Advice on Egg Harbor Twp. schools. (Wayne, Atlantic City: real estate, apartment complexes, insurance)

[jeb412]

I'm considering moving to Egg Harbor Twp. with 3 young kids. I recently came across some info. that the Egg Harbor Twp. schools might not be that great (standardized test scores, etc.) Does anyone have any advice or info on the subject? It looks like Mainland High School is the best, but there isn't much in terms of real estate in that district. What do you think are the best districts in South Jersey?

[wayne miller]

Hi:
With reference to your question about E. H. Twp schools vs Mainland H.S., history is important in helping with your decision.

Both communities lie apx 6 air miles from Atlantic City. Back in the Second World War, the now Atlantic City Airport (located at the National Aviation Facilities C enter in Pomona was 6 miles from A.C. and a Naval Air Base for Carriers at sea. During the late 1950's the air port became a training & experimental center called NAFEC. The NAFEC emoployeeswere largely air traffic controllers who bought houses in the communities of Northfield-Linwood & Somers Point. This surge in population hit a peak in l960-l965 era. Mainland High School was founded based on this populatuion increase.

But, Egg Harbor Twp. that lies just to the West of Northfield-Linwood-Somers Point did not take off until Gambling came to Atlantic City 25 years ago. With the Mainland towns filled & houses all sold, E HTwp. exploded in a housing boom of appx 1,000 new homes every year since Casino's. NAFEC moved almost all of their Air Traffic Controllers (HUNDRED'S AT THIS TIME TO NEW Mexico to make the future clear for an internatuional air port for the Casino trade.

EHT the school facilities now handle 6,000+ students. That figure will double overnight to handle the growth. This means the tax rate on a $100,000 home I(if you could find one) would be around $3.000 annually. Taxes for the houses sending kids to Mainland may be the same, but, EHT taxes must go up significantly to cover the new schools needed.

In my opinion, after having lived here in both Northfield,
Linwood and finally EggHarbor Twp., would be for you to somehow find a Northfield or Linwood home. Average price would be $300,000+ with a $5,000 annual Tax bill. Then your kids would go to Mainland. about same student population as EHt H.S.
Which schools are better- I have been in Education 48 years
and can tell you that you cannot look at test scores, grades & college placements. I will tell you that the schools manipulate the test
scores in both districts by teaching the test, buying prepared books that show the state trst questions and more time is spent on teaching the test than actually teaching what should be taught. Mainland at one time could not place a graduating senior anywhere, then they made deals with the colleges who where hungry and would take an A & B student and gave in and accepted a D student. These deals are prevalent in most large districts. While they claim Blue Ribbon Status at Mainland, that is based on many other factors than instruction,such as library books, teachers degrees, etc.

Egg Harbor Twp. had the same problems starting out with a new High SCHOOL ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO. They aLSO MADE DEALS with the colleges as nobody wanted to take a risk on a graduate from an unknown high school. So, they are now equal with Mainland. Which kid is smarter? that depends on the cultural, ethnic and family money. EHT is more Blue Collar, younger families, was previously rural hicks. Mainland is more White Collar families that have 2nd & 3rd generatiobn money and financially more secure. That money
has provided more opportunities tio Mainland kids, so yes they look brighter on paper. EHT kids may have more common sense vs IQ.

You have a tough decision. If it where me in your shoes, I would select Northfield to live in over Linwood because the schools appear to have more individual concern & help for thier Kto 8 students. Mainland is not more than
1&1/2 mile from Northfield. Somers point has the cheapest real estate. But, has some large apartment complexes that send the wrong kind of children too Mainland. Yes, I would have to agree that Mainland would be
also my choice over EHT,because of longevity and the years they have been now successful in getting their kids into college.

But, when it goes to guidance counseling at either school, you will find that because of the numbers, guidance will only see your child alphabetically by counselor and only once a year. So, you will have to make application to colleges, counsel your kids in career choices and most of all: Expose Them to All Kinds of Careers. I would recommend staying away from Casino Careers, the burn out is very high & most only last 5 years at the max due to hours, wages, labor relations, working holidays and on and on. Since we have no other industry, most kids move away to other states.

I am sorry to have bored you with this story, but I think you need to know this old history to make a proper choice.

Remember, before Casino's we had an unemployment ratio of 60%. Now everyone is working and real estate is up. Also, a side note that all of the original casino employees cam,e from Las Vegas & Tahoe all returned to Nevada as the East coast wasn't for them. They have all been replaced by our locals. A Pit Bodd 25 years ago came in at $95,000 salary, now that are
paid $45,000. A dealer averages about $25,000. While a garage car parking
attendant easily makes $100,000 + in tips & salary. This kind of distorts a child's goals when you talk of going to colleg and making under $25,000 after
4 years of college and $120,000 tuition bill. The parking attendadt and coctail waitress average of $100,000 with no education. Ouch!

By the way, I am a School Psychologist, PhD in another district that was not mentioned and I also own an Insurance Agency for 47 years. I think my appraisal of the area is more truthfull than what you might pick up from a hungry Realtor.
Regards,
Wayne

However, you can generally offer 20% on a listed house and get it.

[FireMoon]

Originally Posted by jeb412

What do you think are the best districts in South Jersey?

In my opinion Lacey township schools are Excellent