A family looking for a home in Newark opened a real estate app and immediately checked the school scores. They mentioned that they have developed a habit of looking at school scores before property photos.

This habit is not bad in itself. However, if you don't understand how the scores are derived, it can lead to misunderstandings. To put it simply, the GreatSchools rating reflects test scores, academic growth, and college readiness, each accounting for one-third, rated on a scale from 1 to 10. College readiness includes SAT/ACT participation rates, four-year graduation rates, and participation rates in AP or dual enrollment programs. Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on equity metrics that separately assess the performance gap of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Within Newark, there are significant differences in school scores. Newark Charter School received a score of 10, with an attendance rate of 93%, which is higher than the Delaware state average of 83%. In contrast, Newark High School in the same area scored 3, and Glasgow High School scored 1. This indicates a substantial score gap between charter schools and regular public high schools.

The college readiness mentioned here is not only based on SAT or ACT results but also includes advanced courses like AP or IB, where high school students take college-level classes early, as well as dual enrollment participation rates. The more students participate in these programs, the higher the college readiness score, which ultimately affects the overall rating.

When looking at elementary schools, a slightly different picture emerges. Gallaher Elementary School has a score of 7 and an attendance rate of 88%, exceeding both the district average of 80% and the state average of 83%. Judging the area solely based on high school scores can overlook the situation at the elementary level. If your child is currently in elementary school, it is safer to consider the ratings of the middle and high schools they will be assigned to in a few years.

Equity metrics should also be considered. This metric calculates the performance gap between groups of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are not. The smaller the gap, the more the school is seen as effectively teaching all students, resulting in a higher score. Recently, the weight of this metric has increased, leading to cases where ratings differ even with similar average scores.

When comparing two schools side by side, aspects that are not visible through scores alone become apparent. A charter school with a score of 10 often has a waiting list due to high demand, and its student composition may differ from nearby public schools. If the terminology is unfamiliar, think of it this way: a charter school is a public school that requires a separate application and lottery to enroll.

Therefore, rather than relying solely on scores, it is important to verify several other factors. This includes checking the score changes over the past three years, the student-to-teacher ratio, and the actual assigned school address on the district's website. Charter schools often operate on a lottery basis rather than automatic assignment, so it is important to note that purchasing a home does not guarantee admission.

To accurately confirm the assigned school, the most reliable method is to enter the exact street address into the school search tool on the Delaware Department of Education or each district's website. The school names listed on real estate sites are for reference only, and it is always safer to base final confirmations on district data before signing a contract.

For families moving to Newark from out of state, it is also advisable to consider that Delaware's property tax system may differ from that of their previous residence. While Delaware has the advantage of no sales tax, it is still necessary to check property taxes and school district taxes. For families considering renting or buying, calculating not only the ratings but also the burden of school district taxes can be helpful for actual budget planning. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to verify with the school district and professionals before signing any contracts.