How do you find out how good a school district is?

[icebrat001]

Is there a website I can go to? Or do I have to ask around?

 

[cynsaun]

Try greatschools.net

 

[castleview]

Whatever you do, don't go by test scores. They are so misleading. You can also ask people in the area...but always consider the source when asking. Good luck!

 

[bananiem]

Some states' dept. of ed. will have test scores on their websites.
Good school districts are more than just scores though. My kids used to go to an elementary school that did well in testing, but because of budget cuts and being a small town and unable to recruit teachers, the high school had only one foreign language to offer. Many students who needed upper level classes ended up going to the local community college to take them. So I advise looking at the higher level courses offered, extra-curricular activities, fine arts, etc.
I took tours of several elementary schools when we moved back here. I was lucky because we'd lived here before and knew we'd be back, I'd kept up to date on the schools. But when I toured the schools I got a "gut" feeling about which one was the best fit. You can learn a lot by walking through the halls and listening for chaos vs. controlled chaos and how the staff talk to one another, if you see parent volunteers, if kids are running through the halls, etc.

 

[Crankyshank]

Bear in mind also that if it's going to be quite a few years before you have school age children that a lot can change in that time - poor school districts can turn around and previously decent school districts could fall by the wayside. Especially if test scores is what makes up a large percentage of the district ranking.

 

[CathrynRose]

Whatever you do, don't go by test scores. They are so misleading. You can also ask people in the area...but always consider the source when asking. Good luck!

Yes, agree 100%.

Someone mentioned Great Schools.net and although the site is informative, this site's "grade" goes by their test scores. So it's not as accurate as you'd expect.

AND - keep in mind (something I did not know when I moved to Florida) Florida has a testing system (which most states have something similar) called FCAT's.

If a child does not pass an FCAT, they will be held back no matter what. There was a big story about a 13 y/o, whom was a bad test taker, although his grades were above average. They would not allow him past 4th grade and he had been there for years!!!! Because he kept failing FCAT's. It made their test scores look better.... or something. There was a HUGE thing going on about it, when we were there, and I found it terrible.


Something to keep in mind....

ETA:::: Check these out:
http://forums.ibsys.com/viewmessages.cfm?sitekey=orlc&Forum=618&Topic=8395

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Comprehensive_Assessment_Test

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Is there a website I can go to? Or do I have to ask around?

Our local MLS has statistics on the demographics, student/teacher ratio, TAKS testing, drop-out rates, etc.

I don't know about the laws in California, but if you're using a real estate agent, she/he may not be able to answer your school questions. I know I can't. Unless I want to get sued when their little Susie flunks school.