Hello,
Im just looking for opinions and eperience in this area. My husband and I just moved to Southern California. And are now looking at places to live/house to rent in a good area. Our son is going to start Kindergarten so we have been searching for houses to rent near good schools (good meaning good overall test schools, according to great schools.com). We have found a house in a city that we really like (Brea, CA) and I knew that most of the schools there were good but just assumed that the house we found was zoned for a good school. After checking into it, the house is zoned for a not so good school Great school rating 6. I just don't get it, right down the street they have other schools that are rated 8, 9 and 10's. So my question is, how important is that rating of 6?? And in California I have read that I can try to get him into another school within the district "If they have room". Im not sure if that is true or not. So can I get him into another school in the same district? Im trying to determine if this house that we finally found and love and can afford is worth moving to because of the Elementary school.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
***The school we would be zoned for is Laurel Elementary School, which was an 8 in 2009 and now rated a 6 in 2012. That decline worries me... Could I asked to be transferred due to the declining test scores? I read that somewhere...
I work in education and sometimes the test scores really do not show the whole picture (enrollment ratios, discipline, creativity, extras, etc.) I would call that school and ask to take a tour and become introduced to the K teachers, even observing a few. Most schools have NO problem doing this. This way you can see for yourself whether or not the teachers and administration are a good fit for your family. Just a thought. :) Take care!
Our school rates lower because we have a more diverse population (english learners, low income) and have one of the only special ed programs in the district. So more "competitive" schools pull different scores based on testing and may look stronger, but often they have a stricter more academic philosophy that I don't like anyway. I love our school, love the diversity and feel proud to be a part of the community. I agree-- tour all your options and talk to the principals and find out more about each school as a whole.
As for transferring into a different school, it absolutely happens all the time. Most likely you'll still need to register in your zoned school, then complete a transfer into another one. First slots are usually given to siblings of enrolled students, then it may be first come first served so you'd want to do it as soon as you can. It's possible that this next year will be much easier to move schools, as the state of CA is changing the cut off dates for kinder and therefore fewer students are eligible. It just depends on how your district is moving the date. Up here in NorCal, we had the choice to move the date slowly (from dec 1 to Nov 1 to Oct 1 to Sept 1) or just rip off the band aid and move it to Sept 1 now. We are moving it this coming year, and from what I hear it means we may have 15+ available slots in kindergarten.
Not sure what school in Brea you're talking about, I have experience with one and it is a great school. Have you talked to any of the parents of children in this school to see what their experiences have been?
As K E. suggested, check the school out yourself before making a decision based on "ratings" and if you don't care for it ask for an "inter-district" transfer, which may be granted. Make sure you have a good reason, i.e., your babysitter lives within walking distance of it, etc.
While it doesn't affect test scores, my grandson goes to a middle school in a city neighboring Brea. He had a long-term assignment to work on a few months ago and was resentful that he had to do his when all his friends have their parents do theirs. I questioned that this was true and he and his sister were adamant about it, and they also told me that other parents "sign off' on the community service, without their kids actually doing any, yet my grandkids did theirs. I reassured him that he would benefit by doing his own work, his friends wouldn't, and that their parents are depriving them of the learning experiences they should be getting. And this is in an "All-American" school with great ratings :(
In Whittier/Brea, it makes a huge difference. You can look into switching schools but contact the district as the deadline is either nearing or past. It is a wonderful, diverse area, but unfortunately there are extremes in quality, as well.
I agree with the previous poster as far as test scores (not a fan of standardized tests period) but I would check out discipline/behavior in the classroom in K and beyond.
The lower rating could be due to something as simple as having a higher number of ESL students (standardized tests are horrible if English is your second language). I would follow K.E.'s advice and go meet with the principal and be frank and ask why they think their ratings have fallen. Doesn't hurt to check the school out and if you really don't want your child there then fill out the intra-district transfer form (pick it up at the district office) and name the school where you want your child to attend.
Read the book "The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve" by Peg Tyre.
I just got it from the library and it really opens your eyes to what the test scores really mean and real studies on class size and a bunch of other school issues. She also arms you with the right and tough questions to ask when you visit a school.
Test scores really are not as important as you are lead to believe...but get armed with knowledge first!!
