Concerns regarding schools and hospitals in PA (Pittsburgh, Altoona: transplants, best school districts)

[Northeastcouple]

PA is a place that the wife and I can see ourselves living in for many reasons ranging from the changes in seasons ,to low taxes, to the fact that it is a fairly well kept state. our only concerns are the:

hospitals: I hear from people that live in PA that decent medical cares are only in Philly and Pittsburg...since we are considering on living in Cental PA this is a problem.


schools::On the other hand people tell me that there are some really good schools, yet when I look at the state scores for reading and math they seem to be mediocre at best, especially compared to NJ and NY.Part of me thinks that it take a heck of a lot more than those tests to determine a good school and good students,yet it make me wonder why the other states I named that has generally more crowded schools and more kids that dont speak good english are doing better??!!!

wanted to get opinions from both people that were born in PA and also recent transplants that have kids. THANKS!!!

[dugdogmaster]

Originally Posted by Northeastcouple

PA is a place that the wife and I can see ourselves living in for many reasons ranging from the changes in seasons ,to low taxes, to the fact that it is a fairly well kept state. our only concerns are the:

hospitals: I hear from people that live in PA that decent medical cares are only in Philly and Pittsburg...since we are considering on living in Cental PA this is a problem.


schools::On the other hand people tell me that there are some really good schools, yet when I look at the state scores for reading and math they seem to be mediocre at best, especially compared to NJ and NY.Part of me thinks that it take a heck of a lot more than those tests to determine a good school and good students,yet it make me wonder why the other states I named that has generally more crowded schools and more kids that dont speak good english are doing better??!!!

wanted to get opinions from both people that were born in PA and also recent transplants that have kids. THANKS!!!

Hospitals: No, it's not a problem There's plenty of good ones around the state. Specifically, in central PA, I cant think of Hershey Medical Center. Even smaller, moderate sized hospitals around the state have decent reputations.

Schools: You need to compare them individually, not through a broad characterization across the state.

[cathyde]

Originally Posted by Northeastcouple

PA is a place that the wife and I can see ourselves living in for many reasons ranging from the changes in seasons ,to low taxes, to the fact that it is a fairly well kept state. our only concerns are the:

hospitals: I hear from people that live in PA that decent medical cares are only in Philly and Pittsburg...since we are considering on living in Cental PA this is a problem.


schools::On the other hand people tell me that there are some really good schools, yet when I look at the state scores for reading and math they seem to be mediocre at best, especially compared to NJ and NY.Part of me thinks that it take a heck of a lot more than those tests to determine a good school and good students,yet it make me wonder why the other states I named that has generally more crowded schools and more kids that dont speak good english are doing better??!!!

wanted to get opinions from both people that were born in PA and also recent transplants that have kids. THANKS!!!

Geisinger Medical Center is an excellent facility; the main hospital is located in Danville, right in central PA (about an hour north of Harrisburg). Sounds like you may have some medical issues - I'm sure that GMC can help in whatever health needs you have. Here's their website - Geisinger Health System .

As for schools, I can only speak of Danville's district since that's where my children attended. It's a solid school, with a number of Advanced Placement classes in the high school. The academics are excellent there and the staff quite competent. I do agree that schools shouldn't be judged solely on state tests, (some schools put such emphasis on test-taking, they've even gone so far as to build in school time to teach test-taking skills!) but they do carry some weight. The best way, IMHO, is to go to the schools and talk to the administration, then try to get some feedback from people in the community. Just remember, if you talk to 10 people you might get 10 distinct opinions!!

Search here too - I found that in my search, much of my more reliable information came right from city-data.

Hope this helps you!

[toobusytoday]

It's difficult to compare schools from one state to another because each state has it's own tests and grades them however they wish. Even within the state it's hard to judge one school from another with the state standardized tests. I know one school district that doesn't have social studies until after third grade so their kids can focus on the math and reading tests. Many schools now spend time doing practice tests and re-learning the material just for the Spring tests. stupid NCLB.

Numbers are a good starting point but not a deal breaker as far as I'm concerned. So, start at Search for Pennsylvania public schools. but take that info with a grain of salt.

