Opinions on Avonworth school district? (Franklin Park, Franklin: section 8, buying a house, buying)

[burghgirl]

Hi everyone. My family and I are in the process of moving back to the Burgh and we are looking at a few homes in the Avonworth school district. This district appeals to me because it is smaller than others we are considering (like North Allegheny) but Avonworth doesn't seem to have the reputation of being a top ranked school district in the area.

Is anyone here familiar with Avonworth school district enough to comment on this issue? I'm especially interested in the middle school and high school programs and honors/AP type of class offerings.

Thanks!

[gbpriv]

If you're looking in the north area, have you considered Shaler Area? It's about half the size of North Allegheny, but much larger than Avonworth. I graduated from Shaler last year and while we may not have a "top tier" ranking, the school district is very good and improving. They are finishing a $21 million renovation on the high school and just finished renovating the elementary school which is grades 4-6. The middle school is an 8 or 9 year old building on Mt. Royal housing grades 7-8, and the high school now houses 9-12.

There is a wide selection of honors courses starting in 6th or 7th grade, and AP courses are offered beginning in the high school. I know of the following AP courses, and there are probably more. Calc AB, Calc BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Language & Composition, Literature, American History, European History, and French.

[burghgirl]

Originally Posted by gbpriv

If you're looking in the north area, have you considered Shaler Area? It's about half the size of North Allegheny, but much larger than Avonworth. I graduated from Shaler last year and while we may not have a "top tier" ranking, the school district is very good and improving. They are finishing a $21 million renovation on the high school and just finished renovating the elementary school which is grades 4-6. The middle school is an 8 or 9 year old building on Mt. Royal housing grades 7-8, and the high school now houses 9-12.

There is a wide selection of honors courses starting in 6th or 7th grade, and AP courses are offered beginning in the high school. I know of the following AP courses, and there are probably more. Calc AB, Calc BC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Language & Composition, Literature, American History, European History, and French.

Thanks for your reply. Shaler sounds like a good district and about the size we would be looking for; however, due to DH's job in Greentree and our extended family living in Cranberry, we are hoping to find a house somewhere right off I-79. That is why we are considering Wexford, Franklin Park, and Ohio township, etc.

[gbpriv]

I was thinking I-79 had something to do with it after I posted. North Hills is another district to check out thats smaller than NA, still has good ratings, and is a little more well known than Avonworth.

[JaxLover]

I actually just bought a house in Ohio Township for the same reason, small class sizes. I have a three and one yr old. I have heard nothing but good things about Avonworth.

A lot of new dvelopments... Diamond Run, two new Heartland plans and a new Ryan plan.

I think all three areas you mentioned are great and you can't go wrong.

[eoj019]

We just moved from Shaler to Avonworth (Ohio Twp) after living there for 36 years!Do not move to Shaler, look at Avonworth or Hampton.The Avonworth schools are actually on par wiht the best in the area. Shaler ranks the worst behind every school except Northgate, even worse than Deer Lakes. Avonworth just recently won an award for one of the top schools in America to watch. It is a single A school now, but will be AA in a few years due to all the new growth. (Mentioned above)Also, Millville, which is a part of Shaler recently had rows of homes go section 8 and there is a huge drug problem there. Once your kids hit 6th grade they will go to the middle school and be merged with every child in this huge district which includes Shaler, Millville, Reserve and Etna. Shaler is the third largest district in the North Hills...The Avonworrth community is awsome and the location is great. 15 minutes from Cranberry, McKnight and the City.

[robrobrob]

I wouldn't say Avonworth is a top tier high school, like Mt. Lebo, USC, NA, QV, Hampton, Pine Richland and Fox Chapel. I would put it in the next grouping. There is a lot to be said about small class sizes, not to mention that making a sports team is much easier at a small school. FYI - QV is a great smaller district that is close to 79.

[burghgirl]

Well we ended up buying a house in the North Allegheny school district. It's only been a few weeks, but so far I am extremely impressed with the caliber of both the middle and elementary school programs/classes/music offerings. Our only hesitation was that the district is so large but I think once a child finds his niche, whether it's a specific sport or musical instrument or group, that doesn't matter as much. We did seriously consider Avonworth and looked at a house there but found a home in NA that fit our needs better.