Picking High Schools These questions from Maritza, who pens the Back Of The Yards blog The Marshfield Tattler, says that many parents are confused and unsure about which high schools to apply to for their children. The applications are due next week. [#jump#] From Maritza: It's high school application time, and I don't know much about this process. Here are the questions that are coming up from kids, parents and my own observations:: Which of these is the "best" high school: Juarez, Kelly or Kennedy? I've seen the high school scorecards, but I think the teacher who posted saying schools often fudge their numbers was on to something, so I'd like to hear what real people who know these schools think of them. If anyone knows all three of them well and can compare their strengths and weaknesses, that would be a huge help in talking with my neighbors. Right now, everybody's excited about Juarez because they got their new addition and it's an easy ride on the Ashland bus from here. One of my 8th-grade neighbors has stanine 7 scores and wants to go to Curie. His parents are separated and his dad lives in Curie's attendance area (or at least they think he does). We're definitely not in it over here. Can he apply for the IB program and go in the neighborhood area through his dad's address? Or does he have to choose whether to apply as a neighborhood student vs applying through IB? Which IB program is better, Kelly's or Curie's? Which is harder to get into? At Chavez they are having all the 8th-graders turn their applications in a week early, today, because on our calendar Friday is the last day of school before Christmas. I get the feeling not many parents realize they could and probably should apply to more than one high school for their kids. I just figured that out this morning reading the form, which is only in English in my book. (I never found one of those Spanish-language high school directories and this neighborhood could sure use some.) How do most elementary schools handle the 8th-grade high school process? How much help can they offer parents who are trying to figure out how it works? Do only the higher-scoring students get face time with the counselor?
Digg
Del.icio.us
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 4:57 PM
Picking High Schools
Heck, I didn't even know my daughter's elementary school had a counselor. Shame, isn't it.
I don't have much info on any of those schools, but I can't stress enough how important it is to apply to more than one school. My daughter applied to an IB program, the Ag School, a couple of magnet schools, and the selective enrollment schools. While she was accepted everywhere she applied, I know that some of her friends were not that lucky, and unfortunately, did not apply to many schools at all. The way this school system works, you definitely can't put all of your eggs in one basket.
I don't have much info on any of those schools, but I can't stress enough how important it is to apply to more than one school. My daughter applied to an IB program, the Ag School, a couple of magnet schools, and the selective enrollment schools. While she was accepted everywhere she applied, I know that some of her friends were not that lucky, and unfortunately, did not apply to many schools at all. The way this school system works, you definitely can't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 8:12 PM
Picking High Schools
Elementary school "counselor" is hardly ever an actual position. It's fair to say that 90%+ elementary schools have a counselor, but her primary responsibilities generally relate to special education case management. There are exceptions, of course, but there's not a defined set of responsibilities for the elementary school counselor because, again, it's not really a position.
Around this time of year most elem school counselors and 8th grade teachers spend a lot of time helping their 8th graders apply to more than one high school. This mainly involves acquiring multiple copies of the dozen or so of the 50+ different public high school applications out there, photocopying cum cards, report cards, essays, etc.
If you set out to find another school district with a more vast, needlessly complicated, and highly inefficient high school application process which ultimately prevents thousands of 8th graders from being fully prepared for high school you would not find it.
On the plus side, the high school directory is a big step forward for CPS. It is a must have for every 7th and 8th grader. It is absolutely essential. Every elementary school counselor should be familiar with the 10-12 high schools that former 8th grade students have enrolled in. I wouldn't want my child talking to an couselor who can't name these off the top of her head. About half of these should include all of the high schools within 2 miles of the student's home. Good counselors will help their students apply to as many high schools as possible, but temper the student's enthusiasm with a realistic portrayal of the likelihood of being accepted and the long commutes across the city. Good counselors will help students and parents make choices along many different levels beyond test scores.
I don't think it's true that only high-scoring kids get face time with a counselor, but it's probably true that high-scoring kids are more sought out by more public high schools, which means these kids generally have more applications to complete, which is to say they will generally require more counselor face time than the students who ultimately don't apply anywhere because they're planning to "just go" to their neighborhood high school.
