Look beyond a single score
Compare learning support, commute, childcare and activities against the priorities you set for your family.
School Compass by America.eduA clearer school choice.
A clearer school choice.
Built around your family.
Compare the schools you’re considering, understand the costs, and see which questions still need answers. Keep the details together in one practical family report.
No credit card required. Registration required.
One family. Different priorities.Your ratings reflect what matters to you.
Considering a move?Compare options across different locations.
Keep the facts visible.Costs, care, eligibility and sources together.
After the promotion ends January 1, 2027 at midnight Eastern, continued paid access will require opting into the $9.99/month launch subscription. No automatic charge without subscribing. Paid subscriptions renew monthly until canceled.
From a list of schools to a useful decision
Make the details easier to compare.
Understand the annual cost
See tuition, childcare and transportation together. Check the total against your budget before making a commitment.
Know what to ask next
Keep eligibility, deadlines, visit notes and unresolved requirements beside each school. A high rating never hides a practical problem.
See what a completed report looks like
Every detail, in one comparison.
A fully filled example with three fictional schools, family priorities, costs and clear next steps. Scroll sideways on a small screen.
Completed sample • Illustrative data
The Morgan family’s school decision report
Three schools. Two possible moves. One clear record of the tradeoffs.
Child: Grade 3Annual budget: $6,000Care required until 5:30 PMPaid childcare: 10 months
| Family decision worksheet | Cedar Grove Community School | Harbor View Learning Academy | Meadow Brook Independent School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 / Location and school details | |||
| School type | Public | Public charter | Private |
| Grades served | K–5 | K–8 | Pre-K–8 |
| Location / moving option | Current home • Example City, FL | Possible move • Example Harbor, FL | Possible move • Example Hills, FL |
| School address | 100 Example Lane (fictional) | 200 Sample Avenue (fictional) | 300 Demonstration Road (fictional) |
| School profile | Illustrative profile; no real school affiliation | Illustrative profile; no real school affiliation | Illustrative profile; no real school affiliation |
| Commute measured from | Family’s current home (fictional) | Prospective home (fictional) | Prospective home (fictional) |
| Illustrative driving time | 14 minutes; example estimate | 22 minutes; example estimate | 18 minutes; example estimate |
| Class size | 21 students (example) | 23 students (example) | 16 students (example) |
| 02 / Family fit and essential requirements | |||
| Weighted family-fit score | 4.70 / 5 | 3.30 / 5 | 4.80 / 5 |
| Budget check | Within budget: $1,200 remaining | Within budget: $1,300 remaining | Over budget by $9,900 |
| Care coverage | Meets 5:30 PM requirement | Does not meet 5:30 PM requirement | Meets 5:30 PM requirement |
| Enrollment eligibility | Example address verified in this fictional scenario | Example lottery application permitted | Example assessment completed; offer received |
| Place availability | Example seat confirmed | Example waitlist; placement not secured | Example place held until the deposit deadline |
| 03 / Ratings and evidence | |||
| Academic support • weight 4 | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Commute • weight 2 | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| After-school care • weight 3 | 5 / 5 | 2 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Arts and sports • weight 1 | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Learning support | Small-group reading support, three sessions each week | Weekly tutoring and an individual learning plan | Daily learning specialist and small-group enrichment |
| Programs and activities | Art club, beginner orchestra and soccer | Robotics, visual arts and basketball | Music, theater, swimming and coding |
| 04 / Annual cost worksheet | |||
| Annual tuition | $0 | $0 | $12,000 |
| Monthly childcare | $420 | $350 | $300 |
| Paid childcare months | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Annual transportation | $600 | $1,200 | $900 |
| Total annual cost | $4,800 | $4,700 | $15,900 |
| 05 / Applications, sources and next steps | |||
| Application deadline | February 15, 2027 (illustrative) | January 20, 2027 (illustrative) | March 1, 2027 (illustrative) |
| Application status | Tour completed; application being prepared | Example application submitted; awaiting lottery | Example offer received; financial review pending |
| Sources and review date | Fictional tour notes and example fee sheet, November 15, 2026 | Fictional admissions call and example handbook, November 15, 2026 | Fictional offer letter and example fee schedule, November 15, 2026 |
| Parent notes | Strong reading support. Confirm the spring club schedule before accepting. | Care ends before the family’s required 5:30 PM. A backup arrangement is needed. | Highest family-fit score, but the annual cost exceeds the family’s budget. |
| Decision / next action | First choice in this example: meets budget and care requirements. | Keep as an alternative; childcare and placement remain unresolved. | Do not choose on score alone. Funding must be resolved first. |
How this example is calculated: Family-fit score = (academic rating × 4 + commute rating × 2 + childcare rating × 3 + activities rating × 1) ÷ 10. Annual cost = tuition + monthly childcare × 10 + annual transportation. A high score never overrides an unmet requirement.
Completed visit checklist
- Learning support reviewed: example tutoring and specialist arrangements recorded for all three schools.
- Daily schedule reviewed: example commute times and childcare closing times recorded.
- Full cost reviewed: example tuition, childcare and transportation entered.
- Eligibility and seats reviewed: charter placement remains unresolved in this example.
- Applications reviewed: example deadlines and current status recorded.
- Family decision: prioritize Cedar Grove; resolve Harbor View care and Meadow Brook funding before reconsidering.
Free means no card and no surprise charge.
What does $0 now mean?
Registered customers receive free launch access through December 31, 2026. No credit card is required. The promotion ends for everyone at midnight Eastern on January 1, 2027.
What happens after the free promotion?
You can choose the $9.99/month launch subscription to continue paid access. You must provide payment details and confirm your subscription first. Registration alone never authorizes a charge.
Can I cancel a paid subscription myself?
Yes. In your customer dashboard, open Manage subscription and billing, then choose Cancel subscription in the secure billing portal and confirm. Renewal stops and access continues through the paid period.
Are the sample schools and ratings real?
No. The sample is fully fictional and labeled throughout. Family-fit scores are personal ratings, separate from published school data. Eligibility, costs and available places must be confirmed with each school.
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