Private HS on Macom land?

[EagleDad]

jenrik2714 said:

I wanted to find out what they meant by the moral values or a Catholic school and how are they better.....I know they teach religion but is the moral character of a child attending Benet different than a child attending WVHS

Jenrik, you went to a Catholic school yourself, so you probably have all of the data you need on this.

I can't speak for Benet, but I know at my high school, the Theology classes (mandatory each semester) in the last 2 years focused on morality, death and dying and community service. We had to complete 100 hour of volunteer service mandatory.

Add on top of that deep exploration of mortal vs. venial sins, and topics such as perjury, adultery, lust, murder, and abortion.

Agree with them or not, the ten commandments and religion largely map to a sense of morality. I believe in our public schools, the teachers aren't even allowed to talk to these topics for fear of having their butts sued into oblivion by the ACLU or some other liberal organization. (yes I get to use the L-word as the label neo-con was recently trounced out )

In short, in my experiences the moral values are better instilled in a Catholic school. That said however, there's no reason morality can't be instilled outside of school.

[wvhsparent]

doctorwho said:

momto4 said:

Over 20% of Waubonsie's senior class is being honored next week as Indian Prairie Scholars. These students have a 3.6 or higher GPA after 6 semesters. I would be willing to bet that the average ACT among this group might well be 28. Of the kids whose scores I know in this group, all of their scores are above 30.

Since WV doesn't have NHS it's impossible to know how many kids might be in it. I know there are consistently a large percentage of kids on the honor and high honor roll.

While I think that Benet's average is excellent, so are most other schools that only select from the top academic group. Also by definition the private schools have kids whose parents care about their education and that goes a long way toward student success.

Averages are only that. Do they offer something in way of academics - a particular course or series of courses other than religion-based classes, that would better prepare a student academically for college than something offered in 204?

Schools with very low average ACTs also can turn out some students who excel as long as they offer rigorous academics to those who want it.

I'm not in any way knocking private schools, just wondering if there is anything at all to this notion of better academics.

I absolutely agree with you that a selective entry process will skew results - I am just providing the facts that some base their decisions on. My WVHS graduates ACT's were higher than Benet's avg as were many of her friends....

I know for a fact excellent educations can be had in 204 - 203 and many places

.

As were my daughter's...Her ACT was 30.
I am originally from Lisle, and my brother went to Benet.
I chose not to. We all went to St. Joan of Arc in Lisle.

My daughter still gets looks of awe from her fellow collegemates when she tells them the kinds of classes available to her in HS.

[sam2]

momto4 said:

sam2 said:

I agree that the average cost for all students in 204 is in the mid-$8,000 range. However, for primary and middle it is in the $6,000 range and for high school it is $11,000. I have the link to the data somewhere and will post it when I find it.

Also, I agree that a good education is possible in 204.

Someone mentioned standard tests and I'd like to ask for thoughts on the disparity in National Merit Scholarship finalists in 204 vs 203. According to the Tribune, this week, some 47 or 48 students in 203 qualified. 204 had only 16 -- all from Nequa. Now, this is a dramatic improvement over a few years ago when we had only one or two but I don't understand why we have only 1/3 as many as 203. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks

Thanks, I'd like to see that link as I've never seen this broken down before.

A good education is definitely possible in 204 as is an excellent education. I have yet to hear (other than a magnet school) where a student can get a better education unless they need some specialized coursework we don't have available.

I don't know about NMS finalists, but here is the semi-finalist list I posted last week -

www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-illinois_semifinalists_websep14,0,1697575.htmlstory

Waubonsie Valley High School
Genevieve A. DiMarco
Kelsey A. Lied
Hannah M. Miller
Kajsa D. Nichols-Smith
Kaitlin M. Steele
Karen E. Wydra
Feifan Yu

Neuqua Valley High School
Tristan J. Barron
Elizabeth K. Brucker
Stephanie L. Burchard
Bradley D. Campbell
Kun Chen
Christopher M. Derrick
Lauren Hock
Amanda L. Hua
Neha T. Jayaram
Michael S. Lowes
Peter D. Lundquist
Sean M. Mills
Robert P. Pino
Lindsey E. Prozorovsky
Timothy K. Toby
Yuan Zhao

Thanks for correcting me on the national merit scholars. I didn't see the 7 from Waubonsie when I looked the first time. I apologise for the error. That brings the comparison to 23 vs 46. Better, but still a surprising difference.

As to the secondary vs elementary cost data, I still can't find the link, but I'll keep looking. According to the state report card site, for 2006, 204's cost per student -- all grades -- was $9,099.