Around this time of year most elem school counselors and 8th grade teachers spend a lot of time helping their 8th graders apply to more than one high school. This mainly involves acquiring multiple copies of the dozen or so of the 50+ different public high school applications out there, photocopying cum cards, report cards, essays, etc.
If you set out to find another school district with a more vast, needlessly complicated, and highly inefficient high school application process which ultimately prevents thousands of 8th graders from being fully prepared for high school you would not find it.
On the plus side, the high school directory is a big step forward for CPS. It is a must have for every 7th and 8th grader. It is absolutely essential. Every elementary school counselor should be familiar with the 10-12 high schools that former 8th grade students have enrolled in. I wouldn't want my child talking to an couselor who can't name these off the top of her head. About half of these should include all of the high schools within 2 miles of the student's home. Good counselors will help their students apply to as many high schools as possible, but temper the student's enthusiasm with a realistic portrayal of the likelihood of being accepted and the long commutes across the city. Good counselors will help students and parents make choices along many different levels beyond test scores.
I don't think it's true that only high-scoring kids get face time with a counselor, but it's probably true that high-scoring kids are more sought out by more public high schools, which means these kids generally have more applications to complete, which is to say they will generally require more counselor face time than the students who ultimately don't apply anywhere because they're planning to "just go" to their neighborhood high school.
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 8:28 PM
Picking High Schools
Here's the answer to the Curie question. I only hope it's the same answer you would get from Curie.
Any 8th grade student whose CPS residential address of record is located within the Curie HS attendance area can be enrolled in Curie HS. If I were this student I wouldn't try to convey the fact that my father's address is in the Curie boundary. That's not relevant and sounds like the beginning of an attempted fraudulent enrollment. It comes down to where the student lives, and I think you need to be living inside the attendance area when you apply (or at least by the time which the enrollment deadlines are).
Regardless of whether a student residing within the Curie attendance area wants to apply to one or more of Curie's special programs, I would first decide if that is the high school I want to go to. If so, I would indicate my intent to be enrolled there regardless of which application programs are offered.
Now, a new process begins. I've confirmed that I am "going to Curie next year." Now I want to apply to one or more of the different high school programs Curie offers (IB, performing arts, etc). I know that my status as a neighborhood students does not exclude me from consideration, but some other things might, like how well I meet the IB requirements or how well I play the glockenspiel.
Comparing Kennedy, Kelly and Juarez is difficult, I think. Unlike Juarez, Kennedy and Kelly are both packed to the gills. If I were the principal of either Kelly or Kennedy and a non-residing 8th grader wanted to apply, I would not be inclined to enroll her given the large number of neighborhood students already there (+ the new class entering).
Any 8th grade student whose CPS residential address of record is located within the Curie HS attendance area can be enrolled in Curie HS. If I were this student I wouldn't try to convey the fact that my father's address is in the Curie boundary. That's not relevant and sounds like the beginning of an attempted fraudulent enrollment. It comes down to where the student lives, and I think you need to be living inside the attendance area when you apply (or at least by the time which the enrollment deadlines are).
Regardless of whether a student residing within the Curie attendance area wants to apply to one or more of Curie's special programs, I would first decide if that is the high school I want to go to. If so, I would indicate my intent to be enrolled there regardless of which application programs are offered.
Now, a new process begins. I've confirmed that I am "going to Curie next year." Now I want to apply to one or more of the different high school programs Curie offers (IB, performing arts, etc). I know that my status as a neighborhood students does not exclude me from consideration, but some other things might, like how well I meet the IB requirements or how well I play the glockenspiel.
Comparing Kennedy, Kelly and Juarez is difficult, I think. Unlike Juarez, Kennedy and Kelly are both packed to the gills. If I were the principal of either Kelly or Kennedy and a non-residing 8th grader wanted to apply, I would not be inclined to enroll her given the large number of neighborhood students already there (+ the new class entering).
