A family decided to move to Macon for their children's education. Their oldest child was about to enter middle school. They wanted a place with a clearer academic atmosphere than their current location. The place that caught their eye was Stratford Academy.

After deciding to move, there are several things to check. Here's a summary in order.

The first is the school's actual performance. Stratford is a private college preparatory school with 706 students from preschool to 12th grade. The student-to-teacher ratio is quite low at 5 students per teacher. Tuition ranges from $7,500 to a maximum of $21,400 depending on the grade. Looking at the college admission rate, 100% of graduates go on to four-year colleges. For the 2025 academic year, 86% of 12th graders took at least one of over 20 AP courses, and 88% scored 3 or higher on the AP exams. According to Niche ratings, it is ranked first among private preschools to high schools in the Macon area.

The second is the cost of living near the school. The housing value in Macon is $154,426 according to Zillow, which is a 9.7% increase from the previous year. The median sale price over the last 30 days, as reported by Orchard, was $232,000, up 21.5% from the previous year. The median listing price in April, as cited by Fred, was $239,900. The rate of increase is quite fast, so if you're interested, it seems wise to frequently check the market prices in advance.

The third is the tax and cost of living structure. Macon is still considered an area with a low entry burden within Georgia. Families moving from other metropolitan areas often find they can get a larger home for the same budget. However, property tax rates and exemption programs need to be checked separately based on Bibb County, as conditions vary by state.

The fourth point to consider is the AP program. Short for Advanced Placement, it allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credits based on their exam scores. The availability of over 20 subjects is quite a broad selection for a school of 706 students. Being ranked first in the Macon area by Niche can be attributed to this curriculum and the low student-to-teacher ratio.

The fifth is whether to rent. If it's difficult to decide on a purchase right away, renting first to experience the area can be a good option. Checking the exact rental prices through platforms like Zillow is one of the necessary steps.

The sixth is visiting the school in person. It takes time to check these items. Rather than rushing, it's better to apply for a school tour and take the time to explore the neighborhood during school commute hours. The safety of the commute routes and the neighborhood atmosphere, which are not visible in numbers, can only be understood by visiting.

Lastly, you should also look into the property tax exemption program. Georgia's Homestead Exemption is a program that lowers the property tax assessment for primary residences, but the application conditions in Bibb County should be checked separately after the purchase contract is finalized.

Macon is about an hour's drive from Atlanta. If a family is considering commuting to Atlanta, they should also take distance and traffic conditions into account. Conversely, if they plan to settle completely in Macon, it may be sufficient to judge based solely on the school district and living infrastructure. In both cases, it's safer to visit the neighborhoods near the school and the commuting routes before making a decision.

By going through these items one by one in order, the decision becomes much easier. Whether to choose a school with clear academic performance despite the tuition burden, or to prioritize a well-rated public school district, can vary from family to family.

In either case, school district boundaries change frequently, so it's advisable to check the assigned school for the specific address before moving. The timing of the move is also important. It's worth considering that settling before summer break allows the child to have time to adjust before the new school year starts. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult a professional before making any actual contracts.