4 ms·

90% of high earners will have kids. A great school district becomes a top 3 criteria, typically this is only found in affluent clusters in each state.

nightski 7y ago
Personally I feel that "great schools" are not nearly as important as people think they are (many bright individuals I have worked with came from smaller cities/towns). I also think that you find a lot of great teachers in smaller communities. Lastly, I find the "great schools" thing to be a cop out for piss poor parenting because the parents are too busy with big city jobs with crazy commute times. In reality great parenting and time with kids will get them very far in life vs. the perfect school district.
- derekp7 7y ago
  I can second this. But it also fits in real good with households that can't afford a lot too, as that creates more educational / bonding opportunities. For example, my dad always worked on the family vehicles, where I learned a lot about basic auto mechanics (even just handing a wrench when needed, taught me about fractions (what's the next size up from a 5/8th?). When the parents have to do many domestic chores themselves because they can't hire it out, it is natural for the kids to be involved (anything from car mechanics, to cooking, deck building, renovating the bathroom, etc). When both parents work a high end job, chances are the car gets dropped off at a mechanic to change the oil or for a tuneup. And many meals are carry out or in restaurants.
- gizmo686 7y ago
  Schools are a central part of a childs life; far moreso then a workplace plays in an adults life.
lotsofpulp 7y ago
This is the big one, in my opinion. "It's not what you know, who you know" makes it very consequential to choose your kids' school district properly. https://www.opportunityatlas.org https://www.opportunityatlas.org
- chrisco255 7y ago
  You're going to be much bigger influence on your kids than their school ever will be, besides the fact that A level school districts are scattered all over the country. It's also not going to matter that much until college, to the extent that such networking matters, as there are plenty of successful life paths to take without being in the upper echelon of the socially connected.
  - lotsofpulp 7y ago
    It’s all about playing the odds, and statistically, there’s not many better bets than picking a high achieving school district (for achieving economic security).

nightski 7y ago

Personally I feel that "great schools" are not nearly as important as people think they are (many bright individuals I have worked with came from smaller cities/towns). I also think that you find a lot of great teachers in smaller communities. Lastly, I find the "great schools" thing to be a cop out for piss poor parenting because the parents are too busy with big city jobs with crazy commute times. In reality great parenting and time with kids will get them very far in life vs. the perfect school district.

derekp7 7y ago
I can second this. But it also fits in real good with households that can't afford a lot too, as that creates more educational / bonding opportunities. For example, my dad always worked on the family vehicles, where I learned a lot about basic auto mechanics (even just handing a wrench when needed, taught me about fractions (what's the next size up from a 5/8th?). When the parents have to do many domestic chores themselves because they can't hire it out, it is natural for the kids to be involved (anything from car mechanics, to cooking, deck building, renovating the bathroom, etc). When both parents work a high end job, chances are the car gets dropped off at a mechanic to change the oil or for a tuneup. And many meals are carry out or in restaurants.
gizmo686 7y ago
Schools are a central part of a childs life; far moreso then a workplace plays in an adults life.

lotsofpulp 7y ago

This is the big one, in my opinion. "It's not what you know, who you know" makes it very consequential to choose your kids' school district properly. https://www.opportunityatlas.org https://www.opportunityatlas.org

chrisco255 7y ago
You're going to be much bigger influence on your kids than their school ever will be, besides the fact that A level school districts are scattered all over the country. It's also not going to matter that much until college, to the extent that such networking matters, as there are plenty of successful life paths to take without being in the upper echelon of the socially connected.
- lotsofpulp 7y ago
  It’s all about playing the odds, and statistically, there’s not many better bets than picking a high achieving school district (for achieving economic security).