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 11:08 PM
Picking High Schools
Thanks to all who have responded--your thoughts are very helpful. Curie Question, it's interesting to me that Kennedy has created the position of admissions counselor (which I think is a relatively new position). If they are "packed to the gills" as you say, I wonder how many of those students reside in the neighborhood area. I have the impression that Kennedy is on the lookout for good kids from outside its area to bring in. This is just a gut feeling; I have nothing solid to base it on. But that could explain part of why they are so packed (I know that area has lots of kids and the elementary schools out there are historically overcrowded. We're further east, but we've had a lot of unaddressed crowding, too.)
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 2:26 AM
Picking High Schools
There are about ten rules I've suggested for the past 30 years for evaluating a school for your child, and here are five of them. Not one involves consulting the "data sets" that have driven the world of education mad the past decade (especially in Chicago). There are a few things you can get from the data sets (e.g., racial data; do you want your child attending school with a homogeneous group or do you really want the challenge of diversity?). Most you have to trust your judgment.
The best way to pick a school (high school or elementary) for a child you care about is to spend some time there, ignoring every data set that's thrown in your face until you've observed personally some important realities first hand. One of the biggest problems with the current reality (as it comes crashing down on everyone's heads with the debt crisis, which is much greater than the "sub prime mortgage crisis") is the fascination with the half-truths provided by data. We're already paying dearly for those fallacies, and will soon be paying more. So it's time to re-establish balance in a humane way for the education of human children. As the nurse said to me at the birth of my second son: "There is no such thing as the average child." If you want standardization, go into the manufacture of air filters or screws. Follow the same models for dealing with human children, and you screw things up...
Here are five of my ten rules:
First, spend some time outside the building at exit time(s). If the students are happy looking and carrying books, it's a very good sign. If you hear the "F" word a lot and see either real or lurking violence, it's a bad sign. If you are uncomfortable walking around the two-block radius around the school, ask yourself why and get answers. The first thing every child deserves in a school is basic safety, and the first place to see how safe a school is is outside at dismissal time.
Second, ask to spend some time wandering the building with a visitor's pass but no escort. Any school confident enough of itself will give a legitimate parent a pass and allow it. A good way to tell how the school really cares about its kids is the washroom sniff test. Go to the student washroom farthest (in distance) from the principal's office and sniff. If the place stinks, there is no toilet paper, and the doors are off the stalls (or graffiti inside the doors when you sit on the commode), ask some serious questions. A school that respects its kids maintains these facilities every day, from beginning to end, not just for the dog and pony shows.
3. If they let you, have lunch in the teachers' lunchroom and listen. If the teacher conversation is upbeat, you're in the right place. If you start hearing really nasty stuff, think twice.
4. Know what your child wants and needs. Not every child needs to study calculus in high school, but if yours is one such, you have to make sure that the school actually has the class (and will have it three years from now).
5. Finally, ask for copies of the school newspaper. If the school does not have one, it's a very bad sign. If it's mindless drivel, ditto.
There are five others, but this should do the trick for anyone with a reasonable amount of time. There are no short cuts. And every data set hides more than it shows.
The best way to pick a school (high school or elementary) for a child you care about is to spend some time there, ignoring every data set that's thrown in your face until you've observed personally some important realities first hand. One of the biggest problems with the current reality (as it comes crashing down on everyone's heads with the debt crisis, which is much greater than the "sub prime mortgage crisis") is the fascination with the half-truths provided by data. We're already paying dearly for those fallacies, and will soon be paying more. So it's time to re-establish balance in a humane way for the education of human children. As the nurse said to me at the birth of my second son: "There is no such thing as the average child." If you want standardization, go into the manufacture of air filters or screws. Follow the same models for dealing with human children, and you screw things up...
Here are five of my ten rules:
First, spend some time outside the building at exit time(s). If the students are happy looking and carrying books, it's a very good sign. If you hear the "F" word a lot and see either real or lurking violence, it's a bad sign. If you are uncomfortable walking around the two-block radius around the school, ask yourself why and get answers. The first thing every child deserves in a school is basic safety, and the first place to see how safe a school is is outside at dismissal time.
