Considering Hastings-on-Hudson move? (Scarsdale, Chappaqua: credit, high school, universities)

[WestchesterRE]

Does anyone live there that can tell me about the schools and community? I have a 3 year old so schools are a top priority (in addition to commute time). Thanks!

[ponytrekker]

Schools are good but not the best in Westchester. Have always been focused on the middle 80% of the bell curve. If your kids are either advanced or have learning issues, won't be a good fit. There are also a few other schools where course offering and extracurriculars are more plentiful.

Community can be a bit cliquish. Location, walkability and commute can't be beat.

[WestchesterRE]

Thanks- do you know what types of colleges and universities they go on to, or a place I can find this info? I had seen on the westchester magazine stats that something like 70-something percent of kids there do AP classes which seemed impressive. So schools there don't offer much?

[onefeather]

We have been in Hastings for just a few years, child in kindergaarten. We love it. Based on our limited experirence so far, our impression is that Hastings schools lacks the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Scarsdales and Chappaquas, but is very high quality regardless. And more liberal/ down to earth. Also economically diverse. When you couple the high sat scores with that economic diversity, I think that a lot of the credit has to go to the schools. But you do really pay for it in taxes.

[WestchesterRE]

Thanks - did you move from the city? I actually grew up in chappaqua but the commute is just too far from there, and I'm not sure i really like the Scarsdale pressure cooker. I realize your dc is young but you feel confident that despite the small size of the schools there are sufficient offerings and extracurriculars? Thanks again for your help and opinions.

[onefeather]

We moved from the city. Don't have great knowledge regarding extracurriculars given we are just dealing with kindegarten for now- but I do have the impression that there are significant offerings, particularly in music and the arts. On the other hand, if you want a big team sports program you may want to look elsewhere. One option might be to call the middle and high school and ask them for information and materials