Finding a Home in a Good School SystemIt’s back to school time, and if you’re a parent, you know what that means! School supplies, getting your kids used to a new routine, meeting the new teachers and all of the minutiae that goes into managing your child’s school year. When you’re moving with kids, it presents an extra challenge – you want an area that has a good school and is a good place to raise your kids. Even if you don’t have kids, buying a home in an area with good schools increases your resale potential and makes it easier to sell your home when you want to move. How do you find a neighborhood with a great school?Numbers to Examine When Choosing a School
When you’re looking for a home in a good school system, you can start by doing your research on paper. Certain numbers can tell you a lot about the performance of the school system. You’ll want to look at statistics like state test scores, class size, school enrollment by grade year, income distribution, household characteristics and population and demographic information.Selecting a school is a system of trade-offs. Smaller schools have more individual attention to give to students, but may not have the same resources as a larger school. A larger school may have better facilities and equipment because it has more money than a small school. Unless you’re considering a private school, selecting a school based on the numbers is all about trade-offs, and you should still visit the school in person.Visit the School
Arrange for a tour of the school. Does the school seem clean? Is it bright and well-lit? Is it in good repair? You’re looking for an attractive school that seems to be well-maintained. If the school looks run-down and has a lot of broken lockers, graffiti or other signs of ill-repair, you might want to move to a different school system. Things like this can indicate a lack of funding, which may also reflect in poor teaching, poor test scores, troubled students who don’t get enough attention and a whole host of potential problems it’s easier to avoid.Talk with an Administrator and Other Parents
Talk with an administrator at the school. You may meet with the principal, the assistant principal or another leader within the school to get a sense for the school and its personnel. Keep in mind that staff members are busy, but they should still be willing to make time to talk with a new resident. Ask about the school’s performance, enrollment, extra-curricular programs, discipline policies and staff and facilities. Try to find other parents in the neighborhood and ask what they think of the school. This will help you form a complete picture of the school and its performance.Evaluate Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-curricular activities can tell you a lot about a school. If a school doesn’t have a lot of extra-curricular activities, it may have poor funding, and it may not be able to provide your child with as many opportunities as another school. Look for extra curricular activities your child will enjoy. These activities can be a vital part in a child’s development, so it’s important to find a good school that offers these activities.Even Non-Parents Should Do Due Diligence on Schools
Even if you don’t have kids, it pays to do your due diligence on schools. If you buy a home in an unattractive school district, you’re automatically cutting your resale options by a large demographic. Most parents take the time to do the research before moving, so it pays to buy in a good school district to make a home more attractive to all potential buyers.When you find a home in a good school district, you can move comfortably knowing that your kids will still have a good education and great opportunities. Ready to start examining your options? Fill out a Creative Homeowner Solution Request, and our knowledgeable professionals can help you find the perfect new home for you – and your kids!Let Us Help You Find Your Dream HomeGood deals are still available, but finding them requires more footwork now that the home market is improving. Let us help you find your dream home without all the hassle of shopping around for the best deals. We can help you find the best deal on your dream home in your dream neighborhood today!