10 points. I once heard a story about a family looking for a home in Montgomery who decided to settle near Booker T. Washington Magnet High School after seeing its GreatSchools score. However, later they found out that this school is a magnet school, meaning it is not assigned based on address but requires an application to attend.

What does this number 10 really mean? The GreatSchools rating ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 indicating a top-tier school within the same state. However, while there are application-based magnet schools like Booker T. Washington, there are also regular schools in Montgomery, like Flowers Elementary, that receive a score of 7 and automatically assign students based on their address.

Why is this difference important? If someone decides to move based solely on the school name seen on a real estate website, they might end up signing a contract without distinguishing whether the school is a regular assignment school or an application-based magnet school. This means they could buy a home but find out their child cannot attend that school. Especially since magnet schools can have varying application deadlines and capacities each year, it's crucial to check this in advance.

It's also helpful to understand how the scores are calculated. They combine four factors: test scores, academic growth, college readiness, and equity indicators. College readiness looks at SAT or ACT scores, graduation rates, and participation rates in advanced courses like AP. The overall average for Montgomery County shows a composite SAT score of 1190 and an ACT score of 23.

The meaning of these numbers is straightforward. They provide a reference point for how students in that district compare to the national average. However, it's essential to remember that there can be significant variations between schools. Montgomery County has an overall C+ rating according to Niche, but it includes both 10-point schools and much lower-rated schools.

In fact, among Montgomery schools, there are some that, despite still having low test scores, have shown significant improvement in growth indicators over the past few years. Instead of just looking at the current scores, it's important to consider these trends to gauge future potential.

So, the order of verification should be as follows. First, check whether the school is a regular assignment school or an application-based one. Next, look at the recent rating trends on GreatSchools. Then, examine the student-to-teacher ratio. A lower ratio means fewer students per teacher, which suggests more personalized attention. Finally, reviewing parent reviews alongside these numbers allows for a much more comprehensive assessment than looking at just one score.

GreatSchools itself explains that scores alone do not reflect the quality of teachers, school atmosphere, or extracurricular activities. If considering a magnet school, it's wise to check the application deadlines, capacity, and transportation methods on the school's website.

School assignment boundaries are also crucial. Within Montgomery, there are areas where assignment schools differ even with just a road in between, so if you have a preferred school, it's safest to input the home address into the school district verification system.

Montgomery has a higher proportion of magnet schools compared to other cities, so it's essential to verify the application processes for each school on the Montgomery County Public Schools website rather than relying solely on real estate sites.

For families moving from out of state, it's also helpful to note that Alabama property taxes are generally lower than in other states. However, these tax conditions can vary slightly by county, so it's necessary to check the exact figures.

While showing properties in Montgomery, I often see families who decide based on a school score only to later realize they were unaware of the application requirements, forcing them to rethink their plans. It's best to check the type of school, application procedures, and transportation methods from the start to save time and reduce stress.

The score is just a starting point; the first step is to confirm whether that school is one that our child can actually attend. This is not investment or legal advice, and I recommend consulting with a professional before finalizing any contracts.