[jenrik2714]

eagledad said:

jenrik2714 said:

I wanted to find out what they meant by the moral values or a Catholic school and how are they better.....I know they teach religion but is the moral character of a child attending Benet different than a child attending WVHS

Jenrik, you went to a Catholic school yourself, so you probably have all of the data you need on this.

I can't speak for Benet, but I know at my high school, the Theology classes (mandatory each semester) in the last 2 years focused on morality, death and dying and community service. We had to complete 100 hour of volunteer service mandatory. ED, I did not finish my HS career in the catholic high school, however, my sister did, she went on Kairos
I think freshman year we were introduced to catholicism, then sophomore year it was the scriptures, then junior year it was relationships and marriage

Add on top of that deep exploration of mortal vs. venial sins, and topics such as perjury, adultery, lust, murder, and abortion.

Agree with them or not, the ten commandments and religion largely map to a sense of morality. I believe in our public schools, the teachers aren't even allowed to talk to these topics for fear of having their butts sued into oblivion by the ACLU or some other liberal organization. (yes I get to use the L-word as the label neo-con was recently trounced out ) I understand what you are saying, I agree with the 10 commandments, while others in different religions do not, so I can't force my religion down their throats like the far right neo-con christians do to others.
In short, in my experiences the moral values are better instilled in a Catholic school. That said however, there's no reason morality can't be instilled outside of school. IMHO, Catholic high schools offer smaller class rooms, single sex education the things you can't get in a regular public school, however, like you said, there is no reason why morals can't be instilled outside the school. If I had the money, I would send my kids to a private school. I also read up on studies regarding single sex education and I agree. The girls don't have to worry about impressing boys in school (unless you go to a co-ed school), and other things
Lourdes HS ended up merging with De la salle in chicago so

[EagleDad]

Not sure of what was just said, but I did want to clarify one thing. I don't think the increased morality has anything to do with any particular religion (i.e. Christianity). All major religions of the world have a basis of rules and morals governing interpersonal treatment and things that are deemed right and wrong. I think schools that are founded in these religions often teach these morals. Buddhism, for example is very centered on morality and how one conducts themselves, with very little focus on a central deity, and Buddha himself was somewhat of an agnostic.

[blankcheck]

I'm reading all of your messages. So does anyone really have a clue what our children are being taught in our schools?

[jenrik2714]

Hopefully enough where they can suceed to the next level

[Arch]

Blankcheck: Short answer: YES.

We sit down w/ each of our 4 and go over the day when they get home and organize the plan of attack for the rest of the day as well as any modifications to the schedule ahead (papers due, when tests and quizes are coming up, any long term projects, etc) .

[momto4]

blankcheck said:

I'm reading all of your messages. So does anyone really have a clue what our children are being taught in our schools?

Why do you ask this? I would hope that most people read the myriad of papers that come home the first week of school, the school newsletters, attend curriculum nights and parent teacher conferences, talk to their kids about their school day, etc.

I was at WV last night to learn about curriculum and as always I was very impressed. I heard some great numbers about how well our students do on AP exams compared to the national average (I think more than double the average get passing scores or something like that) and other interesting numbers but all were rattled off so fast I didn't get a chance to write them down.

[doctorwho]

blankcheck said:

I'm reading all of your messages. So does anyone really have a clue what our children are being taught in our schools?

I not sure the point of this question, or where it came from reading - but the answer is of course. Haven't missed a curriculum night since 1990 and of course review work with my kids and assist with homework if necessary. Most people I know are just as involved.

[Arch]

doctorwho said:

...Most people I know are just as involved.

Perhaps that is the subtle but vital difference.

[sam2]

momto4 said:

sam2 said:

I agree that the average cost for all students in 204 is in the mid-$8,000 range. However, for primary and middle it is in the $6,000 range and for high school it is $11,000. I have the link to the data somewhere and will post it when I find it.



Thanks, I'd like to see that link as I've never seen this broken down before.



I'm embarrassed to say that I cannot find the link to support my statement about the cost of secondary education. While I still believe the number to be accurate, ( as secondary education is more expensive per student than primary education) I apologize to the readers of this board for posting information that I cannot substantiate. Sorry.

[dpc]

There is an interesting article in the DH today on drug testing at St. Viator in Arlington Heights. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=43810

I am ignorant about what public schools can and cannot do in regards to drug testing and breathalyzers at school and extra-curricular events. Can anyone educate me on this topic?

Thanks.

[Arch]

The more you treat all youth like a piece of untrustable property and a prisoner the more resentment and backlash you will get out of it down the line.