OT: Developers foreclose on South Fayette Newbury Market

[bayardstreet]

Peduto needs to fix the city schools instead of developing another bike lane program.

my kids went to NA and they all excelled in college. They were prepared well. My taxes helped pay for that and I knew what I was getting into when I moved to Wexford in 1999.

The schools in the northern suburbs are really good just like some of the primo towns in the south hills.

 

[pittchagg]

Peduto needs to fix the city schools instead of developing another bike lane program.

my kids went to NA and they all excelled in college. They were prepared well. My taxes helped pay for that and I knew what I was getting into when I moved to Wexford in 1999.

The schools in the northern suburbs are really good just like some of the primo towns in the south hills.

Peduto isn’t in charge of the school district.

 

[ButchNicholson]

Can anyone tell me what’s going on in South Fayette? Seems like a perfect location off 79 in a growing community with great schools, but they haven’t been able to bring anyone in except TopGolf and Carvana. UPMC, 84 Lumber, and Giant Eagle have all backed out in previous years.

Link

You would imagine they’d be more pressed to get this project off the ground since IIRC their tax base is out of control because the commercial development hasn’t caught up with the boom in population.

How that TopGolf didn't end up north is mind boggling to me.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Peduto needs to fix the city schools instead of developing another bike lane program.

my kids went to NA and they all excelled in college. They were prepared well. My taxes helped pay for that and I knew what I was getting into when I moved to Wexford in 1999.

The schools in the northern suburbs are really good just like some of the primo towns in the south hills.

The mayor isn’t in charge of the schools and plenty of pps schools are really good

 

[GenesPlace]

buy some land and make it happen man.

How that TopGolf didn't end up north is mind boggling to me.

 

[superstein61a]

and plenty of pps schools are really good

Sorry, the numbers and state data do not support that statement. There are some outliers that are good - but when you look at the PPS district as a whole, they are lacking considerably.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Sorry, the numbers and state data do not support that statement. There are some outliers that are good - but when you look at the PPS district as a whole, they are lacking considerably.

The data demonstrates that outcomes are related to family engagement and yes demographics

 

[superstein61a]

The data demonstrates that outcomes are related to family engagement and yes demographics

Your statement was "plenty of pps schools are really good". The state data shows that other than a few outliers, the district as a whole is lacking.

Not sure how your response addresses that

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Your statement was "plenty of pps schools are really good". The state data shows that other than a few outliers, the district as a whole is lacking.

Not sure how your response addresses that

It responds to it be showing the performance in those schools of comparing apples to apples to suburban counterparts are on par

certainly low performers drag down overall scores

I’ll have no qualms with my son -likewise my gifted neighbors are doing very well at Obama and enjoy it.

 

[superstein61a]

It responds to it be showing the performance in those schools of comparing apples to apples to suburban counterparts are on par

certainly low performers drag down overall scores

I’ll have no qualms with my son -likewise my gifted neighbors are doing very well at Obama and enjoy it.

It's good that your son is doing well. But if you think that plenty of PPS schools are really good - and on par with top suburban districts, I can't help you.

Your statement that "certainly low performers drag down overall scores" is no defense for really poor rankings. A good school lifts all students, both good ones and poor ones. So not sure how you can say it is not the fault of the district that their scores are low.

But if you are really want to say that it is just because of "family engagement and yes demographics" PPS has really poor results, well then that makes for a poor learning environment for all students which is another strike against PPS.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

It's good that your son is doing well. But if you think that plenty of PPS schools are really good - and on par with top suburban districts, I can't help you.

Your statement that "certainly low performers drag down overall scores" is no defense for really poor rankings. A good school lifts all students, both good ones and poor ones. So not sure how you can say it is not the fault of the district that their scores are low.

But if you are really want to say that it is just because of "family engagement and yes demographics" PPS has really poor results, well then that makes for a poor learning environment for all students which is another strike against PPS.

You have a comfort level living where you do
That’s fine

 

[9nationalchampionships]

The city has a higher real estate and personal income tax than NA but I do get your point!

Peduto needs to fix the city schools instead of developing another bike lane program.

my kids went to NA and they all excelled in college. They were prepared well. My taxes helped pay for that and I knew what I was getting into when I moved to Wexford in 1999.

The schools in the northern suburbs are really good just like some of the primo towns in the south hills.

 

[superstein61a]

You have a comfort level living where you do
That’s fine

Not sure me responding to your comment that "plenty of pps schools are really good" and pointing out it is not factually accurate has anything to do with my comfort level of where I live.

But yes, I enjoy where I live. I assume you enjoy where you live. That is important. But my response was simply to correct the factual inaccuracy of your statement.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle. I do think the quality of your school district matters. I just don’t think it’s worth drastically overpaying for whenever there are so many other excellent choices around here.

