Seriously? An 8 is fine. Better than fine, actually. Pick the neighborhood that's the better fit for your family.

People need to stop it with this greatschool ratings insanity.

These change over time. Do these ES's funnel to the same MS and HS? I'd check that more than an 8 vs. a 10.

"Better" is so subjective, and trying to collapse it into a 1-10 ranking is simplistic. 8 and 10 are so similar, really, that I'd focus on neighborhood feel, reputation of the teachers, your commute, etc. It would be terrible to move for a "10" school where everyone is miserable when you could have been happy at "8."

I would always go with the better school - but check more than just the Great School ratings.

I don't understand, 8 is good. Why are you even making a big deal out of this?

Also, look at the feeder pattern. My opinion is that middle school and high school are more important than elementary. If the area is growing it's worth asking around to see if the schools you are zoned to are likely to change. You can never predict what will happen 100% but it's worth getting as much information as you can.

What about the rest of the pyramid? Are the schools in the high school pyramid or a different one?

I'd look on schooldigger.com and look at trends over time. There's more information in general on that site. Also consider how strong of a student your child is and if they will do better among super high achievers or more average children. Schools will have both of these types of kids of course, but you'll likely find more at the higher SES school.

Anonymous wrote:Essentially the 10 school will just allow your child to be among a larger number high SES children/families. Only you can decide if that is worth paying a premium for.

Education-wise (ie teacher quality, curriculum) there will not be a difference.

This.
An 8 is not something that needs to hold you back from a neighborhood that is a perfect fit.

The 8 sounds like a better fit but I'm sure either would be fine.

Essentially the 10 school will just allow your child to be among a larger number high SES children/families. Only you can decide if that is worth paying a premium for.

Education-wise (ie teacher quality, curriculum) there will not be a difference.

better school, absolutely.

I don't give much credit to Great Schools scores in general, but I give even less care to the difference between an 8 and a 10. Both of these are going to be strong schools, with the 10 likely just having a few more parents of a very high socio-economic status, or something like an AAP program that pulls up the average test scores.

If you've got it narrowed down to just two, I suggest trying to visit them and see which school actually feels like a better fit for your kids.

I would always go to the better school district - no question.

Would you stretch move to the smallest house in a better school district for elementary school? The "8" elementary school has a very active PTA. The "10" school is in a very upscale area. If I had no kids, I'd choose the "8" neighborhood every time. Commute is about the same.