Second, ask to spend some time wandering the building with a visitor's pass but no escort. Any school confident enough of itself will give a legitimate parent a pass and allow it. A good way to tell how the school really cares about its kids is the washroom sniff test. Go to the student washroom farthest (in distance) from the principal's office and sniff. If the place stinks, there is no toilet paper, and the doors are off the stalls (or graffiti inside the doors when you sit on the commode), ask some serious questions. A school that respects its kids maintains these facilities every day, from beginning to end, not just for the dog and pony shows.
3. If they let you, have lunch in the teachers' lunchroom and listen. If the teacher conversation is upbeat, you're in the right place. If you start hearing really nasty stuff, think twice.
4. Know what your child wants and needs. Not every child needs to study calculus in high school, but if yours is one such, you have to make sure that the school actually has the class (and will have it three years from now).
5. Finally, ask for copies of the school newspaper. If the school does not have one, it's a very bad sign. If it's mindless drivel, ditto.
There are five others, but this should do the trick for anyone with a reasonable amount of time. There are no short cuts. And every data set hides more than it shows.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 7:02 AM
Picking High Schools
It would be interesting to find out what the admissions counselor's role is at Kennedy or any crowded neighborhood high school. You would hope that part of this person's job is to ensure that no out-of-area students are enrolled as 9th graders. Or to not be draconian about it, maybe they should restrict the out-of-area students to less than 3% of the incoming 9th graders.
Hopefully the admissions counselor is tracking who the 800 or so in-area public school 8th graders are: Their names, where they live, where they go to elementary school, how many of them are interested in attending Kennedy as their first/second/third choice school. Hopefully this staffer is taking the time to talk to students and elem school counselors, talking up the reasons why Kennedy is a great option.
But here's what makes me wonder. What if the Kennedy admissions counselor did none of these things and a lot of students just showed up at Kennedy next Fall regardless? What if far more students than Kennedy can accommodate show up as a result of the counselor doing all of the right things? It's a balancing act.
Hopefully the admissions counselor is tracking who the 800 or so in-area public school 8th graders are: Their names, where they live, where they go to elementary school, how many of them are interested in attending Kennedy as their first/second/third choice school. Hopefully this staffer is taking the time to talk to students and elem school counselors, talking up the reasons why Kennedy is a great option.
But here's what makes me wonder. What if the Kennedy admissions counselor did none of these things and a lot of students just showed up at Kennedy next Fall regardless? What if far more students than Kennedy can accommodate show up as a result of the counselor doing all of the right things? It's a balancing act.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 7:09 AM
Picking High Schools
While the suggestions above are great, you will find you have a hard time actually following through with them in reality. I think "school sniff" tests suggested here would eliminate the vast majority of schools in CPS, provided they even let you in to walk around and go the teacher's lounge/lunchroom in the first place. I don't know of a school where the kids aren't saying the "F" word, etc..AND, last year when we were going around trying to figure out where to send our child for high school, schools were not willling to even entertain the notion of allowing you to just casually walk around their schools, with or without a pass. When I asked to do so, I had to set up appointment times and had to have an escort. And believe me when I say most of the schools make it very difficult for you to just walk right in as described in the previous post, even if you have a child that attends the school, and even if you have an appointment. I suppose much of that might be due to safety concerns, but some of it is because they want to give you a hard time and treat everyone with suspicion and derision. At least that's been my experience with CPS.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Picking High Schools
While I don't think Curie is the be-all and end-all, my recommendation would be to follow through on the father's address - and whatever that requires, most notably making that change at the current elementary school and hoping there won't be any kind of repercussion about this.
Kelly also has an IB program, I thought, so if the student stands a solid chance of getting into IB, then that option might be good, too.
As far as Juarez - if that would be the child's default neighborhood school, can't they eventually just go there anyway? If all else fails - Curie, etc. - and the Fall rolls around, can't the child go there and enroll anyway?
