Norwell basically has no downtown, Cohasset has a very cute though small downtown (although about half of it is real estate offices, mine included ;D). Homework doesn't seem to vary much by town -- it obviously depends on course load, how many APs kids take, etc. but it doesn't seem much different than when I was in high school 20-some-odd years ago.
We have been in Norwell for just under two years and while parents certainly seem invested in the education of their children I haven't seen anything I would consider over-the-top. Judging by what I know from the high school it seems many kids do take AP classes and apply and get accepted to good schools but I don't think there is an intense pressure to make it to the ivy league. Keep in mind that both Norwell and Cohasset have a fair amount of very wealthy residents who no doubt send their children to private schools so that probably changes the equation for the public high schools in terms of being a "pressure cooker" environment.
Cohasset has a downtown?!? I lived on the south shore for 22 years and never heard of it having a "downtown". I'm not sure where exactly that is referring to..on 3A?
Norwell is all streched out. Having worked there a few times in the past it seems ok until...lunch. I worked across from one restaurant and if...if I timed it right I could go over, order, eat and come back within an hour.
Cohasset has a downtown?!? I lived on the south shore for 22 years and never heard of it having a "downtown". I'm not sure where exactly that is referring to..on 3A?
My kids are not at high school level yet and as far as elementary school goes it doesn't seem too competitive and parents are welcoming. Parents would rather discuss what sports their kids play instead of their enrichment goals. Sports are area big part of the south shore culture and I see more and more kids playing at the club level in elementary school age.
To answer your question on a downtown, I would agree that there really isn't one.
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