School Rankings (how much, to relocate, car)

[jmarkd]

Very surprised to have stuck a few nerves with my opinion that many people make too big a deal about school rankings, I thought I'd start a new thread to see what folks think.
My opinion: parents are far more important than School X's ranking/class size/average SAT score. Dissenting opinions have been strident, to put it mildly. To put it un-mildly, a few people have gotten emotional and irrational to the point of name-calling.
People! We're not talking politics or religion! Lose the emotions and let's start a robust debate on the merits of school rankings in the decision of where to relocate.

[DavidS827]

I don't know if this is just something I see around here, or if this extends across the country, but it seems that where your child goes to school is very much a status symbol around here. I think I agree with you in that a child's education starts at home, but also think that the school and environment that the school creates are very important in how much they learn and where that school ranks. I have also heard the arguement that if you really care about your child's education you would enroll them in a private school...even if it means downsizing your house, car and any other comforts needed to afford it.