Perhaps at the margins, but the big difference has nothing to do with the teachers.
Those communities have parents who help the kids finish their homework, volunteer in the classroom, and show up at school board meetings to raise hell when needed.
In some other communities, the parents focus their exertions on smoking crack and watching the Jerry Springer show.
-ccm
Yes. I agree. Wealthy parents tend to be better educated. The combination of money and education tends to make them activists. The kid fails a test, they want to know why the kid failed the test. SAT scores drop, they want to know why. They aren't intimidated by school boards, teachers or principals. They take an active role in their schools, which translates into better educated kids and higher property values.