I'm one of the people who didn't want to send DS to a "bad" school, which I based on rankings from great schools and test scores. But we also had general concerns about all TX public schools, even in the "good" schools or districts.
We looked into some magnet schools and even got into our first choice, but at the end of the day, HISD may have a 100 million budget shortfall this year (waiting for a ruling from the supreme court of TX), superintendents change and you have to be really involved. And the best schools we have that are G&T are teaching the same thing every kid at our 11k/year at preschool school gets. The private's average kid is doing what the gifted HISD kids are doing. Then there is general concern about less recess, emphasis on testing, fewer extracurricular, sex ed, bullying, etc.
Plus, I'd like to network with parents making more money in our industry (the school is in the energy corridor), in case H or I are looking for jobs or other connections in the future.
I also think that teachers are so pressured on test scores that they are more likely to spend time on the kids struggling than those excelling. And with larger class sizes, being lost in the middle can add up.
So we went private. I will admit that I want to give my kid every advantage I can, and I'd like to think that many parents avoiding the "bad" schools are like me and not just racist.
Because this gets on my last dayum nerve - ain't nobody calling you racist. The SYSTEM, the dayum system that was constructed to keep black folks and their precious snowflakes from being in with the little black kids is self-fulfilling.
You think that the public school system is filled with dredges of society who don't make good money and can be job connects? I mean *looks at self* I have a decent job. I make dang good connections and THE HORROR, my kids go to public school. If anything, what you've written perpetuates elitism.
Part of the reason public schools suffer is because people take their tax money elsewhere and no one wants to help pay for the poor little children who don't look like them and whose parents don't have the primo jobs - so why bother? Why bother to fund education for those kids? So much easier to go private and not advocate for the kids who could benefit from programs and people to advocate on their behalf.
Chile. I can't. Let me go sit down because I'm heated looking at this.
Teaching for years in Title 1 schools means I get ragey about greatschools and other test score-based school rankings. Because yes, more than anything else, they tell parents where the rich white schools are and little else. I taught at one of the lowest ranked schools in our distract (the one that has the most refugee families and minorities- surprise!) and the quality of teaching there was PHENOMENAL. Turns out that when 25% of your students are international refugees and 50% of the school lives below the poverty line and many are homeless that sometimes that drags down the test scores a bit, whodathunk? On paper, it was the "worst" school in our city. In truth, I'd bet it was the best or close to it.
Also, shout out to the school where my dd will go next year. 30% of the students are Spanish speakers so the school said, screw it we're teaching in Spanish! Now the school is dual-language and Spanish AND English speaking students get half of their instruction in English and half in Spanish. It levels the playing field and gives everyone a better education. I wish more schools were given the funding and freedom to pursue programs like this or whatever their students need.
Ironically, our school used to be looked down upon and now it's so "chic" bc it's a world language school.
Anyway, our school funding system in this country is a disgrace. Maybe we should make funding based on need and not property values- then everyone would get a better education and people would chill with the self-segregating and burning through their retirements to live in the "good" districts.
This post brought to you by rainy day drinking.
Wow - really? </end sarcasm> I completely agree that there's more behind the test scores than you can possibly see on paper. I also agree that we really need to move away from the current funding scheme, there's something wrong with the idea that just because you live in a fancy neighborhood you get access to the best schools. As much as I like 'states rights' on most things, I really think it should be a nationalized system with money coming from corporations and to a lesser extent income taxes (though, if my property taxes went down I could afford to pay more income taxed - even though it would suck). However, I don't trust the government to keep their greedy paws out of any pot of money so I'd like to see it run by an outside group.
Teaching for years in Title 1 schools means I get ragey about greatschools and other test score-based school rankings. Because yes, more than anything else, they tell parents where the rich white schools are and little else. I taught at one of the lowest ranked schools in our distract (the one that has the most refugee families and minorities- surprise!) and the quality of teaching there was PHENOMENAL. Turns out that when 25% of your students are international refugees and 50% of the school lives below the poverty line and many are homeless that sometimes that drags down the test scores a bit, whodathunk? On paper, it was the "worst" school in our city. In truth, I'd bet it was the best or close to it.
