raising a family in Boston metro - suburb recommendation (Cambridge: homes, job market)

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by rsnsmh

In regards to diversity, i am thinking ~25% minority at least. I am still try to come in terms with this housing price - does it make sense for me live in Providence, RI or somewhere close to border at NH and take Amtrak / public trans? that option seems to be more reasonable at least for housing and commute.

I still think you should go for Shrewsbury.

I don't understand you say you want diversity and then mention New Hampshire? You say you want great schools and then mention Providence?

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

Norwood schools are fine, but they aren’t an 8.

I assume you are looking at GreatSchools ratings or something similar.
Dig deeper than that scores, some schools have excellent academics but not so great overall scores for different reasons. Reasons you may or may not care.

[unit731]

Melrose is the only city that does not have a highway running through it.
Melrose has bus, train, and T (Malden).

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by Lampert

I assume you are looking at GreatSchools ratings or something similar.
Dig deeper than that scores, some schools have excellent academics but not so great overall scores for different reasons. Reasons you may or may not care.

These school ranking aggregate sites are, in my opinion, very flawed.

1) while I think some degree of diversity (cultural and economic) is beneficial, it should not factor into the schools overall ranking which can easily be perceived as strictly performance.

2) Both Niche and Great Schools seemingly rank based on intrastate performance, not national. As such, an upper middle MA district might rank in the top 10 or 20 academically within another US state ... but look absolutely mediocre in their aggregate.

[Lampert]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

These school ranking aggregate sites are, in my opinion, very flawed.

1) while I think some degree of diversity (cultural and economic) is beneficial, it should not factor into the schools overall ranking which can easily be perceived as strictly performance.

2) Both Niche and Great Schools seemingly rank based on intrastate performance, not national. As such, an upper middle MA district might rank in the top 10 or 20 academically within another US state ... but look absolutely mediocre in their aggregate.

Totally agree.
People should always dig deeper and check the specific metrics they care about and understand that is impossible to compare scores between states.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Maybe Acton?

New Hampshire is not it. You should live in Lowell before New Hampshire..

[semiurbanite]

Don’t use greatschool ratings if you want diversity. Their rankings are very test-score heavy and will filter out good districts with socioeconomic diversity.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by semiurbanite

Don’t use greatschool ratings if you want diversity. Their rankings are very test-score heavy and will filter out good districts with socioeconomic diversity.

I think the eventual outcome of this is always “don’t use any school rankings”. That’s not a crazy idea in itself, but probably too radical for someone who asks for 8+ school rankings from the outset.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

I think the eventual outcome of this is always “don’t use any school rankings”. That’s not a crazy idea in itself, but probably too radical for someone who asks for 8+ school rankings from the outset.

There's an easier path for those seeking top performance - look at median household/per capita incomes for each district. No need for Greatschools or Niche if that's your sole concern.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by semiurbanite

Don’t use greatschool ratings if you want diversity. Their rankings are very test-score heavy and will filter out good districts with socioeconomic diversity.

*will give Somerville a semi-accurate appraisal of student performance across board.