Just How Bad Are the Public Schools? (Philadelphia, York: real estate, homes)

[rb1754]

Hi All,

I'm planning to make the jump from New York with my wife to Philly next year and we're planning to settle down shortly thereafter. Costs in New York are just too high and right now Philadelphia has a lot to offer in the way of financial flexibility.

A lot has been made public about how bad the school system is in parts of the city, but could anyone clue me in to whether this is truth or media exaggeration. Are the schools dangerous or do they suffer from other problems like being overcrowded or poor teachers?

From what I've learned so far, it would seem that neighborhoods we have taken a liking to fall into the Bache-Martin, Moffet John, and Greenfield catchment.

We've heard great things about the Penn-Alexander catchment, but the homes, while affordable, are just too large for a young couple. I don't really need 7 bedrooms.


Any information would help.


Thanks

[cpomp]

If you are planning on having children and schools are a top priority then you should move to the suburbs.

[sj08054]

If you want your kids to attend public school, find a place in the suburb and pay the higher taxes. You can move into the city and send them to private school. Even though the taxes in the city are rising and continue to rises. The problem is not enough of the increases are getting into the public school.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

If you are planning on having children and schools are a top priority then you should move to the suburbs.

And then there's more: you have to pick the right suburb.

[pman]

Originally Posted by cpomp

If you are planning on having children and schools are a top priority then you should move to the suburbs.

That's the easy route but by no means the only route.

Penn Alexander has name recognition and is a good school. Typically the way parents play the philly school system is to find a decent elementary and get their kids into a magnet. A secondary approach is private or charter until you get into a magnet. Having met kids who grew up that way they ended up just as well off as their suburban counterparts. Bache martin is a good pick if you want to live in a walkable neighborhood school. Be careful with the catchment which is west francisville, fairmount, and parts of spring garden. The schools in the neighboring catchment are much worse.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by sj08054

If you want your kids to attend public school, find a place in the suburb and pay the higher taxes. You can move into the city and send them to private school. Even though the taxes in the city are rising and continue to rises. The problem is not enough of the increases are getting into the public school.

Are you remembering the city 10 year tax abatement on new construction and improvements on existing housing?

Yes, there was a re-assessment of residences a couple of years ago which increased some real estate taxes for some and lowered them for others and there may be a tax increase next year.

A big problem is trying to collect taxes from deadbeat and/or absentee property owners.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by rb1754

Hi All,

I'm planning to make the jump from New York with my wife to Philly next year and we're planning to settle down shortly thereafter. Costs in New York are just too high and right now Philadelphia has a lot to offer in the way of financial flexibility.

A lot has been made public about how bad the school system is in parts of the city, but could anyone clue me in to whether this is truth or media exaggeration. Are the schools dangerous or do they suffer from other problems like being overcrowded or poor teachers?

From what I've learned so far, it would seem that neighborhoods we have taken a liking to fall into the Bache-Martin, Moffet John, and Greenfield catchment.

We've heard great things about the Penn-Alexander catchment, but the homes, while affordable, are just too large for a young couple. I don't really need 7 bedrooms.


Any information would help.


Thanks

FWIW there are terrific city magnet schools: Masterman(middle/HS), Central(HS), HS for the Performing Arts. But those would be years away for you.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by pman

That's the easy route but by no means the only route.

Penn Alexander has name recognition and is a good school. Typically the way parents play the philly school system is to find a decent elementary and get their kids into a magnet. A secondary approach is private or charter until you get into a magnet. Having met kids who grew up that way they ended up just as well off as their suburban counterparts. Bache martin is a good pick if you want to live in a walkable neighborhood school. Be careful with the catchment which is west francisville, fairmount, and parts of spring garden. The schools in the neighboring catchment are much worse.

I think Penn Alexander has a waiting list even if you are in its catchment.

It looks like Drexel Univ. is going to build a new school in the area they are developing where the, torn down, University HS used to be.

There is also a good school in S. Philly. Meredith? I forget the exact neighborhood.

As I understand it some charters are no better than public schools.

Catholics schools used to be an option even for non Catholics. Given all the school closings I don't know if that's a viable choice anymore.

[Burger Fan]

Originally Posted by rb1754

Hi All,

I'm planning to make the jump from New York with my wife to Philly next year and we're planning to settle down shortly thereafter. Costs in New York are just too high and right now Philadelphia has a lot to offer in the way of financial flexibility.

A lot has been made public about how bad the school system is in parts of the city, but could anyone clue me in to whether this is truth or media exaggeration. Are the schools dangerous or do they suffer from other problems like being overcrowded or poor teachers?

From what I've learned so far, it would seem that neighborhoods we have taken a liking to fall into the Bache-Martin, Moffet John, and Greenfield catchment.

We've heard great things about the Penn-Alexander catchment, but the homes, while affordable, are just too large for a young couple. I don't really need 7 bedrooms.


Any information would help.


Thanks

It's abysmal and the city schools are in a complete state of crisis right now as they struggle for funding. This is not a media exaggeration, its very difficult to see how it could get worse.

CPOMP is correct- if education is a concern for you the city is not an option.

[thwanko]

Originally Posted by kyb01

I think Penn Alexander has a waiting list even if you are in its catchment.

It looks like Drexel Univ. is going to build a new school in the area they are developing where the, torn down, University HS used to be.

There is also a good school in S. Philly. Meredith? I forget the exact neighborhood.

As I understand it some charters are no better than public schools.

Catholics schools used to be an option even for non Catholics. Given all the school closings I don't know if that's a viable choice anymore.

Meredith's catchment is mostly Queen Village, although it is drawn to exclude the projects.

OP, if you are interested in any specific school, you can find it's catchment area here
https://webapps.philasd.org/school_finder/