Difference between GreatSchools 5 and 8 high schools?

[Anonymous]

I hate to be that person and didn't want to write this post, but I'm being pressured by relatives to reconsider my living and schooling choices for my kids. I live in a GS 5 high school zone, and my parents live in a GS 8 high school zone, both in the DMV. They keep nagging me to either move back or swap homes with them because the public schools near them are rated better. Is there really a difference between the two, and if so in what ways? The ratings difference between the two areas is consistent down to the elementary and middle school levels. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It can, and frequently does, all come down to an achievement gap.

Also, GS changes their methodology occasionally and a school that was a 9 can suddenly be a 5, despite nothing changing at the school.

GS is crap and not a good system to rely upon when it comes to school choice.

[Anonymous]

I would think that the sheer number of students ready for college-level work at graduation would be a key difference between a GS9 and a GS5. For what it's worth, my DC graduated from a GS4. They are doing well in college, but a GS9 would have provided a larger peer group. Possibly more pressure as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can, and frequently does, all come down to an achievement gap.

Also, GS changes their methodology occasionally and a school that was a 9 can suddenly be a 5, despite nothing changing at the school.

GS is crap and not a good system to rely upon when it comes to school choice.

+1 though my general understanding is that GS rating tracks with SES of the school body, which doesn't necessarily predict how an individual child would do at that school.

[Anonymous]

GS is stupid, it relies heavily on test scores which are now several years out of date. Tell them that you have carefully evaluated each school with the most up-to-date information available, which is not GS, and have made the decision you feel is best.

[Anonymous]

Our school is a GS 3, but it's large enough that there is a peer group who does well. If you look at the great school numbers, college readiness for non-low income students is hight and test scores are fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 though my general understanding is that GS rating tracks with SES of the school body, which doesn't necessarily predict how an individual child would do at that school.

OP again. My parents live in a wealthier area than me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is a GS 3, but it's large enough that there is a peer group who does well. If you look at the great school numbers, college readiness for non-low income students is hight and test scores are fine.

Ours is a 3, too. It’ll do fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can, and frequently does, all come down to an achievement gap.

Also, GS changes their methodology occasionally and a school that was a 9 can suddenly be a 5, despite nothing changing at the school.

GS is crap and not a good system to rely upon when it comes to school choice.

+1 though my general understanding is that GS rating tracks with SES of the school body, which doesn't necessarily predict how an individual child would do at that school.

Sort of. If you have enough low income students to be measurable, then the score is tanked based on equity. If you look at Langley, they have no equity score on GS because they don't have enough FARMs students measure for the category. Compare that to McLean which does have enough farms kids and gets a 4 in that category driving down the score.

[Anonymous]

The 5 will have URMs and the 8 won't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 5 will have URMs and the 8 won't.

This. Its all SES based.

[Anonymous]

There can be a lot more opportunities at a 5 school! Big fish, small pond. Usually fewer kids attend, easier to make sports teams, lead clubs, get attention from teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can, and frequently does, all come down to an achievement gap.

Also, GS changes their methodology occasionally and a school that was a 9 can suddenly be a 5, despite nothing changing at the school.

GS is crap and not a good system to rely upon when it comes to school choice.

Agree 100% based on watching GS for nearly 13 years. It’s just so arbitrary.

Also consider trauma: uprooting kids from the friends, neighbors, teachers, and school they know is just not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Our kids go to high school rated a 3. Our whole pyramid is low rated so after all these years I will say that yes, the score corelates with the quality of the education received. Those who say it don't lie to themselves or they pay for outside tutoring. Some of our neighbors have paid the equivalent in tutoring costs to what it would have cost for private school. The biggest cheerleaders of low rated schools are K or 1st grade moms. They just don't know any better yet

[Anonymous]

Grow up and learn to tell your parents to mind their business. Seriously. Why are you questioning all your choices because of what Mommy said?