Greatschools.net?

[ERMama]

For those with schoolage kids. How "accurate" do you think their ratings are? Top score is a 10.

Hubby is going for an interview out of state and although he may not even get the job, Im trying to prepare myself and find out about potential schools to help us make a decision.

My sons current school district gets 8-10's with mostly 9 and 10's.

The area he is interviewing in seems to be mostly in the 6/7 range (with quite a few being even lower).

 

[DevilDuckie]

For those with schoolage kids. How "accurate" do you think their ratings are? Top score is a 10.

Hubby is going for an interview out of state and although he may not even get the job, Im trying to prepare myself and find out about potential schools to help us make a decision.

My sons current school district gets 8-10's with mostly 9 and 10's.

The area he is interviewing in seems to be mostly in the 6/7 range (with quite a few being even lower).

It seems to be pretty good based on the two districts we've been in. My son's current school is excellent and got an 8.

 

[rt2dz]

I'd take it with a grain of salt--it's rated by parents, isn't it? A few of the vocal can sway the vote one way or another. I'd really stick with a realtor for that. Our MLS system rates schools so you can get the info without talking to the realtor.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

my first hs stunk and the rating is a 5, it should a 2

it doesnt show my second school because it was a private school

 

[DevilDuckie]

I'd take it with a grain of salt--it's rated by parents, isn't it? A few of the vocal can sway the vote one way or another. I'd really stick with a realtor for that. Our MLS system rates schools so you can get the info without talking to the realtor.

Oh, it's definitely not scientific data, but it can be good to see what parents think. For example, I noticed that the school my son will likely attend next year has a low rating but it is based on some very poor reviews in 2005 countered by steadily improving ones up to this year when they are excellent.

School districts post their SARCs on their websites. Those are the best indicator of academic standing and tangibles but if you want to know what the community is like- if the PTA are cliqueish, etc. this is a useful tool.

I liked that it gave me data on public and private schools in a given district so that I could see just what sort of boost the hefty tuition would or would not give my kid.

 

[rt2dz]

Yeah, but it depends on the parents who post. For example my son's school has a whopping 7 reviews. Five glowing, two not so much. You could say that you can see the higher percentage is in favor, however, there are 1200 students in the school. I know that there are at least 600 different families in the school. So, out of a possible 600 reviews, you are still missing 592 reviews. If those reviews came in, those percentages might sway desperately.

I also happen to know that the first review was negative so that the top PTO people came in to give glowing reviews. Hardly non-biased. BTW--I think those two negative reviews are a lot more accurate, but, no, I haven't posted because I know that more PTO will come on there and I want to try and keep them off.

You can get test scores from the state websites. You can get inside info from (a good) realtor--including about tuition bumps, if the PTO/PTA is cliquish, etc. Your realtor also isn't scientific, but probably much more accurate.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

On greatschools.net It is really important to click on the state testing scores. In Connecticut, for example, it will say like 95% of 5th graders at this school made the state average in Math. And than it lists what the states average is for that particular grade and subject.
I always go by the testing scores. For Florida, It will state what "grade" the school has by the state of Florida.

 

[kimsuenew]

I would not let the rating sway me either way.

I went there today after reading your post, to check our HS out. All reviews (which the rating of 7/10 were based on) were written by students with the exception of one. The most glowing report stated how wonderful the Choir program is. Excuse me? Academics and teaching qualifications are far more important than any specialist class/program/extra cirricular. Yes, choir, band, football, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, cheering, ect... are part of the school, but academics, state achievement, teacher qualifications, ect... are the most important factor!

Perhaps you could call the State Department of Education that the school is located in (or do an online search for it) and find info. I know Ohio does (and I am sure other states do as well) have "school grade cards" and OGT results listed. Also, an online search for that school might generate links for parent programs, PTA, ect...