Also, shout out to the school where my dd will go next year. 30% of the students are Spanish speakers so the school said, screw it we're teaching in Spanish! Now the school is dual-language and Spanish AND English speaking students get half of their instruction in English and half in Spanish. It levels the playing field and gives everyone a better education. I wish more schools were given the funding and freedom to pursue programs like this or whatever their students need.
Ironically, our school used to be looked down upon and now it's so "chic" bc it's a world language school.
Anyway, our school funding system in this country is a disgrace. Maybe we should make funding based on need and not property values- then everyone would get a better education and people would chill with the self-segregating and burning through their retirements to live in the "good" districts.
This post brought to you by rainy day drinking.
Wow - really? </end sarcasm> I completely agree that there's more behind the test scores than you can possibly see on paper. I also agree that we really need to move away from the current funding scheme, there's something wrong with the idea that just because you live in a fancy neighborhood you get access to the best schools. As much as I like 'states rights' on most things, I really think it should be a nationalized system with money coming from corporations and to a lesser extent income taxes (though, if my property taxes went down I could afford to pay more income taxed - even though it would suck). However, I don't trust the government to keep their greedy paws out of any pot of money so I'd like to see it run by an outside group.
I haven't seen an example of something privatized that didn't involve greedy paws.
I didn't think that was what @littlemoxie was saying, but I am not trying to speak for her. But I also went to private school and am considering it for DD so I guess I am part of the problem to some people. But I also am very concerned about the public schools and even though I can't attend meetings due to my schedule, I look at them online and receive all the newsletters, etc. And my DD isn't school aged yet. We are moving and I don't know a lot about the public school where we are going, but I know the one near us is pretty bad. And not just based on GS ratings. I am hoping that the school where we are moving is better and an option. I do know their score has gone down over the last year or 2, but I know that is because of white flight.
Plus, I'd like to network with parents making more money in our industry (the school is in the energy corridor), in case H or I are looking for jobs or other connections in the future.
This is gross.
I almost wish I had a kid, for the sole purpose of keeping him/her in regular school in a regular district in a diverse neighborhood so I could purposefully avoid shit like this.
Plus, I'd like to network with parents making more money in our industry (the school is in the energy corridor), in case H or I are looking for jobs or other connections in the future.
This is gross.
I almost wish I had a kid, for the sole purpose of keeping him/her in regular school in a regular district in a diverse neighborhood so I could purposefully avoid shit like this.
I don't think this is gross. People always say put yourself around people who are where you want to be, not where you are or below. (that isn't the exact saying but the gist of it) What is wrong with networking with people at your kid's school to have advantages in your career? And come on @littlemoxie has hinted around to her income. In reality people making more than her are not sending their kids to public school that they consider mediocre, even if their basis is completely wrong. That doesn't mean that connections aren't at public school, but probably not the ones that would benefit her and her H.
My district has a few K-5 schools. About 5-6 yeas ago, the school my kids will be attending due to our location was about 55% poor, minority, and ESL students. They changed the boundaries to spread that concentration to the other K-5 schools and make them about 39% each. There was some pushback on the more affluent side of town, but having just attended a bunch of info sessions for kindergarten it seems to be working well.
Now my neighborhood and especially our side of town is going through a time of increased home building and major remodeling and the tax revenue is going to be increasing in a big way. I'm excited because all of the kids are going to benefit huge just at the time my kids enter school. I'm really glad that we've stuck it out and even if we do move houses in a few years, we'll be staying in this district.
I almost wish I had a kid, for the sole purpose of keeping him/her in regular school in a regular district in a diverse neighborhood so I could purposefully avoid shit like this.
I don't think this is gross. People always say put yourself around people who are where you want to be, not where you are or below. (that isn't the exact saying but the gist of it) What is wrong with networking with people at your kid's school to have advantages in your career? And come on @littlemoxie has hinted around to her income. In reality people making more than her are not sending their kids to public school that they consider mediocre, even if their basis is completely wrong. That doesn't mean that connections aren't at public school, but probably not the ones that would benefit her and her H.
