Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
A friend of mine's trying to pick between Burley -- Nancy Laho's old school, where I think Barbara Kent still is the principal -- and Franklin, which I know nothing about. It's a showdown. What do you know about either of these schools, and which should she choose?
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Thu May 22, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
I don't know Franklin-- but Burley is awesome! I would definitely send my kids there if it was an option!
Thu May 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
Ultimately I would pick the school that was the most convenient for the family; the one with the greater number of children that live nearby; etc. As the old saying goes, location, location, location.
Of course, this is because they are both excellent schools.
Of course, this is because they are both excellent schools.
Fri May 23, 2008 at 3:38 AM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
Their both good, each in its own way. It depends on what you think you're child is going to be most interested in, and how much diversity you want. Convenience for the family -- long term -- is a major factor as well. Franklin's fine arts focus is so long term they now have retired professional artists (a ballerina we know, for example) who went there.
The test score numbers don't matter much overall in either place, since in both they're reflecting demographics (SES). As James Lally (former principal of Northside) said when asked about his "success" at having such high test scores: "We get the top scoring kids and we don't screw things up..." He was one of the few selective enrollment principals who ever admitted it wasn't the magic of what was going on inside the school but the admissions procedures that made the biggest difference.
Given that CPS has been viciously resegregating schools, especially on the North Side, since Arne Duncan took over in 2001 (basically, getting rid of black kids and leaving the lakefront whiter and whiter) if you value true diversity (racial; social class) you'd better check not only the current demographics but also some projections. If Arne has his way, as he has already done on the far northwest side, it will soon be impossible for the average white child to attend a "normal" public school with black children in large parts of Chicago.
Question: What's the neighborhood school for this family?
The test score numbers don't matter much overall in either place, since in both they're reflecting demographics (SES). As James Lally (former principal of Northside) said when asked about his "success" at having such high test scores: "We get the top scoring kids and we don't screw things up..." He was one of the few selective enrollment principals who ever admitted it wasn't the magic of what was going on inside the school but the admissions procedures that made the biggest difference.
Given that CPS has been viciously resegregating schools, especially on the North Side, since Arne Duncan took over in 2001 (basically, getting rid of black kids and leaving the lakefront whiter and whiter) if you value true diversity (racial; social class) you'd better check not only the current demographics but also some projections. If Arne has his way, as he has already done on the far northwest side, it will soon be impossible for the average white child to attend a "normal" public school with black children in large parts of Chicago.
Question: What's the neighborhood school for this family?
Fri May 23, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
I have a kid enrolled in Franklin and I can't say enough good things about the school. Teachers and administrators are always working overtime to bring innovation and resources into the school. Instruction is solid. And what makes it really special is the way the children are engaged in the fine arts daily. For my daughter that makes going to school exciting. The only drawback is that the class sizes are so large, which means that parents need to work with the kids at home a lot to make sure they get the individual attention that teachers just can't provide in the classroom.
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
What is so good about Burley is that students are not tested like magnet school, Barbara Kent is such a good principal and her staff is outstanding they work very hard, and it pays off Burley ranks #13 in the city of Chicago. It is a great school, they offer before and after school programs, hands down Burley wins this one.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
Students entering the vast majority of magnet schools are not tested. I don't think there is any type of exam to get into Franklin.
Mon May 26, 2008 at 1:31 AM
Ultimate School Showdown: Franklin Vs. Burley
"...Burley ranks #13 in the city of Chicago..." (Parent, Friday).
In what, as measured by what, against whom? This kind of mesmerism using numbers might not prove very useful. so when someone throws out a number like this, it's always good to ask for precision (even against an anonymous blogger).
We can say for certain by sunset tomorrow (Tuesday) who will be "Number One" in high school public league baseball in Chicago. Whitney Young and Lakeview will tee off at 3:00 at Sox Park to decide that question. Last year, Whitney Young wound up "Number One" in that (public league high school baseball).
But "Number 13"? Is this some kind of joke because blogging is about nonsense?
By the way, I used "tee off" for tomorrow's game deliberately.
In what, as measured by what, against whom? This kind of mesmerism using numbers might not prove very useful. so when someone throws out a number like this, it's always good to ask for precision (even against an anonymous blogger).
We can say for certain by sunset tomorrow (Tuesday) who will be "Number One" in high school public league baseball in Chicago. Whitney Young and Lakeview will tee off at 3:00 at Sox Park to decide that question. Last year, Whitney Young wound up "Number One" in that (public league high school baseball).
But "Number 13"? Is this some kind of joke because blogging is about nonsense?
By the way, I used "tee off" for tomorrow's game deliberately.
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