In my experience this application process is really focused on kids who are going to get out of their neighborhood high school. Once the fall starts, neighborhood high schools have to enroll their boundary's inhabitants, right?
Kelly also has an IB program, I thought, so if the student stands a solid chance of getting into IB, then that option might be good, too.
As far as Juarez - if that would be the child's default neighborhood school, can't they eventually just go there anyway? If all else fails - Curie, etc. - and the Fall rolls around, can't the child go there and enroll anyway?
In my experience this application process is really focused on kids who are going to get out of their neighborhood high school. Once the fall starts, neighborhood high schools have to enroll their boundary's inhabitants, right?
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 1:45 PM
Picking High Schools
Dear previous experience, not necessarily - I know of students (black and white) who live in Beverly who try to enroll in Morgan Park - their neighborhood school - they are refused and just given a "list" of schools that "have room" - like Julian and Corliss and Fenger.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 2:44 PM
Picking High Schools
Nick, both you and Previous Experience are correct. Every public high school with an attendance boundary--with the sole exception of Morgan Park High School--must enroll any student who lives within the school's attendance boundary.
Morgan Park is the only exception to this because it is the only high school still on controlled enrollment.
Morgan Park is the only exception to this because it is the only high school still on controlled enrollment.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 4:12 PM
Picking High Schools
Our neighborhood high school is Richards, which used to be a career academy but now has an attendance area. A couple of years ago, the shift in Curie's neighborhood boundaries had a domino effect from Curie to Kelly to Tilden to Gage Park. There are gang issues between here and Tilden, so neighborhood principals and the community banded together to pressure the board to find an alternative to sending students here to Tilden. We got Richards instead. Though it has long had some good career programs (especially culinary arts), their academic track record is week and they are now a Fresh Start school. There is one young woman on my block in the culinary arts program and doing well, but for most of us here the attitude is "anywhere but Richards." Unfortunately, it's very hard to find alternatives.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 4:14 PM
Picking High Schools
To 1:04--thanks for the tip. Who is the principal over there now? Last I knew they went into a bit of a limbo after Pierzchalski went to the board. And do you know how their IB program is?
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 4:25 PM
Picking High Schools
Maritza,
You should also know that UNO plans to open a high school (along with two new charter elementary schools) in a renovated warehouse on 47th and Kildare.
(Oh great - I've just invited George Schmidt to retell the history of Simeon and Westinghouse)
Also, somewhere around Ashland and Blue Island, UIC/Noble Street is opening up a new charter high school.
Also, somewhere near BOTY (300 W Pershing I think), IIT/Perspectives is opening up a new charter high school.
Next fall is going to be the largest increase of new charter 9th grade seats of any in years past.
You should also know that UNO plans to open a high school (along with two new charter elementary schools) in a renovated warehouse on 47th and Kildare.
(Oh great - I've just invited George Schmidt to retell the history of Simeon and Westinghouse)
Also, somewhere around Ashland and Blue Island, UIC/Noble Street is opening up a new charter high school.
Also, somewhere near BOTY (300 W Pershing I think), IIT/Perspectives is opening up a new charter high school.
Next fall is going to be the largest increase of new charter 9th grade seats of any in years past.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Picking High Schools
I believe Andres Avila is still the freshman counselor for Curie. Be careful with that lady sell out latina Ana Espinoza, she is cruel and rude to the parents and community.
The school will let in so many hispanics and save and let the blacks from the outside come in.
They have done this every year, let in a few and leave the rest out even though they live in the community.
So if your daddy lives in Curie attendance area, better have a utility bill, renters receipt, birth certificate. Good luck.
Alot of discrimation against hispanics at Curie.
The school will let in so many hispanics and save and let the blacks from the outside come in.
They have done this every year, let in a few and leave the rest out even though they live in the community.
So if your daddy lives in Curie attendance area, better have a utility bill, renters receipt, birth certificate. Good luck.