But how do you know this? That's what I don't like. It's the immediate assumption that folks at a public school can't possibly help you. When I know the opposite to be true because I know plenty of folks with dang good money whose kids roll up in a public school all day long everyday and on Tuesday. I personally know friggin' city division directors, non-profit high-level administrators and one of the wealthiest dudes up in Memphis and all of their kids go to public schools.
And this is why parents in traditional public schools get upset. Because they aren't seen as worthy of anyone's time or efforts. Because - well - they aren't good enough. I listened to a parent cry serious tears about how she was perceived as if she weren't good enough. I'm glad I wasn't the source of her ire and pain because no one should ever feel like they aren't worth the gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe. No one.
And quite frankly, that's how I felt reading it. None of that helps anyone's kids. None of it. We have kids in our public school system who need people who have time, talents and resources to advocate for them. We don't get that because no one seems to be bothered about how kids are doing until it's time to take a test. You need all the other stuff too when it comes to taking tests. And you can't get ahead when you are constantly at war for diminishing crumbs of the local government funding pie. But, hey who cares. Gotta network.
Teaching for years in Title 1 schools means I get ragey about greatschools and other test score-based school rankings. Because yes, more than anything else, they tell parents where the rich white schools are and little else. I taught at one of the lowest ranked schools in our distract (the one that has the most refugee families and minorities- surprise!) and the quality of teaching there was PHENOMENAL. Turns out that when 25% of your students are international refugees and 50% of the school lives below the poverty line and many are homeless that sometimes that drags down the test scores a bit, whodathunk? On paper, it was the "worst" school in our city. In truth, I'd bet it was the best or close to it.
Also, shout out to the school where my dd will go next year. 30% of the students are Spanish speakers so the school said, screw it we're teaching in Spanish! Now the school is dual-language and Spanish AND English speaking students get half of their instruction in English and half in Spanish. It levels the playing field and gives everyone a better education. I wish more schools were given the funding and freedom to pursue programs like this or whatever their students need.
Ironically, our school used to be looked down upon and now it's so "chic" bc it's a world language school.
Anyway, our school funding system in this country is a disgrace. Maybe we should make funding based on need and not property values- then everyone would get a better education and people would chill with the self-segregating and burning through their retirements to live in the "good" districts.
This post brought to you by rainy day drinking.
If you're moving to an area that you are unfamiliar with, what's a better way to learn about the quality of the schools in the area? I am asking sincerely.
I don't think this is gross. People always say put yourself around people who are where you want to be, not where you are or below. (that isn't the exact saying but the gist of it) What is wrong with networking with people at your kid's school to have advantages in your career? And come on @littlemoxie has hinted around to her income. In reality people making more than her are not sending their kids to public school that they consider mediocre, even if their basis is completely wrong. That doesn't mean that connections aren't at public school, but probably not the ones that would benefit her and her H.
But how do you know this? That's what I don't like. It's the immediate assumption that folks at a public school can't possibly help you. When I know the opposite to be true because I know plenty of folks with dang good money whose kids roll up in a public school all day long everyday and on Tuesday. I personally know friggin' city division directors, non-profit high-level administrators and one of the wealthiest dudes up in Memphis and all of their kids go to public schools.
And this is why parents in traditional public schools get upset. Because they aren't seen as worthy of anyone's time or efforts. Because - well - they aren't good enough. I listened to a parent cry serious tears about how she was perceived as if she weren't good enough. I'm glad I wasn't the source of her ire and pain because no one should ever feel like they aren't worth the gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe. No one.
And quite frankly, that's how I felt reading it. None of that helps anyone's kids. None of it. We have kids in our public school system who need people who have time, talents and resources to advocate for them. We don't get that because no one seems to be bothered about how kids are doing until it's time to take a test. You need all the other stuff too when it comes to taking tests. And you can't get ahead when you are constantly at war for diminishing crumbs of the local government funding pie. But, hey who cares. Gotta network.
I am all for increased tax dollars and whatever else I can do to help public schools. I don't think my kid has to be in the school to help. I was all for this before I even thought about having a kid. Maybe I am wrong.
