This paper reviews findings from a variety of studies, synthesizing available information on the effects of perceived school quality on the composition of the neighborhood served by that school. Two situations were found where such information has been gathered: schools undergoing racial change, and schools which were closed. In both instances the findings generally follow a consistent pattern. There is no increase in departures of families with school aged children from the neighborhood. In racially changing neighborhoods the presence of at least one school aged child was not shown to contribute to the family's intention of moving. Families with school aged children were less likely to plan to move than families without. Perceived school quality did have an effect on the number of new families with children entering a neighborhood. Research findings suggest that schools play an important part in parental decisions to avoid certain neighborhoods served by schools which are, or are likely to become, heavily minority in enrollment. Given the high mobility of American families, this change in who enters the neighborhood can, over time, significantly change the neighborhood's character and composition. Generally negative trends have been observed in neighborhoods where schools have been closed. Data suggests that the absence of a school has an impact which leads to non-entrance of families with school aged children. (Author/MK)