[Lintu]

It's a balance for sure. I think that having the spare cash to dedicate to other things than our mortgage and property taxes could also benefit our kids in the future, too. The additional benefit of a top school over an above average one *may* not be worth it.

I went to the worst-rated high school in my hometown and got an EXCELLENT education, as an example. (Admittedly, it's still very highly regarded, but I think it's only a 6 on Goodschools).

[kidyankee764]

Just to help the OP out a little: Shelton seems to rank the lowest in almost all of the criteria I look at when determining what a "good school" is, and Monroe surprisingly ranked pretty high. As you can see, Trumbull and Monroe have the highest per pupil spending, but they also have the highest taxes/mil rate (p/p spending is very subjective because if the town is managed well, the money will go toward the right things). I will note that all of the schools being ranked here are above the state average, with Shelton only slightly above. I will say that I am not at all impressed with Shelton's graduation rate, nor their disciplinary offenses.

K-12 students not fluent in English:

1. Newtown .2%
2. Monroe: .5%
3. Oxford: 2%
4. Trumbull: 2%
5. Shelton: 2.5%

Graduation rate (high school):

1. Monroe: 99.7%
2. Oxford: 99.5%
3. Trumbull: 98.6%
4. Newtown: 95.6%
5. Shelton: 82%

Percent of teachers with Master's Degree:

1. Newtown: 89%
2. Trumbull: 86%
3. Oxford: 83%
4. Monroe: 82%
5. Shelton: 81%

Per Pupil Spending:

1. Trumbull $12,487
2. Monroe: $12,423
3. Newtown $12,235
4. Shelton: $12,036
5. Oxford: $11,923

High School Disciplinary Offenses (% of student body involved):

1. Trumbull: 4.2%
2. Monroe: 5.1%
3. Oxford: 6%
4. Newtown: 8.6%
5. Shelton: 21.4%

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Shelton is not safe? Mediocre? Blown out of the water by Monroe? Say what? I don't think everyone with a kid adamently demands top schools vs just above average schools. That said, I can't see the OP going wrong with ANY of the choices.

Also, not that any of these towns are drastically more expensive, but in other threads advice is given to push for the best school districts, even if it means pushing things financially. I think things should be balanced financially too. A family that lives well below their means can provide better for their children. That's a happier way to grow up.

Shelton High School: 986 Disciplinary Offenses (CEDAR report) ~1600 total students
36 for Battery
15 for Property Damage
4 for Weapons
93 for Drugs

Monroe: 105 Disciplinary Offenses ~1200 total students
8 for Battery
1 for Property Damage
13 for Drugs
6 for Weapons

Newtown: 200 Disciplinary Offenses ~1700 students
12 for Battery
0 for Property Damage
4 for Weapons
37 for Drugs

I would argue that on a per capita basis, Shelton High is more dangerous and have a much higher percentage of distractions from the educational process.

Furthermore, there is near financial parity for all intents and purposes across these districts:

Median home prices as of April 2013
Monroe $307,000
Shelton $282,000
Newtown $312,000

The difference in monthly mortgage payment between the high (Newtown) and low equates to ~$120/mo. Basically reduce the number of times you eat out per month by 2-3 times and the shortfall is covered. A small price to pay for higher SAT scores and a safer educational environment. I don't know many good parents who would elect for Shelton outside of silly frugality.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

I would argue that on a per capita basis, Shelton High is more dangerous and have a much higher percentage of distractions from the educational process.

Exactly what I found when posting my stats above. Overall, Shelton schools are average. Not bad. Not great.

[Lintu]

I don't really think that my kids will have higher SAT scores if we go to Newtown vs Shelton. But that graduation rate and disciplinary incidence rate are eye-opening.

The mortgage difference may not be much, but it looks like we'd pay $8-10k in tax in Trumbull vs $5-6k in Shelton, so that also adds up.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Lintu

I don't really think that my kids will have higher SAT scores if we go to Newtown vs Shelton. But that graduation rate and disciplinary incidence rate are eye-opening.

The mortgage difference may not be much, but it looks like we'd pay $8-10k in tax in Trumbull vs $5-6k in Shelton, so that also adds up.

So you would have to decide if $3-4k per year is worth the more affluent town with higher ranking schools. You seem to want to be close to amenities, and Shelton provides that. Newtown, Monroe and Oxford are a little drive from major shopping centers.

I was hoping andthentherewere3 would post. I believe she lives in Monroe and can give you some insider info on the town.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

So you would have to decide if $3-4k per year is worth the more affluent town with higher ranking schools. You seem to want to be close to amenities, and Shelton provides that. Newtown, Monroe and Oxford are a little drive from major shopping centers.

I was hoping andthentherewere3 would post. I believe she lives in Monroe and can give you some insider info on the town.

There isn't that much disparity in taxes.... Probably less than $2 grand for similar spec'd homes.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

There isn't that much disparity in taxes.... Probably less than $2 grand for similar spec'd homes.

2k in taxes + the sacrifice in square footage if buying in a higher end town.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

There isn't that much disparity in taxes.... Probably less than $2 grand for similar spec'd homes.

I know what the difference looks like just based on the homes I've saved as favorites on Zillow. I mean, they aren't *perfect* comparisons because there will always be little things here and there that bump something up or down, but I definitely have a sense of what we'd need to pay for what we're looking for. I've seen very appealing homes (as determined by our needs) at around $375k-400k in Oxford, $425-450k in Shelton, $450k-$475k in Trumbull or Monroe, and have seen the corresponding property taxes associated with the home values.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Here are some average taxes for ~3,000 sq foot colonials in the price ranges your provided across the respective towns. Each has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Monroe: $9,700
Trumbull: 9,300
Newtown (which is now dropped from your list??) $9,600
Shelton: $6,900
Oxford: $7,200

However the disparity is much less if you look at spending the same home price in each town. $8500-10000. It's a bit hard to contrast with different price points.