Moving to Franklin Township, NJ (New Brunswick, Princeton: loan, home, theater)

[jersey15]

Originally Posted by mumra

Higher learning and college prep. There are certainly some exceptions but on average the better schools such as Millburn prepare the students at a higher level. Unfortunately the pace at which curriculum is taught can not be duplicated at all school districts, so certain districts cover more in a given school year than others. I had a friend who was just an average student at our high school and then he switched schools to a lower performing district and suddenly became a top 10% performer. I have another buddy that graduated form Cornell he said he had a hard time competing with grads form Millburn. He stated the kids that came from Millburn were better prepared.

Now for the benefits, having a high class rank in a lower performing school is much better than being average ranked in a good district in terms of college acceptance. The chances of the student getting accepted to a better college is greater if the student were a valedictorian at newark than and average joe at south orange. Based on the similar GPA’s /SATs.

Thanks for the post. So basically a kid from Franklin would have a tougher time getting into an Ivy League school than a kid from Chatham high school and they may not be as well prepared.

To be honest, I don't think this is as big of a deal as some on here make it though. I certainly didn't go to a top 10 high school in NJ and I'm doing just fine. I know people who did go to these supposed terrific high schools and they aren't doing any better than I am.

[Newarkbomb]

I thought Franklin was in Sussex County?

[mumra]

Originally Posted by jersey15

Thanks for the post. So basically a kid from Franklin would have a tougher time getting into an Ivy League school than a kid from Chatham high school and they may not be as well prepared.

Nope wrong, given the sats and gpas were high enough to be considered for an Ivy League school, a valedictorian at Franklin would find it easier to get accepted than an above average student from Chatham. Unfortunately the schools weigh class rank. It’s that big fish small sea / little fish big sea scenario. But on average #20 student from good district will most likely perform better academically than #20 student from not so good district.

What if your circumstances were different and you had the opportunity to attend a better school district, would it be feasible that your outcome could have been better?

[jersey15]

Originally Posted by mumra

Nope wrong, given the sats and gpas were high enough to be considered for an Ivy League school, a valedictorian at Franklin would find it easier to get accepted than an above average student from Chatham. Unfortunately the schools weigh class rank. It’s that big fish small sea / little fish big sea scenario. But on average #20 student from good district will most likely perform better academically than #20 student from not so good district.

What if your circumstances were different and you had the opportunity to attend a better school district, would it be feasible that your outcome could have been better?

Sure. It's possible I could have done better in a better school district. I just don't think it weighs as heavily as some think it does. Just because your child is in a good district doesn't mean he's going to attend Harvard and work at Goldman Sachs. Same for a child in a lower rated district. I personally think it's more on the effort the student puts in and how involved the parents are rather than just being in some top notch district.

[NORMGLO]

Originally Posted by jersey15

Sure. It's possible I could have done better in a better school district. I just don't think it weighs as heavily as some think it does. Just because your child is in a good district doesn't mean he's going to attend Harvard and work at Goldman Sachs. Same for a child in a lower rated district. I personally think it's more on the effort the student puts in and how involved the parents are rather than just being in some top notch district.

This is an excellent point and I could not agree with you more. Just because a kid goes to school in an affluent town does not guarantee that child will succeed in life. Ambition, self confidence and parental support carry a lot of weight.

[AnthonyB]

Originally Posted by jersey15

Thanks for the post. So basically a kid from Franklin would have a tougher time getting into an Ivy League school than a kid from Chatham high school and they may not be as well prepared.

To be honest, I don't think this is as big of a deal as some on here make it though. I certainly didn't go to a top 10 high school in NJ and I'm doing just fine. I know people who did go to these supposed terrific high schools and they aren't doing any better than I am.

Don't forget that Chatham, Millburn etc. have a lot of Legacy kids - the children of Ivy Leaguers, so they are guaranteed spots which skews the number upwards. AND they have a lot of well heeled parents who can provide their kids with tutors, additional test prep help and all the rest.

As someone pointed out - for the average guy being the best in a less prestigious district rather than in the middle of the pack can be better in the competitive world of college applications.

To really asses the school district you would have to see how they handle students of similar backgrounds. None of the school ranking systems does that.

[AnthonyB]

Originally Posted by NORMGLO

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This is an excellent point and I could not agree with you more. Just because a kid goes to school in an affluent town does not guarantee that child will succeed in life. Ambition, self confidence and parental support carry a lot of weight.

Every independent school study in the past 40-50 years has found the same thing - family background (support, security etc) is the ONLY reliable indicator of a students success.

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

Every independent school study in the past 40-50 years has found the same thing - family background (support, security etc) is the ONLY reliable indicator of a students success.

Not PC, but the only reliable indicator is genetic. Smart parents usually give rise to smart kids. It's that simple.

However, additional factors beyond genetics can increase the probability that a kid will do well.

[AnthonyB]

Originally Posted by kalim2008

Not PC, but the only reliable indicator is genetic. Smart parents usually give rise to smart kids. It's that simple.

However, additional factors beyond genetics can increase the probability that a kid will do well.

No not really. The reliable indicator is parental involvement. Twin studies (where they've been separated at birth, adoptions etc show that. A certain level of intelligence appears to come from the parents genetically but there is a surprising amount of variation, nature likes to keep things interesting.

IQ isn't something static from birth, it varies according to the environment and can actually increase - don't forget that IQ is tested in a pretty methodical manner that relies on education. Psychologists making tests are human - the tests themselves are fairly subjective. Things like work ethic and persistence which are hugely influential in academic success also tend to be environmental.

Usually when you see a specific ethnic group that does well, there is a culture of study and striving. There is also a lot of evidence that kids from lower socioeconomic backgrounds that previously test badly tend to do incredibly well when their parents are given assistance and taught how to better help their children.

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

No not really. The reliable indicator is parental involvement. Twin studies (where they've been separated at birth, adoptions etc show that. A certain level of intelligence appears to come from the parents genetically but there is a surprising amount of variation, nature likes to keep things interesting..

Most IQ studies confirm the heritability of intelligence. However, severe limiting factors such as extreme poverty can influence the full development of some traits.

IQ is inherited, suggests twin study
IQ is inherited, suggests twin study - 05 November 2001 - New Scientist

IQ is heritable, but poverty may limit full expression of intelligence
Intelligence

PS.

"nature likes to keep things interesting"

Twins are genetically identical - they have no variation for all practical purposes...numerous twin studies have shown twins even go through the same life changes and preferences even when separated at birth.