Evaluating School Systems

[Belle]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

Most people, when buying a house gravitate towards the highly ranked schools as well.

Since I am house shopping, I am trying to figure this out. Houses in the high-ranked districts are a lot more expensive, and I want to know if it's worth the extra money.

I can't make any guarantees, but I would suggest to you that it is absolutley worth your money. I am about to graduate with a degree in psychology, with an interst in women and children. I have taken many classes on child development, child disorders, etc. including education classes. So I may not be an expert, but I may have more to offer you than just an opinion :) hopefully! lol

While the student's motivation is obviously a very important factor, as well as the parents' support, the school can make a HUGE difference. Everyone wants to think that their child will be perfect, while in reality, someone has to have the kid with the learning disorder, or behavior disorder or some other kind of special need. If you move to a home where the school distict is good, you will have help if your child does have some sort of special needs. They will have a chance for the same opportunities as everyone else. The same cannot be said for lower ranked districts. The same goes for if you have an extremely gifted child you want them to have good opportunities. Stick them in a crappy school district that doesn't challenge them , has no gifted program, etc. and behavior problems can develop due to boredom, or they may not reach their full potential.... or they may direct their intellect elsewhere and become a serial killer, lol.

Anywho, that's my 2 cents. I don't want to post a novel on here. If you wanna talk more let me know, otherwise hopefully some of that helped you :)

[black98V6]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

Most people, when buying a house gravitate towards the highly ranked schools as well.

Since I am house shopping, I am trying to figure this out. Houses in the high-ranked districts are a lot more expensive, and I want to know if it's worth the extra money.

I would think those go hand in hand, higher prices mean higher property tax which would hopefully mean more tax money for the school and thus a better district.

Higher earners are going to gravitate toward higher ranked schools, that's a fact of it. Now which comes first, expensive property or better schools is kinda like a chicken/egg argument. I would say those with money move in first send the price of property up then get schools established close by for their kids. Just like the neighborhoods the schools are newer, more up to date and due to higher taxes can pay their teachers more.

School district plays a major role for most parents when buying a home, not much you can do to get around it.

Whether it's worth it to you, I dunno, depends on your priorities. If you are going to send your kids to public schools I would say that you are likely going to be willing to pay more for the house.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

I can't make any guarantees, but I would suggest to you that it is absolutley worth your money. I am about to graduate with a degree in psychology, with an interst in women and children. I have taken many classes on child development, child disorders, etc. including education classes. So I may not be an expert, but I may have more to offer you than just an opinion :) hopefully! lol

You are more qualified than myself, so I will give your opinion the proper weight.

While the student's motivation is obviously a very important factor, as well as the parents' support, the school can make a HUGE difference. Everyone wants to think that their child will be perfect, while in reality, someone has to have the kid with the learning disorder, or behavior disorder or some other kind of special need. If you move to a home where the school distict is good, you will have help if your child does have some sort of special needs. They will have a chance for the same opportunities as everyone else. The same cannot be said for lower ranked districts. The same goes for if you have an extremely gifted child you want them to have good opportunities. Stick them in a crappy school district that doesn't challenge them , has no gifted program, etc. and behavior problems can develop due to boredom, or they may not reach their full potential.... or they may direct their intellect elsewhere and become a serial killer, lol.

All very good points. Of course, I don't want a crappy district. I am looking at a district that is ranked in the 50th percentile versus one ranked in the 5th. Does the upgrade REALLY matter? The former is a smaller town with a lower budget (for now, see below)

I would think those go hand in hand, higher prices mean higher property tax which would hopefully mean more tax money for the school and thus a better district.

Higher earners are going to gravitate toward higher ranked schools, that's a fact of it. Now which comes first, expensive property or better schools is kinda like a chicken/egg argument. I would say those with money move in first send the price of property up then get schools established close by for their kids. Just like the neighborhoods the schools are newer, more up to date and due to higher taxes can pay their teachers more.

Great point. So the smaller town I am looking in (the 50th percentile one) is undergoing a lot of development. Lots of new homes are going in. I was assuming this boom would, over time, increase the ranking of the school system - which is what you were saying. My son is only 2.5, so in 10 years, hopefully the schools would be better?

[Belle]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

You are more qualified than myself, so I will give your opinion the proper weight.




All very good points. Of course, I don't want a crappy district. I am looking at a district that is ranked in the 50th percentile versus one ranked in the 5th. Does the upgrade REALLY matter? The former is a smaller town with a lower budget (for now, see below)




Great point. So the smaller town I am looking in (the 50th percentile one) is undergoing a lot of development. Lots of new homes are going in. I was assuming this boom would, over time, increase the ranking of the school system - which is what you were saying. My son is only 2.5, so in 10 years, hopefully the schools would be better?

