Articles Tagged "top rated schools"

Strong Schools a Deciding Factor for Augusta County Home Buyers

When you're ready to buy a home, there's a long laundry list of things to consider to help you make the right choice.  An excellent school district is one of those things. Even if you do not have children at home, you want to purchase a home in a neighborhood with quality schools, not only for any potential future children you have, but also to increase the potential resale value and the speed of sale of your home in the future.

For those shopping for a home in Augusta County, VA, the local school district is one of the area's biggest draws. Strong schools help families feel comfortable moving to the area, and also help improve the resale value of their homes. One of those schools, Riverheads High School, was recently awarded national recognition by being named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School.

Riverheads High School One of Seven Virginia Schools Recognized

Riverheads High School in Augusta County was one of only seven public schools across the state recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015. This award is considered a prestigious recognition of excellent academics. Both public and private schools with superior academics or who demonstrate dramatic student achievement gains are eligible for the award. In total, 285 public schools in the country were given the award this year.

Specifically, Riverheads High School received the award because of high standardized test scores for its students. In the most recent school year 88 percent or more of the students passed the tests in every subject area, and that is a high number compared to national averages. Riverheads High School also boasts a 14 percent AP participation rate and received a Bronze medal from U.S. News and World Report's Best High Schools list.

Benefits of Strong Schools for Augusta County VA Homebuyers

If you are considering buying a home in Augusta County, this news is beneficial to you. If you have children, then you benefit automatically because the schools you will be sending your children to are gaining national recognition for excellence.

If you do not have children, you still benefit from strong schools. Strong schools are a sign of a strong, well-educated community base. They also make your home easier to sell in the future and drive up property values. Finally, strong schools can help protect a neighborhood from the natural up and down nature of the real estate market. Homes in neighborhoods with good schools tend to hold their value better even in difficult economic times.

Remember, even if you don't have kids, someone in the future who is considering buying your home might. Strong schools make your home more appealing and easier to sell.  Contact the team of professional REALTORS® at Old Dominion Realty to buy a home in Augusta County.

Three Rockingham High Schools Recognized Nationally

Whether you are moving your family across the country or across town, one of the biggest decisions you may need to make is which school system is the best for your children.  If you are relocating to Virginia, here's a report from U.S. News & World Report that might make your choice easier.

U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2015 rankings for Best High Schools in the Nation and Virginia's Rockingham County Public Schools made the list.

Over 21,000 public high schools across all 50 states and in the District of Columbia were considered in the rankings.  High schools were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals based on state proficiency assessment tests in math and reading for all students and how the degree to which schools prepared college bound students.

Three Rockingham County High Schools received recognition.

1. Turner Ashby High School – was recognized nationally with a Silver Medal placing 47th overall in Virginia (out of 327 high schools) and 2253 overall in the country (out of 19,753 high schools).   Turner Ashby High School has achieved recognition in U.S. News and World Reportrankings in 2007, 2008, 2014, and 2015.
2. Broadway High School – was recognized nationally with a Bronze Medal.
3. East Rockingham High School - was recognized nationally a Bronze Medal.
   
   

Key principles used in the review to "make the list" included:

1. How well high schools served their students well (both those headed for college and those opting for a different path).
2. The school produces measurable academic outcomes to show it is successfully educating its student body across a broad range of indicators.

U.S. News & World Report worked with RTI International to create a three-step process in ranking the schools. Schools were evaluated by determining:

1. Whether each school's students performed better than expected for students in their state.
2. After schools passed the first step, step two assessed whether disadvantaged students (i.e., black, Hispanic and low-income outperformed disadvantaged students in the state.)
3. Schools advancing to the third step of the process became eligible for national judging based where how well their students were prepared for college using Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test data.

Congratulations to Rockingham County Public Schools from the real estate team at Old Dominion Realty.

Contact Old Dominion Realty to buy and sell homes across Virginia and West Virginia.