Here is a new website for northeast philadelphia I was on http://www.nephillyonline.com

It has some local info on there.




Sean Dawes
Long and Foster Real Estate

I live in 19114 on a great block with lots of young families and kids. It seems like the majority of the kids go to charter school or catholic school. There is a lottery system to get into a charter school, but there are several great ones around, so your chances are pretty good when you apply to several at once. I have also heard that the public elementary schools in the area are good, but once you get to middle school, it's bad, unless your kid can test into a magnet school, like Masterman or Central.

Decatur and Hancock are 2 of Philadelphia highest ranked public grade schools. There are also several charter schools in the vicinity including one in Bensalem which Philadelphia residents are allowed to apply to and you always have the option of private schools. Taxes in the 19114 are median. Also, the NE YMCA is loaded with programs for children ages 2+. including "Tot Time," Nursery School and Pre-K programs (the Pre-K program is accredited by the city, BTW) -- it's a great area, IMO.

I just thought I'd mention, you're right, not the best schools and there are many great private schools but they can cost a mint, which is why many move to the Philly suburbs to take advantage of those excellent schools. There's a reason. Its a trade off, you want to live in Philly and may have to pay for private school but hope your child gets into one of the great public schools, of which there are only a few, one of the charter schools, of which there are several good ones now, or Catholic schools, which have tuition but lower than private schools, or you consider the suburbs and put the kids private school tuition toward what you would spend on your house.

Wherever you end up buying, I wish you and your kids the best.

George, there are other kinds of schools besides Catholic and public. There are plenty of private, non-denominational as well as charter schools in the greater Philadelphia area.

The 19114 area is a good area. What type of schooling are you considering, Catholic or Public? You can go to the site: greatschools.net to view information regarding all the schools in the surrounding area. The 19114 zip code is withing 1/2 mile of where I've lived for 44 years. If you'd like to ask me any questions about the neighborhood, you can call me at 215-676-0863 or email me at gslawter@comcast.net. Thank you and God bless.