When moving to Indianapolis, I often see cases where people sign a lease based solely on elementary school scores, only to be surprised later. They find out that while the elementary school had a score of 8, the middle school assigned to the same address had a lower score, which they only discover after moving in.

If you look at the scores of schools in downtown Indianapolis, you can see that there is a significant variance. Center for Inquiry School 84 has a score of 8 according to GreatSchools, while Cold Spring School has a score of 7. In contrast, Ben Davis University High School received a score of 10. Even within the same city, scores can vary greatly between different school levels and schools.

The reason this often leads to regret is that many people judge the entire school district based on just one school level's score. Just because the elementary school score is good does not guarantee that the middle or high school assigned to the same address will also have good scores. The public school system in the U.S. often has different boundaries for elementary, middle, and high schools, so it's essential to check each one separately.

It's also important to understand what the GreatSchools score measures. According to the official description, it combines test scores, academic progress, college readiness, and equity indicators with different weights for each school level. High schools include college readiness, but elementary schools are primarily calculated based on test scores and growth. Therefore, even with the same score of 10, the content behind it can differ by school level.

If you move a little north of Indianapolis, you'll find a suburban area called Carmel. Carmel High School has a score of 10, while Carmel Middle School and Carmel Elementary School have scores of 8 each. This shows that even in the top school district in Indiana, Carmel Clay Schools, the scores are not completely uniform across school levels.

Another point to consider is that school scores can change over time. A child assigned to an elementary school with a score of 8 may find that by the time they reach middle school, that score may have changed. Therefore, it is practically more helpful to look at whether the trend has been increasing or decreasing over the past few years, rather than just the current score. For investors looking at properties for rental income, it's worth noting that these discrepancies in school scores can also affect tenant demand. It is safer to check the scores for middle and high schools rather than being overly optimistic based solely on elementary school scores.

• Check the assigned schools for elementary, middle, and high school separately
• Look at the detailed metrics under the overall score, such as test scores, growth, and college readiness
• Check the trend of grade changes over the past few years
• Directly input the property address into the school district boundary map to verify assigned schools

School district boundaries change frequently, so relying solely on information from real estate websites can be risky. Before signing a lease, be sure to verify the assigned elementary, middle, and high schools on the relevant county education department's website using the exact address.

If you are moving to Indianapolis from another state, it's also a good idea to look at property taxes and insurance rates. Indiana has a property tax rate that is lower than the national average, but there can be differences depending on the county and school district, so be sure to check the tax details for each property.

Choosing a home based on just one score can lead to regret when the school levels change. Developing the habit of checking all levels of schools and reviewing detailed metrics ultimately leads to more realistic choices. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with a professional before making any agreements.