Back to School

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13322 Uplander St NW

Andover

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Back to School

Even if you don't have or never plan to have school-age children, the quality of nearby schools can have an impact on how much you pay, and how much you sell a home for later.

If you’re in the market for a new home, there’s a lot to consider: price, neighborhood, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of the lot and the home’s condition, to name a few. But have you taken into account the local school district? Even if you don’t have or never plan to have school-age children, the quality of nearby schools can have an impact on how much you pay — and how much you sell a home for later.

Here are three reasons why you should consider the quality of school districts when you buy your next home.

    1. You’ll pay more to live in a good school district

    Parents of school-age kids often pay attention to school performance ratings and are likely to pay more to be near public schools with higher scores. Buyers who have kids or are planning to have kids will likely use this type of criteria as the most important part of their search.

    The upshot: A school’s high rating often drives up the prices of homes in that school’s district. Even if you don’t have kids, you’ll still pay more to be near a good school. Schools basically establish an area as a good location. And as any real estate agent will tell you, location matters.

    2. A good school district might protect you from the real estate market’s ups and downs

    Even in a down market, an excellent school can be the rising tide that lifts all nearby home prices.

    For example, in 2007 — a time when real estate prices were slowing down — the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the impact of an excellent school on home values can be dramatic: “There could be two districts — one perceived as excellent, one mediocre — divided by a street. The same hypothetical house built by the same developer on either side of that street could fetch $100,000 more if it feeds into great schools.”

    Markets turn faster and harder these days, as evidenced by the past credit and housing crisis and the recent upswing in sales. Buying in a strong school district can help protect your home’s value in a declining market. It’s basically more of a “safer bet.”

    3. Though it may cost more to buy near a good school, it will be good for resale

    Real estate never comes with guarantees, of course. But it’s certain that parents will always want the best school they can afford for their kids. In markets good and bad, home buyers should think about resale when seriously considering a home. Buyers, before moving forward on a home, should immediately think like a seller. Ask yourself the question: “If the housing market changes and I need to sell, how will my home fare?” The location, and in particular the school district, should be considered.

Best Schools in the Twin Cities

The 2018 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more.  Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

To graduate, Minnesota students must earn at least 21.5 credits, including one credit in the arts. Minnesota high school students can earn college credit before graduation through various  dual-credit opportunities , according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

In the 2017  U.S. News Best High Schools  rankings, Minnesota has seven gold medal schools, 48 silver medal schools and 103 bronze medal schools.  Math and Science Academy , located in Woodbury, is Minnesota's top-ranked high school.

Public Schools

Minnesota public and private schools provide quality education and each school offers a unique learning experience. It is important to consider all of the elements that contribute to a school’s overall effectiveness when picking your child’s school. When making educational choices it is important to consider general criteria and the type of school experience you want for your child, such as academic and arts programs, support services, age of school, location, available transportation and extracurricular opportunities. You might also consider your family values and other priorities important to you and your child. You can also check out  Zillow's School Reviews  for information about each school

Call, write, or visit the district administrative office for answers to questions such as:

  • What is the district’s stated mission and goals?
  • What is the student enrollment in the district; in each school; overall teacher/pupil ratio?
  • What is the percentage of teachers with advanced degrees?
  • What are some recent accomplishments of the district?
  • What are some current issues facing the district?
  • What is the level of community support for the school district?
  • What is the level of student achievement in the district?
  • What support services are available in the district?

Once you’ve narrowed your search to one or two districts, contact the individual schools where your children would attend. Request a parent handbook, student handbook, a school newsletter, and information about the school’s parent organizations. Ask if you and your child may visit the school. During your visit, walk through the school and determine if you and your child feel welcome. Do the staff and students appear to be happy and friendly? Does the school seem to be well organized and reflect a sense of purpose.

Overall, you should get a good sense of the school by just being in the building, by listening to students and teachers interact, and by asking lots of questions. And in the end, you should walk away feeling that this is the right educational choice for your child.

In Minnesota, public schools are organized into independent school districts. More than 50 districts serve the seven-county metropolitan area. In addition to providing traditional elementary, junior high and high school programs, each district can offer specialized instruction programs for various student-learning styles.

These programs include special education for students with disabilities, gifted and talented programs, and alternative high school programs for students who have left school or do not feel comfortable in the traditional setting. Magnet schools, Open Enrollment, Post Secondary options and charter schools provide expanded learning opportunities in language, science and the arts.

In 1991, Minnesota was the first state to pass charter school legislation. The first charter school in the United States, City Academy, opened in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1992. There are 141 charter schools in operation, and half of them are located in or around the Twin Cities.

Charter schools often have a particular approach to education or focus for their programs that differentiate them from other schools. For example, some charter schools focus on experiential learning, or Core Knowledge, or project-based learning, or technology. Often, charter schools have smaller enrollments than neighboring district schools offering smaller class sizes and lower student to teacher ratios.

For more information about charter schools: Call 651-644-0432 or visit www.mncharterschools.org  and  www.greatschools.org

Private Schools

Approximately 10 percent of Minnesota children attend private or independent K-12 schools. In addition to offering an education alternative, this hearty percentage reduces the tax strain of the public school system. The terminology associated with private schools can sometimes be confusing. Consider this glossary:

  • Private schools – Schools that are run by an individual or agency other than a governmental entity. Private schools can be religious or secular.
  • Independent schools – Generally, this term refers to schools that teach a particular religion or belief under an independent administration.
  • Parochial schools – While not all Catholic schools are parochial, only Catholic parishes run parochial schools.
  • Nonpublic schools – This term encompasses all private and independent schools and home schools. The state government uses this term to distinguish K-12 schools outside the public school system.

Despite the tuition and fees associated with private schools, private education has expanded and become within reach for students with disadvantaged socioeconomic status. Some of the thanks goes to the Minnesota Independent School Forum (MISF), a non-profit organization forged collectively by civic, education and business leaders in the community. The MISF currently serves 40 independent high schools, which serve nearly 15,000 students across Minnesota.

Students at a MISF school have a nearly 100 percent graduation rate, and 80 percent of high school graduates go on to college. 

For more information, contact MISF at 651-297-6716 or visit www.misf.org .

Always pick the home that’s right for you

School districts and their boundaries, even if you don’t have children, should be on every buyer’s radar. Though schools should factor into your thinking, don’t let them top your real priority — to buy the right home for you, at the right time. The right home for you should be one where you feel comfortable and in a location that makes sense to you. Finally, it has to be the right home in terms of size, style, condition and price.

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Nicholas Montgomery
Nicholas Montgomery