Do GreatSchools test score ratings help you determine the quality of a school?

I used the greatschools test score when we choose Eggert Elementary and it was a good choice for general education. Although it wasn't a good choice for our daughter who has special needs. I wish they had a site set up to show how well a school is doing for children who have an IEP.

No, test scores from great schools did not help me make the correct choice for my daughter school. We moved from NJ, a great school with honors programs. We moved to Miami. I thought I had done my research when I saw in Great School a rating of A for Doral Academy Charter H.S. What a disappointment.

The school failed my expectations being rated A. The school is extremely disorganized, they have uncertified teachers and recent college grads. teachers.

My daughter became extremely depressed due to the condescending manner in which teachers and principal treat students. My daughter was so desmoralized that I had to take her out of this school after the first semester.

Now, my daughter attends Coral Gables H.S., which does not have such great test scores, but I have to say that with their honors, AP and IB Magnet programs, they definately prepare your child for the challenging work that would be confronted at prestigious universities.

At Coral Gables H.S., teachers are certified and experienced;t hey care about students' learning. This is an excellent school. It's sad, that these big H.S. are compared to the small charter schools. Coral Gables H.S. has a lot to offer your child.

It can be a very misleading measure. One example is Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County, VA. It is a tech school and it's score places them as number one in the country, but behind that number lies an acceptance process where only the brightest and highly motivated are admitted. There are no low scores to average in. The brightest and most highly motived students in my daughter's high school, challenge TJ regularly, yet the overall score for her school is a 5. My daughter receives an incredible education allowing her to take four AP courses each year taught by quality teachers.

The ratings help, but I don't think should be the sole determinant in what school to attend.

I think parents should consider a multitude of sources - test scores, rankings, recognitions the school has received at the state or federal level, as well as reviews from other parents. For those that are moving, reviews from Realtors or even people who work in the realtors' office are helpful - they are local and really know which schools have reputations.

I guess my thing is that no child is "bound" to any school. You can always make a case to change your child's school. It may involve sacrifice (you are responsible for transportation instead of the school bus, paying for private school, etc.), but it can be done.