As anyone with a family knows, when you’re looking to relocate, school systems are a top priority for starting this new chapter in your life. As realtors, we’re grateful for how often our potential buyers inquire about the school systems in the towns they’re house-hunting. It shows that not only are you investing in a new home, but you’re investing in your child’s future.

We’ve put together some ways to help you kickstart your research:

1. Public School Rankings

There are several resources that provide public school rankings based on a variety of factors. From class sizes to test scores, teacher-student ratios, and special services; all can help you get a better sense of the type of environment that may be the best fit for your child. For example, if you have a child that does better being in smaller groups, you’ll likely want to stay away from larger class sizes or school districts. 

• www.greatschools.org
• https://profiles.ctdata.org

What’s important to you? What’s important to your child? While you might not necessarily be able to check off all of your boxes, it’s helpful to have an outline of your nonnegotiables.

3. Hit the Online Forums

More often than not, you’re going to find a parent-run Facebook page in any given town. These are the people that you’ll want to connect with. They can provide with you first-hand information (both positive and negative) of what these school systems are really like to be a part of. Here are a few Facebook groups to get you started:

• Granby Living
• Avon, CT Parents Connect
• Farmington Valley People and Parents Unite
• Neighbors and friends in West Hartford
• Bristol CT Parents
• Simsbury Neighbors Unite
• What’s Happening In Newington
• Plainville Talks
• What’s Going on Wethersfield?
• Canton CT Chatter