My kids attend public schools. Our district has done a good job of creating a healthy mix of magnet, traditional and basic schools. Every school offers unique programs with a specific number of spots. This creates a competitiveness within the system for students wanting to get hose spots, a feeling of accomplishment and ‘elitism’ for those that make it in and it also creates an illusion of exclusivity. Both of my kids had go through an admissions process to get into their respective schools. The process was not difficult or all that rigorous but they felt special when they got their acceptance letters in the mail. They actually brag about their schools standardized test scores. This is rare in public schools but can easily be duplicated.

I have seen both of these factors duplicated in public schools. Elitism through access can be created through admission standards to some public schools. This of course presents a problem for the other kids who don’t gain access and the other schools that must accept everyone. That may be where it is necessary to have internal progranms at the schools like honors-level classes, a good art program, quality music education, etc. The point is to create niches for as many kids as possible where they feel special and ‘elite’ for some reason. Then you link continued inclusion in that niche to grades.

The second factor i.e. expectations is the more easily duplicated. You seem to brush off the prospect of students, teachers (and parents) caring more about academics. I suppose you think a child of disinterested parents and teachers will do well simply because he is in a private school? To the contrary, my experience with private schools was that some of my fellow students did very poorly despite the thousands of dollars their parents spent on their education.

We have to start being honest with people, especially much of our lower-income population, and telling them that their attitude towards their childrens’ education is the most easy to solve variable and also the most critical. It costs nothing but the potential for benifits are enormous.

It’s unfortunate to hear attitudes like yours because it is definitely a glass-half-full mentality and that kind of attitude is why public school students tend to fail. it also ignores hundreds of high-performing public schools across the country that have found a formula for success even without students from rich parents.

It’s true, too, that there’s a greater sense of family in a private school. Everyone works for the private school. More fund-raising means more of a connection to the parents standing next to you. The ones with whom you are in the trenches. Those that are invested in its success. They become like family.

I don’t think Dana would welcome my input, but thanks for the suggestion. I understand the lack of fundage. Until recently I mostly donated my time instead of my money.

Catholic schools were a fantastic experience for me and one that i rank up there with a good family and the Boy Scouts for having formed me into the good person I try to be.

Any time you want a little more insight I’d be happy to share. You know where to find me.

Have you considered submitting this to Carnival of the Elitist Bastards? It’d be a heartwarming, and important, take on the issue.