A family went to see a property in Tenafly. When they searched for schools using the home address, they were pleased to find that Tenafly High School was listed as the assigned school. However, they later discovered that the address actually belonged to a different township, separated by just one road. This was the first time they realized that the school information shown on real estate websites might differ from the actual assigned school.

Let's first look at why this confusion occurs. There are three main reasons. First, the school information on real estate websites is often not updated in real-time. Even if school district boundaries change, it can take time for those changes to be reflected. Second, it is common for multiple school districts to overlap within the same zip code. Third, the scores displayed on the site represent only the score of that particular school and do not reflect the overall educational level of the neighborhood.

School district boundaries, referred to as "school boundaries" in English, can lead to completely different assigned schools even if the same zip code or street name is used. This is the most significant difference from the concept of school districts in Korea. In Korea, school districts are usually grouped by administrative regions, while in the U.S., they can vary based on a single road or even the odd or even number of a house.

Tenafly High School has received a score of 9 according to GreatSchools. Approximately 1,141 students from grades 9 to 12 attend, and a variety of AP courses are offered. This score is certainly among the top in New Jersey. However, it is important to understand how this score of 9 is determined. GreatSchools rates schools based not only on test scores but also on college readiness and equity indicators. This means that the rating is not based solely on test scores.

The three elements that contribute to this score of 9 are as follows. Test scores show academic achievement compared to the state average, college readiness reflects graduation rates and AP course participation rates, and equity indicators assess whether various student groups achieve results evenly. If any one of these three categories is particularly low, the overall score can drop, so it is advisable to look into the detailed categories. The weight of equity indicators also varies by school level. Generally, the impact of equity indicators is greater in middle and high schools than in elementary schools. Therefore, families with elementary school children and those with high school children may interpret the same score differently.

To summarize the items to check before signing a contract:

• Whether the rating has been stable over the past few years or if there have been significant fluctuations
• Whether the student-to-teacher ratio is lower or higher than the state average
• What specific complaints or praises are mentioned in parent reviews
• Whether the assigned school has been re-confirmed by entering the property address directly on the school district office's website

When checking if the rating has been stable, it is advisable to look at the trends over the past few years on the GreatSchools page. A consistent trend over several years is more reliable than a score that spikes in just one year.

Conditions can vary depending on which block you are in Tenafly. Even within the same township boundary, elementary school assignment zones can be divided, so even if the town appears the same, the actual school attended may differ. Therefore, it is essential to verify exactly which assignment zone the address belongs to before deciding on a home based solely on scores.

For families moving from out of state, it is also advisable to consider the property tax burden. Areas with a good reputation for school districts often have higher property taxes, which can vary by state and county. There are often cases where families budget based only on school scores and then feel an unexpected burden from property taxes.

When inquiring with the school district office, it is also good to ask not only about the property address but also about any plans for school district boundary adjustments in the coming years. Areas with new construction may see boundary lines redrawn due to an increase in student numbers.

This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to reconfirm the assigned school and tax conditions with the school district office and professionals before finalizing any contracts.