"Good Schools"

 

As you might imagine, when working with buyers, especially those new to our city, "good schools" are often on their list.  Realtors have long avoided steering buyers toward or away from specific schools.  We do though, try to know a bit about the schools in the communities in which we work.  That's part of our service, right?

There are websites and services that rank schools, usually on test scores; some adding in student/teacher ratios.  Directing buyer clients to these sites helps us avoid the appearance of steering or modern day redlining.  And folks have long accepted test scores as a proxy for "good schools".  Are these really good schools? Test scores usually show us who goes to the school, rather than anything about the actual school.

"Good schools" can mean different things to different people, so let's not assume we share a common interpretation of what makes a good school.  Strong community? Programs from which my child will benefit or that will engage them in learning? A facility accommodating a special needs student? High achieving students as a peer group or role models? Athletic programs of interest, or a specific coach or trainer?  The list goes on. 

"Good schools" can also mean; people like me,  high test score schools, schools with lots of resources, schools with families with whom I'd want to associate, schools in "good neighborhoods. And so on.

As fair housing laws were passed, and thank goodness, the importance of fair housing has finally started to be a value, looking for "good schools" became a way to ask for or steer toward "good neighborhoods" without seeming racist or elitist.   Its not that you don't want to live in an integrated neighborhood, you just want the best for your kid, right?

Let's not underestimate the intensity/vehemence of wanting the best for your kid.  As a mother, I was in awe of the strong visceral emotion I came to know as my inner"mother bear".  That feeling propelled me to do, and through things I'd otherwise never imagine. And yes, my kid went to a "good school".  It was a public school, and in a nearby neighborhood (or even considered lesser than where we live). But admission, at the time she got in, was not by lottery, but by interview, work samples (yes, for an incoming kindergartner) and observations in play groups.  And big surprise, the school was not particularly integrated nor inclusive. 

It's kind of the perfect storm; parents propelled to act in the best interest of their kids colliding with often their own values of equity and inclusion. I don't have the answer, and nor do I think the answer is an easy one.  But let's recognize when "good schools" or avoiding "bad schools" isn't about the schools. 

If you've not had a chance to watch it, the Newsday investigation into fair housing and real estate on Long Island is eye opening.  "Good schools" makes. star appearance.