A family was looking for a home in Philadelphia. They were torn between two neighborhoods and decided to compare the school scores listed on Zillow. One neighborhood had a score of 9, while the other had a score of 6. However, they were unsure how these scores were determined and were leaning towards the higher score. Looking back, it was a moment where they almost made a hasty decision based solely on numbers.

In such cases, it's important to break down the scores first. The GreatSchools score is not based on a single test result but is a combination of three factors: test scores, college readiness, and equity. Test scores compare the results of students on standardized tests to the average score, college readiness looks at graduation rates and participation in advanced courses like AP and dual enrollment, and equity shows whether students from diverse backgrounds are achieving good results. These three factors are combined to produce a score between 1 and 10. Additionally, depending on the year, an academic growth metric may also be included, which measures how much students' scores have improved compared to the previous year. This means that even if a school currently has a low score, a fast growth rate could indicate a brighter future.

When comparing schools in Philadelphia, it looks like this. Masterman Julia R Secondary School and Central High School both have a GreatSchools score of 9, while McCall Gen George A School and Belmont Hills El School both have a score of 10. However, there are several schools within the same city that have lower scores. Since 2012, Zillow has partnered with GreatSchools to display school scores alongside listings, but it's important to remember that these numbers do not necessarily represent the overall level of the neighborhood. In a city like Philadelphia, where school characteristics can vary significantly by neighborhood, this is especially true. There are both magnet schools and regular assignment schools mixed together, so even within the same zip code, the assignment process can differ. The equity score also needs to be examined separately. Since it assesses whether students from diverse backgrounds are achieving good results, a school may have a high overall score but a low equity score. To get a true picture of a school, both numbers should be considered. Additionally, looking at the student-to-teacher ratio can provide insight into the classroom environment that may not be visible through scores alone.

When comparing the two neighborhoods, here are the factors to consider:

• Check which of the three components that make up the score is particularly high or low. There may be schools with low test scores but high equity.
• Compare the student-to-teacher ratio as well. Even with the same score, the actual classroom environment can differ.
• Look at the score trends over the past few years. If a school is on the rise, its future may be more important than its current score.
• Above all, verify which school the address is actually assigned to on the school district's website.

If the numbers are unclear, contacting the school directly can also be a good approach. Information about admission procedures, class assignments, and magnet school eligibility cannot be determined solely from the score sheet. Information confirmed through a phone call or visit can provide much more concrete grounds for judgment than online numbers.

Philadelphia is a city where the atmosphere of school districts can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood. Therefore, when weighing two neighborhoods, it's beneficial to consider not just the score but also where that score comes from and whether the assigned school is indeed the right fit. For families moving from other states, it's also good to know that property tax rates in Pennsylvania vary by county and school district. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with school district and real estate professionals before making any actual contracts.