Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The obsession with school rankings really is baffling.
How so? If you want the best educational opportunities for your children then you look at the rankings. Sure a child that is smart can and will excel in almost any school. But if as a parent I can give them a better advantage why wouldn't I?
I am using primarily the Boston Globe ranking, but also looking at Niche.
Ah. That makes it a little more difficult -- remain cognizant of any locations where it is likely you might get a job. If you're commuting to two different areas, your optimal home will be different than if the commute is only to Cambridge. I would definitely put Needham on your list of places to look.
Also, MA schools are better than PA schools. I really think any town you end up in will be fine, as far as schools.
Far better on average - agree completely there. When we relocated to PA 8 year ago we only considered 3 school districts. For MA we are looking at top 25 or so and then working on commuting, housing, etc form there
And yes, I think we will presume I get something in Boston so that is a factor too
Taking the shuttle is a possibility. I meant we want to avoid the commuter buses.
According to the rankings we have seen, Swampscott and Beverly both ranked much lower (44 and 87 respectively). Will take a look at Marblehead tho - thanks
For network, I’d do the same. I know a ton of folks who went through the Beverly schools, for example, who all turned out great. Good careers, high income, etc. But, no disputing that affluence and high test scores/achievement correlate, as does the opportunity and network kids will have once they graduate. In concord, you will see a lot more C-Levels, doctors, and lawyers. You could certainly say the same in Beverly Farms, but a good % of those kids attend private or Catholic schools. So I don’t blame you at all.
I think Andover is going to check all of your boxes if you can’t find a home in those upper-crust MetroWest towns. Marblehead would do the same.
For network, I’d do the same. I know a ton of folks who went through the Beverly schools, for example, who all turned out great. Good careers, high income, etc. But, no disputing that affluence and high test scores/achievement correlate, as does the opportunity and network kids will have once they graduate. In concord, you will see a lot more C-Levels, doctors, and lawyers. You could certainly say the same in Beverly Farms, but a good % of those kids attend private or Catholic schools. So I don’t blame you at all.
I think Andover is going to check all of your boxes if you can’t find a home in those upper-crust MetroWest towns. Marblehead would do the same.
Thanks for understanding where I am coming from - will check them out as well
The Globe publishes MCAS scores by district. The Mass.gov website has information.
Yah but they don't create their own methodology to rank school districts like Boston Magazine or Niche does.
Niche though seems to use some of their own "self reported" surveys for its ranking. That brings in a bit of selection bias.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
