Is there an independent school that exposes children to non-European cultures and religions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but no Americas?

Well, I think North American is automatically part of every curriculum. Latin America would be good, particularly if this ideal school, focused a bit on the indigenous cultures. Frankly, today's Argentina is pretty European in feel. But yes, in general, I think anything other than just an exclusive focus on the U.S. with Europe as the back up plan.

[Anonymous]

I am shocked that you would not consider DC public schools -- especially when one of the "global" cultures you mention is African. This is DC after all, you would be hard pressed to find a school system that represents African-American cultural diversity and history more than DCPS! In addition, part of the global experience is to work together as a community to improve institutions for all (not just taking care of oneself/one's children).

You say you want a "global" education for your child. Where in the global experience (Asia, Africa, Middle East, in particular), do students routinely attend $30k+ per year schools such as the elitist, Euro-centric institutions you mentioned? A global perspective suggests values such as diversity, understanding and community. It sounds like you want to talk the talk of globalism without walking the walk. Rather, you seem to be looking for an exclusive and rarified educational experience for your child. If you really wanted a global experience for your child, you would enroll him/her in your neighborhood DCPS and improve what you dislike about the school and improve it for ALL. That would be the ACT of someone with a global perspective. Otherwise, you're just looking for an elite school that will talk the talk of globalism -- just like you seem to be doing.



This is OP. Sir, or Madam. I think you are as they say here, off topic. You are also illogical. This isn't a private/public debate so take your angst elsewhere. This is about the content of the curriculum. Desiring a global curriculum is separate from a desire to improve public services. In fact, I'll say to you that a global curriculum has nothing to do with improving services - schools, armies, roads, postal service. A global curriculum is one where children learn about the history, geography, politics, literature, religions of countries beyond their own (and their forbears). Does that make more sense to you? By the way, your values regarding the public school system are admirable and I share them.

[Anonymous]

Also: public schools are just as Euro-centric while they are not elitist. And there are plenty of elite school in Asia and Africa. Yes, really. I speak from experience. You don't like elites, but they do exist everywhere. They tend to be more global in outlook. I began by asking whether U.S. schools don't find the need for this type of training because the U.S. is a superpower and can afford not to care about the rest of the world, particularly, the non-European world.

[Anonymous]

Home school. Or go back to wherever you came from. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

What about educating your kids in one of the other regions vs. here? (Asia, Mid-East, Africa)

[Anonymous]

If someone disdains America show much and its values -- I really don't know why they are bothering to breathe the air here. We're crowded enough as it is. You are the elitist OP -- you think you're better than Americans and here yo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Home school. Or go back to wherever you came from. Sheesh.

many countires have an international school. We don't need them so much because evryone aspires to get into America and an Amercan (or Britsish) education. All the best colleges are in US except maybe Europe. In Asia there's Hong Kong universtiy. What exactly is this "global citizen" sh*t anyway?.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Home school. Or go back to wherever you came from. Sheesh.

many countires have an international school. We don't need them so much because evryone aspires to get into America and an Amercan (or Britsish) education. All the best colleges are in US except maybe Europe. In Asia there's Hong Kong universtiy. What exactly is this "global citizen" sh*t anyway?.

please excuse the poor spelling - this forum is in dire need of an edit function.

[Anonymous]

Ah! The truth emerges. America does not need the rest of the world. America is the best. Go back where you came from.

[Anonymous]

When in Rome...do as the Romans do. If you're in America, then expect to be exposed to American education/values etc. If you don't like that -- go somewhere else. When American women go to parts of the Middle East -- they are forced to wear burkas...why on earth do I have to be exposed to women wearing burkas in this country? Even Turkey doesn't allow its women to wear them in public schools...why should we?

[Anonymous]

I think the OP is finally having the effect and affect they were seeking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the OP is finally having the effect and affect they were seeking.

I fell right nto the trap.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm American-born, but my husband isn't. He's from a small Arabic speaking country that's also never discussed very much. A global education is also important to us. What I'm about to say may sound harsh, but I don't mean it that way. My husband fully expects the school to teach our kids everything. That's how it was in his culture and he sees no reason why it should be any different here. Perhaps you are the same?

I feel very differently, and I supplement my children's education with books, projects, music, art, and travel of our own to help them learn about the world at large. They are also attending a very small private school (far out in the burbs), with an IB Primary Years curriculum. It's pretty international in scope for an elementary school, but I wouldn't want it to be the sole educator for my children. They also attend a weekend Islamic school, not for the religion but for the language. We also have a large group of friends from a variety of countries. For my kids, having a circle of friends where 5 or 6 languages are spoken is the norm. I certainly didn't have that growing up, and think it's fabulous.

It's the sum of life's experiences that help shape children into global citizens, not just what school they attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When in Rome...do as the Romans do. If you're in America, then expect to be exposed to American education/values etc. If you don't like that -- go somewhere else. When American women go to parts of the Middle East -- they are forced to wear burkas...why on earth do I have to be exposed to women wearing burkas in this country? Even Turkey doesn't allow its women to wear them in public schools...why should we?

WTF? WHo is asking women to wear burkas? And by the way, there were or still are benighted customs against women in every part of the world. Don't forget witch burning. In fact, I'd say that its a good thing for students to look at gender oppression that goes on today because its part and parcel of our broader human history. Perhaps it won't happen in the future or won't make a comeback if people continue to critically examine it.

[Anonymous]

The PP must be the nut on the Public Schools forum that thinks private school contribute to "educational apartheid" and that parents who choose to send their kids their are making an immoral choice. Ignore her/him OP. My kids went to DCPS (before we moved them private and contributed to "educational apartheid" despite the fact that we're black!). The only "multicultural" exposure they got was to learn about Hannukah and Kwaanza -- which I consider to be a largely silly and made-up tradition anway. I don't think you're going to find the school you're looking for among the private schools here, but you sure won't find it in DCPS either.