is north hills SD > pine? (Fox Chapel, Hampton: 2015, chapel, houses)

[longtimeparesident]

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/bes...gh-metro-area/


they have north hills as #8, but pine at #11. do folks agree with this ranking? as we talk to realtors, we always hear praise about NA, Pine, Hampton in the north areas, but no one seems to heap praise north hills SD as much as the other three.

What are posters thoughts on North Hills SD?

[Knepper3]

Also an agent so limited in what we can say, Most clients seem to be open to North Hills as much as those others. NA doesnt surprise me, they rate high and are huge (like double those others) so it has a ton to offer and more alumni to talk about it. I think you have to look at what is important to your kids. A smaller district might not have as many resources but you get (usually) more interaction and closer group plus kids are more likely to make and play on teams. The other side is they are small so not everything is offered and if the kids get in fights (not fist, normal) there are not alot of others to go hang with.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by Knepper3

Also an agent so limited in what we can say, Most clients seem to be open to North Hills as much as those others. NA doesnt surprise me, they rate high and are huge (like double those others) so it has a ton to offer and more alumni to talk about it. I think you have to look at what is important to your kids. A smaller district might not have as many resources but you get (usually) more interaction and closer group plus kids are more likely to make and play on teams. The other side is they are small so not everything is offered and if the kids get in fights (not fist, normal) there are not alot of others to go hang with.

Out of curiosity how can you have your opinion censored on an anonymous website, I could see if you were advertising and giving an opinion on an area that may be illegal. Also out of pure curiosity is it even against the rules to give your opinion to someone who is not your customer or client? I would think if you said your name on here and then said you thought North hills was better than north Allegheny, since you were not directing that to a client specifically would you be fine?

Sorry for an off topic post

[Knepper3]

For me personally it's a matter of someone who could become a client. I actually had someone reach out to me direct on here last fall that we helped find a home who moved from out of state. As an agent we have to watch what we say as legally there are certain things we can not say though it seems many agents dont care. Good or Bad or safe or dangerous are all a relative terms so we are not allowed to use them, rather use things that can be quantified. It's kinda a grey area, fair housing laws restrict but we are also here to help our client. For me, I would let someone know if a school is sought after more often and find out what specifically was important to them in a school to help get the details. Say they have a special needs child, they see what areas might work and what schools then find out what resources are available to present - facts not opinions and if you didnt have a special needs child you might care less about those features.

But yes I can voice my opinions if I wanted to, I just likely should not take that person on as a client. Probably be fine but I am a very logical/factual type person and I need a formula to prove A>B and if you tell me what metrics are important I will have no issue giving a response but it's no longer an opinion.

[Knepper3]

It also doesnt help that when I set this up my username is my last name out of habit so not so anonymous

[WPAKyle]

All are very good. These ratings can be pretty subjective. Your children could get an excellent education at any of these places.

Use these as guidelines but if you school district is a primary reason for where you will land, I'd recommend setting up visits at the schools. See which ones make the best impression on you. A great (or horrible) principal can make a big difference almost anywhere.

[Tractor Face]

Rating NA and Pine high seems to be common to many but I don't hear that about North Hills. Again, I really think it's a matter of what best fits your child.

[gladhands]

At that level of quality education, quibbling about difference in “ranking” is frankly, idiotic. Both school districts are excellent, so apparent should be most concerned at determining the best fit for their individual child. This could be based on extracurricular interests, cultural fit, and frankly, home and community. Anyone who chooses to move into a school district because it’s ranked number nine in the state, versus number 11, has a very shallow understanding of education.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by longtimeparesident

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/bes...gh-metro-area/


they have north hills as #8, but pine at #11. do folks agree with this ranking? as we talk to realtors, we always hear praise about NA, Pine, Hampton in the north areas, but no one seems to heap praise north hills SD as much as the other three.

What are posters thoughts on North Hills SD?

im not gonna say if its a factor but north hills borders the city. some people view that as a negative i guess possibly. houses are also more expensive in the other districts to that gets the realtor a higher cut. overall north hills is top tier and (obviously relatively) "diverse".

[gg]

Originally Posted by longtimeparesident

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/bes...gh-metro-area/


they have north hills as #8, but pine at #11. do folks agree with this ranking? as we talk to realtors, we always hear praise about NA, Pine, Hampton in the north areas, but no one seems to heap praise north hills SD as much as the other three.

What are posters thoughts on North Hills SD?

Neither. Fox Chapel is better and here is why. FC is small, BUT has a lot of money. Therefore, you get the best of both worlds. 3D printers all over the place and a huge pool, blah, blah, blah. Smaller school with a ton of money to spend. Your kid isn't great at some sport? Forget NA as you have to be nearly world class to get in. FC has a lot of openings on most sports. Sure tennis and golf are wildly competitive.

FC tennis:
Section Champs – 1967, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018
WPIAL Champs – 2016, 2017, 2018

FC Golf: Section Champs – 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
WPIAL Champs – 1974, 1976, 1984, 2006

Now your kid is okay at Football? Probably start at FC, but no way at NA because NA is huge, not because of anything else. Just huge. Quality is better than quantity. Also FC is the most diverse district in an economic sense. That is important for your child to grow as it teaches them to understand the poor/needy better.

Good luck.