My entire county is seen as unworthy, so I definitely understand that feeling.
I was going to say more, but I don't think it will come out as I intend so I am going to stop.
What about the sheer quantity of ways an unexpected $400 bill could come into your life? As soon as I saw that question, I immediately thought, "yes, ONE $400 cost, fine, but that better be it until next paycheck." But its just not that simple.
I think people don't realize just how costly normal lives are. How many months do i unexpectedly drop $50 for school, parties, or some other kid-need. How many times is my visit to the car place $50 - $200 more than expected. How many times does someone get sick or dinner is ruined and all of a sudden we are out more and more. Sure I can plan, but I also need to live. Our lawn mower is on the fritz - how much time/money/woah is that going to incur?
We are at the point soon where I could have more financial ability than I do PTO - which means paying probably $60/day for the DD to go to daycare during school vacation days - do you know how much freaking money that is for all these days off? We had no snow days, which means now I have to cough up $180 for the 3 built-in days.
/rant
I just paid $400 to have the brakes fixed on my car. I knew the pads were worn and it was only a matter of time but I still drove that bad boy until the bitches started grinding because I just couldn't peel off the money for the less problem until I had no choice because the problem was bigger.
And my landlord is a saint and just agreed to take half the rent now and half next week.
I'm one of the people who didn't want to send DS to a "bad" school, which I based on rankings from great schools and test scores. But we also had general concerns about all TX public schools, even in the "good" schools or districts.
We looked into some magnet schools and even got into our first choice, but at the end of the day, HISD may have a 100 million budget shortfall this year (waiting for a ruling from the supreme court of TX), superintendents change and you have to be really involved. And the best schools we have that are G&T are teaching the same thing every kid at our 11k/year at preschool school gets. The private's average kid is doing what the gifted HISD kids are doing. Then there is general concern about less recess, emphasis on testing, fewer extracurricular, sex ed, bullying, etc.
Plus, I'd like to network with parents making more money in our industry (the school is in the energy corridor), in case H or I are looking for jobs or other connections in the future.
I also think that teachers are so pressured on test scores that they are more likely to spend time on the kids struggling than those excelling. And with larger class sizes, being lost in the middle can add up.
So we went private. I will admit that I want to give my kid every advantage I can, and I'd like to think that many parents avoiding the "bad" schools are like me and not just racist.
Public schools in your area don't have high income earners? Bullying happens everywhere, sadly. Everyone has their reasoning but when people give long explanations to show reasons aren't race but class....I don't know, it is off, at best, to me.
I live here. I have been a resident here for nearly ten years. I have two children who have come up through these schools. I know what the people here think. I know what they tell their friends. What they presume, what the write on the internet.
So I can tell you straight up that the rankings on that site do not match up with the perceptions of what is and isn't a good school here. And interestingly and I'm sure you're all shocked, those rankings don't match up with what actually are good schools around here either.
I almost wish I had a kid, for the sole purpose of keeping him/her in regular school in a regular district in a diverse neighborhood so I could purposefully avoid shit like this.
I don't think this is gross. People always say put yourself around people who are where you want to be, not where you are or below. (that isn't the exact saying but the gist of it) What is wrong with networking with people at your kid's school to have advantages in your career? And come on @littlemoxie has hinted around to her income. In reality people making more than her are not sending their kids to public school that they consider mediocre, even if their basis is completely wrong. That doesn't mean that connections aren't at public school, but probably not the ones that would benefit her and her H.
Well honestly, the fact that she has more than hinted around to her income is part of why I think it's kind of gross. The rich get richer this way and its continuing the cycle. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I actually WOULDN'T want to try and ensure my kids are surrounded only by rich and richer people at school. I don't know, at some point, putting yourself around people who are where you want to be doesn't have the same meaning for me. If she didn't mean it that way, I apologize, but it doesn't sit right with me.
This is really here no there, but we send our kid to private school, but still support public schools. Hell, I devoted 7+ years of my life to public schools. At the end of the day, no public school in our area can provide the same opportunities that our private can. Despite the parents in the district raising $1 MM/ year for extras, there are still huge gaps. This, on top of knowing the foolishness that is the CA Department of Ed policies first hand, and the fact that public schools gear toward middle of the road learners, makes me even more hesitant to go the public route with our girls. It's not the fit for our family. So, I'm perfectly okay with our private school choices.
