What Questions Do You Ask When You're Moving to a New School District?

D. - all school districts will have a website - that website will give you the statistics for each school - demographics, teacher/student ratios, test scores, etc. They will also link to the school's individual website (if they have one) - then you can begin getting a "feel" for each school. You can do all of this ahead of time for the different areas you're looking at, so when you do show up, you have a lot of information behind you to help you make a better decision.

The responses so far have told you to get with your Realtor - that's an excellent resource! Just make sure your realtor is interested in serving the entire area of where you are moving to and not just parts of it (like here in the Metroplex - realtors tend to beocme experts in particular areas instead of the entire metroplex due to size).

You can quickly find out school districts and info at www.localschooldirectory.com - you just need a zip code or a city to find them all.

Good luck with your move!

S.

Wow, you've gotten a lot of great advice! I would ask everything mentioned.

Additionally, I would find out the name and telephone number of the PTA president (the head administrator will give you that information) and actually call and interview her. She, of course, will love the school and tell you all the great things about it. Press her for the real answers (i.e. "what would you change if you could?", etc.). You'll get a good feel for if the school is the right fit for your children and your family. One thing I've learned with my kindergarten son's school (which I absolutely love) is that a school is so much more than an education. It's truly a community. This means that the school you choose needs to be made up of families that share similar values to your family. This is information that test scores and Websites won't tell you. But real people will!

Also, I have information about helping children with the transition of moving. I'd love to email it to you if you're interested. There are a few things I wish we had done differently with our children when we moved.

Good luck with your move!

E.
____@____.com

D., I subscribe to a site at greatschools.net - "GreatSchools is an independent nonprofit organization that has been improving K-12 education since 1998 by inspiring parents like you to get involved." They have all kinds of information and statistics on schools around the country. Also, lots of advice for parents, plus it's free. Good Luck with the move. L.

I would also ask how many times a week do they receive music, gym, art, foreign language *even in elementary school*. Many districts are cutting these out due to budget or to create more time for testing. Or they are after school "clubs". Also, ask who teaches these subjects. Are they people with degrees in their specialty or just the homeroom teacher?

I would also ask what kind of food they serve in the lunchroom? How do they promote healthy life styles for the children? Do they serve sodas, chips, etc?

Ask about their parent volunteer program? How involved are the parents at the school? That is a sign of a strong school. You can probably get the name of the head of the PTA once you are narrowing down a district.

Academics ARE important to me, but i think there are other things that are very telling about how "good" a school is.

D.,
I would also ask about their teacher to student ratio, what extra programs they have like a gifted program as well as help for those who may be behind. I would also want to know how old the school was, how long the principal has been there, and how many total students are attending. Also, ask about their school menu, some schools do much better at providing healty lunches than others. A good real estate agent should be able to answer most any question you have, and if they cant they should help you find the answer. Good luck in your move and your search for a new home!!

Work with a professional realtor and they should be able to guide you to the best schools for your family.
L.
www.lizzyzinn.com

talk to your relator... find out if they are exemplary... etc. There are state educational sites up that give statistics on all sorts of things for school districts... passing rates for mandated testing, etc.