SAVANNAH, GA to WESTERN MASS. - Moving young family - where to live? great school systems?

[south-bound]

The Florence/Northampton/Amherst area is very nice, but a little pricy. Belchertown is very nice small town as well. Wilbraham has been rated as one of the best small towns in the US to live in. Also, I used to live in Ludlow, and I liked it there very much.

[Beachcomber4]

While MCAS scores shouldn't decide how good a school system is, it can help. I suggest to anyone looking for a town with a good school sytem for their kids to look at multiple years of MCAS test scores, graduation/drop out rate, and % of students who go on to attend a 4 year college statistics to start. More important than the MCAS scores themselves is to see if a school has made AYP (annual yearly progress).

[gbunny]

Ive lived in amherst and northampton. I mostly grew up in Amherst its a great place to grow up with a really good school system. Amherst Regional high is one of the best high school's in the country.(so they told me when I went there ) and Northampton High school has a very long waiting list for kids who want to go there but don't live in northampton. So they are both very good schools. the towns are both great too. Amherst is a little pricier, I think, well it really depends I guess.. they're both getting pricier. amherst is really beautiful though and a 5 college town, has great public transportation, and a great community like place. northampton can be a fun spot to go to on the weekends when you live in Amherst. Either town would be a good choice I believe. good luck.

[mommytotwo]

Originally Posted by mommytotwo

I like Belchertown, you can find a nice house in your price range and the schools are excellent.

Originally Posted by gouldmanj

Just questioning the comment about the schools in Belchertown being good. I was looking at MCAS scores, compared to Amherst/Pelham/Hadley and Belchertown was lower than those other towns across most grades and subjects.

You are correct about the MCAS scores being lower in Belchertown. Perhaps I should have said very good rather than excellent. I am not sure why the MCAS scores are lower, but I suspect because there has basically been a population explosion. If you go to a belchertown coach-pitch practice, and start asking everyone how long they have lived in Belchertown, you will literally be shocked by how many people have moved here within the last 3-5-7 years. I just don't think the town has been able to keep up with the pressure on the school system.

But to me, your child's success at a school is based on more than what the average MCAS scores at the school. If you are a parent who will be involved in your child's school work, I think that child can be successful almost anywhere.

Originally Posted by south-bound

The Florence/Northampton/Amherst area is very nice, but a little pricy. Belchertown is very nice small town as well. Wilbraham has been rated as one of the best small towns in the US to live in. Also, I used to live in Ludlow, and I liked it there very much.

[duker8012]

Northampton and Amherst are very nice...both have good schools, and being near the colleges (UMass, Smith, Mt Holyoke, etc) there is plenty to do. However, the weekly drive to Braintree I think will be a big pain in the ass for you. Not sure of the nature of your work, but if you don't mind lots of driving then Hamp and Amherst will work nicely for you. Someone mentioned Sturbridge earlier and that might make the most sense for you. The schools are pretty good there, and it has a real historical feel...with Old Sturbridge Village and lots of little antique shops. Plus, sitting at the intersection of I-90 and I-84 you're pretty easily accessible to anywhere. Good luck!