Buying a home? Consider the schools

What school will your child attend? What do the numbers say about the school? And what’s the school’s reputation? According to this new article from U.S. News, these are three of the most important questions you should get answers to when searching for the best new home and community for your family.

The school numbers you should look for when assessing school quality are test scores. But these aren’t the only important numbers. The school’s graduation rate and teacher-to-student ratio may also shed light on quality. You can also call the school or peruse its website, where test scores may be posted.

A school’s general reputation is important, too. If everyone speaks highly of a school or trashes it, there may be reasons. If you’re new to the area and haven’t established social connections, you can always tap neighbors for their opinions. You could also see if the principal will meet with you, since there’s no substitute for seeing a school in person when trying to assess it.

If the staff is friendly and accommodating to your needs, that’s a good sign. If the library is sparsely stocked or the classes seem to house 40 students to one teacher, those can be red flags. You might also pick up important information on this tour, including whether school buses service your area and what extracurricular activities are available.

Your real estate agent can only help you so much in your search for a home near a good school. Due to fair housing laws designed to prevent discrimination, agents and property managers can’t offer their opinions on schools. Once you find a school you’re interested in, you can certainly ask your real estate agent to only show you homes in that particular district.

[Read this article]

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