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PreshusSmurf
So in love with my little guys
Member since 1/07 2963 total posts
Name:
Jess
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school district searches ...
I'm going to do my best to phrase this question in a way that doesn't create any drama. Wish me luck  
I grew up in Brooklyn so I don't really know much about Long Island towns or school districts. I'm hoping to get some guidance and advice from you folks on this.
We will be starting the house hunt in a couple of months, and like most first timers, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by the process. We know what we can afford, and we would like to buy in an area where we can start a family ... and to us, that would mean buying in the best school district we can afford.
My questions are ...
1) Where do you look to find reliable / objective information about schools and their districts?
Is there a website that shows the data for all the districts, to determine a base-line average ... to help gauge what is above or below that line?
2) What sort of criteria does a person use to determine if a school district is "good" or "desirable"?
For example, test scores ... student to teacher ratios ... expenditures per student ...
Any advice is welcomed 
Message edited 1/21/2008 12:10:02 AM.
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Posted 1/21/08 12:02 AM  |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: school district searches ...
greatschools.net
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| Posted 1/21/08 12:19 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by MrsFlatbread
greatschools.net
For us I looked at test scores, number spent per student, # of students who go on to college. This was the best website.
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| Posted 1/21/08 12:20 AM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: school district searches ...
You asked for personal experience, so here goes.
I have a son that is 20 & when he was getting ready to go to first grade I researched schools in north mid-suffolk county, near the area I wanted to live. I decided that Port Jefferson District, a very small affluent district that scores extremely well- kids graduating with regents diplomas, kids going to college & all other catagories. I busted my arse to find a house to rent(it was a stretch, I was a single mother at the time) & I was so proud of myself that my child was going to "one of the best districts".
Well that was the worst mistake I ever made & one that I regreted & cried over for years. You see that stats don't tell the whole story & my child had a moderate learning disability that wasn't obvious when he was 5. While he attened Port Jeff he floundered, I kept insisting he be tested, they kept sweeping it under the rug. They didn't "do" special ed in port jeff, too busy spending all their money on AP classes & gifted programs.
Finally after I contacted the State board of special ed, I got action. By the time he was diagnosed he was starting 4th grade. Needless to say I was devasted, I researched districts again this time looking at a much bigger picture. Like districts that have full special ed services(many of "the best" districts are notorious for having NONE) & we moved to Connetquot & we got to work on making up for lost time.
My son is 20 now, got accepted to Oneonta & new paltz but decided not to go away. He goes to suffolk part time & works.
My point is you never know the needs of the children you will bear & I'm a believer that our "rating system" is a little skewed. I agree with greatschools.net because there are parent & student reviews on there, because IMO the best information comes first hand from people that have children that are attending the school.
Good luck!
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| Posted 1/21/08 7:00 AM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: school district searches ...
Try to get some personal exxperiences too.
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| Posted 1/21/08 7:01 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: school district searches ...
personal experience is the best way--positive and negative
DO NOT GO BY TEST SCORES!!!!! test scores are NOT an indication of the quality of education for many reasons. #1--some districts cheat. i know this as fact #2--they are meant to help find kids who need special services. newsday and the media have made them into school district report cards--which they are not #3--test scores have nothing to do with gang involvement in the schools, crime rates in the area, resources the schools have, etc.
visit the schools. talk to people who have kids IN the schools. that's the only way.
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| Posted 1/21/08 9:38 AM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by browneyedgirl
personal experience is the best way--positive and negative
DO NOT GO BY TEST SCORES!!!!! test scores are NOT an indication of the quality of education for many reasons. #1--some districts cheat. i know this as fact #2--they are meant to help find kids who need special services. newsday and the media have made them into school district report cards--which they are not #3--test scores have nothing to do with gang involvement in the schools, crime rates in the area, resources the schools have, etc.
visit the schools. talk to people who have kids IN the schools. that's the only way.
I agree with this. You should be aware of the test scores, but don't make them you're only criteria. If, for example, they're extremely low and haven't improved for several years, then look into why this is the case. But when comparing school districts, don't let test scores be your deciding factor.
