What Is the Best School District?

Updated on November 05, 2008
K.D. asks from Clifton Park, NY
5 answers

My daughter is scheduled to start Kindergarten this coming fall and we are also looking to move. Currently we are in the Shenendehowa school district and I have heard some mixed reviews on this district. I have some reservations about this district as well! We are also looking at Ballston Spa and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. I definitely like the idea of a smaller school district within the capital region.

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T.J.

answers from Albany on

I have heard wonderful things about Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Scotia-Glenville districts. Even though you can get more bang for your buck in Schenectady for housing the school system has some issues. Saratoga and Niskayuna are OK (excellent in the minds of some), though housing is more expensive. The Scotia-Glenville system has 1/2 day K for the first 1/2 of the year which provides a small class size as your child transitions into school, also the elementary schools are smaller in size than in some of the more "city" districts. Good luck in your decision and eventual move!

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R.N.

answers from Albany on

K. how did you make out with your choice of school district? I am a mom of 3.5 and 1.5 year olds. My husband and i are in the Shen District and are considering moving into the Niskayuna, Bethlehem or North Colonie districts. We both work in downtown Albany and want an easier commute but would like a good school district. THe housing is too expensive in Nisk, Bethl, and Loudonville/Latham. Not sure what we will decide so we are researching the test scores and score cards of the schools. So much to think about. Let me know how you made out and if you have any suggestions?

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B.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi K.! We lived in the Shen district before the kids made it to school. Supposedly they are award winning schools and we thought that was great, but after working with troubled youth I learned a few things about the high school I wasn't too impressed with. My biggest complaint with them as a parent is the size of the schools and classrooms. I heard recently that CP cannot develop any more unless new schools are built, due to the overcrowding. This may be a rumor but, sounds like it should be based in some truth since there are just so many kids on that campus.
I've heard parents in the Shen district say the kids get lost in the shuffle, they have to be EXCELLENT students to get recognition or awards, be college level to get on sports teams, etc. It sounds like alot of pressure for kids.
BH-BL is a small district with a close knit family. They would probably be your best bet. Ballston Spa is rearranging their curriculum last I read. I think that district struggles as well.
My oldest daughter attends Paige Elementary in the Schenectady City School District. Paige has earned rave reviews in the past few years and is know to be one, if not the, best Elementary school in this area. Schenectady also offers Universal Pre K, which is no cost Preschool, wish I knew that my first two years here! My youngest will attend Fulton Early Childhood Center in the fall. It is a brand new program in Schenectady that offers Pre K and K classes. Schenectady also offers Magnet schools, which offers specialized curriculums in several different fields. Another point you may want to think about is all day K vs. half day. These days, most kids go to Pre K or Nursery school, by the time K comes around, most are ready for the full day program. Shen still offers only half day I think. Not sure about the other two you mentioned.
All the school districts can be researched online as well. Hope you find this info useful!

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L.W.

answers from Albany on

I live in the BH/BL district. My two children ahve gone there and I run a family daycare there. I love this one!!

L.

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R.H.

answers from Albany on

Hi K.,

My DH went to Shen and echoes a lot of what Bridget mentioned. It's very hard to get recognition when you're just a number. We live in the Ballston Spa school district and will definitely be moving before our daughter gets to school age, not because the school is bad (must look in to this new curriculum!) but because one of the schools has cubicles rather than classrooms. (DH taught a BARC class there and we were shocked by this.)

I've heard wonderful things about BH/BL, but the housing can be extremely pricey. Lately I've heard good things coming out of South Glens Falls, as well as Corinth (they're supposedly very high-tech for the size and budget.)

Best of luck on the decision and please let us know where you land!

-R.

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