Solon Ranked in Forbes Best Schools

Solon Schools are among the Top 20 Best Schools for Your Housing Buck, according to a new Forbes ranking.

The Forbes national Top 20 list includes many Midwest schools. “The best high-performing public school districts with affordable housing are in Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin. That doesn’t mean there aren’t great schools elsewhere, but in most cases you’ll have to pay up to put your kids in them,” according to Forbes.

With a median home value price of $268,000 according to Trulia, Solon ranked #18 in the 2013 Forbes Best Schools list. The key to this national rating is excellent schools with high student achievement coupled with affordable home prices – meaning the median home price is less than double the national median of $174,000.

Forbes looked at “full-service” school districts with K-12 enrollment and more than 1,000 students overall. The rating method Forbes used resulted in a significant advantage to states such as Ohio, Minnesota and Massachusetts, since average scores on the National Assessment of Education Process tests are 14 percent higher there than in lower-scoring states like Mississippi or the District of Columbia. In fact, nine Ohio schools made the 2013 Top 20 listing. Solon’s median home value of $268,000 was highest among the Ohio communities on the Forbes list.

The list is a “remarkable collection of school districts that share some striking similarities,” according to Forbes. “Most are in small towns within driving distance of major cities…. They tend to have highly involved and dedicated parents."

“This description fits Solon and Glenwillow perfectly,” said Superintendent Joe Regano. “To be included in this top rating by Forbes is endorsement of the positives in our community. It exemplifies the synergy between high-performing schools and solid home values that make Solon something special.”