But on average, most private school parents are not advocating for public schools. What I witness every month - especially at budget hearings, are parent's of public school students pleading not to close/cut programs and schools.
Private school parents are not donating to the school to ensure the school band/sports team/library gets new equipment. It's the PTA and the alumni. It's not enough to say on a message board that I'm OK with my taxes going to the schools. We need vocal advocates and community partners. We need everyone down at the local funding body saying we need funds.
But that doesn't happen from where I sit. I see public school parents doing this work and everyone else is like - bootstraps and cut the fat.
incogneato I appreciate your thoughts on this, because I had a lot of people scaring the crap out of me 2 years ago when the thought of kindergarten even entered my brain.
"Oh don't send them to that school!" I heard that. A lot.
Then we went over there twice and met with several staff and parents, and both times I left feeling totally comfortable.
This is really here no there, but we send our kid to private school, but still support public schools. Hell, I devoted 7+ years of my life to public schools. At the end of the day, no public school in our area can provide the same opportunities that our private can. Despite the parents in the district raising $1 MM/ year for extras, there are still huge gaps. This, on top of knowing the foolishness that is the CA Department of Ed policies first hand, and the fact that public schools gear toward middle of the road learners, makes me even more hesitant to go the public route with our girls. It's not the fit for our family. So, I'm perfectly okay with our private school choices.
But on average, most private school parents are not advocating for public schools. What I witness every month - especially at budget hearings, are parent's of public school students pleading not to close/cut programs and schools.
Private school parents are donating to the school to ensure the school band/sports team/library gets new equipment. It's the PTA and the alumni. It's not enough to say on a message board that I'm OK with my taxes going to the schools. We need vocal advocates and community partners. We need everyone down at the local funding body saying we need funds.
But that doesn't happen from where I sit. I see public school parents doing this work and everyone else is like - bootstraps and cut the fat.
Yes because it goes beyond being okay with your taxes going to public schools. It's be a vocal advocate for how those funds are used.
You can't just hand over a rather meager check out of your property taxes every year but opt out of the decision making processes that fund schools in specific matters. Budget meetings, school board meetings, parent nights, etc are all vital ways schools are supported.
I live here. I have been a resident here for nearly ten years. I have two children who have come up through these schools. I know what the people here think. I know what they tell their friends. What they presume, what the write on the internet.
So I can tell you straight up that the rankings on that site do not match up with the perceptions of what is and isn't a good school here. And interestingly and I'm sure you're all shocked, those rankings don't match up with what actually are good schools around here either.
White flight is real.
How is Savannah Arts Academy only ranked an 8 on greatschools? It is consistently in the top 3 or 4 high schools in the state. I say that not living in Savannah, so I have no idea what the perception is there, and it would be interesting to hear.
Post by cookiemdough on May 6, 2016 22:13:15 GMT -5
I agree visiting schools is the best indicator. My son goes to a magnet school (still public) but I visited two other local public schools before finding out about his acceptance to the magnet. My neighborhood school, which did not have a great score, and another one with a slightly better score and reputation. It turns out the school with the better score had unapproachable administrators and I didn't get a great feeling when I went. My neighborhood school with the lower score was so much better than I expected. It had a new principal that came from a really well-regarded school. She and I talked about what things drove the scores and how she was addressing the things within her control. I met his potential teachers also experienced and friendly. Had my son not got into the magnet I would have sent him there. But if I had just gone by scores it would have been automatically disqualified.
Now the magnet school my child attends is one of the better schools in the state. But Because it is a lottery, it reflects the socioeconomics of my county. So despite being a blue ribbon school the funding is limited. Last year there was one week where parents had to pitch in and bring boxes of paper to school because they had run out. This is the abysmal problem with public schools in less affluent areas. While other suburban schools In white affluent areas have parents donating smart boards we are trying to keep basics like paper in supply. The students they serve are mostly minorities and the socioeconomics is varied. We ran out of fucking paper. The school is still great though and it doesn't change the quality and dedication by teachers and families that attend the school.
