School doesn’t celebrate high achieving kids

[Anonymous]

This is just a vent.

DC switched from private to a magnet public in high school. On paper they looked good. In reality, the admins in this school are either very incompetent or have some weird agenda.

They celebrate no child left behind level of activities - students built a drying rack for firefighters or students got 30 on ACT, but they tone down high achieving kids.

They have news letters, social media, podcast where the school constantly advertises itself.

DC did was a huge success story for a local STEM state program - selected one of 40 from 800 applicants for an internship, scored the highest in their contest and got 1st prize, was featured in state magazine for this. Not a sound from the school.

I see the old school posting about students’ awards, wins, recognition. “We are very proud of Larla for being the only student chosen for this super internship.”

DC was selected for a top ranked national research program, the one that picks 20 kids from the entire country and very high stats kids often don’t get in. The school doesn’t care. Not a word.

DC is going to be a national merit semifinalist - not a sound.

So yeah, I’m holding a grudge.

[Anonymous]

You see the braggers posting pictures of their child’s awards . That could be why. You and these other parents know every single test grade your child took. You take them to tutors and math school so they can advance to the AP classes.

If you thought about for 1 minute you’d realize that they are focusing on high achieving kids. An immigrant child who has two non-English speaking parents working day and night who don’t understand how the school works. No SAT prep or tutors or parental help yet they get a 30 on ACT test. These students are high achieving kids.

Those drying air racks take skill . The firefighters come back soaking wet with harmful chemicals from the fire. An air drying rack needs a source for forced air to help dry. They need to design it so the air gets inside the clothes. They use PVC pipes and other materials. The jacket and pants are suspended in air and forced air must reach them all. It takes preparation, design work, team work, plans, ordering materials and building.

Your child will be fine even without the picture of her holding a certificate. The struggling students need the support and encouragement. Don’t be small.

[Anonymous]

What are “no child left behind” activities?

[Anonymous]

Narcissistic tiger mom, wow.

[Anonymous]

Wow. So just knowing your child is successful isn’t enough for you? You need the bragging rights and for everyone else to know just how great your kid is?

Maybe the school is highlighting things that help the community or highlighting students who may not otherwise receive any recognition. Maybe they’re hoping that these kids will continue to be excited about learning and helping others.

Sounds like your child already knows how to be a strong student and is used to being constantly praised and highlighted. Why do they need the continual public ego boost?

[Anonymous]

The success is a reward in itself.

[Anonymous]

Well, at least you're self-aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: The struggling students need the support and encouragement. Don’t be small.

Exactly, this is what the culture has become - don’t make low performing students feel bad, don’t eclipse them with your achievements, you are making others feel bad if you talk about your accomplishments, keep it to yourself.

It feels like socialism.

Ironically, I’ve just read in Reddit about low income students who had to work 20 hours/week in a restaurant since twelve, yet excelled academically and got into Ivies schools with full scholarships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So just knowing your child is successful isn’t enough for you? You need the bragging rights and for everyone else to know just how great your kid is?

Maybe the school is highlighting things that help the community or highlighting students who may not otherwise receive any recognition. Maybe they’re hoping that these kids will continue to be excited about learning and helping others.

Sounds like your child already knows how to be a strong student and is used to being constantly praised and highlighted. Why do they need the continual public ego boost?

Who cares what parents say to their kids?

My kid sees the school recognizing others for this or that - kindness award, school athletes, but DC is invisible.

To me it feels that American public schools celebrate mediocrity, because I don’t see the outlier being celebrated and I know they are there from all kinds of families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The struggling students need the support and encouragement. Don’t be small.

Exactly, this is what the culture has become - don’t make low performing students feel bad, don’t eclipse them with your achievements, you are making others feel bad if you talk about your accomplishments, keep it to yourself.

It feels like socialism.

Ironically, I’ve just read in Reddit about low income students who had to work 20 hours/week in a restaurant since twelve, yet excelled academically and got into Ivies schools with full scholarships.

That’s a leap. You’re insecure so you’re hearing a message no one is sending. If it’s such a great magnet, no one is “celebrating” DC because every kid is doing similar things.

And because private schools are way better at stoking parents’ ego because they want money. Public doesn’t have to bother.

- private school admin

[Anonymous]

Weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The struggling students need the support and encouragement. Don’t be small.

Exactly, this is what the culture has become - don’t make low performing students feel bad, don’t eclipse them with your achievements, you are making others feel bad if you talk about your accomplishments, keep it to yourself.

It feels like socialism.

Ironically, I’ve just read in Reddit about low income students who had to work 20 hours/week in a restaurant since twelve, yet excelled academically and got into Ivies schools with full scholarships.

These are not low performing students she’s talking about. Where did you get that idea?

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are holding a grudge.

Get over your need for attention/praise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So just knowing your child is successful isn’t enough for you? You need the bragging rights and for everyone else to know just how great your kid is?

Maybe the school is highlighting things that help the community or highlighting students who may not otherwise receive any recognition. Maybe they’re hoping that these kids will continue to be excited about learning and helping others.

Sounds like your child already knows how to be a strong student and is used to being constantly praised and highlighted. Why do they need the continual public ego boost?

Who cares what parents say to their kids?

My kid sees the school recognizing others for this or that - kindness award, school athletes, but DC is invisible.

To me it feels that American public schools celebrate mediocrity, because I don’t see the outlier being celebrated and I know they are there from all kinds of families.

It is all kinds of families. It’s unremarkable when a high income family drives their kid to enrichment programs, tutors when it turns out their kid is average intellectually, SAT private and prep classes before taking the SAT test 4 times. Everything is calculated down to the weekly schedule.

Compare that to the kid who walks home to their public housing high rise. No one will be home until 9 pm after their shifts. The majority of kids living there are hanging out outside. This kid stays home and studies all afternoon. Self starter, ambitious, intelligent, doing their best. This kid would have loved a tutor to get their ACT up to a score of 33 but they got a 30 on their own. Not bad.

Seriously, who is more impressive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The struggling students need the support and encouragement. Don’t be small.

Exactly, this is what the culture has become - don’t make low performing students feel bad, don’t eclipse them with your achievements, you are making others feel bad if you talk about your accomplishments, keep it to yourself.

It feels like socialism.

Ironically, I’ve just read in Reddit about low income students who had to work 20 hours/week in a restaurant since twelve, yet excelled academically and got into Ivies schools with full scholarships.

That’s a leap. You’re insecure so you’re hearing a message no one is sending. If it’s such a great magnet, no one is “celebrating” DC because every kid is doing similar things.

And because private schools are way better at stoking parents’ ego because they want money. Public doesn’t have to bother.

- private school admin

Plus these kids who win internships get praise from their family, their teachers, their classmates. Those close to them are all they need. You’re upset it’s not publicly announced for everyone you know to see.