Colgate or Mequon

[Empidonax]

The Mequon schools have a better reputation than the Germantown schools. Mequon is one of the most affluent suburbs of Milwaukee (more so than G-town), and that has led to a very well funded and competitive academic program in the schools. If you check the stats here on City-Data, you'll also see that Mequon's showing of residents who are college grads, etc. is stronger than what you find in G-town. This reflects a reasonably strong work ethic among students in the schools.

However, Mequon is not an "academic" suburb like Shorewood or Whitefish Bay (closer to UWM and Marquette, more affordable and appealing to teachers, professors, etc.); Mequon's college educated residents work primarily in executive and administrative positions in (private) businesses, and this affects the dynamic a bit in the schools.

Materialism and conspicuous consumption are present in lots of schools, but Mequon schools (esp. Homestead High) see a lot of that sort of culture. Your kids will mingle with lots of kids who drive expensive cars, wear designer clothes, take frequent ski trips, travel abroad--kids who essentially reflect the values of their parents.

As with so many schools, esp. at Homestead, drugs and alcohol are an issue. Many kids at Homestead have the time, money, and lack of parental supervision (not to mention large houses) to explore this side of life. Several drinking parties have made local news over the past few years, and many more go unreported. But again, this goes on at lots of schools, so nothing new, really.

The Mequon schools have a very good academic program, and they also place a lot of value on athletics. The schools *should* be a bit better for such an affluent community, though. A lot of the students (and parents) place inordinate value on getting good grades (and getting into good colleges), and not always so much value on the education itself. In fact, some of the best students in Mequon attend private schools--esp. the University School, which has a more rigorous academic program (and more specialized athletics).

All in all, though, Mequon schools are very good. It really depends on what you make of them, and how your kids navigate the potential advantages and pitfalls.

[suecen]

quijote - well said!!

[jessica13]

We are leaning towards Mequon. It is confusing though because Mequon schools are actually ranked below Germantown schools in the public school rankings of WI according to WKCE scores. The WKCE scores of Mequon public schools have been progressively going down.

Just read the Newsweek list of best public schools in the country. The highest rating from WI was Rufus King, Milwaukee at 271. Homestead of Mequon was listed at 1208. West Bend schools are rated higher than Mequon. Wisconsin does not have many schools in the top 1000 and none in the top 100. Why is WI lagging behind in the quality of schools?

I spoke to a few parents of kids in Mequon schools and they spoke positively for them. Hence I am leaning towards Mequon. I have not been pleased with Germantown schools so far. But I sure am confused why Mequon schools have lower WKCE scores than Germantown. Am I making my kids loose their friends and go to a new school which is not any better than their current school and maybe even worse?!