Parents need to make the best choice for their children, but I don't understand making a decision to spend upwards of 6 figures more for a house in a specific neighborhood based on a score in which there is no visibility how it is even calculated. That is what gives me pause.
Ok here is what I was trying to say. I have no problem with DD going to public school, but with one neighborhood we looked at everyone we talked to sent or planned to send their kid(s) to private school. So many of the parents with the education and ability to help better the schools have already checked out. So it doesn't make me feel great about sending DD there. So it is a terrible cycle.
If I felt there were parents who were willing to work to improve the school I would be for it, but that isn't happening. Everyone (too many) has checked out.
Hopefully the school where we are moving will be better. I plan on getting involved as soon as we move even though DD won't be in school for a few years.
Ok here is what I was trying to say. I have no problem with DD going to public school, but with one neighborhood we looked at everyone we talked to sent or planned to send their kid(s) to private school. So many of the parents with the education and ability to help better the schools have already checked out. So it doesn't make me feel great about sending DD there. So it is a terrible cycle.
If I felt there were parents who were willing to work to improve the school I would be for it, but that isn't happening. Everyone (too many) has checked out.
Hopefully the school where we are moving will be better. I plan on getting involved as soon as we move even though DD won't be in school for a few years.
In general people have to do what is right for their families. For example an unsafe school is a non-starter for me. But I will say i know many families that have bought into the narrative that our county has that all schools suck and in turn opt out. (Not you, we have discussed schools so I understand where you are coming from based on the school) but in general, yes there are definitely way too many schools in our county that are underperforming. But not all, and my only point is for people to actually visit the school not be deterred solely by a score. My son went to a private for Pre-K and most planned to keep their kids there through 8th. When we started talking about school options for kindergarten the parents I spoke to indicated how horrible the schools were but not one, not ONE had actually taken the time to visit any. Many kind of gave me the look when I talked about that I was likely going to send him to our neighborhood school if we didn't get first choice through the lottery.
On the other end of the spectrum there is a pretty popular private that many rave about and when I went to visit I wasn't impressed with the academic rigor. In my opinion it was similar to what I got in public school growing up and I think most were paying for the environment and to have kids be around similar kids. And that is fine too, but it frustrates me that they perpetuate the myth that all county schools are bad and that they are picking that school for academics cause no.
I don't know how to stop the cycle. Our county does some things that make me angry on a daily...don't get me started on transportation issues. But to me the biggest problem is changing the perception. The imagery of schools has such a broad impact. It limits the interest of businesses coming to the area because employees won't want to live here, it has caused the housing bust to still be felt by many families because it is probably one of the only areas that hasn't rebounded, we have sky high property taxes because the primary source is residents not businesses, etc.
I would ditto everyone else on going in and talking to the administration, seeing students and teachers on action. When we moved to PA we went by word of mouth and, to some extent, the scores. Everyone raves about the school we were going to, that that district was the best around, the principal was reputed to be amazing, it was wonderful.
I never heard the principal speak unless it was about test scores. And how much they went up over the past few years and how much further they expect to go up. All of my kids homework (in 2nd and K) was geared towards test prep. They did nothing that wasn't test prep and kids who were going to perform well on the test were all but ignored otherwise. It was mind blowing.
Had H stayed at that job we had settled on moving to the district we were warned away from by his colleagues because I figured out that it had kind and caring teachers, many English language learners and a transient population but that everyone was learning well and thriving in a way the area's suburban district were not.
I would strongly say that with kids in school, do not buy for a long distance move. Rent for a year to be sure you're happy with the school district.
Hopefully the school where we are moving will be better. I plan on getting involved as soon as we move even though DD won't be in school for a few years.
What sorts of things do you do to get involved with a school before you have kids there? Mine isn't in school yet and I've been meaning to check out school board meetings, but don't know what else I could or should be doing now. I'm only hoping the schools aren't as bad as I've heard.
Hopefully the school where we are moving will be better. I plan on getting involved as soon as we move even though DD won't be in school for a few years.
