school research

anybody know good reference sites to search public school ratings? I am afraid ours may not be very good....

Here is the Newsday link
LI School Reports

HTH

National School Ratings

Jenny
I know I looked into this when we were home searching but now you have got me thinking-- I want to compare my town to other NJ towns--
Can you tell me what are 'good' schools that you have heard of?
Thanks
ETA: Actually LI towns would be a great comparison as well-- what are the ideal towns for schools?

I would love more insight on this as well ... especially from the teachers.

What determines a good school vs. bad? I mean ratings can't be our only forms of measurement and can't those ratings be skewed.

I personally want to move at some point before our 'kids' go to school - b/c I don't 'think' we have a great school district, but when I see ratings and hear some of our neighbors, I begin to think otherwise.

So ... how do you know what is a good school or not?

as a teacher cira...the regents reports are a complete farce...the regents has been made harder...but they put such a tremendous curve on it that you can get only HALF right and still pass...but oh look how great NYS looks now!!! {{{off soap box}}}


Jenny...i would look into the NJ Dept of Ed sight...I would talk to people...I would look at drop out records...4-year college records...% of students involved in extra-curricular activities...

Thanks Erica!!! I thought so. You are on your soap box a few times today!!!

Bump for anyone else????

Cira ... Erika's right. The elementary & middle schools are rated on the basis of the tests administered in the 4th grade & 8th grade. In most districts, these scores are skewed. Plenty of reasons why, but a big one is when districts label a large percentage of their population as Special Ed to get them exempted from the stats being reported. This happens in lots of upper middle class districts.

Best thing to do IS to talk to people, AND go see the schools yourself. See what the programs are, who the children are who attend, who the principals are, what the superintendent is like. Not ALL districts are alike, but most are more similiar than they are different. In those cases, look for special services or programs that the district supports.

And lastly, you cannot discount the influence that you will have in your child's education. By being a positive influence & making education a priority in your family, your child will succeed.

Can you tell I've been at school this week?! I'm off MY soapbox now, going back into baby mode ....

I also think that school districts change a lot. I mean, you can buy a home today and in 10 years who knows where the school district will be.
My little brother goes to a very highly rated district but has had nothing but problems. Part of it has to do with well...him but a large part has to do with too many kids per classrooms, no personal attention or tutoring offered etc... And we have all heard of the kids who become world class doctors who grew up in the inner cities. Parents have a HUGE influence on how well your child does in school. of course, school shootings or voilence is another issue, but I, for one, stink at standardized test so I know that those scores are not always right on target. You need to talk to parents, get involved and make sure your child gets what he/she needs to succeed.

I agree! Thanks Christine and Michelle. And Michelle, I stink at standardized tests too ... but if you looked at my grades, you'd never know it! Oh well.

I guess we get so wrapped up in how the school is rated. I still want to change schools at some point, because I really want our children to be exposed to a wealth of programs and funding. Personalized attention is so important too ... I will probably interview my kid's principal! Ha! Also, I've noticed that a lot of highly rated schools are located in wealthy areas and alot of those kids are then exposed to drugs and kids driving bmw's to school. Ok ... I'll get off my soapbox now!!

Laura, in Bergen County I know that Tenafly is a very good system. Englewood public is out of the question. Leonia isn't great. Ridgewood is supposed to be FANTASTIC...but just TRY to afford a house there!

I will let you know what I come up with!

It is so hard--- we moved out of BC cause we wanted a bigger house, more land, etc-- and the district we are in is ok--- our thing is we want to send our kids to private school so it kind of doesnt matter --although we had to think about resale etc--although I cant see us moving but Dh always has it in the back of his head
jenny-- BTW I am going to be working in your neck of the woods within the next couple of months (Palisade park) we might run into each other at Shop Rite or something
Laura

Jenny
Check out The secret is out on NWR --
you got me to spill the beans!!!