In the past, a school score of 5 in San Jose was often seen as just an average neighborhood. However, recently, more people have been curious about why a school with a score of 5 is rated so low. Orchard Elementary School and Willow Glen Elementary School both have scores of 5, while Hammer Montessori At Galarza Elementary School and James Franklin Smith Elementary School, also in San Jose, received scores of 10. Given this level of difference within the same city, it's understandable that a score of 5 might seem low.

However, it's important to take a closer look at the number 5 itself. The GreatSchools score is a relative score compared to other schools in the state. It means that when compared to other schools in California, it is around the middle, not that the school is failing to provide education. It's essential to remember that this number shows relative positioning rather than absolute academic levels. In the past, scores were based solely on test results, but now they also include college readiness and equity measures. The equity measure looks at whether grades, attendance, and disciplinary records are evenly distributed among different student groups, so even if test scores are decent, a low score in this area can lower the overall score.

Here are the items to check in order:

• Whether the school's rating has been trending upward or downward over the past 3-5 years
• How the student-to-teacher ratio compares to nearby schools
• Actual reviews left by current parents of students
• Reconfirming on a map that the property address I'm looking at is actually assigned to that school

The student-to-teacher ratio is a number that changes slightly each year based on observations over time. If a particular grade has a sudden influx of new students, the ratio may temporarily worsen. It's safer to look at several years of data rather than just one year's figure.

Particularly, the first item is crucial. Scores are a snapshot at a single point in time. If a school has a score of 5 but has been steadily improving over the past few years, that's a different story, and if a school has a score of 9 but is gradually declining, it should be viewed differently as well. In the past, there weren't many ways to check this trend, but now you can view year-by-year data on the GreatSchools site.

School district boundaries cannot be overlooked. In areas like San Jose, where multiple school districts are closely divided, it's common for assigned schools to change with just one road in between. If you find a property you like, don't just decide based on the score; first, check which school the address is actually assigned to. In San Jose, due to the characteristics of Silicon Valley, there is a clear preference for certain school districts, so it's necessary to develop a habit of looking at relative positioning within the area rather than just one score. When reading reviews, it's more useful to check the content rather than the star ratings, as they may be experiences related to a specific grade or teacher. Korean families often look at whether there are gifted programs or dual language programs in addition to just the scores.

For families moving to San Jose from other states, it's important to consider the property tax structure alongside school scores. In California, property taxes are based on the purchase price, and the rate of increase is limited afterward, which operates differently than in other states where property taxes fluctuate based on market value. Tax rates and specific regulations can vary by county, so it's necessary to check. Insurance rates can also vary significantly within California depending on wildfire risk areas, so it's advisable to ask about this when checking the property location. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with a professional before making any actual contracts.