What sorts of things do you do to get involved with a school before you have kids there? Mine isn't in school yet and I've been meaning to check out school board meetings, but don't know what else I could or should be doing now. I'm only hoping the schools aren't as bad as I've heard.
Well I already follow the school board meetings. They post them online if you can't attend. And I receive the school board newsletters. Hopefully my schedule will change and I can actually attend the meetings.
I don't know if this area will be the same, but homes that we were looking at in other areas, parents were involved in PTA activities before their kids were in the school. They attended all open houses and had talked to teachers and principals, etc. So I plan to try to do the same.
The area we are moving is also more neighborhood oriented so hopefully just talking to neighbors. But I would not be surprised in many are at privates or if that is the plan even though the cursory looks at the local school indicate it is pretty good.
Hopefully the school where we are moving will be better. I plan on getting involved as soon as we move even though DD won't be in school for a few years.
What sorts of things do you do to get involved with a school before you have kids there? Mine isn't in school yet and I've been meaning to check out school board meetings, but don't know what else I could or should be doing now. I'm only hoping the schools aren't as bad as I've heard.
I have been to school board meetings. Also our schools have a list serve you can sign up for. It is the way the individual schools communicate with parents so it gives you am idea of how good communication is and how many activities the school does. Our schools also do open houses
Every public school around here is a world onto itself. I definitely did the tours and went to district-level meetings about adding seats in local schools to accommodate the existing population of children here (overcrowding is a real issue) and about adding more dual-language and specialty programs to the schools in this district. But I have no idea how school board meetings play into that or impact that. It's hard for me to conceive of a way in which a parent could be active enough at that level to impact the whole system, but I feel like I'm busy enough focusing on and being active at DD's particular school.
The school where DD ended up going came down to luck. We were not guaranteed a seat at our zoned school, were outright rejected by a few of the other public schools we applied to (most within walking distance of our home), were wait listed by one (and offered a spot a week after the school year started, but didn't switch) and offered a seat by lottery at the school that she currently attends. I was a little wistful at the time when some friends of ours picked up and moved just before kindergarten and made it seem like enrolling their kids in whatever ritzy suburban districts was a breeze. I am already anxious when I think about going through this process again for middle school. PUBLIC middle school. Acceptances/placements just went out last week and it seems like it is a total crapshoot, based on complicated formulas of your child's test scores and attendance history and whether they want to focus on the sciences or the arts and who else is in the system. In a vacuum, moving to a district with higher property taxes or paying for private school sounds like an "easier" option, even if that's not the route I have taken for several reasons.
Every public school around here is a world onto itself. I definitely did the tours and went to district-level meetings about adding seats in local schools to accommodate the existing population of children here (overcrowding is a real issue) and about adding more dual-language and specialty programs to the schools in this district. But I have no idea how school board meetings play into that or impact that. It's hard for me to conceive of a way in which a parent could be active enough at that level to impact the whole system, but I feel like I'm busy enough focusing on and being active at DD's particular school.
The school where DD ended up going came down to luck. We were not guaranteed a seat at our zoned school, were outright rejected by a few of the other public schools we applied to (most within walking distance of our home), were wait listed by one (and offered a spot a week after the school year started, but didn't switch) and offered a seat by lottery at the school that she currently attends. I was a little wistful at the time when some friends of ours picked up and moved just before kindergarten and made it seem like enrolling their kids in whatever ritzy suburban districts was a breeze. I am already anxious when I think about going through this process again for middle school. PUBLIC middle school. Acceptances/placements just went out last week and it seems like it is a total crapshoot, based on complicated formulas of your child's test scores and attendance history and whether they want to focus on the sciences or the arts and who else is in the system. In a vacuum, moving to a district with higher property taxes or paying for private school sounds like an "easier" option, even if that's not the route I have taken for several reasons.
I will admit that we knew we would leave NYC before my oldest hit K because I was overwhelmed by the system. It was so confusing to me that you could be turned away from your zoned school. Julia went to a UPK program and talking to parents who were all stressed as hell about where their kid would go to k added to that feeling (and the parents at her school encompassed so so many ethnicities and socioeconomic levels; it was in the Marble Hill houses in Kingsbridge).
