What's with the low public school ratings in IF? (Rexburg: for sale, house)

[LadyWest]

Due to divorce I'm considering relocating from the Seattle suburbs to the IF area in order to attend BYU-I. I have two preschool aged kids, so schools are important to me. I didn't necessarily expect the schools to be the absolute best, but I was completely shocked to see district 91 elementary schools ranking a 2 or 3 on the great schools website. The district I live in now is one of the top in WA state and here I thought our elementary was underperforming with its "7" score.

So now I'm concerned. I was excited initially when I saw that I could buy a cute, older home but now I'm not sure that would be a good idea.

What should I make of the low scores? I know the scoring is based on the standardized testing, which doesn't really tell the whole picture, but still - a "2" out of "10"?

If good schools are my priority, where within a commutable distance to Rexburg should I be looking?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[cleosmom]

You did not mention how the schools in Rexburg compared.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by LadyWest

Due to divorce I'm considering relocating from the Seattle suburbs to the IF area in order to attend BYU-I. I have two preschool aged kids, so schools are important to me. I didn't necessarily expect the schools to be the absolute best, but I was completely shocked to see district 91 elementary schools ranking a 2 or 3 on the great schools website. The district I live in now is one of the top in WA state and here I thought our elementary was underperforming with its "7" score.

So now I'm concerned. I was excited initially when I saw that I could buy a cute, older home but now I'm not sure that would be a good idea.

What should I make of the low scores? I know the scoring is based on the standardized testing, which doesn't really tell the whole picture, but still - a "2" out of "10"?

If good schools are my priority, where within a commutable distance to Rexburg should I be looking?

Thanks in advance for your help!

LadyWest,

I support your decision to gather more information before you move. Having no idea how old your children are or which schools you reviewed, I have no idea about how current or any details about the schools.

Be it the Madison County Schools in Rexburg, Dist. # 91 or Dist. #93 in Bonneville County or schools in Jefferson County, I'd encourage you to contact the schools/Districts directly. Only they have all the information of how those scores were determined.

Good luck with your decisions and possible move.

MSR

[LadyWest]

Cleosmom: I haven't even looked up rexburg yet, not sure if I want to live there. I did read that they have a brand new elementary or something.

I think one of the district 91 schools I looked up was Hawthorne elementary. Great schools rates it a 3/10. Im just trying to figure out why such a low rating? I looked it up that school as there is currently a house for sale (older, 1920's, super cute and I can afford it) nearby. I think it is on 12th. How is the area? My kids are little now, ages 2 and 4, but when they are older will I feel safe letting them ride their bikes to the park, play in the neighborhood, etc? I took a tour via google street view and the neighborhood looks clean and doesn't strike me as sketchy in any way, just older modest homes with a varying degree of upkeep among them. I will be out for a visit within the month, and until then I'm trying to get a feel for the area.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by LadyWest

Cleosmom: I haven't even looked up rexburg yet, not sure if I want to live there. I did read that they have a brand new elementary or something.

I think one of the district 91 schools I looked up was Hawthorne elementary. Great schools rates it a 3/10. Im just trying to figure out why such a low rating? I looked it up that school as there is currently a house for sale (older, 1920's, super cute and I can afford it) nearby. I think it is on 12th. How is the area? My kids are little now, ages 2 and 4, but when they are older will I feel safe letting them ride their bikes to the park, play in the neighborhood, etc? I took a tour via google street view and the neighborhood looks clean and doesn't strike me as sketchy in any way, just older modest homes with a varying degree of upkeep among them. I will be out for a visit within the month, and until then I'm trying to get a feel for the area.

Did you check the scores for dist 93? I believe they typically are higher... I don't have kids so I can only go with the information I get from friends and when my niece taught in both 91 and 93