Buying a home involves a long checklist of questions to answer, especially when moving into a new city or neighborhood. Whether your children are just starting school or already thinking about college, finding a good school district is essential for your family. Follow these tips to find a home in the school district that’s right for you.
1. Do Your Research
Before making any decisions in the home buying process, it’s important to research local school districts to get an idea of your ideal area. Your real estate agent should be able to provide information on local schools, but if you want to do some digging yourself, try online resources like GreatSchools.org or the National Center for Education Statistics to find the best school systems near you.
2. Narrow Your Priorities
A good education is not just about what happens in the classroom. Consider what type of extracurricular activities your kids are interested in, and look for schools and districts that offer quality sports, music, or volunteer programs. Find out if the schools in your preferred area have had any previous state titles or awards for their clubs and organizations.
3. Consider Alternative Options
If you are looking for a unique educational experience for your children, you may want to consider tuition-free charter schools like Expeditionary Learning schools or Montessori schools, or local private schools. This is also a good option if you want to emphasize foreign language learning, college preparation, or classical subjects.
4. Go for a Visit
When you begin to narrow your interest to specific districts or schools, it’s a good idea to visit the schools you’ve researched to meet the administrators. Ask questions about disciplinary methods, after-school programs, advanced placement courses, and college acceptance statistics and tour the facility to see what kind of amenities the school can offer.
Buying a new home is no small decision—and finding the right school district for your family is just as big a consideration. With these tips, you’re one step closer to moving into the perfect home in the perfect district.
