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What are good sources to compare schools in different areas? I was looking at the greatschools.net, but found that information highly inaccurate.
The ratings are based on the user input and as result it is highly subjective. The testing scores are state specific. So I cannot really compare NY to NJ schools. Moreover test scores look strange. For example one Jersey city hight school got highest rating (10 out of 10) and 100% passing test score. Sounds quite unrealistic. Especially since most of the people on this forum have low opinion about Jersey city public high schools.
It would be helpful to see solid statistic data about school before basing my decision to by house on this data. Would you recommend any site (paid sites would work as well).
thanks.
i like to use schooldigger.com though they don't have an option to compare different states... but for within a state and school rankings i think it's pretty accurate and they have a radius option to choose. The numbers in the bubbles stand for how many stars ranking.
no, the HS in JC is accurate - McNair Academic - consistenly rated the best in the state. You have to be admitted though.
Go to the NJDOE site, and you can get all sorts of statistics there, and compare schools based on ranking such as: NCLB scores, SAT's, attendance, faculty education, suspensions, income, graduation rate, % of kids going to college, free or reduced lunch, that sort of thing.
Lot of useful information on greatschools.net. You can compare schools directly if they are in the same state. For out of state schools your best bet is to drill down to the proficiency rates by grade (under test scores) and compare that way.
The McNair Academic is an anomaly in Jersey City. The rest are pretty much terrible.
greatschools.net is accurate, having test scores, demographics, etc. What may or may not be accurate are the opinions of the people rating the schools based upon their own individual experiences. I take them with a grain of salt.
I also use schooldigger, they seem to have all relevant statistics. And NJ school report cards on DOE webpage. Between those two you can clearly see test scores, graduation rates, AP class participation, economic/racial demographics, etc.
Plus you can go to individual schools websites, and see what's going on at that particular school. The better ones have very extensive information in terms of all the classes they offer, clubs, you get a feeling that they really care to go that extra mile. Other schools seem to be just oriented around getting through the day and passing that test.
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