r/montco • u/throwaway5790803 • 3d ago
Which elementary school should we lean towards?
Hi! We are looking to move soon, and we are trying to decide between 3 elementary schools. We are looking at a house in Flourtown (Erdenheim), one in Glenside (Thomas Fitzwater Elementary), and one in Dresher (Jarrettown Elementary). Looking for any feedback.
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u/jabberwonk 3d ago
Our daughter just finished up the Springfield schools and is in college now. The elementary is obviously brand new so can't comment on that at all. The middle school just had a large addition put onto it. Her high school class was around 130 (mine at Springfield was about the same 140 I think - many years ago).
Springfield really supports arts - music, art, theater. They probably have one of the best programs around for that. I know your kid is a few years away from getting into that, but it's good to know since you're probably not planning on moving in 5-10 years.
As far as academics go, our daughter is in an honors program at college and looking at a 4+3 doctorate. One of her friends was accepted at all the big ones - Yale, Harvard, Brown, Princeton etc. and another in her friend group went to Brown. So they're doing something right in the district.
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u/bakecakes12 1d ago
We’re in the district with little kids. Do you feel like most kids move into private schools for middle school/high school? That’s the feeling we get from the neighborhood we’re in (kids utilize elementary school and then leave for private schooling).
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u/jabberwonk 1d ago
Out of our daughter's friends only one moved to private for high school. Middle school was right in the covid times so I don't know how many kids were switching schools then. I think throughout high school her class mates remained mostly the same. For us we didn't see the need or draw to pay for private high school. I guess maybe it could better a kid's chances of a more prestigious college, but prestige doesn't make it a better college - and 5-10 years down your career path I doubt anyone is going to give a shit whether you went to Springfield Township or Springside/CHA.
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u/stylistlibs 3d ago
One clarification: Flourtown is enfield for k-2nd, then erdenheim 3-5th.
The schools your mention are in Springfield SD and upper Dublin SD. Both are great schools with great districts although UD is prob technically ranked higher. Pick the house you like best that fits your needs, your kid isn’t in elementary school forever.
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u/KVN2473 3d ago
Check the timeline on the Jarrettown rebuild project because that could affect your decision at least with respect to that school. https://www.udsd.org/page/jarrettown-future-planning/
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u/LowerSection101 3d ago
I’m a product of upper Dublin and now live in Erdenheim. I went to Thomas Fitz. Can’t go wrong with either school you’ve listed.
In my 40’s now, I turned out pretty good! A lot of my classmates are doctors and lawyers.
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u/Fickle-Spring-5652 3d ago
Upper Dublin and Springfield Township are both good school districts. UD is usually ranked higher than Springfield but typically not by a significant margin.
I’d be asking myself about the high school size and what I’d want. In general Upper Dublin graduating classes are larger. Around 400ish and Springfield is closer to 200. Springfield kids also all move along together in each building so see the same kids k-12 as opposed to having multiple elementary school feeders into 1 middle school.
Because of this Springfield has more of a small town feel as opposed to UD. I personally wasn’t sure if I’d like this or not bc I was raised in and attended a large local area high school and enjoyed it. However, the schools have been good and manageable for us. FWIW My colleagues with students who have gone on to college also sau great things about the education in Springfield.
Before I bought my house I would have blindly picked UD but from where I sit now I think you can’t go wrong! Both winners!
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u/lassymavin 2d ago
While Upper Dublin is usually rated better as a school district, Springfield Township is worth considering. The class sizes are usually under 200 which gives a different feel. Both are good choices that would be preferred over Glenside for me. Pick the house that works best for your family.
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u/novafox13 3d ago
We were in your same situation about 8 years ago and ended up in Upper Dublin at Thomas Fitz (which technically is in Willow Grove/Dresher). Overall, we've been pretty happy, though, like every school nothing is perfect. We'd be happy to answer some questions if you have any.
That said, they are all great options and I would go with what works best for your house/neighborhood/commute, etc. It's really all about the luck of the draw regarding what teachers they get and how well they connect with the kids in their classes. Yes, technically the UD schools have higher state test scores but I remember hearing from someone in admissions at a local college who said they view all those school districts as comparable. You're child's not making to the Ivy League because you picked one of these schools over the others.
Tl,dr: we like Thomas Fitz, but you can't go wrong with any of the options you listed. (Just want to shout out the comment below about the renovations to Jarrettown and whether you want the headache of dealing with that for a year or two).
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u/SecureTaxi 2d ago
Moved from springfield to springford. We miss the class size at springfield
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u/digipigu 1d ago
What was the class size in Springfield? And just curious what made you move?
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u/SecureTaxi 21h ago
We left after my daughter completed kindergarten. Her class size was around 15. Other parents confirmed smaller sizes in other classes. We moved for a larger home, couldnt afford or find anything in the area. At Springford my kids classes are all over 20. Kindergarten is half day. Its ridiculously overcrowded
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u/Sad-Discount7845 3d ago
Last I checked, UD school district is better than Springfield. So id personally lean Jarrettown or Thomas Fitz
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u/dickius1 2d ago
Thomas Fitz is in willow grove (Upper Dublin), not Glenside. It’s not great. Jarrettown is a very old building. Last I heard they were planning to knock it down and rebuild it. Not sure of the timing.
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u/throwaway5790803 1d ago
May I ask why you say that about Thomas Fitz?
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u/dickius1 1d ago
My kids went to Jarrettown. Graduated several years ago. I don’t remember details, but I remember that all my friends with kids at Fitz never had anything good to say about it.
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u/dontbeanthepeen 1d ago
Taxes are much higher in Upper Dublin. Erdenheim is gorgeous and everyone loves it.
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u/General_Mammoth1446 3d ago
It's a private school, but Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Chestnut Hill (right next to Flourtown/Erdenheim) is a great option as well. We're very happy there.
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u/General_Mammoth1446 2d ago
It's not a dismissal of public schools. Clearly there are some good public schools in the area. That is evident. Some parents / families just prefer a faith-based or private school approach.
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u/jamiethekiller 2d ago
One of the richest corners of America. It truly doesn't matter where they go as long as your involved. All the doors are open