Alot of discrimation against hispanics at Curie.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Picking High Schools
Dear Martzia
The new principal of Bogan is Mr. Kenneth McNeal. Mrs.P. was the best principal I ever worked for. The last principal was a complete dud who almost ruined the school. The new guy is ok in every way. I never found out how it turned out but Bogan was also
Included in a bill with Morgan Park to limit students from outside the attendance area from enrolling unless it was for a special program like IB.That alome seems to have stopped the rotten eggs, but has opened the door to good kids who are starting to appear. It is really a different school from the mess of last year.
The IB program has added a diploma component so now we have IB for all four years.
In fact our former IB Middle Year Program director has been tapped to run it for the whole city. We have always had a great faculty and now have an administration worthy
of them. Our kids are calm and focused hurry up and enroll our little secret will not
last much longer.
The new principal of Bogan is Mr. Kenneth McNeal. Mrs.P. was the best principal I ever worked for. The last principal was a complete dud who almost ruined the school. The new guy is ok in every way. I never found out how it turned out but Bogan was also
Included in a bill with Morgan Park to limit students from outside the attendance area from enrolling unless it was for a special program like IB.That alome seems to have stopped the rotten eggs, but has opened the door to good kids who are starting to appear. It is really a different school from the mess of last year.
The IB program has added a diploma component so now we have IB for all four years.
In fact our former IB Middle Year Program director has been tapped to run it for the whole city. We have always had a great faculty and now have an administration worthy
of them. Our kids are calm and focused hurry up and enroll our little secret will not
last much longer.
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Picking High Schools
Thanks again for all the great tips, especially the news about Bogan. It is a little off people's radar here but there are some families who would want to know.
I didn't know about the UNO charter but I did know about the Noble/UIC and Perspectives/IIT schools opening. And yes, I'm trying to get kids to apply, at least as a backup to whatever their CPS first choice is in case they don't get it. Noble especially doesn't make this easy, though--I just found out their last open house for the Noble/UIC school is January 25, and you have to go in person to get an application (they aren't on the web). There are two girls who live near me who go to their Rauner campus (it's a long way from here), so maybe other neighbors will be interested in seeing a similar school closer to home.
So I have to agree that some of those charter application processes are a barrier that makes it less than fair to compare who goes there to who goes to a neighborhood school. (Perspectives is easier to figure out, just so people know--applications are on their web site and not too hard to find.)
I didn't know about the UNO charter but I did know about the Noble/UIC and Perspectives/IIT schools opening. And yes, I'm trying to get kids to apply, at least as a backup to whatever their CPS first choice is in case they don't get it. Noble especially doesn't make this easy, though--I just found out their last open house for the Noble/UIC school is January 25, and you have to go in person to get an application (they aren't on the web). There are two girls who live near me who go to their Rauner campus (it's a long way from here), so maybe other neighbors will be interested in seeing a similar school closer to home.
So I have to agree that some of those charter application processes are a barrier that makes it less than fair to compare who goes there to who goes to a neighborhood school. (Perspectives is easier to figure out, just so people know--applications are on their web site and not too hard to find.)
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Picking High Schools
DON"T SEND YOUR KIDS TO UNO SCHOOLS!!!!! Do some research on the organization and you will find that they have a TFA alum, that taught for a year, as the head of the educational piece of the organization. Top notch!!!!
Sat Dec 15, 2007 at 4:55 AM
Picking High Schools
"(Oh great - I've just invited George Schmidt to retell the history of Simeon and Westinghouse)
"Also, somewhere around Ashland and Blue Island, UIC/Noble Street is opening up a new charter high school.
"Also, somewhere near BOTY (300 W Pershing I think), IIT/Perspectives is opening up a new charter high school..." (Posted by "UNO Charter HS, yesterday)
What's this, a game of 'find the school'?
If you really want to have fun, camp out at the site of the soon-to-be-opened Aspira "Rosa Parks" high school and wait for that one. It's at 1856 N. LeClare (the site approved by the Chicago Board of Education at the November 15, 2006 Board meeting). But if you're going to get in line so you don't have to be on the waiting list for that superschool, a couple of suggestions (beyond the five I offered above)...
