What's the best way to research good nieghborhoods for the best public elementary schools (So. Calif)?

Question

I'm starting to look for a house to buy. How can I see how schools are really ranked?

Answer 1

Standard and Poor's does a rating of school systems. That would be a good way to see how the schools are and then purchase a home in their school area. Many realtors allow you to narrow your search by school district.

Answer 2

There is a standard test called the Stanford Test (or something close). Each year the public schools take test and the results are posted in the Los Angeles Times. Find that issue and you can do your research.

Please be aware that there is a considerable drop-off from elementary to middle school scores. The scores then pick up when going into high school.

Answer 3

You are probably not going to like the answer I'm going to give you. You can go to a website like greatschools.net to look at things like test scores and demographic information, but if you really want to find out the best schools in the area, you're going to have to actually physically go and visit them.
The problem with test scores is that you really don't know what that means. An upscale community might have a school with high test scores, but that could simply mean it has more wealthy students with private tutors. Or perhaps that school focuses so much on the test that they don't take time for science or social studies, much less music or art.
If you are really set on test scores, a really good way to look at a school is to compare the percentage of free/reduced lunch children with test scores. I know this sounds harsh, but socioeconomic status is the single best predictor of school achievement. If a school has a higher percentage of free/reduced lunch children, and their test scores are strong, then that community or that school is definitely doing something right.
The best advise is to get feedback from parents whose children go there. Go to a local playground and get to know the community.
You should also find out how involved their PTA is. Parent involvement is another huge predictor of achievement. You might be able to get that information from the county where you live. And don't forget that as an involved parent, your child is going to succeed no matter what school they attend!

Answer 4

Normally, first-hand visualization would be the route. Prepare a listing of schools in the area you might move to and take notes of each area/school visited. Once everything has been compiled, draw your own conclusion and then search the real estate market for that area. Be sure that you look at the area outside the box. When school lets out... follow the kids and see what direction they walk to. Find stores in the area, as well as neighborhood bars, etc., take a full inventory of the area, then make your decision.

Answer 5

One of the best and quickest ways is to ask a local real estate agent (or two) as the prices for housing in an area with good to great elementary schools is much higher than one with average to poor elementary schools. Realtors will know this as they research it to promote home sales.

Answer 6

In South Cali, you can drop in. You can also call the districts . You can also look at the graduation rate of the districts. Plus, look at the crime rate of the schools neighborhood. Since gas is so high, you want to consider driving or having your kids take the bus to school. One last thing....... what I would consider if I was looking down there is the parks and entertainment. Take all those things into consideration, but if there was a park near a school and it was nice, then go after it.

Answer 7

Go to www.greatschools.com or the CA Department of Education (http://www.cde.ca.gov/) Great schools has a "Compare schools" tool that you can narrow down by location (district, county, near an address, etc). The CA DoE site has the official testing results and other statistics.

Answer 8

Talk to everyone you know in the areas where you're looking for a home. You might post an ad online or in the newspaper asking for experiences and opinions. GO to the schools and talk with the principals and teachers. Ask for curriculums and study them, then discuss with your child which schools seem to meet their interests (such as science or drama).

Answer 9

Ask the people who live there.

Rankings aren't very useful, because the schools' results are only as good as the students who are in them. Which came first, the good student or the good school?

Answer 10

Try to attend a local school board meeting and see how many parents participate in the meetings. This is often a good gauge as to the teacher parent involvement level