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Why are private schools not transparent with their test scores?
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Anonymous
Trinity DC has to be a typo... isn't their undergrad program all women? |
Anonymous
You wish this thread would go away, but it won't. |
Anonymous
| Please go public and bother those people and rant about how much you "are a taxpayer and deserve answers"... |
Anonymous
| Why should people who pay $30+K/yr for their children's education repeatedly being told to "go public" if they want information regarding results? That's extremely combative and unnecessary. |
Anonymous
| PP -- because we don't want your type with our beloved children |
Anonymous
| Wow. Bet you DC is one of the bullies in the class, too. |
Anonymous
| No, not at all pp. |
Anonymous
| What school actually refused to give you this information? |
Anonymous
Didn't sound like private school parents asking for this info. In general, we have it -- both for our own children and in some aggregate forms. Sounds like the demands for more transparency are coming from people who might apply (and from the whackjob sockpuppeteer who gets her jollies out of taunting private school parents). |
Anonymous
| I don't think this is about "transparency" at all -- OP's just waving that flag b/c it's hard for anybody to say they're against "transparency". Here's the truth of the matter, OP, the schools that don't provide this information are doing you a favor -- they're telling you that the school community doesn't see SAT scores (or exmissions for that matter) as the measure of the school and what it values. If, however, you value SAT scores beyond all else, then that school is not going to be the right place for your kids. But, for those of us who want more for our kids' education than an SAT prep course, great. Different strokes. baby. Now chill. |
Anonymous
|
Exactly. For someone who wants to apply to a particular school -- they will get the infoirmation they need in a discreet way without making a federal case out of it. Didn't sound like private school parents asking for this info. In general, we have it -- both for our own children and in some aggregate forms. Sounds like the demands for more transparency are coming from people who might apply (and from the whackjob sockpuppeteer who gets her jollies out of taunting private school parents). |
Anonymous
|
You don't pick a school based on its test scores. It picks your kid based on his or her test scores. Sorry you were confused
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Anonymous
| Correct. |
Anonymous
| For parents like us who are interested but not familar with the private schools in this area what advice would you give in looking at a school? While the brochures and websites provide general information and the open houses provide a brief feel for the school, what else can parents do to obtain real information about how well a school educates its students academically? I ask about academics specifically, because I'm not sure how to judge how well a classroom is conducted. Certainly, once a student attends a school parents and the students will know how well a school is educating its students, but my question comes from the view point of a parent who is researching which schools to consider. Frankly, prior to an admission offer, I'm afraid to hurt our chances, by asking too many hard questions and outside of the brief open houses I'm not sure many schools would welcome/allow parents to "shadow" or sit in classrooms for any length of time. Fit, arts, music, sports and extracurriculars are all important factors that I have found easier to find answers to than to determine how well a school educates academically. |
Anonymous
1. Spend lots of time on the websites. Most have a ton of info. Really amazing in-depth detail about curriculum, philosophy, etc. Don't stop at the "About Us" page; dig deeper. 2. Look at the websites and brochures not just for the factual info in them, but also for what they say about how the school wants to present itself. The school designed its website and likely thought about the content, so they really can speak to what the school wants to be. Do they highlight the athletic teams? Faculty accomplishments? Student spirit? Academic accomplishments? What does the website say about diversity? Just a bare-bones statement that "we welcome everyone"? Or does it really say something meaningful? If so, that might tell you something about the school and its views. 3. Use your personal network to look for someone whose children go there. Some friend or co-worker probably knows someone who would be willing to talk to you. This can be extremely valuable. 4. Read what people say about the school on DCUM, but take it all with lots of skepticism. More interestingly, read comments by people who are affiliated with the school -- not for the substance of what they're saying, but to see what kind of person this school attracts. Are they saying nice things? Or obnoxious things? Are they bragging? Are they helpful and considerate? 5. Visit the open houses, and take the tours. Ask questions but don't be a PITA. 6. For schools that really interest you, consider stopping by a school event, like a play or a soccer game, so you can get a sense of what the parents and students are like. 7. Apply to several schools, since you're still researching which you might like, and you can not be sure you'll be admitted. 8. After you are accepted, ask the admissions people to put you in touch with a couple current parents. Ideally you'll ask for people who have something in common with you (same ethnicity, same grade, same neighborhood, etc). Ask these parents lots of questions. Ask them really intrusive and tough questions. You have the acceptance letter in hand, and you're considering trusting your child to this school, so there's no reason to hold back. I did about half these things, and I'm happy with my children's school. I wish I'd done them all, especially 3, 6, and 8. Good luck and happy hunting! |