Using Zillow School Search to Evaluate Neighborhoods

I'm curious if anyone has used this as an early screening tool to evaluate neighborhoods.

Zillow allows you to search an area and map out the ratings of the schools in the area. Seems like it might be a good tool to evaluate neighborhoods remotely. 

Obviously, nothing beats knowing an area well and seeing it first hand, but seems like this might be a good tool to stick in the funnel.

Anyone else have tools they use to evaluate potential neighborhoods for investment?