Is it Savannah Country Day School or a well-rated public school? This is the choice a family preparing to move to Savannah has been contemplating until the last moment.

Let's look at the numbers first. Savannah Country Day School is a college preparatory private school with 1,028 students from preschool through 12th grade. As of 2024, the tuition is $19,525. Looking at college admission results, there are graduates who have been accepted to Stanford, Duke, Williams College, the University of Pennsylvania, and the California Institute of Technology. The school claims to prepare students for college with a rigorous yet manageable curriculum.

What do these numbers mean? The tuition around $20,000 is close to the average for private schools in Georgia. The college admission results span a wide range of top universities. However, the total number of AP courses and the overall matriculation rate have not been confirmed through publicly available data. It is best to contact the school directly for accurate information on this.

Housing costs should also be considered. The average home value in Savannah is $335,719 according to Zillow, which is a 0.5 percent decrease from the previous year. However, there is a significant variation in price ranges. As of January this year, entry-level homes are priced at $157,380, starter homes at $281,064, mid-range homes at $368,620, upper-tier homes at $548,049, and luxury homes at $1,273,636. Areas close to the South Historic District, for example, can average up to $939,202.

To summarize, choosing a private school may lead to clear academic performance, but it also means managing tuition costs along with the high housing prices in the vicinity. Conversely, opting for a public school district can reduce housing costs, but it requires additional effort to verify the ratings of assigned schools.

Let's clarify what AP is. It stands for Advanced Placement, a program that allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credit based on their exam scores. The exact number of AP courses at this school has not been confirmed through public data, but the school states that it includes AP courses in its college preparatory curriculum. Checking ratings from sites like Niche or GreatSchools can also help in making a decision.

Another option is to experience the area by renting first. Areas close to the school are known to have high rental prices as well as high sales prices. For accurate rental costs, it is best to check directly on sites like Rent.com or Apartments.com.

Before making a decision, it is also recommended to visit the school in person. Observing the campus atmosphere, faculty, and students' actual lives can reveal aspects that are difficult to assess through data alone. Taking the time to explore nearby neighborhoods at different times can help you get a real sense of living there. Savannah is also known as a tourist destination, so the neighborhood atmosphere can vary significantly between weekdays and weekends, which is worth checking out as well.

GreatSchools is a nonprofit site that rates schools in the U.S. on a scale from 1 to 10. For families considering public school districts, checking the scores of schools in the area of interest can be helpful in making a decision. Private schools often compare themselves using Niche reviews or graduate admission results instead of these official ratings.

Families moving from out of state should also be aware that Georgia's property tax structure may differ from their previous residence. It is advisable to check the tax rates and exemption conditions based on Chatham County.

School district boundaries change frequently, so it is safe to verify the assigned school for a specific address before purchasing. The timing of the move should also be considered. Settling in comfortably before the new school year begins allows more time for the child to adjust. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with a professional before making any actual contracts.