Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
Back to school . . . but which one?
If things go as we expect/hope them to go in the next week, our little heathen son may soon be a freshman at the local Catholic preparatory school.
Here’s how it played out. The “best high school in town” continues to be a pain in the ass. As you know from the previous post, they now want Jake to take another Algebra II test (excuse me — they’ll allow him to take another test. They’re doing us the big favor) but now he has to score a 90 to pass on to Math Analysis/Trig. We were given one of their textbooks, but yesterday, I asked for a second one — that way, Karen can prep for the next day’s work while Jake is doing today’s work.
They refused. Only one book per student, we were told. “We’re giving out textbooks next week, so we can’t spare another.”
I don’t believe that for a second. Either they’re being sticklers for rules (there is, indeed, a district policy of “one student, one book”) or they’re being dicks. And if it’s the former explanation, they’re still being dicks.
We’re tired of their attitude. They regard themselves as the best school in town, and their comments suggest we should feel privileged that our son can go to their school. We, of course, being parents of an only child, and a bright one at that, tend to take the opposite view. They should be bending over backwards to satisfy Jake’s needs.
I called the District’s office and spoke to a woman who confirmed my worst fears. The schools are allowed free rein in determining student placement. We can fight it out at the District level, but guess what, there are other schools in town.
We thought it best to skip the local Full Quiver Academy, and only briefly considered another Dominionist school. Sorry, but if our kid’s gonna go to a nonsecular school, it had better be one that’s cool with Charles Darwin and an Earth that’s older than 6,000 years.
I called the Catholic high school, talked to someone in administration, and felt very good about things afterward. I don’t know how much flack they’ll give us if we insist on our son taking Math Analysis/Trig, but hey, the snooty public high school is always another option. Anyway, Jake will have to take an entrance exam this Tuesday, and he’ll have an interview (with us present) some time this upcoming week. Friday is the first day of school.
If he becomes a student there, he’ll have to wear the school uniform.
Should be interesting. I keep worrying how Jake should respond if asked, “What is the role of faith in your life?” I wonder if, “I consider that an intensely personal part of my life, one I would rather not talk about with strangers” would wash?
In other news: my weight is down to 173.5, about 8 lbs down from my post-Nut Creek weight. Woot! Funny what diet and exercise will do.
D.
Catholic school? Really? huh. . Of course my prejudice is based on a bunch of really bad 1980s comedy movies, and a husband who was bullied by nuns–but only through 6th grade.
Congrats on the weight loss.
Welcome to the world of public education where the teachers/administration DO control who gets into these classes and how.
I suspect in the long run, Jake will get a much better education in the Catholic school. A friend of mine tells me all the time about her granddaughters and how tough their private religious school is. I think an A is 95% or better, and the smaller class size will be a benefit in the long run too.
Kate: a friend of mine who used to teach theology at a Catholic high school assures me that they no longer use rulers as a form of punishment 🙂
Sis: Yes, I think it’s a good thing too, particularly considering the nasty budget crisis here in California.
I attended Catholic schools K-12 (K-8 coed and 9-12 girl only). In the 50’s the nuns used pointers, rulers and paddles frequently (with a light hand, truth be told) at the parochial school I attended which was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. At the all girls high school run by Dominican Nuns that I attended there was never any corporal punishment of any kind. They were good schools and I received a marvelous education. However, I chose to send my kids to independent private schools with no relighious affiliation whatsoever so they could experience more diversity. Be sure and check the school’s accreditaion – very important. I hope it works out for y’all.