Important messages from families and students
The following column is appearing in a number of APG of East Central Minnesota newspapers during September, 2024. This includes the Aiken Independent Age and Mille Lacs Messenger
Important messages from families and students
Phoebe Handy, a student at Paladin Career and Technical High School, Coon Rapids, recently wrote that her teachers “actually understand what I’m dealing with and where I need help. I love this school, I love the people, and I love the teachers. Thank you, Paladin for saving me.”
Parent Terry Warolin described New Heights in Stillwater as “a school where my children have had the opportunity to thrive. I first made the decision to switch my daughter to New Heights after she spent many years struggling and failing in a traditional public school setting. The teachers there offered her the care and support she needed to rebuild her confidence in the classroom which ignited a passion for learning she had never had before. Now a recent graduate of Yale University, she has since gone on to pursue a PhD and teach at Cornell University.”
Jim Balabuszko-Reay described his son’s experience in a large district and Eden Prairie’s PiM Charter Public School. “In his local school system, the sports and academic cultures left Isaac feeling left out and feeling like he was a problem. From the very first week at PiM, he found himself surrounded by people like himself, an instant member of a community of creatives. He has blossomed as a creative professional in training, but also as a leader amongst his peers. He loves taking underclassmen under his wing and helping them feel like they belong. Along the way, he got support in academics, and amazing opportunities to act, dance, and sing in concerts, plays, and musicals, which has helped him truly believe he has a place in the creative world. We are so grateful.”
George Bugella, a graduate of Northwest Passage High School in Coon Rapids wrote: “When I started going to school at NWPHS, I never felt belittled, small or a burden for having an IEP. The staff respected me and in turn, I respected them. In my two years there I didn’t get in trouble which was a refreshing change from ‘normal’ high school. Compared to being confined to a desk with a cutthroat schedule, NWPHS was fun.” Bugella has been a welder for 13 years.
Shawn Peterson, father of three students who attended St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater from K through graduation said, “All three of our children had very different academic needs as most families do. What I loved about St. Croix Prep was the school’s ability to accommodate all three without sacrificing the overall mission, philosophy, and character of the school. At times that meant magnifying each of their particular strengths and talents and at other times that meant offering support in areas they struggled. As someone who works in the area of education nationally, I know this is not something every school has mastered.”
Some districts wisely are listening, creating new options for families seeking smaller, more focused, personalized schools. I’ll describe some in a future column.
Our children and grandchildren gained by attending several public-school options: Spanish immersion, project-based, and neighborhood.
Recently, Minnesota’s largest newspaper criticized many Minnesota charter public schools in part for test scores. But Minnesota’s K-12 charter enrollment has grown from 10,162 in 2001-2002 to more than 67,000 in 2022-23, while district enrollment declined by more than 50,000 in the same period. More than 90% of public-school students attend district schools.
Tens of thousands of families – suburban, rural, and urban, concluded that while statewide tests have some value, charters overall are more effectively meeting their youngsters’ needs.
Like all public schools, some charters are more successful than others. But comparing test scores ignores many important features tests don’t measure. It’s something like trying to compare gas mileage in owned or leased cars. Like cars, schools vary enormously. What’s best for some won’t work well for others.
Also, the best schools are NOT just those with high test scores. Some of the most effective schools – alternative district and charter public schools – are skillfully helping youngsters who didn’t succeed in large traditional schools.
This produces a “billion-dollar bonus” for youngsters who graduate from high school (like Bugella) and gain productive jobs. Students who graduate, earn on average, about $400,000 more than dropouts. High school graduates also save taxpayers, on average, $200,000 each because they’re healthier and less likely to become involved in the criminal justice system.
Amy Caron, a parent of students at Forest Lake’s North Lakes Academy, spoke for many parents. “NLA ended up being a great fit for our children. Because of the smaller size, they had opportunities to be known and be involved in extracurricular activities and sports teams that likely never would have happened at a larger school.”
Being known, welcomed, and involved, in a safe, nurturing environment where student gifts and talents are encouraged and developed – that’s what thousands of families are seeking.
Joe Nathan, PhD formerly a Minnesota public school educator and PTA president, founded and now is an advisor at the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org
Here are additional comments that were submitted for this column. Some of them are being included in other newspapers