Just think about all of the great school districts named in this thread. They are all excellent and your child can go anywhere he or she wants to go from any of them. And that’s just scratching the surface. No one has even mentioned Quaker Valley or Seneca Valley or Thomas Jefferson or Moon or Elizabeth Forward or Canon-McMillan or Peters or Chartiers Valley or Montour or North Hills or Franklin Regional or Norwin or so many other genuinely exceptional options in the area. There are just a lot of really outstanding choices in this area.

If you graduate in the top 10% of your class at anyone of those schools you are going to have plenty of options at your disposal when it comes time to choose a college because the systems here really do do a very nice job of educating young people.

I definitely agree with Souf that parental engagement is by far the number one factor. That is one of the major reasons the Catholic schools often do well. Their staff and especially their facilities are often pretty modest, but their parental engagement is typically exceptional, which more than offsets any potential limitations.

 

[Burgh15]

Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle. I do think the quality of your school district matters. I just don’t think it’s worth drastically overpaying for whenever there are so many other excellent choices around here.

I agree with this. School is what you make of it and there are ample opportunities no matter where you go. Maybe if you're in one district they have a better athletic or music program, but another may be strong in the sciences or world languages. No matter the district, if you work hard, take advantage of the opportunities both in the school and community you can succeed in the post-secondary option of your choice.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Since we’re talking about schools, I think the only time where a school district’s rankings directly matter and affect you are when it comes to property values.

When we moved to Kansas City, we did consider school district rankings, but only slightly. We put more emphasis on enrollment numbers (looked for smaller districts), AP/dual credit offerings, and (if accessible) teacher retention. We’ve found that good school districts more often than not have good teachers and are able to retain them. We even tried to find individual teachers’ awards and degree holdings.

The reason why is that rankings usually just reflect the school’s overall test scores, which might not necessarily have a direct impact on your child. Could it mean that the teachers are doing a good job? Yes, but it could also mean that there’s just a lot of good students with good parents in the district.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Colfax is great
My son is at Dilworth and we love it

Colfax in "great" because they manipulated the boundaries so that wealthier households in Squirrel Hill and Shadyside are within the Colfax borders.

 

[superstein61a]

No one has even mentioned Quaker Valley or Seneca Valley or Thomas Jefferson or Moon or Elizabeth Forward or Canon-McMillan or Peters or Chartiers Valley or Montour or North Hills or Franklin Regional or Norwin or so many other genuinely exceptional options in the area. There are just a lot of really outstanding choices in this area.

Not sure the data would concur with you calling all of those districts exceptional / outstanding. Some may be, but not all of them

 

[HailToPitt725]

Not sure the data would concur with you calling all of those districts exceptional / outstanding. Some may be, but not all of them

If we were moving back to the area, we’d probably take a look at Robinson Township (Montour) or Oakdale (CV). Both school districts have improved a lot over the last 10-15 years (particularly Chartiers), have great/new facilities, and have some of the lowest school mileage rates in Allegheny County. Love the STEM opportunities provided at Montour and CV has a lot of dual credit opportunities.

 

[4upmc]

Colfax in "great" because they manipulated the boundaries so that wealthier households in Squirrel Hill and Shadyside are within the Colfax borders.

They are avoiding Linden...hmmm wonder why? So Souf thinks it’s “great” that the wealthier families mainly of a certain race are manipulating the boarders to avoid a certain school and race...

Can’t wait to hear an explanation. This should be good.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Any thoughts on the Charter Homes development in Cranberry? They bought a farm and are calling the place Meeder.

 

[GenesPlace]

It's called Meeder because it was the Meeder Farm.

Any thoughts on the Charter Homes development in Cranberry? They bought a farm and are calling the place Meeder.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Any thoughts on the Charter Homes development in Cranberry? They bought a farm and are calling the place Meeder.

Not sure, but I always thought they could’ve done more at that big intersection at 228 and 19. Could’ve turned it into a mixed-use area and given Cranberry the closest thing it’d have to a downtown.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

They are avoiding Linden...hmmm wonder why? So Souf thinks it’s “great” that the wealthier families mainly of a certain race are manipulating the boarders to avoid a certain school and race...

Can’t wait to hear an explanation. This should be good.

Public school is a public School
Dilworth is a lottery based magnet ,so is Montessori .

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Not sure me responding to your comment that "plenty of pps schools are really good" and pointing out it is not factually accurate has anything to do with my comfort level of where I live.

But yes, I enjoy where I live. I assume you enjoy where you live. That is important. But my response was simply to correct the factual inaccuracy of your statement.

Because it’s true
Lots of good options in the city schools

as noted when you compare the actually apples to apples comparisons .

 

[4upmc]

Public school is a public School
Dilworth is a lottery based magnet ,so is Montessori .