Bring a gun. Not for the local riff raff, but to shoot the rats that scurry around waiting for another Aspira/Arne Duncan Chicago charter school miracle.
Bring warm clothes and your own port-a-potty.
Although I went out by the Chicago Food Depository to check out that soon-to-be-UNO "high school" on the southwest side, UNO is actually further down on my list of CPS charter "high schools" presently, especially if we are going to do the environmentals for interior toxicity.
Best bet to kill you kid? The "green" high school being funded by CPS and Ford and touted by Gates and everyone else out at the old Sears Powerhouse (S. Homan). Aside from the fact that the whole notion of converting the power house into a "high school" would draw laughs in any town but Chicago, they will never be able to reduce the asbestos and other levels inside the building, especially with the lovely basement area, except by ignoring any inspection requirements (heck, this is Chicago, so you know what's going to happen there with Ford, Gates, and Marman money in play).
So, sadly for those who wanted UNO to make a significant dent in the Silly List this season, that UNO thingy out on the Southwest Side has to drop to third place or lower.
Nobody's going to top Aspira's Rosa Parks "campus". It's even a bigger yuck than Aspira's erstwhile Mirta Ramirez campus over on Western, before Arne screwed the Moos giving away that California Ave. site to Aspira.
And no matter how many Power Points, Gates and Ford dollars, and smarmy narratives about heroic soon-to-be principals swarm out there in media land on behalf of "Power House High", that still second to "Rosa Parks" right now.
So, sorry about that, UNO's warehouse, toxicities and all, has to sit there without even a shot at the wild card playoff spot this season.
Now back to how to find a "high school" for your kid.
If you love the child, you check out the actual school, not just some rigged data base or a bunch of brochures supplied by the charter PR hypesters. I haven't even gotten to my next five suggestions, since the first five are still strong.
If you hate the kid, of course, or are just too busy, you can let the marketing department into your home, sign up for the miracle, and close your eyes (and hold you nose) for the next four years while your child gets a Chicago charter miracle show...
"Also, somewhere around Ashland and Blue Island, UIC/Noble Street is opening up a new charter high school.
"Also, somewhere near BOTY (300 W Pershing I think), IIT/Perspectives is opening up a new charter high school..." (Posted by "UNO Charter HS, yesterday)
What's this, a game of 'find the school'?
If you really want to have fun, camp out at the site of the soon-to-be-opened Aspira "Rosa Parks" high school and wait for that one. It's at 1856 N. LeClare (the site approved by the Chicago Board of Education at the November 15, 2006 Board meeting). But if you're going to get in line so you don't have to be on the waiting list for that superschool, a couple of suggestions (beyond the five I offered above)...
Bring a gun. Not for the local riff raff, but to shoot the rats that scurry around waiting for another Aspira/Arne Duncan Chicago charter school miracle.
Bring warm clothes and your own port-a-potty.
Although I went out by the Chicago Food Depository to check out that soon-to-be-UNO "high school" on the southwest side, UNO is actually further down on my list of CPS charter "high schools" presently, especially if we are going to do the environmentals for interior toxicity.
Best bet to kill you kid? The "green" high school being funded by CPS and Ford and touted by Gates and everyone else out at the old Sears Powerhouse (S. Homan). Aside from the fact that the whole notion of converting the power house into a "high school" would draw laughs in any town but Chicago, they will never be able to reduce the asbestos and other levels inside the building, especially with the lovely basement area, except by ignoring any inspection requirements (heck, this is Chicago, so you know what's going to happen there with Ford, Gates, and Marman money in play).
So, sadly for those who wanted UNO to make a significant dent in the Silly List this season, that UNO thingy out on the Southwest Side has to drop to third place or lower.
Nobody's going to top Aspira's Rosa Parks "campus". It's even a bigger yuck than Aspira's erstwhile Mirta Ramirez campus over on Western, before Arne screwed the Moos giving away that California Ave. site to Aspira.
And no matter how many Power Points, Gates and Ford dollars, and smarmy narratives about heroic soon-to-be principals swarm out there in media land on behalf of "Power House High", that still second to "Rosa Parks" right now.
