Over the years I’ve had many people reach out me who are moving to Columbus. Their questions range from where is the best area so I can ride my bike to work to what are the best school districts…all questions that require me to have bias.
I have my favorite areas of town, and I am definitely not adept at offering all of the information a new family needs…especially about how to choose the best school for their children. I would offer my bias opinion that may not be helpful. So, I was thrilled when Zillow offered to write up some information for families who are looking to move to Columbus, and how to choose the best area based on school needs of their children.
Take a look at this Zillow article for helpful information and links:
How to Compare Columbus School Ratings before Moving
By Nick Elam of Zillow
Moving puts stress on everyone, especially families with children in school. Parents can ease the stress of unpredictability by researching and comparing school ratings before purchasing homes. Proper preparation calms parents’ anxieties about uprooting their children. Researching schools can also help families narrow their home searches. Parents looking to relocate to Columbus, whether buying or renting, should compare these three factors to determine the quality of school and education.
School Type
Parents should decide what type of school best matches the values and needs of their children. Public, private and charter schools all provide different structures and approaches to education. Public schools are free, but are sometimes subject to lower budgets. Private schools usually have higher test scores but require substantial tuition costs. Plus, private schools are often religiously-affiliated which families may view as an advantage, or moral conflict. Charter schools offer families and students alternative education, allowing teachers more freedom to design curriculum. Charters receive less funding per pupil than public schools, unless major donors contribute. Small class sizes make it challenging to enroll new students, but perfect for personalized student attention.
All three school types present both benefits and drawbacks – smaller class sizes or lower costs. Deciding on one type first points parents in the right direction to further research and qualify Columbus schools.
Test Scores
After choosing the type of school for their kids, parents should compare test scores and school performance levels to determine the quality of education and educators. GreatSchools rates schools on a 10-point scale, providing reference points for parents to identify top-performing schools, based on test results and available information such as subject proficiencies, class size, student-to-teacher ratios and college preparedness. Schools rated 8 to 10 are considered above the state average, and scores of 4 to 7 are average.
In Columbus, reading and math proficiencies are based on the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA). Schools rated 10 out of 10 had test proficiency levels in the 92 to 100 percent range. When looking at a desired neighborhood, compare the neighborhood school’s test scores to these top schools’ proficiency levels to see how they compare.
Parental Feedback
Unfortunately, the type of school and its test scores don’t speak to the entire student experience. Therefore, it’s imperative to evaluate parental reviews to get a wider perspective, also detailed on GreatSchools. Seek performance feedback about local schools from parents of current students. Casually interview families to get a wide variety of opinions, as the experience isn’t the same for all kids. It’s also important to contact schools directly by visiting in person or online to find first-hand information and identify Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) representatives. More information leads to more educated and confident decision-making.
Comparing school types, test scores and attaining parental feedback helps families find ideal schools before relocating. Sending a child to school may bring about anxiety for some, but hearing from other parents and gathering facts alleviates concerns. Although challenging, accessible resources ease the difficult process; just be sure to prioritize these three factors when comparing schools.
