[HPFGU-OTChatter] High School in US

[Heidi Tandy]

On Thu, 27 Nov 2003 6:02am, Tammy wrote:
>
> Private schools have much, much, much smaller classes so they can be 
> tutored
> on a more one on one basis than a public school class which can have 
> between
> 30-40 students in it.

Not necessarily, on a high school level. I switched from public to prep 
school after 9th grade (ie for the last 3 years of high school) and went 
from 24 person classes, on average, to 18-20 - except photography and 
debate, which were much smaller.

>
> Private schools students tend to be more of the richer variety than 
> public
> school students.  They pay an obscene amount of money sometimes for 
> better
> teachers, smaller classes and a classier curriculum.

Actually, the private and public elementary schools in our district have 
per capita incomes that are similar, as approx 1/4 of the private school 
students are on scholarship. I also don't think, having experienced 
both, that the teachers are profoundly more brilliant, as teachers.

But yes, the curriculum makes a difference.

The junior high (ages 11-14ish) near us has a new principal, and he has 
dropped all music, drama and arts classes, as well as speech & debate, 
so the students can focus on prep for the test they must take in the end 
of 8th grade. He did this because he said students shouldn't be 
distracted from academics, but how is telling a solid B student that she 
can't become a talented clarinetist or violinist a positive thing?

He's dessimated the curriculum, and even my husband, the pro-public 
school guy he is, has said that if this doesn't change in the next 6 
years, our son will go to my prep school from 6th grade on, simply 
because this bloody, single-minded focus on the test is inapropriate for 
a large number of students, including our Harry.

>
> I, having attended a public school find nothing wrong with public 
> school
> teachers but I guess it comes down to their education petigree.

I attended public school myself, in the 70s and 80s. I'm sending my 
child to an excellent one in august. But it's not the same now as it was 
20 or even 10 years ago, and parents should really look closely at the 
practises of a school, not just their test scores, before seeing if it's 
right for the child.

Heidi


>
>>  Hi everyone!
>>
>>  I'm wondering, is there much difference between public
>>  school and private school in America? Aside from the
>>  fact that you have to pay to attend private school, of
>>  course. Would there be much difference in the
>>  curriculum?
>>
>>  Also, which school is considered good (but not
>>  snobbish) in New York area?
>>
>>  All your input is greatly appreciated :)
>>
>>
>>  Vinnia
>
>
>
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