petitefrancaise

it's really hard trying to figure out schools from a distance and I think USnews is a good place to start but bear in mind that they focus on academic attainment. Here in Austin, we have some really great academic high schools and some really great schools that are not so academic. From lots of experience walking around the schools with parents, you'll know which one will suit your child. You just really want to make sure that you don't end up in a bad school.

karenkaren1

hi, im an in a similar situation (albeit South Florida). what are the obvious 'red flags' re bad schools please?

Pulaski

Schools tend to reflect the communities that they draw their pupils from.

excpomea

You can use google to find local school statistics..
Bad signs, High percebntage of students on free lunches, Uneven balance of ethnicity, Letter ranking A through F. (Avoid D-F)
It's pretty easy to pick out the poorly achiving schools.
It really is best, as advised pick out the best schools and work backwards towards housing needs.

We did exactly this from the UK in 99 prior to moving.
We checked out the schools, found 3 A rated, Elementary, Middle and High.
Then rented in the catchment area. Purchasing a house 6 minths after we arrived.

Son is now in University, hoping to go to medical school in the future.

Plan, plan, plan, Location, location, location.

petitefrancaise

Sure, but when you don't know anything about the place then that is hard to judge from another country.

Citydata.com for the city is a good place to ask for advice. Bear in mind that everyone thinks that the school they chose is the best one! It is however, a great place to ask if you want a specific sport or if your child has special needs.

Pulaski

Relative price is a very good starting point though, excluding obvious distortions such as proximity to the beach or lake, or downtown condos, or perhaps an historic district.

Obviously I wouldn't make a final decision on a school based solely on the price of housing, but I would start my search in the areas with the most expensive housing I could afford.

karenkaren1

I'm looking at settling in Aventura (north Miami) as I know the area very well and I have friends/family there however I am really worried about the public high school. it 'seems' to be a very pleasant area to me (as a prior tourist) but the high school info seems worrying. Obviously it is more important for me to put my kids needs first ...sorry to jump on this thread btw!

petitefrancaise

What does usnews say about it?

karenkaren1

says the local public high school is 57% economically disadvantaged