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| Posted 1/21/08 9:57 AM |
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EmmaNick
*
Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
*
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Re: school district searches ...
I can attest to the cheating on tests. My friend's child's teacher walks around the class, looks at the students answer and if it's wrong, she says "no" and then comes back around and says "yes" if it's right. Wrong wrong wrong!
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| Posted 1/21/08 2:22 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: school district searches ...
I agree that testing is not the best criteria to go by.
I would look at graduation rates, how many kids go onto 4 year colleges, teacher:student ratio, etc
you can find that information in the NYS Report Card
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| Posted 1/21/08 3:10 PM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by Summerrluvv
I can attest to the cheating on tests. My friend's child's teacher walks around the class, looks at the students answer and if it's wrong, she says "no" and then comes back around and says "yes" if it's right. Wrong wrong wrong!
Well, THAT's really helping her students 
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| Posted 1/21/08 3:18 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by Summerrluvv
I can attest to the cheating on tests. My friend's child's teacher walks around the class, looks at the students answer and if it's wrong, she says "no" and then comes back around and says "yes" if it's right. Wrong wrong wrong!
Are you kidding me? I can't believe a teacher would do that.
As a teacher, that frustrates me. Because I am honest and accurate in my grading in hopes of preparing the students for Regents exams and college. Wow!
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| Posted 1/21/08 6:09 PM |
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MrsM-6-7-08
<3
Member since 8/06 4249 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: school district searches ...
I really liked the website School Matters when i was looking to buy our house
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| Posted 1/21/08 6:19 PM |
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PreshusSmurf
So in love with my little guys
Member since 1/07 2963 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: school district searches ...
Thanks for the suggestions! I will check out those websites, they sound like great resources.
Still open to more thoughts, if you have them
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| Posted 1/23/08 4:09 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by MrsPowers
Posted by Summerrluvv
I can attest to the cheating on tests. My friend's child's teacher walks around the class, looks at the students answer and if it's wrong, she says "no" and then comes back around and says "yes" if it's right. Wrong wrong wrong!
Are you kidding me? I can't believe a teacher would do that.
As a teacher, that frustrates me. Because I am honest and accurate in my grading in hopes of preparing the students for Regents exams and college. Wow!
believe it cause it definitely happens! especially in elementary school. thanks NCLB! (it doesn't happen in my current school that i know of)
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| Posted 1/23/08 7:32 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by MrsPowers
Posted by Summerrluvv
I can attest to the cheating on tests. My friend's child's teacher walks around the class, looks at the students answer and if it's wrong, she says "no" and then comes back around and says "yes" if it's right. Wrong wrong wrong!
Are you kidding me? I can't believe a teacher would do that.
As a teacher, that frustrates me. Because I am honest and accurate in my grading in hopes of preparing the students for Regents exams and college. Wow!
believe it cause it definitely happens! especially in elementary school. thanks NCLB! (it doesn't happen in my current school that i know of)
Crazy!
Although, after proctoring the English Regents today, nothing surprises me!
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| Posted 1/23/08 7:35 PM |
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bellarina
She's my dancing queen!
Member since 5/05 1752 total posts
Name:
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by KellyFG
You asked for personal experience, so here goes.
I have a son that is 20 & when he was getting ready to go to first grade I researched schools in north mid-suffolk county, near the area I wanted to live. I decided that Port Jefferson District, a very small affluent district that scores extremely well- kids graduating with regents diplomas, kids going to college & all other catagories. I busted my arse to find a house to rent(it was a stretch, I was a single mother at the time) & I was so proud of myself that my child was going to "one of the best districts".
Well that was the worst mistake I ever made & one that I regreted & cried over for years. You see that stats don't tell the whole story & my child had a moderate learning disability that wasn't obvious when he was 5. While he attened Port Jeff he floundered, I kept insisting he be tested, they kept sweeping it under the rug. They didn't "do" special ed in port jeff, too busy spending all their money on AP classes & gifted programs.
