“It’s a myth that the best schools are those with the highest standardized-test scores,” says Henry Bangser, Ph.D., superintendent of the highly regarded New Trier Township High School district, in Illinois.

A better way to determine quality, he says, is to “make an appointment with the principal to talk about what the school values.” Clara Hemphill, author of the New York City’s Best Public Schools series (Teachers College Press, $19 to $20 each), agrees. “If, instead of encouraging independent thinking, the focus is on punctuality and discipline,” she says, “you should be concerned that nothing else is going on.” A school visit also gives you a feel for the teaching, says Hemphill: “Students should be engaged, not staring out the window.”

When you do look at scores and budgets, consider whether they’re on the upswing, and “compare them with neighboring districts,” advises Robert Durante of Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services. To find out, contact your state’s department of education or go to the Standard & Poor’s website at www.sp-ses.com.