How do you evaluate the quality of a school in particular, or a school system in total?

[Anonymous]

I know there are rankings out there on Greatschools.com and the like, and SOL rankings vs the state average, plus parent comments on the administration - - - but it's been my unfortunate experience that even with all the hype over my kids' school, their individual teachers were still hit and miss. I have not been impressed with the teachers, only the principal and the parental involvement levels at the school. I pay dearly to live in the district I do, on purpose because I thought my kids were going to get a better education than they did where we previously lived. If it is even possible, I feel the quality of teachers here is worse than it was there and I tried my best to investigate, find, and move to the best school district in my area.

Now I'm at a point where I'm considering downsizing (single parent) and moving to another county for a lower cost of living, where the school rankings (per the websites) are "lower" but where parental feedback is strong. I hesitate because I feel like I don't have a clue what to look for to identify whether the teachers in any given school are going to be good teachers. How are you guys doing this with any consistent success? Any teachers out there who can chime in - - my mom is a retired life-long teacher and she ALWAYS had the inside scoop on the best schools but I obviously don't have an inside track like that.

Help! I could save $1000/mo and live in a home with a yard if I move further out (looking at western Loudoun Co, Warrenton, PW, and Clarke counties).

[Anonymous]

I don't have advice to give you other than to note that you can do (and appear to have done) everything right, and the day before your DC starts school, the well-reviewed principal could be transferred, or your DC could be assigned to a class with a previously great teacher who is in the midst of a family crisis and therefore not as engaged in the work.

I think you should continue to do the best that you can, recognize that there will be things you cannot control, and accept that no situation will be perfect. If you are truly unhappy, and have firm reasons to believe that you will be happier elsewhere, then make a change. But if your experiences have been repeated unsuccessful attempts to find greener pastures, you might want to take that into consideration as well.