Best School District out of All These.... (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: home, club)

[jessica12]

Which would you rank as the best?

New Hope
Doylestown
West Chester
Chester Springs
Downingtown

Not sure if they are even in all separate districts, but these are towns I am currently researching. Looking for a single family home around $500k, preferably near/on a golf course, but schools are top priority.

[kmistry1]

We are looking West Chester, Chester Spring, Downingtown Area. Followings my research work. I hope this will help you.

West Chester West Chester Area SD Welcome to the West Chester Area School District

Course Selections http://www.wcasd.net/pdfs/08-09_MS_C...escription.pdf
Gifted Programs site Welcome to the Gifted Program
Fugett Middle School Fugett Middle School web page
Geography Bee: Yes Gifted Programs: Yes 6-7-8
Other contests and competitions Science Olympiad, Brainy Bunch, Future City, Ski Club, knowledge bowl
Peirce Middle School home
Geography Bee: Yes Gifted Programs: Yes Grades:6-7-8
Other contests and competitions Mathcounts, Knowledge Bowl, Peirce Model Builders, Peirce Press, Science Olympiad, & Drama Club
Stetson Middle School G. A. Stetson Middle School Yes No 6-7-8
Gifted Program Site Stetson Middle School Gifted Program
Other contests and competitions Spelling Bee, Science Olympiad, and Math Counts

Downingtown Downingtown Area SD Downingtown Area School District
Exton DEEP (Downingtown Educational Enrichment Program)
Lionville Middle School Downingtown Area School District :: Lionville Middle School
Geography Bee: Yes Gifted Programs: Yes Grades:6-7-8
Course selections http://dasd5.dasd.org/QuickPlace/lm-...dbook08-09.pdf
Gifted Program Site ' + (typeof(h_Name) != "undefined" && h_Name != "" ? h_Name : SceneTitleSkinComponentTitleText) + ' - ' + haikuName + '
Other contests and competitions the Knowledge Master (www.greathawk.com) and the Knowledge Bowl

Downingtown Middle School Downingtown Area School District :: Downingtown Middle School
Geography Bee: Yes Gifted Programs: Yes Grades: 6-7-8
Gifted program site ' + (typeof(h_Name) != "undefined" && h_Name != "" ? h_Name : SceneTitleSkinComponentTitleText) + ' - ' + haikuName + '
Other contests and competitions

Downingtown HS west ' + (typeof(h_Name) != "undefined" && h_Name != "" ? h_Name : SceneTitleSkinComponentTitleText) + ' - ' + haikuName + '

[thesixth]

none of them are bad - all very decent school districts. May do best to consider exactly what you must have in your school district -like AP/gifted programs, certain languages, sports, arts etc. or if special needs for learning differences are important - and then chose accordingly, taking into account your commute to work.

Also - Doylestown - very large school district - 3 high schools, New Hope very small school district

[orrmobl]

The Pittsburgh Business Times is so kind as to rank all school districts in PA every year. And they use test scores at various levels to get a pretty comprehensive picture statistics-wise. "The rankings include results from all grades that take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) exams, grades 3-8, and 11. Scores are based upon comparing results for three years to a regional average."

Here you go:

http://www.svsd.net/important-news/i..._rank_2008.pdf

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by jessica12

Which would you rank as the best?

New Hope
Doylestown
West Chester
Chester Springs
Downingtown

Not sure if they are even in all separate districts, but these are towns I am currently researching. Looking for a single family home around $500k, preferably near/on a golf course, but schools are top priority.

Here is an indepth report on Philadlephia area school districts per Philadelphia Inquirer.

Inquirer Report Card on the Schools - Philadelphia Inquirer

Based on SAT scores the highest ranked high schools are
Lower Merion
Lower Merion-Harriton
Radnor
Tredyffrin-Easttown(Conestoga)
Unionville
Council Rock North

Of the areas you listed New Hope ranked as the highest on the SAT scores.

Doylestown is part of the Central Bucks School District.Very solid.
West Chester is a very good school district.
Chester Springs is part of the Downingtown School District. Try to stay in the downingtown East catchment area as its better academically compared to Downingtown West.

West Chester has 3 area high schools
Downingtown has 2 area high schools
Doylestown(Central Bucks) has 3 area high schools
New Hope has 1 area HS.

good luck

[mirancs8]

Why not delaware county area? Reason being we have some great schools here as well. My child goes to Worrell and after going to a great private school in the area Worrell has exceeded my expectations. Plus my child is gifted and they have been great at accomidating his need for more challenging lessons.

Good luck!
Christine