Moving to pittsburgh and i am worried about the public school systems for my teenagers .?

We live upscale but i am a strong advocate for public schools, any advice would help. Thanks, Caring, MomMoving to pittsburgh and i am worried about the public school systems for my teenagers .?
To be honest, Pittsburgh Public Schools are not something to brag about. Alderdice and Perry are decent schools. Alderdice being the better out of the two. Most people living within the city limits that can afford private schools usually do.


There are some great school districts in the suburbs: Franklin Regional, North Huntington, Penn-Trafford, North Allegheny, Gateway, and Plum are a few. Here is a site to compare the local school districts:


http://www.schoolmatters.com/


There is an option at the bottom right side of the page that allows you to compare schools before moving.


I hope this has helped and that you enjoy living in Pgh.


Good Luck with your move.Moving to pittsburgh and i am worried about the public school systems for my teenagers .?
If you haven't choosen your home yet then this list might help you. Check class size though because a few of these school districts are very large. I would also suggest that you do check out the private schools in Pittsburgh.


This web-site lists all of them.


http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/private_s鈥?/a>





I would also check out the following web-sites:


http://pittsburgh.about.com/





http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/school_di鈥?/a>





http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/attractio鈥?/a>





http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/relocatio鈥?/a>





http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindexphp/S鈥?/a>


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Here is a glimpse of what the public school rankings revealed: 2006





PBT Honor Roll ranking of top districts:


1. Upper Saint Clair Township School District


2. Mount Lebanon School District


3. Hampton Township School District


4. Peters Township School District


5. North Allegheny School District





11th-grade ranking:


1. Upper Saint Clair Township School District


2. Mount Lebanon School District


3. Hampton Township School District


4. Peters Township School District


5. North Allegheny School District





8th-grade ranking:


1. Upper Saint Clair Township School District


2. Peters Township School District


3. North Allegheny School District


4. Mount Lebanon School District


5. Hampton Township School District





5th-grade ranking:


1. South Fayette School District


2. Mount Lebanon School District


3. Hampton Township School District


4. West Jefferson Hills School District


5. Peters Township School District





Expectations ranking (overachievement):


1. Frazier School District


2. Greensburg Salem School District


3. Uniontown Area School District


4. South Fayette School District


5. Mount Lebanon School District





Rankings from 2005


PBT Honor Roll ranking of top districts: District (County)


1. Mount Lebanon School District (Allegheny)


2. Upper Saint Clair Township School District (Allegheny)


3. Peters Township School District (Washington)


4. North Allegheny School District (Allegheny)


5. Hampton Township School District (Allegheny)





11th-grade ranking: District (County)


1. Upper Saint Clair Township School District (Allegheny)


2. Mount Lebanon School District (Allegheny)


3. Hampton Township School District (Allegheny)


4. North Allegheny School District (Allegheny)


5. Franklin Regional School District (Westmoreland)








8th-grade ranking: District (County)


1. Upper Saint Clair Township School District (Allegheny)


2. Peters Township School District (Washington)


3. Mount Lebanon School District (Allegheny)


4. North Allegheny School District (Allegheny)


5. Franklin Regional School District (Westmoreland)





5th-grade ranking: District (County)


1. Mount Lebanon School District (Allegheny)


2. Frazier School District (Fayette)


3. Kiski Area School District (Westmoreland and Armstrong)


4. Peters Township School District (Washington)


5. Hampton Township School District (Allegheny)





Expectations ranking (overachievement): District (County)


1. Frazier School District (Fayette)


2. Kiski Area School District (Westmoreland


3. Greensburg Salem School District (Westmoreland)


4. Mount Lebanon School District (Allegheny)


5. Uniontown Area School District (Fayette)
If you're in the nicer neighborhoods just about anywhere you'll be okay. Realize that public schools generally are not all that solid. They're better in upscale areas but even those have lots of problems. If you can afford it I would HIGHLY recommend parochial schools or private schools. But most cannot afford it and are left with ailing public schools. As long as you're active in the PTA and in contact with your kids' teachers I think you can be a good steward over their education. Pittsburgh is not known to have the best schools--but they aren't as bad as other rust belt cities like Cleveland and Detroit.





Good luck!
Mt. Lebanon and teh Squirrel Hill area