Best School

poorme · 07-03-2002, 03:02 PM

What type of school provides the best education?

SmedIndy · 07-03-2002, 03:08 PM

I'm really torn, becuase I believe in public schools. If you have the money, a private, small, secular school is the best. My sister-in-law home schools, but I think there's a socialization problem and it's not always the best for children to be "sheltered".

However, each child and family is different, and what is best for me is not best for you.

soxfan121 · 07-03-2002, 03:12 PM

Tough question, but if the aim is for the best possible education, then a private-for-profit school provides the most individualized attention while still providing the socialization necessary for development.

Ytown Tribe fan · 07-03-2002, 03:36 PM

I'm old-school about public schools, but they vary widely in quality.

My boys are going into 3rd and 7th grades in the Boardman public school system, and we've been really impressed with it. Right next door in Youngstown, the system is one step from being run by the state due to fiscal problems.

Aside from home schooling, which has caught on big, Montessori schools are the best.

Skip · 07-03-2002, 03:58 PM

Sorry poorme, but this is an unanswerable question. So much is dependent upon the local schools, the family situation, and the individual kid.

I am a firm believer in the public schools although I understand that some systems are deservedly under siege for funding or other reasons.

My biggest gripe with any school argument is the increasing majority of parents who have abdicated their responsibility and handed it off to the schools. Let me put it simply - it is a parent issue first and foremost, then a school issue. Parents who are not involved in their childrens' education are no better than child abusers.

Parents who dump it on the schools, whether public or private, are schmucks anyway. I know families who fit in both groups. Actually nothing burns my bunions more than listening to some of my acquaintances (the mom and dad of a kid at the $5000/yr KY money, probably 15K in NY private school) going on about how great their school is while they are out and about town every night so that their kids get about an hour a day of parental contact.

For the most part, I believe the public schools are at least "fine" when there is appropriate parental involvement. Using the "you get what you pay for mentality", I will accept that private schools are better, but don't believe they are necessary when the family has its head on straight. However, if thats the path you want to follow, great - we still have free choice and I wont dispute the benefits. I have many friends with kids in private schools, I only resent them when they blame the schools for problems, and at the same time aren't AT LEAST equally and actively involved in their kids' educational lives.

You may have discovered that education is very important to me; likewise family involvement. Sorry if I over-ranted.

poorme · 07-03-2002, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skip

You may have discovered that education is very important to me; likewise family involvement. Sorry if I over-ranted.

I was looking for a topic that might raise some ire. Must be the mid-season malaise thing going on.

I agree with you Skip. Parents are 90% of the problem/solution. If your kid is not what you expected, take a look in the mirror.

I said "home school" because teachers spend most of their time dealing with the trouble makers. In my idealist world, I would say public schools....but I don't live there.

tenkevcardinal · 07-03-2002, 04:26 PM

It depends on the area you live in. In my hometown, Memphis, the best high school was a the optional part of a public school. But, as that was hard to get in, the next best for someone who couldn't get in there was a private, secular school in town that was really expensive. It all depends on where you are.

spitball · 07-03-2002, 05:39 PM

I agree with skip. I can't say much more because it's a subject that really gets my blood boiling . I'm having a good day and I'd like it to stay that way.

pwdennis · 07-03-2002, 05:43 PM

Too many variables at work here. My sister lives in Milwaukee, where the public schools are deplorable. She has chosen to home school her three kids, all of whom are performing above grade level by 1.5 years or better. For someone like my sister, who is motivated, educated, and quite intelligent, home schooling is the best route.

For many, it would be a poor choice since one thing a teacher must be able to do is stay ahead of the students, something which would not be possible for all.

I would rank private schools (both religious and non-religious) as having the potential to exceed the performance of public schools, especially since most public school instructors belong to NEA which tends to believe in and adhere to a questionable orthodoxy. Whether or not private schools succeed in outperforming public schools is another matter, but my observation has been that the best private schools far exceed the best public schools - whether the general average is better is unknown.

