considering relocating (Memphis, Knoxville, Murfreesboro: home, top schools, living)

[xrayman]

How good is the public school system in Tennessee? Are there some cities better than others and if so where? Also I'm going into the medical field. What cities have the most hospitals?

[Pearlbob]

Memphis has the worst public school system in the state. One of the worst in the country. I don't know about other cities, but they are obviously all better! Memphis is the medical hub of TN, although Nashville is probably a close second with Vandy being there (the UT medical school is in Memphis, not Knoxville).

If you are just randomly choosing a city, and are basing it on public schools, go ahead and cross Memphis off your list. The 4 major cities are Memphis, Knoxville, Nashville, and Chatagnooga. Also the tri-city area out east, and a few smallish cities here and there (Jackson, Murfreesboro...places like that).

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by xrayman

How good is the public school system in Tennessee? Are there some cities better than others and if so where? Also I'm going into the medical field. What cities have the most hospitals?

The public school systems vary wildly across the state. Memphis City Schools are the worst, but Shelby County Schools (outside the city limits and including the suburbs) are among the best. While MCS is the worst school district, some of its schools are among the top public schools in the country. There are plenty of medical jobs in every city in Tennessee.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by tennreb

The public school systems vary wildly across the state. Memphis City Schools are the worst, but Shelby County Schools (outside the city limits and including the suburbs) are among the best. While MCS is the worst school district, some of its schools are among the top public schools in the country. There are plenty of medical jobs in every city in Tennessee.

The ones that are the "top public schools in the country", however, are the optional programs. Simply moving into the attendance zone of the "top public school" will not get a student in the optional program. Indeed, in today's paper it was announced that one of those "top schools" is actually on the high priority list for the state, the next step being state takeover if progress does not occur. So while that particular "top school" rides the coattails of its optional program in building a reputation, it is indeed considered to be a school that is not meeting state and national requirements.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Memphis has the worst public school system in the state. One of the worst in the country. I don't know about other cities, but they are obviously all better! Memphis is the medical hub of TN, although Nashville is probably a close second with Vandy being there (the UT medical school is in Memphis, not Knoxville).

If you are just randomly choosing a city, and are basing it on public schools, go ahead and cross Memphis off your list. The 4 major cities are Memphis, Knoxville, Nashville, and Chatagnooga. Also the tri-city area out east, and a few smallish cities here and there (Jackson, Murfreesboro...places like that).

One reason Memphis does so poorly is b/c it's the 17-th largest system in the nation.

But there are very good public schools around, and even more private schools, many of which give generous financial aid and scholarship packages.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by tigergal

The ones that are the "top public schools in the country", however, are the optional programs. Simply moving into the attendance zone of the "top public school" will not get a student in the optional program. Indeed, in today's paper it was announced that one of those "top schools" is actually on the high priority list for the state, the next step being state takeover if progress does not occur. So while that particular "top school" rides the coattails of its optional program in building a reputation, it is indeed considered to be a school that is not meeting state and national requirements.

Yeah, when you look at the Newsweek top high schools, the top two or three are in Dallas, and they are all optional schools, in the same "campus," actually.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by Kabluey

Yeah, when you look at the Newsweek top high schools, the top two or three are in Dallas, and they are all optional schools, in the same "campus," actually.

It's rather misleading, isn't it? You'd think an asterisk would be in order, at the very least.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by tigergal

It's rather misleading, isn't it? You'd think an asterisk would be in order, at the very least.

I think it depends on the level of autonomy. It may be a template to follow in Memphis down the road; create two or three magnet schools clustered together . . .

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by Kabluey

I think it depends on the level of autonomy. It may be a template to follow in Memphis down the road; create two or three magnet schools clustered together . . .

Oh, I agree. I'm more concerned with the way it misleads people who are considering school districts and such in terms of moving their families. A person could see that a home is in the White Station school district, find out that White Station is a top school and assume that their kid is in a terrific school just based on their living there. Unfortunately, there's no mention that it's a subset of the school that is exceeding expectations while the rest of the school isn't meeting standards. It really puts people at a disadvantage when considering a school district and the like.

We've been considering a move and I've been investigating schools (public and private) and the programs within. Fortunately, I have a background in educational policy, so I know which rocks to look under. A lot of people don't have that and trust the information that they're given, assuming they're being given all the facts of the matter.

[pomartini]

Originally Posted by tigergal

Oh, I agree. I'm more concerned with the way it misleads people who are considering school districts and such in terms of moving their families. A person could see that a home is in the White Station school district, find out that White Station is a top school and assume that their kid is in a terrific school just based on their living there. Unfortunately, there's no mention that it's a subset of the school that is exceeding expectations while the rest of the school isn't meeting standards. It really puts people at a disadvantage when considering a school district and the like.

We've been considering a move and I've been investigating schools (public and private) and the programs within. Fortunately, I have a background in educational policy, so I know which rocks to look under. A lot of people don't have that and trust the information that they're given, assuming they're being given all the facts of the matter.

Would you mind sharing what you particularly look for that the typical parent wouldn't know to ask? I ask because we recently left a private school in Memphis and enrolled our child in a public school in our new state -- in a good district that would rival the likes of the better private schools in Memphis. But - something is not setting right with me with our new school - although I don't what it is (we've been in school now for one week so time will tell but I would love to know what I *could* be looking for).

Thanks!