[Dawne]

Schools and hospitals are excellent in central PA, especially in the Union, Snyder and Montour County areas, as has been stated above.

As far as health care, my friends in the cities have to wait days to get in to a doctor. If someone in our family is sick, I call the doctor and get in that day to see him - no waiting.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by Northeastcouple

PA is a place that the wife and I can see ourselves living in for many reasons ranging from the changes in seasons ,to low taxes, to the fact that it is a fairly well kept state. our only concerns are the:

hospitals: I hear from people that live in PA that decent medical cares are only in Philly and Pittsburg...since we are considering on living in Cental PA this is a problem.


schools::On the other hand people tell me that there are some really good schools, yet when I look at the state scores for reading and math they seem to be mediocre at best, especially compared to NJ and NY.Part of me thinks that it take a heck of a lot more than those tests to determine a good school and good students,yet it make me wonder why the other states I named that has generally more crowded schools and more kids that dont speak good english are doing better??!!!

wanted to get opinions from both people that were born in PA and also recent transplants that have kids. THANKS!!!

If by decent hospitals, you mean thousands or tens of thousands of workers and national reputations, then yes.. for the most part the only decent hospitals are in philly and pittsburgh. If by decent hospitals, you mean high ranking hospitals in national rankings, and competent staff, then you'll find a lot of good hospitals throughout PA.

If you are concerned about the public schools, check out private then?

[mams1559]

Originally Posted by Northeastcouple

PA is a place that the wife and I can see ourselves living in for many reasons ranging from the changes in seasons ,to low taxes, to the fact that it is a fairly well kept state. our only concerns are the:

hospitals: I hear from people that live in PA that decent medical cares are only in Philly and Pittsburg...since we are considering on living in Cental PA this is a problem.


schools::On the other hand people tell me that there are some really good schools, yet when I look at the state scores for reading and math they seem to be mediocre at best, especially compared to NJ and NY.Part of me thinks that it take a heck of a lot more than those tests to determine a good school and good students,yet it make me wonder why the other states I named that has generally more crowded schools and more kids that dont speak good english are doing better??!!!

wanted to get opinions from both people that were born in PA and also recent transplants that have kids. THANKS!!!

Hospitals: There's the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Hersey Medical Center in Hershey, Johnstown's Conemaugh Health System (top 100 heart hospital, excellent ICU, LifeFlight), Windber Medical Center (top hospital with a reknown hospice and research facility), Altoona Medical Center with a great ICU, LifeFlight). Overall, I think they're just as good as the big-city hospitals.

Mind you, for some certain specialties, I do travel to Pittsburgh, only because they're odd conditions that the locals aren't as used to treating. The locals discovered it in the first place, which is good, but PGH is used to dealing with it on a daily basis, unlike locally where it's not seen as often.

Schools: Now, I can only talk about the schools in my area (Cambria-Somerset-Blair Counties), but I think they are very good. Unfortunately, we suffer from the brain drain in our area. We teach them and train them very well, they get an excellent education, but then have to leave the area to find work. I will say many of our students in all levels of acadamia excell. IMO, smaller class sizes with better teaching resources/tools - which is what you find in my area - are great pluses.

[danwxman]

The Harrisburg/Hershey area has great hospitals (world class Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center) as well as some of the best school districts in the state. The hospitals and schools in this area easily compete with the Philly and Pittsburgh suburbs.

[W-B proud]

Hershey Medical Center is probably one of the best hospital's in the entire state. (That includes Philly and Pittsburg)

[Northeastcouple]

Thank you all for your responses..I wish i could respond to all of you personally , but that would take a while..with that said: I am gonna look a little further into the schools, a few of you had a good point about some states emphasizing the tests more than others, and not to weigh everything on that... in fact it made me think back to when I was in public school (Queens,NY)it was a place that took those tests very seriously and generally had good outcomes but there was still schools doing well on those exams and doing horrible in terms of graduation percentage and overall grades....
As far as the hospitals its good to know that there are a few decent ones around,that are not just in the big cities....no their are no major medical problems in our family (knock on wood) but you never know when problem arise,so its better to be prepared for it, than not. THANKS AGAIN!!!