Reply to Coolidge High School Principal Resigns

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[quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous]I live in the neighborhood too (but not an Alum).  What are the challenges? Is there any hope of fixing them? It is such a good location and the building seems fairly functional - and the demographics of our area mean there are many kids in the pipeline for high school attendance (my DS included).  Any chance Coolidge could be the next Wilson?[/quote]

The problems faced by Coolidge are similar to those faced by Roosevelt, only worse. Coolidge is still waiting for renovation, it has no strong middle school feeder (only education campuses") and Shepherd Park, which has been technically inbounds, just got re-zoned to Wilson. Schools like this get into a vicious circle. The school is not desirable from either a physical or academic perspective so potential students avoid it. The per-pupil funding mechanism means there isn't money to offer strong programming (or at least not a wide variety of strong programming). The lack of strong programming makes the school even less desirable and more students avoid it. Even fewer students means even less funding, etc.

Coolidge also faces competition from some fairly close charter high schools. At the rate things are going, Cap City's upper school might actually have more students before long.

I really think the best approach for Coolidge is to mothball the building for a while and concentrate Ward 4 students at Roosevelt. Same with middle school kids at MacFarland. If/when those programs are built, then create northern counterparts. But, the way things stand, Roosevelt is a step ahead of Coolidge and the two schools will be competing for resources, putting Coolidge at a bit of a disadvantage.

In its favor, Coolidge has some dedicated supporters who are doing everything within their means for the school. I'm just not sure that will be enough.

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