Cranford - Livingston Ave Elementary School (Millburn, Glen Ridge: appointed, homes, neighborhood)

[cmcfarland]

Hello,

We are considering moving to Cranford, where we would raise a family (so schools are important). I've noticed that the test scores for Livingston Ave Elementary school are quite a bit lower than the other elementary schools. I also am disappointed to see no parent feedback on GreatSchools.com for this school.

Does anyone know if there is some reason for the lower test scores (for example, that there is a large special ed program)? I can't work out too much of a demographic difference between it and the other Cranford schools. Is this school simply not as well managed as the others, or have less talented teachers? Or is the level of the students not as high to begin with? I'd be interested in both hearsay as well as anyone's direct experience in sending their kids to this school.

Also, if we were to live in the area zoned for Livingston, is there a way of sending our kids to one of the other elementary schools?

Thanks very much.

[HeatherLynn822]

I substitute at this school, all the schools in Cranford actually, and am very surprised to hear Livingston scored low in standardized tests. It's a really great school!

From my (limited) understanding, if you would rather not send your children to the school they are zoned to, there is a lottery held for the remaining openings in the other schools.

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by cmcfarland

Hello,

We are considering moving to Cranford, where we would raise a family (so schools are important). I've noticed that the test scores for Livingston Ave Elementary school are quite a bit lower than the other elementary schools. I also am disappointed to see no parent feedback on GreatSchools.com for this school.

Does anyone know if there is some reason for the lower test scores (for example, that there is a large special ed program)? I can't work out too much of a demographic difference between it and the other Cranford schools. Is this school simply not as well managed as the others, or have less talented teachers? Or is the level of the students not as high to begin with? I'd be interested in both hearsay as well as anyone's direct experience in sending their kids to this school.

Also, if we were to live in the area zoned for Livingston, is there a way of sending our kids to one of the other elementary schools?

Thanks very much.

You might also want to check here:
Cranford Talk • View forum - CranfordTalk - Cranford Topics

they always know the gossip on the whys and wherefores of the town....

lots of morons there though....

[FreshFresh]

Cranford is the one of the worst (if not the worst) places i've been in New Jersey. Its overpriced and offers low quality.

[cmcfarland]

Originally Posted by HeatherLynn822

I substitute at this school, all the schools in Cranford actually, and am very surprised to hear Livingston scored low in standardized tests. It's a really great school!

From my (limited) understanding, if you would rather not send your children to the school they are zoned to, there is a lottery held for the remaining openings in the other schools.

Thanks, HeatherLynn, that's good to hear that you've had a positive experience at this school and don't notice a difference between it and the other Cranford schools. And the lottery information is good to know as well.

[cmcfarland]

Originally Posted by kalim2008

You might also want to check here:
Cranford Talk • View forum - CranfordTalk - Cranford Topics

they always know the gossip on the whys and wherefores of the town....

lots of morons there though....

Good link - thanks very much! It does look like typical neighborhood gossip. I didn't see discussion about my topic, but have now made a new posting there.

[cmcfarland]

Originally Posted by FreshFresh

Cranford is the one of the worst (if not the worst) places i've been in New Jersey. Its overpriced and offers low quality.

Hi FreshFresh, why do you say it offers low quality? Is it the homes, people, schools, or downtown that you don't like? It does seem to have more post-war construction than certain other towns I've been looking at such as Millburn or Glen Ridge. Although I find this architecture less appealling on the outside, it's often internally more practical or simply has better value for the square footage. Cranford also would seem to be less pretentious / materialistic than these other 2 towns I mention.... might that be the case?

[LeavingNJ]

Originally Posted by cmcfarland

Cranford also would seem to be less pretentious / materialistic than these other 2 towns I mention.... might that be the case?

That's probably true, as Cranford (very generally speaking) is a fairly easy-going town. Very nice town, too, in a lot of ways.

I don't know what Freshfresh is talking about, but I'd love to hear a little expansion on how Cranford is overpriced and of low quality. Relative to what? It should be interesting reading for the vast majority of those living there who wouldn't agree for so many reasons.

[NJNJNJ]

I lived in Cranford for 3 1/2 years and it is a wonderful town. I still go to the downtown quite often. Everyone was always very nice and I did not find the town snobby. The only thing I am concerned about is the high amount of drugs/ alcohol with the teenagers.

[kalim2008]

Originally Posted by cmcfarland

Good link - thanks very much! It does look like typical neighborhood gossip. I didn't see discussion about my topic, but have now made a new posting there.

No problem....it's sometimes nasty over there because of anonymous posting, but at the same time you sometimes get some very good insider tidbits.