You’ll be able to get a good sense of the school when you visit. Different private schools will pride themselves on different things, which are hard to compare (some are super into traditional academics; some are more into making sure the kids have access to meditation class and woodshop). See if you can find other families that go to the schools, maybe they have a facebook page or something, and you can ask direct questions there about each place. I don’t really love ranking schools based on metrics/test scores/etc, because private schools and public schools are totally different beasts. Private schools can decide who they want there, and can “counsel out” kids that might need more services than they can provide (that IS something I’d check with them, if your kids end up needing more services — can the private school handle that?). Public schools take everyone, and that will affect the rankings/test scores. As far as moving to a town with better schools, do keep in mind that two kids in private school will run you probably $40k each year, minimum, unless you qualify for financial aid. I’m a huge public school proponent (after teaching in a private school and a parochial school), so just think long term. And I remember reading somewhere that the biggest indicator for success, regardless of whether a kid goes to private or public school, is parental involvement. You clearly care a lot about your kids, so I have a feeling that no matter WHERE they end up, they’ll be just fine. :)

I won’t go on route 22 unless absolutely necessary, though my driving instructor took me there when I was learning to drive (I credit my good driving to that trial by fire). However 17 is a special level of hell that I also will not go to unless absolutely necessary. I’ve never cursed so much on a road before.