For many people buying a home, one of the most important things they consider is the quality of the school district. A system of well-run schools with a track record of supporting student success can be even more attractive to families than granite countertops and hardwood flooring.
Likewise if you’re selling your Bucks Country home, knowing how to tout the benefits of the area’s many successful schools can be a great way to make your home even more attractive to prospective buyers.
The following list will walk you through three key ways to evaluate the quality of the school district where you’re looking to buy or sell a home:
- What does the school’s report card look like?
Report cards aren’t just for students! Schools and school districts are also graded and ranked in various ways, and knowing where and how to evaluate those rankings can help you understand the quality of the school district you’re moving into, or selling your home in.
There are several sites that provide comprehensive information on multiple aspects of a school’s performance. GreatSchools is one resource that compiles a wide range of data to give you a whole picture of a school. They factor in test scores, but also other areas like college readiness, student progress, and an equity rating that assesses how well the school supports the needs of all students.
School Digger is another resource that also brings together different types of information like teacher-student ratio, test scores, and ranking.
- Is there an active PTA organization?
An active PTA (Parent Teacher Association), sometimes called a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is a sign of a vibrant school community where parents and teachers work together to foster student success. The presence of a strong PTA is attractive to buyers looking to ensure they can play an active role in their children’s educational journey, and a great selling point for homeowners looking to attract buyers who have school-age children.
- What are the school’s safety and discipline policies?
Not every school or district handles safety or discipline the same way. Knowing how the school or district in question deals with these issues is key. Here are a few topics to be aware of:
- What does the school do to ensure the safety and well-being of students on an ongoing basis?
- What measures are in place to foster preparedness in the event of an emergency?
- What is the school’s discipline policy? Does the school have a zero-tolerance policy for violence and/or bullying?
The best way to learn this information is to visit the school, or contact them directly. Their transparency in sharing this information is also a good indication of what kind of partner they will be with families in supporting the success of students.
When it comes to buying or selling your home, the value of a good school district is a factor that has a huge impact on decision making. Talk to your real estate agent today about the school district of the home you are looking at, or looking to sell!
