Researching the Best School Districts for Your New Home

A recent Trulia survey discovered that 19% of people listed a “good school district” as a top factor when selecting their dream home. Not surprisingly, this number jumped to 25% for prospective homebuyers with children.

Many Northern California home builders realize that homebuyers want all the life and financial benefits that come along with living in a great school district. While there are many factors that go into buying any home, few outside of the property itself, are as important as the quality of local schools. That is why it is so essential to look into the schools in a region before making a purchasing decision.

While community home builders would love for real estate agents to comment on the quality of their school systems, due to fair housing laws, agents are not allowed to do so. Homebuyers have no choice but to research school quality on their own in order to make the decision on where to buy.

Vetting Schools on Your Own

So, what is the best way to evaluate schools in a given region? You could ask prospective neighbors on their thoughts regarding the local school system or you could schedule a tour of the local schools to see them for yourself. During the tour, pay attention to things like the class sizes, teacher student ratio, upkeep of facilities, how engaged the student body seems, and the diversity of the student body.

Observing Teachers

If you tour a school and get the sense that the teachers seem unhappy, it is likely that the quality of education will suffer. It also could be a sign that teachers are not treated with enough respect by the powers that be. They may not be struggling with contract negotiations or might not be properly equipped to teach.

You might also want to take a look at the school ranking sites, as they provide statistics on whether or not teachers are certified. If teachers do not have enough training and experience, they might be overwhelmed and not provide the classroom experience that your children will need.

Technology in Schools

Other items to consider include the use of technology in the classrooms. When ample technology is available, it shows that the school is willing to invest in their infrastructure. On the other hand, make sure you observe how the technology is used to support the classroom. It should never replace direct interaction with teachers.

Extracurricular Activities

Do not forget that schools are about more than just academics. You will more than likely want to find a school that has active and engaging after-school programs and extracurricular activities. There are endless opportunities for students to learn new skills and ignite new passions. Extracurricular activities, such as band, drama, sports teams, clubs, and student government, are a vital element in any child’s education and development.

Internet Research

Luckily, the Internet has made researching everything much easier than it was a generation ago. Today, a quick Internet search and visit to a website such as Greatschools.org can provide a wealth of information. Greatschools.org rates on five very important factors including attendance rate, college readiness, advanced courses, equity, and of course, test scores.

It is hard to overemphasize the tremendous importance of living in a good school district, especially if you have children. Community home builders around the country know just how important living in a good school district is to those looking to buy homes. That is why so often Northern California home builders decide to create communities in these regions.

As the times change, schooling options do too. The right research can be very valuable in helping determine which schools are the best fit for you. Find out more on the school districts at these communities here: Carnelian in Granite Bay, Provence in Natomas, and Revere in Rescue.