Biddeford Public Schools (Scarborough: real estate, university, prices)

[MaineSparky]

Who can provide some insight into the Biddeford Public School system. I’m kind of torn here. On the one hand the high school seems to do poorly on state proficiency exams. But on the other,I see an average SAT score of 1080. Not really either bad or outstanding, but the average at Scarborough is only 1210 and that school is routinely ranked among the best in the state. Is the school system broken? Or, are these rankings really just geared towards driving up real estate prices,

[mainegrl2011]

Are you asking because you have kids in high school or are you mainly concerned about how the reputation of a high school may contribute to real estate prices?

Any real estate on or near the coast of Maine is going to be pricey. Some from away think Maine real estate prices are a steal. I guess it's all relative.

I think parents should be more concerned with how "their" students study, work hard, and apply themselves in class and when taking a test such as the SAT rather than how the school does as a whole. One reason is because some students who see no need to do well on the SAT but somehow find themselves having to take it, may score poorly or below their ability. That doesn't mean a whole school should have a bad reputation because of SAT scores. What it means to me is that all students are not planning to go to a 4-year college and see no reason to even try to excel on the SAT. Some may plan on being fishermen or fisherwomen or planning a career in one of the trades, maybe entering an apprenticeship program or two-year college, etc.

Linda Greenlaw went to Colby College and later became a swordfish captain; there could be other fishermen and fisherwomen with college educations. ... seems like an individual choice and not a requirement.

[mainebrokerman]

MY SON WENT TO UNE (university of new England) in Biddeford FOR 6 YRS. to be a pharmacist

and he stayed in maine and didn't move away once he got his doctorate

awesome college!!

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

MY SON WENT TO UNE (university of new England) in Biddeford FOR 6 YRS. to be a pharmacist

and he stayed in maine and didn't move away once he got his doctorate

awesome college!!

This would be an example where an SAT score mattered. .... someone going to a 4-year college or university and in your son's case, pursuing a graduate education. There seem to be plenty of jobs in health-related fields even in Maine.... no need to leave the state for employment. and... cudos to your son for his sticktuitiveness in his lengthy post-secondary education.