So, sorry about that, UNO's warehouse, toxicities and all, has to sit there without even a shot at the wild card playoff spot this season.
Now back to how to find a "high school" for your kid.
If you love the child, you check out the actual school, not just some rigged data base or a bunch of brochures supplied by the charter PR hypesters. I haven't even gotten to my next five suggestions, since the first five are still strong.
If you hate the kid, of course, or are just too busy, you can let the marketing department into your home, sign up for the miracle, and close your eyes (and hold you nose) for the next four years while your child gets a Chicago charter miracle show...
Sat Dec 15, 2007 at 5:00 AM
Picking High Schools
Sorry...
In all the fun I forgot to remind our dear and gentle readers that the Simeon building (the "old" Simeon) killed some of the most dedicated teachers and other staff who worked there (and probably crippled some of the student athletes who trained during the cold weather in that toxic basement play area).
Yes.
The old Simeon's history should be noted now and then. Reason? At least if that spot's marked, a new generation of coaches and kids will do their own environmentals (asbestos wasn't the only problem there, just the most deadlly) before doing off-season training down in the dungeons. When I saw that basement at "Power House" while the billionaires' club was oooing and aaahing, I actually did think of Simeon. Thanks for reminding me.
In all the fun I forgot to remind our dear and gentle readers that the Simeon building (the "old" Simeon) killed some of the most dedicated teachers and other staff who worked there (and probably crippled some of the student athletes who trained during the cold weather in that toxic basement play area).
Yes.
The old Simeon's history should be noted now and then. Reason? At least if that spot's marked, a new generation of coaches and kids will do their own environmentals (asbestos wasn't the only problem there, just the most deadlly) before doing off-season training down in the dungeons. When I saw that basement at "Power House" while the billionaires' club was oooing and aaahing, I actually did think of Simeon. Thanks for reminding me.
Sat Dec 15, 2007 at 7:49 AM
Picking High Schools
Simeon
I have over 100 slides of the insane conditions at the old Simeon.They range in
time from 1972 until about 1993.How to post them?
There was one particular office in the old place so bad that no one wanted to work there.
I have over 100 slides of the insane conditions at the old Simeon.They range in
time from 1972 until about 1993.How to post them?
There was one particular office in the old place so bad that no one wanted to work there.
Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 1:32 AM
Picking High Schools
If you can't find anyone else, give me a call. It's in the phone book.
Parts of the "old" Simeon proved to be a death trap -- for the same reasons that teachers should get yearly physicals if they are working all their hours in the "bottom" floor at Carver. CPS should have warned people and didn't. Not suprisingly.
Parts of the "old" Simeon proved to be a death trap -- for the same reasons that teachers should get yearly physicals if they are working all their hours in the "bottom" floor at Carver. CPS should have warned people and didn't. Not suprisingly.
Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 1:12 PM
Picking High Schools
I agree with George, don't go for the hype, charter or not. My children's principle last year gave me the same advise George gave about walking around the school, outside. Also suggested not basing anything on Open House, but to go visit the main office in the morning, noting how many parents are there with their kids waiting for a meetings. From direct experience, after school is a big one too. There is swearing and then there is swearing. I think we all know the difference. Just want to also say that where my kids go now, I pick them up every afternoon, I haven't heard swearing once to date or anything else of grave concern. I didn't see it while I was deciding to send them there either, not even off campus at the bus stops or at the Dunkin Donuts. These things matter.
Sun Jan 20, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Picking High Schools
Speaking of high schools, are there any parents with Selective Enrollment High School (or even Magnet) acceptance and/or rejection letters from last year -who would be willing to anonymously scan and post a copy of the letter(s) with names/addresses/ss# redacted so all of us parents of current applicants can see exactly what information is provided in them?
Naturally curious and anxious, while counting down to February 22nd,
Thanks.
Naturally curious and anxious, while counting down to February 22nd,
Thanks.
By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. District 299 reserves the right to delete or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule, and to ban anyone who violates this rule. Reader comments are limited to 500 words.
