GreatSchools.org is one of the most widely used school evaluation websites in the United States, providing various information for parents and communities to assess and compare the quality of schools. The evaluations on this platform focus on academic performance, environment, and student achievement, and the scoring system is as follows.

Scoring System

GreatSchools.org assigns scores to schools ranging from 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating better performance.

• 1-3 points: Schools that are rated as below average in academic performance and need improvement.
• 4-6 points: Schools showing average levels of performance.
• 7-10 points: Schools demonstrating excellent academic performance with well-equipped resources and environment.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Academic Performance

   • Standardized test scores and academic achievement.
   • Analysis of students' test scores compared to local and state averages.

2. Student Progress

   • Measurement of how much students have academically progressed as they advance in grades.
   • Emphasis on the growth of students with lower academic achievement.

3. College Readiness

   • Evaluation of college readiness related achievements such as high school graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, and participation rates in AP/IB programs.
   • Items applicable only to specific high schools.

4. Equity Rating

   • Measurement of academic performance and gaps among student groups such as minorities, low-income students, and English learners.
   • Assessment of whether all students are receiving equal education.

5. Parent Reviews

   • Reviews and ratings written by parents are reflected, covering school environment, interactions with teachers, and parental involvement.

6. Environment & Resources

   • Includes student-to-teacher ratios, availability of special programs, and facility levels.

Features and Utilization

• Community-Centric: Parents, teachers, and the community can leave reviews, providing insight into the actual atmosphere of the school beyond objective data.
• School Comparison Feature: Helps users compare multiple schools to make suitable choices.
• Address-Based Search: Users can easily check evaluations of schools near their residence.

Points to Note

• Scores are not evaluated based on a single indicator but are derived from various data.
• Since academic performance is heavily weighted, evaluations of arts, physical education, and creative programs may be relatively limited.
• Parent reviews may have subjective aspects as they rely on personal experiences.

The scores on GreatSchools.org serve as an important reference for parents when choosing schools, but it is crucial to consider visiting individual schools and taking into account the actual experiences of parents and students rather than judging solely based on scores.