WRONG. Look up the rankings for Colfax, Dilworth and Linden and you will see a HUGE difference between the first 2 and Linden. I grew up going to the Pittsburgh Public Schools, my cousin and a friend have spent many years teaching at different Pittsburgh P Schools and there is a big difference from school to school.

 

[NTOP]

Any thoughts on the Charter Homes development in Cranberry? They bought a farm and are calling the place Meeder.

Humongous. The town homes look like Lego toys....ZERO character. It'll need a ton of landscaping.
We use Rochester Rd. to bypass freedom Road...where the widening of the bridge helps eastbound traffic for about 100 yards and westbound less than that. That will add to congestion on Rochester Rd which shifts to one lane at the church.
I recall when the Auction Barn was the center of that area. Hartners' restaurant and a couple gas stations. Now it's suburban blight at its finest.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Humongous. The town homes look like Lego toys....ZERO character. It'll need a ton of landscaping.
We use Rochester Rd. to bypass freedom Road...where the widening of the bridge helps eastbound traffic for about 100 yards and westbound less than that. That will add to congestion on Rochester Rd which shifts to one lane at the church.
I recall when the Auction Barn was the center of that area. Hartners' restaurant and a couple gas stations. Now it's suburban blight at its finest.

A friend wants to buy a new home there. I said don't. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[NTOP]

A friend wants to buy a new home there. I said don't. Thanks for your thoughts.

Well at least it's not in the Fitzgerald Caliphate.

 

[BurghGuy68]

Like I said before, everyone would love lower taxes. But these are several surrounding or nearby communities school property millage. That is the price of living in this area

South Fayette - 26.7000
Upper St. Clair - 26.3775
South Park - 25.96
Mt Lebanon - 24.79
Bethel Park - 21.00

West A and Montour both in the 18's are Best Buys!

 

[HailToPitt725]

West A and Montour both in the 18's are Best Buys!

Would you say West A or Chartiers Valley is the better school district? Both have similar mileages.

 

[BurghGuy68]

Would you say West A or Chartiers Valley is the better school district? Both have similar mileages.

West A I think is better, but both my kids went thru the West A system from K-12 through 2018 and I haven't compared in a while. Both boys got into Pitt engineering without applying anywhere else, so West A must be decent.

 

[HailToPitt725]

West A I think is better, but both my kids went thru the West A system from K-12 through 2018 and I haven't compared in a while. Both boys got into Pitt engineering without applying anywhere else, so West A must be decent.

Good to know, thanks. Congrats to both of them.

 

[BurghGuy68]

If we were moving back to the area, we’d probably take a look at Robinson Township (Montour) or Oakdale (CV). Both school districts have improved a lot over the last 10-15 years (particularly Chartiers), have great/new facilities, and have some of the lowest school mileage rates in Allegheny County. Love the STEM opportunities provided at Montour and CV has a lot of dual credit opportunities.

Oakdale is West Allegheny not CV

 

[BurghGuy68]

The one thing I liked about West A that both my sons (both Pitt Swanson engineers) took advantage of is the HS engineering program they offered. Only a handful of WPIAL schools offer this (South Fayette does not).

Called PLTW (Project Lead The Way)...they consisted of 10 different engineering classes, all worth the same as an AP course (5.0 for an A). Both my kids thought they wanted to be engineers and those classes confirmed it.

Website with class descriptions: https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-engineering

 

[HailToPitt725]

Oakdale is West Allegheny not CV

Sorry, should’ve been more specific. It’s Collier Township, but some houses have a Oakdale address. But the more you mention West A, the more they sound like an appealing option as well.

 

[joeypitt]

Oakdale is West Allegheny not CV

I have a friend who lives in Oakdale and his kids went to CC

 

[BurghGuy68]

Sorry, should’ve been more specific. It’s Collier Township, but some houses have a Oakdale address. But the more you mention West A, the more they sound like an appealing option as well.

Yeah it's all wonky...I live in North Fayette Township and have a McDonald mailing address and Oakdale phone exchange lol. There are South Fayette people that also have a McDonald mailing address, that 6'8" OT prospect being one of them.

 

[joeypitt]

Yeah it's all wonky...I live in North Fayette Township and have a McDonald mailing address and Oakdale phone exchange lol. There are South Fayette people that also have a McDonald mailing address, that 6'8" OT prospect being one of them.

You are right-it seems a little wonky out tha way

 

[NTOP]

The one thing I liked about West A that both my sons (both Pitt Swanson engineers) took advantage of is the HS engineering program they offered. Only a handful of WPIAL schools offer this (South Fayette does not).

Called PLTW (Project Lead The Way)...they consisted of 10 different engineering classes, all worth the same as an AP course (5.0 for an A). Both my kids thought they wanted to be engineers and those classes confirmed it.

Website with class descriptions: https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-engineering

Good idea....congrats on your kids.