Finally after I contacted the State board of special ed, I got action. By the time he was diagnosed he was starting 4th grade. Needless to say I was devasted, I researched districts again this time looking at a much bigger picture. Like districts that have full special ed services(many of "the best" districts are notorious for having NONE) & we moved to Connetquot & we got to work on making up for lost time.
My son is 20 now, got accepted to Oneonta & new paltz but decided not to go away. He goes to suffolk part time & works.
My point is you never know the needs of the children you will bear & I'm a believer that our "rating system" is a little skewed. I agree with greatschools.net because there are parent & student reviews on there, because IMO the best information comes first hand from people that have children that are attending the school.
Good luck!
I've been teaching for 10 years now (elementary) and couldn't agree with this more! I don't have expierence with PJ schools, but I am in an affluent school district and see how things are done. I'd be careful with your decision. I would ask to tour the schools and meet with the principals. I live in a middle school distrtci (what's considered) and have noticed many more programs, lower class sizes and better spending of the budget. I don't think I'd want to move to get into one of the "great" schools just for name sake. What makes a child successful in school really depends on how the parents act- are aware of what's needed and how they support their child's learning. I have a good friend that is teaching with me (over 30 years in teaching) and she gave up many things to live in a great SD. She tells me that the only reason they get such a great rating is because all the parents there are able to afford tutors to help their kids. I do believe her b/c I have a friend that teaches sped there and she says the same thing. Look carefully. Sorry there isn't a direct answer for you. Good luck!
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| Posted 1/23/08 10:35 PM |
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EmmaNick
*
Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
*
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by KellyFG
You asked for personal experience, so here goes.
I have a son that is 20 & when he was getting ready to go to first grade I researched schools in north mid-suffolk county, near the area I wanted to live. I decided that Port Jefferson District, a very small affluent district that scores extremely well- kids graduating with regents diplomas, kids going to college & all other catagories. I busted my arse to find a house to rent(it was a stretch, I was a single mother at the time) & I was so proud of myself that my child was going to "one of the best districts".
Well that was the worst mistake I ever made & one that I regreted & cried over for years. You see that stats don't tell the whole story & my child had a moderate learning disability that wasn't obvious when he was 5. While he attened Port Jeff he floundered, I kept insisting he be tested, they kept sweeping it under the rug. They didn't "do" special ed in port jeff, too busy spending all their money on AP classes & gifted programs.
Finally after I contacted the State board of special ed, I got action. By the time he was diagnosed he was starting 4th grade. Needless to say I was devasted, I researched districts again this time looking at a much bigger picture. Like districts that have full special ed services(many of "the best" districts are notorious for having NONE) & we moved to Connetquot & we got to work on making up for lost time.
My son is 20 now, got accepted to Oneonta & new paltz but decided not to go away. He goes to suffolk part time & works.
My point is you never know the needs of the children you will bear & I'm a believer that our "rating system" is a little skewed. I agree with greatschools.net because there are parent & student reviews on there, because IMO the best information comes first hand from people that have children that are attending the school.
Good luck!
Port Jeff has a lot of districts that run into it, which one were you in? We are moving and DS will be in Comseqogue, and DOES have an IEP, so now I'm worried.
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| Posted 1/24/08 9:59 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: school district searches ...
Posted by browneyedgirl
personal experience is the best way--positive and negative
DO NOT GO BY TEST SCORES!!!!! test scores are NOT an indication of the quality of education for many reasons. #1--some districts cheat. i know this as fact #2--they are meant to help find kids who need special services. newsday and the media have made them into school district report cards--which they are not #3--test scores have nothing to do with gang involvement in the schools, crime rates in the area, resources the schools have, etc.
visit the schools. talk to people who have kids IN the schools. that's the only way.
I agree with this..I know for a fact on some school districts who pass kids when they shouldnt just to make their school look good and they are supposedly GOOD districts.
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| Posted 1/24/08 10:10 AM |
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