Talk of the Town - Do your homework November 04 2000

Kids or no kids, you need to look for a home in a good school district. If you have (or expect to have) children, you want the option of an exceptional education at a quality public school in your neighborhood — free of private-school tuition charges. If you are childless (and expect to stay that way), you will want your home to be attractive to people with children when you sell.
There are many public school systems in the metro Atlanta area, all of them either a county or a city system (Henry County or Atlanta City, for example). Homes in a city that does not have a separate school system (like Chamblee and Riverdale) are part of that county’s school system.
School systems divide their territories into school districts, with the homes in each district assigned to a particular school. Children living in those homes may attend that school by proving their residency (along with proper age and the required immunization certification).
Begin your research by picking up brochures and data sheets at the school system public information offices. Look in the business white pages of the phone book under the name of the school system (Cobb Board of Education, Marietta Board of Education are a couple). Many schools and school systems also have websites. Call the system or particular school (usually listed alphabetically under each school system in the phone book), or use search engines to track down the URL.
These system publications and websites give you a feeling for the personality of the institution. Is it bureaucratic? Progressive? Academically focused? Does it offer extensive special education programs? Art? Music? International studies? Sports?
The Georgia Department of Education produces annual Georgia Public Education Report Cards, a report on systems and individual schools, including information such as the number of students by ethnicity and gender, how many are enrolled in gifted or special education, student-testing scores, how many students go on to college after graduation and how many are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch prices (which reflects the student’s family income). Visit www.doe.k12.ga.us or call 404-656-2800.
But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story — or sometimes even an accurate one. Average test scores don’t reflect what your child’s experience will be at a school. For a more complete understanding, you must visit the school. Notice whether the school staff is helpful and friendly. Are the halls clean? Talk with the principal, either individually or at a “prospective parents” coffee. Talk to parents you see. Are their kids happy? Do they like learning?
When looking at school districts, do your homework. Check the statistics. Talk to residents with children. Read the local papers. Ask real estate agents. And above all, visit the school.