Considering Westampton-specifically Tarnsfield (homes, best schools, to live in)

[deere110]

I recently looked at a few homes in the Tarnsfield development in Westampton. I'm somewhat familiar with the town but would like to hear from those who live there or nearby?

[nic529]

Westampton has grown and its reputation has gotten much better over the last few years. We considered Tarnsfield. Its a nice development, close to highways and shopping. The reason we did not go there was because we didn't want our kids to Rancocas Valley High School.

[MoorestownResident]

Agree on Westampton. That stretch of 541 has been developing including the by-pass with those rowhomes in Mount Holly being redeveloped. The main issue for people is RV. But that area in general is less desirable than the towns along Rt 38, even towns like Lumberton in the same HS district will probably do better on resale down the road simply due to location. But WH has increased its rep over recent years.

[deere110]

Originally Posted by nic529

Westampton has grown and its reputation has gotten much better over the last few years. We considered Tarnsfield. Its a nice development, close to highways and shopping. The reason we did not go there was because we didn't want our kids to Rancocas Valley High School.

Care to elaborate on why? I'm not trying to challenge anyone here, I'm just trying to get the whole picture. According to Wikipedia they achieved "Star School Status" in 2001, so what happened? I checked their 2006 NCLB report and they are listed as a school "in need of improvement," which basically means that their standardized test scores are down, but is there something else I'm missing?

[Roselvr]

Originally Posted by deere110

I checked their 2006 NCLB report and they are listed as a school "in need of improvement," which basically means that their standardized test scores are down, but is there something else I'm missing?

I took the school reports with a grain of salt. Even some of the best schools had this. Look at Southampton, they had it too. I think some has to do with today's generation of kids / parents; a lot of kids are there to socialize.

Kids in this area are offered the chance to go to Burlinton County Technical Institute and some of the more serious kids take advantage of this.

[MoorestownResident]

Originally Posted by deere110

Care to elaborate on why? I'm not trying to challenge anyone here, I'm just trying to get the whole picture. According to Wikipedia they achieved "Star School Status" in 2001, so what happened? I checked their 2006 NCLB report and they are listed as a school "in need of improvement," which basically means that their standardized test scores are down, but is there something else I'm missing?

RV is a very large HS with sending districts from - Mount Holly, Lumberton, Hainesport, Westampton, and I think parts of Southampton. The point is test scores are among the lowest in the area. Some of these sending districts are poor such as MH, the school is located in MH which does not have a good reputation with more crime, drugs, etc.

For these reasons many parents will not send their kids to RV, if they choose to live in say, Lumberton, probably the wealthiest of the sending districts, they might send them to Holy Cross HS in Delran or simply move into the Lenape district. Since there are some great schools nearby, many couples thinking about a HS for their kids will not move into these towns.

[nic529]

My reasons would be for the same as MoorestownResident said.

[billb7581]

My boss lives there, kid goes to Holy Cross (which isn't what it used to be academic wise either IMO)

[Davelovesrachel]

the elementary and middle school in westampton are very good schools. I just replied to another post so ill say the same. I know quite a few kids from the high school and they are nice kids. your going to have bad and good anywhere, any school. My daughters friends live in the tarnsfield area and are good kids. I also know kids in holy cross and they are very happy there as well.