We live in a district where the elementary is ranked 4, middle school 6, but the high schools are quite good, with rankings of 7 and 9. It’s tough deciding whether to move, which would be a hassle. How can we ensure our kids get a good education if the elementary school ranks so low? I’m considering hiring tutors. The high schools are great, which complicates the decision. How crucial is it to attend a high-ranked elementary and middle school? Some say high school is what really matters. Thanks for your thoughts!
What are these rankings based on? Are you looking at GreatSchools?
Samuel3 said:
What are these rankings based on? Are you looking at GreatSchools?
Yes, these are Great Schools rankings.
Samuel3 said:
What are these rankings based on? Are you looking at GreatSchools?
Yes, these are Great Schools rankings.
Take Great Schools rankings with a grain of salt. They can be skewed by various factors like income and language backgrounds. My children attend a low-rated school but perform above grade level. They read at home and did extra math work when younger.
@MiaAbigail
It’s mostly about equity. Our district is half Hispanic, and there’s a notable performance gap between income groups. I’m thinking of talking to other parents in our district to get a feel for the schools. Our area is safe, so crime isn’t an issue.
@Chris
You could ask about the schools in a local Facebook group. Maybe visit the schools to get a feel for them yourself. Schools should have data on their performance you can check.
Sophia2 said:
@Chris
You could ask about the schools in a local Facebook group. Maybe visit the schools to get a feel for them yourself. Schools should have data on their performance you can check.
Thanks! I posted in a local moms group and heard great things about our district. The schools are rated B and B+. Earlier this year, the superintendent resigned due to budget issues, which upset many parents and affected the rankings. I’ve read the budget issues have been resolved now.
Samuel3 said:
What are these rankings based on? Are you looking at GreatSchools?
Yes, these are Great Schools rankings.
See if the school has any advanced or honors programs. Being an involved parent means your child is likely to succeed, regardless of the school’s overall rating.
@Kathy
I’ll check if the middle school offers advanced programs. Not sure if it’s as crucial for elementary school.
Don’t rely solely on Great Schools rankings. Look at more detailed data on your state’s education department website.
Great Schools ratings mostly reflect test performance. If you’re considering moving to avoid a diverse student body, think carefully. Apologies for the bluntness, but it’s a common misconception. The ratings often unfairly label schools with predominantly non-English-speaking or economically disadvantaged students as ‘bad.’
@Luchivya
Yes, the district is mostly Hispanic. Recently, there were budget cuts and a change in superintendent, which upset many parents. This likely affected the school’s ratings. I’ve connected with local parent groups and heard positive reviews about the schools despite the ratings.
@Luchivya
It’s important to understand that school ratings can reflect socio-economic factors and not necessarily the quality of education. It sounds like you’re doing the right thing by getting more context.
@Dr.Smitha
Exactly, the public often misinterprets what these ratings represent. Thanks for adding that.