Lest I sound elitist, I attended nothing but public schools (14 of them - military brat, you know) until picking a private college. My college classmates who attended private secondary schools typically were better prepared going in than were us public school alumni.

SmedIndy · 07-03-2002, 10:50 PM

Ah, but where I grew up private school wasn't an option, really, without a trip. However, our public school was tremendous.

CubFan7125 · 07-04-2002, 01:19 PM

I don't know what kind of schools provide the best education - But the University Of Minnesota admitted & graduated

me - So I would think long & hard before sending someone there

Skip · 07-04-2002, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwdennis
Too many variables at work here. My sister lives in Milwaukee, where the public schools are deplorable. She has chosen to home school her three kids, all of whom are performing above grade level by 1.5 years or better. For someone like my sister, who is motivated, educated, and quite intelligent, home schooling is the best route.

I'm sure even Milwaukee, or Cleveland, or any other city getting a lot of press for bad schools, has some good public schools, some ok ones, as well as the bad ones. It is on a school by school, and even moreso an area by area basis - which opens up a whole new discussion. Also, the argument for home schooling must include the understanding that its only an option for parents that can afford the time, lack of income, and effort to do so, as well as having the motivation and intelligence to stay ahead of the students.

Quote:

Originally posted by pwdennis
I would rank private schools (both religious and non-religious) as having the potential to exceed the performance of public schools, especially since most public school instructors belong to NEA which tends to believe in and adhere to a questionable orthodoxy. Whether or not private schools succeed in outperforming public schools is another matter, but my observation has been that the best private schools far exceed the best public schools - whether the general average is better is unknown.

I cant argue with this other than not even touching the NEA argument.

sweaver · 07-05-2002, 06:31 PM

I vote for public schools. I taught in the public schools for 13 years. The main difference that I saw in private schools' graduates was more arrogance.

Skip · 07-05-2002, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sweaver
The main difference that I saw in private schools' graduates was more arrogance.

I, and I am sure you, won't paint everyone with a broad brush, but as an educator at both public and private colleges I have seen what you say here too. Often more in the parents than in the students themselves.

SmedIndy · 07-05-2002, 11:53 PM

What I don't like about some public schools is the sheer size of them. I loved my school, where I graduated with 186, but some schools have 500 or more in the class.

However, there is some unfounded elitism in some private school students and parents. My sophomore year, we pledged a guy in our fraternity who went to an exclusive private school in Indianapolis (the only secular private HS there at the time). His dad was a pretty big wheel, and he had all the right credentials.

The problem was, he thought the world owed him everything since he was his Dad's son and went to this school. We couldn't initiate him after one semester because he had a Blutarsky GPA.....and the second semester wasn't any better.

View Poll Results: Which School Gives the Best Education?
public	4	25.00%
private non-religious	5	31.25%
private religious	1	6.25%
private for-profit	2	12.50%
home school	4	25.00%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

07-03-2002, 03:02 PM	#1
poorme Guest Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: washington dc Posts: 2,625	Best School What type of school provides the best education?

07-04-2002, 01:19 PM	#11
CubFan7125 Inducted Into The NetShrine Assembly of Fame Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mendota Heights, MN(Just Outside Of St Paul) Posts: 534	I don't know what kind of schools provide the best education - But the University Of Minnesota admitted & graduated me - So I would think long & hard before sending someone there __________________ It's not a real HOF until Pete and Bert are in it Last edited by CubFan7125 : 07-04-2002 at 01:22 PM.

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07-03-2002, 03:08 PM	#2
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	I'm really torn, becuase I believe in public schools. If you have the money, a private, small, secular school is the best. My sister-in-law home schools, but I think there's a socialization problem and it's not always the best for children to be "sheltered". However, each child and family is different, and what is best for me is not best for you.

07-03-2002, 03:12 PM	#3
soxfan121 Renounced Membership 7/9/03 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Live Free Or Die, USA Posts: 1,335	Tough question, but if the aim is for the best possible education, then a private-for-profit school provides the most individualized attention while still providing the socialization necessary for development.

