We often receive inquiries about why Zillow shows a school score of 8, while Redfin lists it as 7 for the same school. One family looking for a home in Fargo struggled with this issue for several days. They were comparing scores between the two sites and ultimately felt unsure about which one to trust.

The answer is actually quite simple. Both Zillow and Redfin do not generate their own scores; they use ratings from a nonprofit organization called GreatSchools. However, the timing of data updates varies between the two sites, which can result in different numbers appearing for the same school, sometimes days or weeks apart. In the past, these discrepancies were hardly noticeable, but recently, as GreatSchools has frequently adjusted its rating methodology, the gaps between the sites have been widening.

For example, in the Fargo area, according to GreatSchools, Horace Mann Elementary School has a score of 9, while Independence Elementary and Clara Barton Elementary School both received a score of 8. In contrast, Kennedy Elementary School and Lincoln Elem School are at 4. Even within the same city, there can be significant score differences between schools.

However, it's important to clarify what these scores actually measure. GreatSchools ratings are not based solely on test scores. For elementary and middle schools, the ratings consider academic growth indicators, which reflect how much students have improved over the year, as well as equity indicators that assess the performance gaps among different student groups. For high schools, college readiness is also factored in. Because multiple elements are mixed into a single score, it can be difficult to determine which aspects are strong or weak just by looking at the score.

Therefore, I recommend not stopping at just the score but checking a few additional factors. First, look at the trend of the ratings. Observing whether the score has been rising or falling over the past few years can give you insight into the school's direction. Second, consider the student-to-teacher ratio. Even if scores are similar, the classroom environment can vary significantly depending on how many students each teacher is responsible for. Third, read actual parent reviews. Many aspects of the school environment, such as the commute and atmosphere, may not be reflected in the numbers but are often captured in reviews.

Different real estate sites also present school information in slightly different ways. Sites like Niche use letter grades (A to F) instead of numerical scores, unlike GreatSchools. Since the data points referenced by the two sites can differ, the numerical and letter grades for the same school often do not correspond directly. Therefore, rather than relying solely on the rating from one site, it's better to consult multiple sites, ultimately using a source like GreatSchools, where the rating criteria are publicly available, as a benchmark.

If you are moving to Fargo from another state, it's also wise to consider property taxes and insurance rates along with school scores. North Dakota has a different method for calculating property taxes compared to other states, and there are variations in tax rates by county. Estimating based on the standards of your previous state could lead to unexpected amounts, so I recommend checking the specific tax rates for the relevant county.

Finally, the most important thing is to verify the assigned school address. In areas like Fargo, where school district boundaries can be divided by just a road, it's necessary to check the school district map to see which school your desired home is actually assigned to. There are often discrepancies between the school listed on real estate sites and the actual assigned school. This is especially true in rapidly growing areas like North Dakota, where new housing developments can lead to adjustments in school district boundaries over just a few years.

• Rating trend - whether it has been rising or falling over the past 3-4 years
• Student-to-teacher ratio - the experience can differ even with similar scores
• Parent reviews - aspects like commute and atmosphere that numbers may not capture
• Verify assigned school address - cross-reference with the school district map

This guide is not investment or legal advice, and it is advisable to confirm with the school assignment department or an expert before finalizing any contracts.