Teaneck Middle Schools (Franklin: house, live, zoning)

[bbk21]

I have some questions regarding the Teaneck Middle Schools.

Would love some opinions on Benjamin Franklin, in particular. The Great Schools rating doesn't look very good, but the community rating does. Wondering what the differences are. Most people I've talked to have said BF is a good school. (We are moving to Teaneck and have a daughter who will be in 7th grade).

Also - does anyone know anything about the Teaneck Community Charter School - any good?

Finally - I understand that there are not school buses for the older kids in Teaneck due to budget cuts. Do kids take public transportation to the schools? Would you be comfortable sending a 12 year old on a city bus to school?

Thanks...

[RubyTwo]

Originally Posted by bbk21

I have some questions regarding the Teaneck Middle Schools.

Would love some opinions on Benjamin Franklin, in particular. The Great Schools rating doesn't look very good, but the community rating does. Wondering what the differences are. Most people I've talked to have said BF is a good school. (We are moving to Teaneck and have a daughter who will be in 7th grade).

Also - does anyone know anything about the Teaneck Community Charter School - any good?

Finally - I understand that there are not school buses for the older kids in Teaneck due to budget cuts. Do kids take public transportation to the schools? Would you be comfortable sending a 12 year old on a city bus to school?

Thanks...

Middle school and above hasn't had buses wayyyyy b4 the economic crisis.

I went to BF in the mid 90's and no buses at all.

Kids either get a ride or walk.

I went through the Teaneck public school system and thought it was fine. My sister is currently a sophomore at THS and she is doing fine as well.

[flyonpa]

If you go for the House across the street from the HS, you are set for 4 years of her walking across the street to school. That would be a good thing for re-sale to families with kids in Middle/HS.

Not sure if there are NJtransit buses, but if she was to use it she would be on at same time as other middle school kids going to school also, so I don't think its a issue with her taking public transit. Google map says it 1.2 miles by foot, (Probably shorter when you can actually cut across the park fields, HS fields).

[exit18b]

Originally Posted by bbk21

I have some questions regarding the Teaneck Middle Schools.

Would love some opinions on Benjamin Franklin, in particular. The Great Schools rating doesn't look very good, but the community rating does. Wondering what the differences are. Most people I've talked to have said BF is a good school. (We are moving to Teaneck and have a daughter who will be in 7th grade).

Also - does anyone know anything about the Teaneck Community Charter School - any good?

Finally - I understand that there are not school buses for the older kids in Teaneck due to budget cuts. Do kids take public transportation to the schools? Would you be comfortable sending a 12 year old on a city bus to school?

Thanks...

No buses for BF in the 80's or THS

[joeyddog]

BF has always been a good school. Unless things have changed recently you'd need to look at the zoning maps for the schools available at the Bd of Ed. We lived w/i walking distance from BF but my son's best friend lived in southwest corner of Teaneck and went to BF even tho it was much further for him than TJ (Thomas Jefferson). TJ is known for its' emphasis on the arts.