Before Selecting a Home, Learn About Its School District
One of the concerns home shoppers—especially those with children—have is finding a home for sale in a desirable school district. Even buyers without children can benefit from the high resale value and stability that a home in a well-regarded zone retains.
Finding out if a district ranks highly, why it ranks highly, and whether it includes the home in question is tricky. Terrie Cox, the leading RE/MAX Realtor in the Pacific Northwest, offers expert knowledge of Portland and Vancouver schools, as well as those in high-end areas such as Lake Oswego, to help families find the right fit.
Portland: An Education for Every Student
Portland Public Schools serves 45,000 students with a variety of interests and educational levels. Many schools are revered for emphasis on the arts—Buckman Arts Focus Elementary—and language immersion programs—Ainsworth Elementary School. Meanwhile, high schools such as Benson Polytechnic High School have career and technical education programs that prepare students for high-demand trade jobs. Benson—with Grant, Wilson, Lincoln, and Franklin—is among U.S. News & World Report’s highest ranked high schools nationwide.
Portland has outstanding private schools as well. Most tout faculty with master’s degrees, smaller class sizes, and robust arts and music programs. Prestigious college prep schools, such as St. Mary’s Academy and Portland Christian Schools, offer a rigorous curriculum, including Advanced Placement options.
Vancouver: Tech Focus, Global Perspective
Vancouver Public Schools prepares students for a tech-based future. The district has received national attention for its innovative use of technology, including providing iPads for all middle and high school students. VPS has been selected multiple times for site visits and videos by the U.S. Department of Education, during which teachers and students detail how digital tools improve learning.
Vancouver’s schools are also noteworthy for their progressive academics. Fort Vancouver High School’s Center for International Studies encourages students to celebrate diversity, approach global issues with curiosity and respect, and connect with their heritage through a cosmopolitan curriculum. International Baccalaureate magnet programs at Columbia River High School push students to think critically, encounter new perspectives, and earn college credit.
Lake Oswego: Best District in the U.S.
South of Portland, the Lake Oswego School District was recently recognized by StartClass—using data from the U.S. Department of Education—as the top school district in the nation. With both Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School on U.S. News & World Report’s rankings for their above-average test scores and college readiness, Lake Oswego is also home to high-performing elementary and middle schools. Each school offers several language options and actively promotes artistic literacy alongside athletic activities.
Depend on a Local Resource
Terrie Cox knows how important a school district is to families looking at the area’s homes for sale. That’s why each of her listings includes which elementary, middle, and high school zone the property falls within. To talk about schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering, call or text Terrie at (360) 607-4100 or visit usa-relocate.com.
Tags: Portland, Real Estate, schools, vancouver