Where I live the K-8 district is just my 2.5 square mile town. Nobody from outside of town can come unless they pay tuition (there are three students currently doing this in the district) and make a special agreement and we have no other public options available if we live here. In some ways it's so easy because it's very transparent. You live in this zip code, you attend this school.
How is Savannah Arts Academy only ranked an 8 on greatschools? It is consistently in the top 3 or 4 high schools in the state. I say that not living in Savannah, so I have no idea what the perception is there, and it would be interesting to hear.
I have no idea really. I do know that here in Savannah, despite the fact that Savannah Arts is the highest ranked school and the ONLY Savannah school I believe to make the statewide list of top schools, these fools around here still believe that Benedictine Military School, Savannah Christian, and Memorial Day are the best schools and pay OUT OF THE ASS to send their kids there.
Also, I find in Savannah that parents are far more willing to bounce their kids around from school to school. Try this charter, this specialty school, this private school, etc, etc. So I wouldn't be surprised to find parents send their kids to Savannah Arts and then for some reason or other, aren't impressed, move their kids on and then leave shitty reviews.
Plus, Savannah Arts is downtownish in an area generally accepted as being terrible.
Every public school around here is a world onto itself. I definitely did the tours and went to district-level meetings about adding seats in local schools to accommodate the existing population of children here (overcrowding is a real issue) and about adding more dual-language and specialty programs to the schools in this district. But I have no idea how school board meetings play into that or impact that. It's hard for me to conceive of a way in which a parent could be active enough at that level to impact the whole system, but I feel like I'm busy enough focusing on and being active at DD's particular school.
The school where DD ended up going came down to luck. We were not guaranteed a seat at our zoned school, were outright rejected by a few of the other public schools we applied to (most within walking distance of our home), were wait listed by one (and offered a spot a week after the school year started, but didn't switch) and offered a seat by lottery at the school that she currently attends. I was a little wistful at the time when some friends of ours picked up and moved just before kindergarten and made it seem like enrolling their kids in whatever ritzy suburban districts was a breeze. I am already anxious when I think about going through this process again for middle school. PUBLIC middle school. Acceptances/placements just went out last week and it seems like it is a total crapshoot, based on complicated formulas of your child's test scores and attendance history and whether they want to focus on the sciences or the arts and who else is in the system. In a vacuum, moving to a district with higher property taxes or paying for private school sounds like an "easier" option, even if that's not the route I have taken for several reasons.
I will admit that we knew we would leave NYC before my oldest hit K because I was overwhelmed by the system. It was so confusing to me that you could be turned away from your zoned school. Julia went to a UPK program and talking to parents who were all stressed as hell about where their kid would go to k added to that feeling (and the parents at her school encompassed so so many ethnicities and socioeconomic levels; it was in the Marble Hill houses in Kingsbridge).
Where I live the K-8 district is just my 2.5 square mile town. Nobody from outside of town can come unless they pay tuition (there are three students currently doing this in the district) and make a special agreement and we have no other public options available if we live here. In some ways it's so easy because it's very transparent. You live in this zip code, you attend this school.
I would not be able to handle that kind of system either. I can handle my kid not going to the best school or a poor school or whatever. I can't handle not being able to choose his school and letting other powers at be choose for me.
Now I just want to brag about another awesome thing. The K teacher was showing us the range of books get kids were reading, but then she told us about one child she didn't think would get it by the end of the year (this was late January).
She was already talking to the first grade teacher to come up with a plan/curriculum for that student to get caught up by the end of first. Along with giving the parent suggestions for summer activities.
I thought that was great, and just doesn't seem feasible with public schools just due to size and turnover.
I promise, I'm not a paid shill for this school!
Why would that not be possible in a public school? Isn't that what teachers do? It just doesn't sound out of the ordinary from what I hear from friends.
Eta: I see nothing wrong with private, just to be clear. As for your other post, it makes me realize how lucky we are to live in our district because thosw programs are at our public schools. But I get not everyone has that. Of ourselves our secular private schools are like 30 not 11k