Last month, I accompanied a family considering a move to Ridgefield to look at properties. They mentioned they had checked the school scores on Zillow beforehand. They felt reassured because the assigned school had a score of 7. However, after reading reviews in the parent community, it seemed the feedback wasn't as positive as expected. It was a moment where the difference between the score and the actual reputation became apparent.

It's important to explore why this happens. The school scores displayed on Zillow or Redfin are mostly based on ratings from a nonprofit organization called GreatSchools. They rate schools on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 to 3 is below average, 4 to 7 is average, and 8 to 10 is above average. According to GreatSchools' own description, these scores are calculated based on test scores, college readiness, equity indicators, and more.

The equity indicators are crucial here. It's not just about looking at the overall average score; it also considers whether various student groups are achieving results evenly. Therefore, a school with high test scores may not necessarily have a high overall score, and conversely, a school with decent test scores may end up with a surprisingly low overall score if it scores poorly on equity measures.

Grant Elementary School in Ridgefield Park has a score of 6 according to GreatSchools, while Lincoln Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School both have scores of 7. The local school, Slocum Skewes School, which serves grades 3 through 9, also has a score of 7. While the numbers may seem similar, parents who have actually attended these schools often report that the atmosphere and teacher assignments can vary significantly by grade level.

For reference, the college readiness category is calculated using metrics like graduation rates and AP course participation rates. Some schools may have good test scores but low college readiness, and vice versa. Therefore, it's advisable not to rely solely on the overall score but to develop a habit of checking the detailed scores broken down by category on the GreatSchools page. Other sites like Niche can also be useful for reference. The evaluation criteria on these two sites are not completely identical, so a school that appears above average on one site may be rated differently on another. Cross-referencing multiple sources can lead to more stable judgments than relying on a single score.

So, don't stop at just one score; make sure to check a few more things.

• Whether the scores have been trending upward or downward over the past three years
• How the student-to-teacher ratio compares to the state average
• What recurring phrases appear in parent reviews
• Whether the property address you are looking at actually falls within the assigned school district

Especially the last item is often overlooked. Even within Ridgefield, there can be cases where the assigned schools differ across a single road. This means that the school listed on real estate sites may not be the actual assigned school. Before signing a contract, be sure to verify the exact assigned school address through the county education office or school district office.

Areas known for good school reputations often have that premium reflected in their sale prices. Some families choose to rent first to gauge the school atmosphere before deciding to buy. However, this approach can be tricky, as it requires calculating the differences between rental prices and sale prices, so it's not always guaranteed to be advantageous.

For families moving from Korea and preparing to settle in, this scoring system may feel unfamiliar. Unlike Korea's school district concept, in the U.S., schools are divided by district within each city, and these boundaries can be adjusted every few years. Therefore, use the scores as a first filter and then engage in a process of verification through personal exploration.

This article is not investment or legal advice, and before making any contracts, please verify the assigned school and district boundaries with a professional.