Natick/Framingham/Ashland Elementary Schools (Boston, Cambridge: theater, middle schools, taxes)

[Bayarea mover]

Hi,

Cd someone please help me on Quality of Public schooling in Natick (Elementary). Also feedbcak on Framingham and Ashand wd be helpful.

Thx,

[slate1]

I am not sure about Natick and Ashland but Framingham elementary schools depend on what side of town you live on. Elementary schools on the north side tend to be better than those on the south but not always. Potter Road School used to be very good. Framingham middle schools and High school get a little more adventurous. The honors level is very good but there is a big drop down to the next level.

[wendyf]

I live in North Framingham and believe that all of the elementary and middle schools are very good. We have 8 elem. schools that you can choose from. You don't always get your first choice, but I'd say 95% of the time you do. I'm on a bunch of school committees and townwide PTO (where you have 2 reps from each school) and find that Framingham's schools are held in very high regard. The special ed and bilingual programs are also touted as being very good. The music and theater programs are great too. Recently, Cameron Middle and Brophy Elem were given grants to begin their extended learning time hours (adds 2 1/2 hours to ea day). Many Boston and Cambridge schools already use ext. learning time and are considered to be tops in the state. I don't know much about the HS as I have 2 in elementary school, however I have seen presentations from Michael Welch at Fram HS and find him to be very well versed and a go getter in getting things done at the HS.

Ashland: I have family in Ashland. Schools are broken down a little strangely. There are three elementary schools but I think they are split up something like Kindergarten, Gr 1-2 and 3-5. They have one middle and one new high school also. The schools are great I'm told. However, the town just tried to pass an override item to raise taxes to keep the libraries open. It failed and all of the school libraries are going to be closed. I believe only the HS library must remain open to keep their accrediation.

Natick: Great town, great schools. I don't have any personal contact there, but I'm over in Natick quite a bit and they have a great PTO there.

Good luck!
Wendy