I would normally say 50th vs 5th percentile, you must be nuts to even consider that! lol But if the 50th is a small town that is up and coming, you never know. It's kind of a gamble. You can always try arranging a meeting with the principle at the school your son would end up at and ask them what kind of programs they have in place for gifted or disability concerns. You could ask the student to teacher ratio. Things like that. See if you personlly feel that this school could meet your sons needs. He will be there in just a few short years. :)

[Fbody3400]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

The same goes for if you have an extremely gifted child you want them to have good opportunities. Stick them in a crappy school district that doesn't challenge them , has no gifted program, etc. and behavior problems can develop due to boredom, or they may not reach their full potential.... or they may direct their intellect elsewhere and become a serial killer, lol.

Like weed

[Belle]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

Like weed

lol, very possible. Smart kids get bored easy.... they need to find some way of amusing themselves

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

I would normally say 50th vs 5th percentile, you must be nuts to even consider that! lol

Well the difference is small older house or a big brand new one. Hence the consideration. So you think the difference is that significant?

You could ask the student to teacher ratio.

I think it was 19.

He will be there in just a few short years. :)

Don't say that! He's already growing up too fast!

I was told not to consider elementary school because they are all basically the same. The middle and high schools are the ones where the ranking makes the most difference. In which case, I have several years before my dude makes it there.

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

lol, very possible. Smart kids get bored easy.... they need to find some way of amusing themselves

yep. I was so bored in high school I was out drinking and partying all the time. :banana:

[Fbody3400]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

lol, very possible. Smart kids get bored easy.... they need to find some way of amusing themselves

Yeah, i think my high school was a very good example of that. There were a lot of smart kids, but pretty much every smart kid turned to drugs (not hardcore drugs). Its kinda of interesting to see

[RadRacer]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

I say motivation. From Kindergarden through 8th grade, I went to the same school. Lowest grade I ever got was a B, why? Because I was challenged and I made myself do the work so I know I would stay with the rest of the class. Now, in my Senior year in HS, I've gotten like 6 F's. The school I'm in is SOOOO easy. They move so slow, that I don't want to do the homework or anything because it seems pointless to me. Why learn how to do something at home when you're teacher's just going to explain it and give you all the answeres the next day? Then, when it comes time to take a test, I realize that I don't quite understand it because I haven't done any of the homework. I say Motivation is a REALLY big key to your education. I'm still smart, have a 3.3 GPA, and all that good stuff, but I feel like I haven't learned squat at my school (besides some Calculus). Yet even with my horrible grades (horrible compared to my earlier grades), I still don't have the motivation to push myself to do the work.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

I've taught elementary (all grades)middle and High School private school and substitute for public school. I've been a tutor, and I've given seminars.

I've been involve with education since I started working. School and it's environment plays a major part on how students are condusive to learning.

Students may be with single parent, have loosey parents, or no parents at all but if the school is set to a high standard then the chances of students doing well or excelling is tremendous.

I'm not favoring private school or anything but I notice the quality of teaching is better than public school. They may not have the same resource as the public school but the quality is there. As oppose to public school where everything is high tech but the quality of teaching is not there at all.

I remember when I used to sub. for public school. The teachers are dressed like students with their mini-skirts, thick make-up, men wearing shorts, & T-shirt. They would talk about current events that's not related to school. I remember this teacher talked about how horrible Prs. Bush is throughout class time and when the bell rang, he just said read so and so pages from your book. My jaw just dropped. No lectures at all. No wonder the students are such drama queens, and not interested in learning at all. I would say it's about 90% classroom management and 10% teaching.

In private school, I was asked to wear a tie. Lecture from the teacher's note and if any students miss behave send them to the principles office right away. I liked it. This made it fun for me to teach students and I can tell the students are liking it too. I would say 90% teaching and learning and 10% classroom management.

[stevethepirate]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

honestly, you need motivation. the motivation comes from a mixture of everything though. ive gone to small private schools my whole life (international schools abroad for 12 years, and a quaker school in philly for 2) so i got used to fairly good teachers, and lots of personal attention. this made me very good with dealing with problems im having and such, but frankly, i have no motivation to ever do any work.
i think it all comes down to the individual. you can go to whatever school you want, but the individual needs to be driven enough to make the most of it. some brilliant people have come out of public schools, and some dumbasses have come out of private schools.
BUT. you can definitely tell the difference between a kid who went to public school and a kid who went to private school. the ability to talk to adults and authority is something which i feel can take you much further than an amazing iq. i had a terrible GPA, but i did so well in my interviews that i got into schools that statistically, i shouldnt have.

[Mogobs30th]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

lol, very possible. Smart kids get bored easy.... they need to find some way of amusing themselves

Was this your excuse?

[Belle]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

Was this your excuse?

:spank:

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Evaluating School Systems

:spank:

This is why I don't have my wife post here. :)