marlboro/manalapan schools are good... but WHY??? (private school, education)

[NJnewcomer]

I have heard that the schools in these areas are very good but i do not know why. I have read the threads and forums saying that these schools are really good. Are they good because of the teacher?? or the students?? or the programs, if someone could be a bit more specific that would really help. Do these schools have any bad things about at all??? Are the kids very much like keeping up with jones, are they pressured to do things or dress a certain way. please if anyone can give more specific information than just " These schools are good" than that would help alot.

[juliann1977]

To keep this short, like most great schools, the socioeconomic background of the residents has a great deal to do with the schools' success. Generally speaking, more affluent people are more educated; thus, they have higher expectations in regards to the education of their children (not that less affluent people don't have expectations of their kids, but the expectations tend to be different). Both towns are reasonably affluent, with Marlboro being more so than Manalapan; thus, the schools are good.

There are always exceptions to this, but parental involvement and realtive affluence have much more to do with a school's success than any other factors. I've taught in an inner-city school, a hoity-toity private school, and in a very middle of the road blue-collar sort of school. Same teacher. Different results--largely based on parental expectations.

We just closed in Marlboro, and moved from that blue-collar town in which I used to teach, primarily because of the above. We will face a different set of challenges with our dd someday I'm sure (namely the kinds of keeping up with the Joneses nonsense you metioned above--and it does exist in Marlboro, less so in Manalapan), but I am certain the pros outweigh the cons.