Interracial couple with 4 kids moving to PA but where? Please help. (Philadelphia: how much, homes)

[Lucky1969]

Hi,

We are planning a move to the Philadelphia area due to my husband's job transfer and have been told to consider Loer Merion and Media for the diversity and school districts. However, after reading these forums and doing other research it is hard to determine if either of these communities are truly diverse. I would love your insight and help. Thanks

[Angus215]

Lower Merion has a decent sized black population (~10%). Wissahickon, Cheltenham, and Abington are school districts that are also very good but have larger black populations. All of these are excellent school districts, with Lower Merion and Wissahickon being a little better than the other two. Other districts have larger asian populations, so it really depends on what kind of "diversity" you are looking for. I'm not sure that Media has as large of a minority student population as the other districts mentioned above.

you can find demographic information on schools/districts on web sites such as GreatSchools.

[Lucky1969]

Thank you for your reply. I have looked at greatschools and media elementary seems to have the highest percentages of biracial and aa kids. Any opinions on the Drexel hill area?

Thanks

[Angus215]

Drexel Hill is in Upper Darby, which does not have good public schools, at least not at the High School level. There may be specific elementary schools that are good.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Lucky1969

Thank you for your reply. I have looked at greatschools and media elementary seems to have the highest percentages of biracial and aa kids. Any opinions on the Drexel hill area?

Thanks

we raised two biracial (white / asian) in Upper Darby/ Drexel Hill but that was twenty years ago. The public schools were good and there were plenty of other mixed race children.

[Lucky1969]

Yes thank you. It appears much has changed regarding the schools. just checked the report cards for upper Darby and the scores were not good. What about the private schools in the area. Any recommendations in Drexel hill?

[Lucky1969]

Also, rearding lower merion, they have been involved in lawsuits where they have allegedly been placing aa students in special Ed classes. Ugh. Anyone have any insight on this issue?

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Lucky1969

Yes thank you. It appears much has changed regarding the schools. just checked the report cards for upper Darby and the scores were not good. What about the private schools in the area. Any recommendations in Drexel hill?

Drexel Hill is Upper Darby School District. As for Lower Merion it should be fine if you can afford to live there.

[cpomp]

I think you would be fine in Media. If you were to live right in the borough that is pretty diverse small area. The towns surrounding media (still often referred to as media) are primarily white, but there you would not have a problem adjusting at all. Im not sure about the lawsuit with special ed classes. I know lower merion school district had its image tarnished when the school issued laptops were taking pictures of students in their homes.

[soulsurv]

First of all, I don't know how much you want to spend because the Media area can be pretty high. But it's a GREAT little town. Now two of my nieces send their bi-racial children to a private Christian school in Plymouth township (Montgomery County). I go to their events and have seen quite a few bi-racial children, and there's no problem at all. Sorry I can't help you out with Lower Merion, but it's a very monied place. I'm not very comfortable with that type of environment, but if you are, you might want to check it out further.