[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Raider111

Nonsense. Just because mom and dad had a bigger budget for a house doesn't mean they're going to blow anyone away. Typical/average is just that - typical/average.

Living within budget and means should be first and foremost. Diff between those schools is not worth stretching for and living with financial stress. Like I said earlier, its name brand recognition, and someone mentioned a further south location also, that's it. It does have a much prettier downtown though, I'll give it that.

This is your opinion that not everyone would agree with you on. Ridgefield is one of the top school districts in our state. Some people would rather have a more modest home in a better school district than a larger home in a more midlevel school district. It is that simple and a matter of personal preference.

I will say that in talking to a college recruiter once I found out that most colleges use a tier system to rate school systems and the students that come from them. Since Ridgefield is a top rated school system, it would be tier one so students with grade point averages slightly lower than students in lower tier schools are considered before the tier 2 schools students for admission. I was surprised to hear that. Still I would never dismiss Bethel schools. They are very good without a doubt. Jay

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by JayCT

This is your opinion

Yes, it is. Isn't that the point of this site

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Raider111

Yes, it is. Isn't that the point of this site

It is. Just pointing that out though so the OP is aware of that. Jay

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by JayCT

It is. Just pointing that out though so the OP is aware of that. Jay

No prob. Youre talking about someone with a fairly large budget weighing home sizes. i agree with going for modest and location, but Bethel is a 200s - 300ks town. Big stretch for Ridgefield.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by JayCT

This is your opinion that not everyone would agree with you on. Ridgefield is one of the top school districts in our state. Some people would rather have a more modest home in a better school district than a larger home in a more midlevel school district. It is that simple and a matter of personal preference.

I will say that in talking to a college recruiter once I found out that most colleges use a tier system to rate school systems and the students that come from them. Since Ridgefield is a top rated school system, it would be tier one so students with grade point averages slightly lower than students in lower tier schools are considered before the tier 2 schools students for admission. I was surprised to hear that. Still I would never dismiss Bethel schools. They are very good without a doubt. Jay

I have to say to claim Ridgefield has better schools is just ridiculous. Bethel has a higher poverty level and STILL competes with the "richer" southern schools in spite of the fact they have to spend so much more time and money on ELL and language issues. Bethel middle school was just voted number one in the STATE.

If you have a kid and parents who want to excel, either of these schools will work. As will New Fairfield, Brookfield, etc.... Danbury not so much but that is more in line with what kidyankee said about behavioral issues especially in later grades.

[beerisgood02]

Originally Posted by jp03

I have to say to claim Ridgefield has better schools is just ridiculous. Bethel has a higher poverty level and STILL competes with the "richer" southern schools in spite of the fact they have to spend so much more time and money on ELL and language issues. Bethel middle school was just voted number one in the STATE.

Westport was ranked #1 and #2 best middle school in the state by Niche.

https://k12.niche.com/rankings/publi...s/connecticut/

Bethel came in at #58. Ridgefield had two middle schools in the top 20 (#10 & #11).

[beer belly]

Originally Posted by Kristinandrea

I'm looking for opinions on Bethel Ct. We are relocating to the area and going back and forth between Bethel and Ridgefield. We absolutely love Ridgefiled but I'm curious as to what Bethel is like. Is it a nice place to live? We are torn because of Bethel's home prices being so much more affordable. Is there something I'm missing about Bethel? I have yet to visit the town so wondering if anyone could tell me what it's like there and if it's a nice place to live.

As important as schools systems are, the OP never questioned the schools.....maybe they don't have children of school age ?. This has gone off the rails from the 4th posting or so.
ON Edit....yes, post #46 they did mention schools rather briefly

[Kjgaebel]

Shoprite in Norwalk is 9 miles from me and can take up to 36 minutes. I usually go to Danbury which is 12 miles and takes 20 minutes.
Unless you're driving in this traffic daily you really have no say

[Kjgaebel]

In Weston just this year as we are new we have had many families from Westport come to Weston bc the school are not that god

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by JayCT

It is not only this, it is the attitude in a town that they want to provide the best education possible and they are not afraid to pay for it. It is the little things like how many guidance counselors there are to assist students or if teachers have para's to assist them in classes. Extra reading teachers help as well. These thing make small but important differences that are hard to quantify. Jay

Money brings better students. It doesn't necessarily buy better teachers. I've seen some amazing teachers in poor schools. It's easier for a mediocre teacher to get by in a school full of motivated students.