Is it just rated based on test scores? Have the demographics of the school changed recently? I.E. are they getting an influx of ESL students? Or lower income students?
The school in our neighborhood is rated low on great schools, but it is a largely african american school and there are some inherent issues with standardized testing and minority students. I hear great things about the school from other parents. That being said, I am not entirely sure DS will go there becuase I think I will want him to go to a spanish immersion school.
I looked at the demographics, nothing has changed in many years. Always had been a title 1 school with 80 percent (give or take 5 one way or the other) whites have been in the minority the entire time. They had been an a level school for 5 years. Nobody will tell me what caused the decline or specifics on fixing it. Or even giving me a good reason why i shouldn't be concerned about the school grade declining. If they were all "we have some of our best teachers in there" id feel better. Maybe I just don't know the right questions to ask but they're not offering me any confidence in this school.
Did they change the test at all? But yeah, that would not be giving me confidence either.
We picked private Catholic for DD, we were just going to do PreK but our A rated school changed some things this school year. This is in FL but not the same county as you. This year every K class has between 35 to 40 kids in it, with two teachers. One teacher concentrates on the students who are ahead/know certain things already (could be any number) and the other teacher is for the rest of the students. All this in the same classroom. I'm not okay with this, I'm used to the more advanced students being in one (or however many) classes on the Elementary level. As one teacher at the school told me, if your child is advanced then they will get individual attention and if not, well.... It's what it is. We also have 800+ new homes being built along side of us that will be zoned for this same school that is already over crowded so it'll get worse before better.
The Charter schools are actually really good and our school does offer a really amazing scholarship program. I understand your frustration with not getting the answers you want but I'd take what the Superintendent said and look into every other option.
Post by sparkythelawyer on Oct 24, 2014 10:48:31 GMT -5
Have they said what is going to be magically different this year that "giving it one more year" will solve? Or is it just a desperate attempt to keep an involved parent on board?
Upon further Internet investigation of my old school, it was REALLY bad! Or, at least, is extremely bad now. I know it was bad back when I went, too. We had fights every day at school and even junior gang members.
Rankings based on test scores, which are rather pitiful.
I really thought my class was just fine, though. Actually, there were two "good" classes.
The worries, I suppose, would be (1) if your kid would be put in a "good" class, and (2) even if your kid is in a "good" class, would your kid fare ok in the general school population during lunch and recess?
I came out ok, but, honestly, if given the choice for my own child, I would prefer that she not have to go through the same experience if I could help it.
But, really, if you have no other options, rest assured, your kid will likely turn out just fine. Don't fret too much, ok?
OP- I teach in Orange County at an "A" rated high school. I think I know which elementary you are referring to. Feel free to PM me. Lee Middle has declined a bit but Edgewater has wonderful teachers and a great educational atmosphere.
I don't have children, but do NOT think a school should be discounted due to rating. We have terrible teachers at our school (and awesome teachers) but have enough kids taking and passing AP that it evens out. So we are an "A" school. Yay? It has more to do with the privilege of a good portion of our school, parental involvement and (mostly) effective teachers.
As we move into the new systematic testing, expect almost all schools here to decline, drastically. I would be more interested in the teacher your kid will have than the school, TBH.
Thanks miso. I just want a positive environment for x, as im sure all parents do. From what im hearing, seeing and NOT hearing, it doesnt seem like this school offers that.
I do want to schedule a meeting with the current principal but dont know what to ask to get the truth
Yeah, I think it's a great idea to talk to the principal.
Even with the low test scores, it seems that there are parents who still have good things to say about my "bad" school.
Yep. DD1's school got an "F" on the most recent state report card. A lot of that grade has to do with the number of ESL students that go there, which I see as a big plus for her rather than a negative. Some of the F grade has to do with the school philosophy - they are not interested in teaching to the test.
They ARE very warm, caring teachers. They are not checked out in any way. It's a great community, which is what we were looking for.
look for a private school that offers financial aid/scholarships, and consider Catholic schools if you are willing to join the church (or even not; they really do have a lot of good schools and have decent aid for people who can't pay)
This is exactly what we did in these shoes, when our kids started out. Many private schools have free or very reduced tuition, please look into it.
I have been looking into financial aid, but I'm hesitant to enroll them in anything Catholic b/c I don't like or believe in their value system. I know education is important but so is the message they would get from such an institution.
I am atheist teaching at a Catholic school. Granted, we live in a very liberal town, but my school is not pushy. In fact, almost 50% of our students are not Catholic. I get your hesitation-- I share it, as my kids will likely go here for k-5-- but really, is it worse than your other options?
ETA: as for 'why': not enough "good" teachers (i didn't ask what made them say that though), teachers come and go through the year, some had subs more often than their dedicated teacher, bad leadership, administration doesn't like to work with parents.
What?! How is this happening? Teachers can be absent from their classroom more days than they are present and remain employed? JesusObama.
Thanks miso. I just want a positive environment for x, as im sure all parents do. From what im hearing, seeing and NOT hearing, it doesnt seem like this school offers that.
I do want to schedule a meeting with the current principal but dont know what to ask to get the truth
Iam definitely not the best person to answer this, but I would ask what measures are in place to prevent bullying. It's pretty much impossible to learn if you are afraid of going to school in the first place.
I would ask how school news, events, and the like are communicated to parents. I would expect the principal to want transparency.
I would ask how brighter students are handled, and also what help students with difficulties get. I would want to know that they have programs in place for these students. Also, at DD's school, I like that free breakfast is given out to all the kids, and also they do a "ready to learn" hour each week that teaches the kids about settling down and focusing. You can find out if the principal cares about this stuff, or what exactly s/he does care about.
There definitely seems to be some sort of glue that keeps good teachers at a school, that keeps them from getting burned out. I would guess administration has a lot to do with it, since DD's old school in NJ paid a high salary and her new school here in Maine pays jack shit, but both have pretty high teacher retention. To me, it seems like the tone the principal sets, and the community she creates, makes all the difference.
I know there are people employed at my school whose job it is to investigate anyone who might be out of the zone. I have lost many good students because of it. It isn't worth it.
Have they said what is going to be magically different this year that "giving it one more year" will solve? Or is it just a desperate attempt to keep an involved parent on board?
No. They've given me no specifics.just "give it one more year. There's another new principal"
I admit to not knowing the right questions to ask, however they're also not forthcoming with reasons why the grades given are not truly indicative of the education being given.
I'd be concerned then that he has no plan to fix anything.