Northampton Public Schools? (Boston, Springfield, Amherst: houses, neighborhoods, elementary school)

[frameofmind]

Can anyone give me the low down on Northampton public schools? Which elementary school do you prefer? We've heard Jackson Street is most preferred, but hard to get into unless you can find a house in that district. How about RK Finn Ryan Road vs. Leeds vs. Bridge Street?

[wmass]

Northampton schools are generally pretty well rated. Jackson Street is often a preferred elementary choice and probably the most racially diverse, but the others are good too. I might pick Leeds as 2nd. As long as you live in Northampton (including Florence), you can select any elementary school.

[GeoffD]

Northampton is partly a professional bedroom town for Springfield. Physicians from Bay State and Mercy, etc. You pick between Longmeadow and Northampton. Northampton is a longer commute but it has the vibrant Main Street. Parents are what drives school system quality.

[mdovell]

Personally I prefer Amherst because it isn't as commercialized but keep in mind there's different parts of northampton. Florence is pretty nice. They are trying to put more housing in the area although I think they really need more food access. I have more access to groceries in downtown springfield. There are some debates on entertainment. Consolidation that led to Iron Horse owning so much wasn't a good thing. b

[enchantedforest]

Speaking of Springfield what about the schools there? Can you find a high school where your white middle class kid will do ok socially and academically? Lots of nice houses and neighborhoods at good prices but wondering about the schools...

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by enchantedforest

Speaking of Springfield what about the schools there? Can you find a high school where your white middle class kid will do ok socially and academically? Lots of nice houses and neighborhoods at good prices but wondering about the schools...

I think there might be a charter high school there that's good. I don't remember the name, sorry.

[Hiapo]

From my limited research it seems Springfield would be out if given the choice.

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by enchantedforest

Speaking of Springfield what about the schools there? Can you find a high school where your white middle class kid will do ok socially and academically? Lots of nice houses and neighborhoods at good prices but wondering about the schools...

I can pm you a bit more. The district is the 2nd largest in Mass and varies dramatically.

[frameofmind]

During our visit to the area, I was surprised about how run down the schools were compared to where we live now in the west, especially given the status MA schools rank within the country. With all those tax dollars, why are the schools not more kept up? This co-aligns with the roads, which I suspect are absurdly abused with winter conditions. Yet still, there were pothole lined streets that haven't been paved in years. Where are all those high tax dollars going?

[tovarisch]

Where exactly did you visit? If it was Western Mass., our tax rates are not actually that high, and there are complex issues about money going to the Boston area, etc.