[JayCT]

Originally Posted by AMSS

That's a fair enough explanation as to why you rely on the scores, but you did say if good schools are what you're looking for, you should look elsewhere besides Hamden. That did insinuate you didn't think the schools are good - at least that is how I read it. I guess my concern is that whenever someone comes from out of state and they hear how a school is based on test scores, they don't realize the entire student body. Hamden, Stamford, Shelton, and Stratford will always have low test scores. But people don't know that those towns serve every economic level from wealthy to welfare assistance.

You make a very good point. The OP though asked if the schools were good and I should not have impied that they were not. Again though usually someone who is looking for good schools will be looking for a system that performs better than average. I will watch my future comments in that regard. Jay

[renovating]

Originally Posted by AMSS

But you need to stop basing school systems on CMT scores. I have seen you judge many a school that scores low on CMTs due to socioeconomic factors, but not mention that most of those schools have exceptional programs and services that you can't find in other parts of the state or the country.

If a school has exceptional programs, the CMT scores should reflect that.

CMT/SAT/school scores matter.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by renovating

If a school has exceptional programs, the CMT scores should reflect that.

CMT/SAT/school scores matter.

New Canaan has mandatory SAT prep courses factored in during the school day for students about to take them. So does Fairfield. I'd assume Trumbull, Amity and Ridgefield offer them as well. I doubt Bridgeport does. Ansonia probably doesn't, neither do East or West Haven. Do you see a pattern here?

When affluence goes up against working poor, the latter certainly won't come out on top.

[Beeker2211]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

So does Fairfield.

Is this new? When I went there, not that long ago, we didn't have mandatory SAT training. We did have prep courses for the CAPTs but it was a single day around sophomore year.

~Cheers

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Beeker2211

Is this new? When I went there, not that long ago, we didn't have mandatory SAT training. We did have prep courses for the CAPTs but it was a single day around sophomore year.

~Cheers

They do, at Warde at least. It's a part of their regular day - teachers take a break from their daily lesson and go over practice SAT questions. In math classes, they cover the math section, in reading classes, they cover that portion, etc. They do it the same way in New Canaan as well.

It's great for test preparation but it certainly gives students an edge over other districts who don't have these materials. Also, in New Canaan, 3/4 of the students had their own private SAT tutors hired by their parents.

[kimberline18]

Any suggestions of any towns west rather than east? From what I understand, I can get a little more for my money if I head west...still looking for good schools and family friendly area. Oh! And I guess I should probably clarify what I mean for "good schools". I want my kids to get an excellent education, but not freel pressured for Ivy League (even in elementary school) and not to get swallowed up in a system where the majority of the kids come from money and may have additional help/privledges that we may not necessarily be able to provide. So great education, decent class size, minimal crime, parent involvement but not where each family makes $500K and they feel like they don't belong there.

Again, thank you to everyone for their input. Altough it's confusing and has made our decision very tough, it's valuable information.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by kimberline18

Any suggestions of any towns west rather than east? From what I understand, I can get a little more for my money if I head west...

That's not really true. The further west you go, the closer you are to NYC, and real estate soars. You could go a bit further north, maybe to Newtown, Brookfield or Cheshire, but it would dramatically increase the commute time, and home prices really don't go down there, it's probably even more expensive than the towns already discussed. You might look further east though, such as Branford. But again, you would be increasing the commute time.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by kimberline18

Any suggestions of any towns west rather than east? From what I understand, I can get a little more for my money if I head west...still looking for good schools and family friendly area. Oh! And I guess I should probably clarify what I mean for "good schools". I want my kids to get an excellent education, but not freel pressured for Ivy League (even in elementary school) and not to get swallowed up in a system where the majority of the kids come from money and may have additional help/privledges that we may not necessarily be able to provide. So great education, decent class size, minimal crime, parent involvement but not where each family makes $500K and they feel like they don't belong there.

Again, thank you to everyone for their input. Altough it's confusing and has made our decision very tough, it's valuable information.

Then you should probably avoid most of Fairfield County or at least the coastal towns. My sister wouldn't move out for the world - it is a great place - but trying to convince her son to apply to UCONN was a bear because it was looked down upon by him and most of his class. Kind of surprising in this economy. It will probably be better in Fairfield and Trumbull, but I can't be sure.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by renovating

If a school has exceptional programs, the CMT scores should reflect that.

CMT/SAT/school scores matter.

Not necessarily because not all students are going to take the opportunity.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by AMSS

Then you should probably avoid most of Fairfield County or at least the coastal towns. My sister wouldn't move out for the world - it is a great place - but trying to convince her son to apply to UCONN was a bear because it was looked down upon by him and most of his class. Kind of surprising in this economy. It will probably be better in Fairfield and Trumbull, but I can't be sure.

I agree, though Fairfield can be quite pretentious.

I still say the towns right around Shelton are best for the OP: Orange, Oxford, Trumbull and Monroe. Not as expensive as most of FFC, great schools that aren't pressure cooker, and all very nice towns. Seymour is decent, as is Shelton itself, too.