07-03-2002, 03:36 PM	#4
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	I'm old-school about public schools, but they vary widely in quality. My boys are going into 3rd and 7th grades in the Boardman public school system, and we've been really impressed with it. Right next door in Youngstown, the system is one step from being run by the state due to fiscal problems. Aside from home schooling, which has caught on big, Montessori schools are the best.

07-03-2002, 03:58 PM	#5
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	Sorry poorme, but this is an unanswerable question. So much is dependent upon the local schools, the family situation, and the individual kid. I am a firm believer in the public schools although I understand that some systems are deservedly under siege for funding or other reasons. My biggest gripe with any school argument is the increasing majority of parents who have abdicated their responsibility and handed it off to the schools. Let me put it simply - it is a parent issue first and foremost, then a school issue. Parents who are not involved in their childrens' education are no better than child abusers. Parents who dump it on the schools, whether public or private, are schmucks anyway. I know families who fit in both groups. Actually nothing burns my bunions more than listening to some of my acquaintances (the mom and dad of a kid at the $5000/yr KY money, probably 15K in NY private school) going on about how great their school is while they are out and about town every night so that their kids get about an hour a day of parental contact. For the most part, I believe the public schools are at least "fine" when there is appropriate parental involvement. Using the "you get what you pay for mentality", I will accept that private schools are better, but don't believe they are necessary when the family has its head on straight. However, if thats the path you want to follow, great - we still have free choice and I wont dispute the benefits. I have many friends with kids in private schools, I only resent them when they blame the schools for problems, and at the same time aren't AT LEAST equally and actively involved in their kids' educational lives. You may have discovered that education is very important to me; likewise family involvement. Sorry if I over-ranted.

07-03-2002, 04:26 PM	#7
tenkevcardinal Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Memphis Posts: 189	It depends on the area you live in. In my hometown, Memphis, the best high school was a the optional part of a public school. But, as that was hard to get in, the next best for someone who couldn't get in there was a private, secular school in town that was really expensive. It all depends on where you are.

07-03-2002, 05:39 PM	#8
spitball Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Studio City, Ca. Posts: 1,751	I agree with skip. I can't say much more because it's a subject that really gets my blood boiling . I'm having a good day and I'd like it to stay that way.

07-03-2002, 05:43 PM	#9
pwdennis NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 2,503	Too many variables at work here. My sister lives in Milwaukee, where the public schools are deplorable. She has chosen to home school her three kids, all of whom are performing above grade level by 1.5 years or better. For someone like my sister, who is motivated, educated, and quite intelligent, home schooling is the best route. For many, it would be a poor choice since one thing a teacher must be able to do is stay ahead of the students, something which would not be possible for all. I would rank private schools (both religious and non-religious) as having the potential to exceed the performance of public schools, especially since most public school instructors belong to NEA which tends to believe in and adhere to a questionable orthodoxy. Whether or not private schools succeed in outperforming public schools is another matter, but my observation has been that the best private schools far exceed the best public schools - whether the general average is better is unknown. Lest I sound elitist, I attended nothing but public schools (14 of them - military brat, you know) until picking a private college. My college classmates who attended private secondary schools typically were better prepared going in than were us public school alumni.

07-03-2002, 10:50 PM	#10
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	Ah, but where I grew up private school wasn't an option, really, without a trip. However, our public school was tremendous.

07-05-2002, 06:31 PM	#13
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	I vote for public schools. I taught in the public schools for 13 years. The main difference that I saw in private schools' graduates was more arrogance.

07-05-2002, 11:53 PM	#15
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	What I don't like about some public schools is the sheer size of them. I loved my school, where I graduated with 186, but some schools have 500 or more in the class. However, there is some unfounded elitism in some private school students and parents. My sophomore year, we pledged a guy in our fraternity who went to an exclusive private school in Indianapolis (the only secular private HS there at the time). His dad was a pretty big wheel, and he had all the right credentials. The problem was, he thought the world owed him everything since he was his Dad's son and went to this school. We couldn't initiate him after one semester because he had a Blutarsky GPA.....and the second semester wasn't any better.

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