Glenside Elementary vs Copper Beach (Glenside) vs Chestnutwold El (Ardmore) (middle-class, houses)

[movingtopgh]

Hello, and thanks in advance for any info you can provide! My husband and I are trying to figure out if we are going to put in an offer on one of three houses: two are in Glenside and one in Ardmore. We have to decide soon and are trying to find out more about the public elementary schools associated with each house, since our daughter will be going to kindergarten next year. We can see that Copper Beach is rated highly (an 8 on Great Schools), but the other two schools are both rated a “5.” Since these types ratings can only tell you so much, we would really love to get input from people in the communities, especially parents or teachers there, about what the schools are like.

We’d love to hear from anyone who even can tell us what the overall reputation of the schools are. But even more important are things like: how well are teachers able to get to know each kid as an individual? Do they have the time and resources to help kids thrive who might struggle socially or emotionally? Is the school climate inclusive of diversity?

Thanks!!

[Angus215]

I would not base any decision on GreatSchools rankings. Since they changed their methodology to include "equity", they have become essentially meaningless. This is why you could see what is considered to be an excellent school in a highly desirable area get only a 5 out of 10 rating. If you want rankings that are more reflective of the actual performance of the school, use Niche.

Beyond that, I can't offer any specific insight on those particular schools, other than to say that of the 3 school districts they are located in, the order of their reputation would probably be Haverford then Abington then Cheltenham.

[Fireshaker]

The reality is that rankings only tell you so much, and can be misleading as to the actual quality of a school. Lower rankings don't automatically mean a school is bad, and higher rankings don't automatically mean a school is good. What matters is how it meets your and your child's needs, and that's the sort of thing you can really only figure out by visiting the school, talking to staff and teachers, etc.

I will say that of the three school districts you mention (Haverford, Abington, Cheltenham), Cheltenham is the least regarded of the three these days, due at least partly to high taxes and some budget mismanagement. Abington is a perfectly respectable district; both my niece and nephew currently go to school there. Neither went through Copper Beech specifically, but they've done well in the district overall. Haverford is probably the most accessible of the "Main Line" school districts, because it also includes more middle-class Havertown within its borders.

Inasmuch as education mainly happens at home, though, you're not going to get a bad education at any of them. I think it really will come down to your personal taste.

[movingtopgh]

Thank you for all of your replies! Yes, it definitely makes sense to visit the schools themselves. We have just been beginning to narrow down the communities we are interested in enough to know which schools we need more information about. Seems like Niche offers some good information, thank you! I agree that school rankings can only tell you so much, so we will definitely want to visit the schools.