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After my recent relocation visit, I just spent a ton of time last night on this site and was disappointed to see the schools in my favorite area. These forums seem to have some different opinions of the districts, but I was wondering if anybody else found this website to be accurate for their school. The parent reviews seem to be subjective, but the test scores don't lie. Or do they?
Is there another site that folks have found to be pretty useful for school ratings?
The parent reviews to me aren't that important. It's too small of a sample size and it's either going to be the cheerleaders or the people who had problems that post. I'm not aware of any other sites, but Wake County has all of the test data on its website.
Actually the test scores can sort of lie, especially if it's a magnet school that has separate programs like AG basics and IB. Well, they don't really "lie" but they also don't give the whole picture. And I agree with the PP, people who are content don't post parent reviews, it's either the cheerleaders or people who have issues who post there.
I don't think GreatSchools is a very reliable source. Many schools barely have any reviews at all. For instance, Carolina Friends School - a highly respected private school - has just one review listed and it was posted in 2003.
You might be happier with the info at NCReportCards. It gives all of the test scores & breaks them down in a way that's easy to understand. NC School Report Cards
Additionally, with all the redistricting in Wake County (and other areas when it happens), the scores may not reflect the current acheivement level in a specific school.
Thanks for the NC School Report Card link. That's as objective as I could hope for. I had favored houses that would have North Chatham Elementary as the school, but every grading report seems to fail that school. We're involved parents, but that's still scary to trust that things will go well when scores are trending down for the last 3 years. The notes I've seen in the forums don't offset that thinking either I'm also now looking up in Wake Forest at Heritage Elementary School. I haven't poked around these forums yet for news there, so if it's in a thread somewhere, I'll find it!
What we did was look through all the school data (test scores, etc) and picked the best schools(for us). Then I had our realtor show us homes that went to those schools, I didn't waste time looking outside my target school area. It ended up the best schools(my opinion for what I was looking for) in Wake County were in West Cary. We really couldn't go wrong with any of those schools, Highcroft, GreenHope, Weatherstone, Carpenter, Davis, Turner Creek. Even if we got redistricted it would most likely be to one of these schools.
Of course, Wake County Public School System has their own website and scores are posted there, as well.
You can always call ahead and plan a visit to the school you are considering and that may help you, as well. The scores aren't everything.
Once your kids get to High School, if they are taking honors classes, they are in class with groups of kids that are usually motivated to get better grades.
Thanks for the NC School Report Card link. That's as objective as I could hope for. I had favored houses that would have North Chatham Elementary as the school, but every grading report seems to fail that school. We're involved parents, but that's still scary to trust that things will go well when scores are trending down for the last 3 years.
If you are interested in North Chatam Area, call the school and ask why their scores have trended down the last 3 years. They may have an explanation that works for you, or not. But at least you'll have more info.
Keep in mind that NC changed the math test a couple of years ago. many schools state wide (even well regarded schools) saw a drop in Math scores that year.
Also keep in mind that generally schools with better test scores have more kids from middle class educated families. Did the demographics change in N. Chatam recently?
Lastly, there is Woods Charter School in N. Chatam. It's not a guarantee and there is a waitlist. But if you have kids that will be in K 09/10 or later they have a better chance of getting in.
Good luck with your research.
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I'm also now looking up in Wake Forest at Heritage Elementary School. I haven't poked around these forums yet for news there, so if it's in a thread somewhere, I'll find it!
