That parents have to stand in line for hours just to get their kids registered in optional programs. I don't get it.

I would describe it more as insanity.

further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

(01-23-2014 02:39 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

Until common core destroys that, too. However, to be fair the Memphis system says those people camping out do not have to do that, they have handed out line numbers and nobody is going to be turned away. Don't know if it's true, don't have a dog in this hunt, just mentioning it.

its awfully cold out there

(01-23-2014 03:44 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  its awfully cold out there

As opposed to fabulously cold?

(01-23-2014 02:39 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

At least, though, you know you have dedicated and concerned parents that want the best for their kids. That is the cornerstone of strong schools, public or private. Those parent's sweat equity (or frost equity) matches private school parent's monetary investment.

That's why a school like WSHS will still provide an equal educational opportunity with most every private school, at $15-$20K a year less.

the private school I left was ahead of what I got at wshs
the Spartans were close. but not quite there...

(01-23-2014 03:42 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  However, to be fair the Memphis system says those people camping out do not have to do that, they have handed out line numbers and nobody is going to be turned away. Don't know if it's true, don't have a dog in this hunt, just mentioning it.

That's my understanding as well...I saw them camped out driving home last night and my first thought was "why are they doing that when they no longer have to?"

Perhaps they want to make sure all the bases are covered, and I can't really fault them for that.

update: I just saw a FB friend's post with a pic of the optional ticket/voucher/whatever you call it. I asked him if he camped out, & he said no.

(01-23-2014 04:56 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 02:39 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

At least, though, you know you have dedicated and concerned parents that want the best for their kids. That is the cornerstone of strong schools, public or private. Those parent's sweat equity (or frost equity) matches private school parent's monetary investment.

That's why a school like WSHS will still provide an equal educational opportunity with most every private school, at $15-$20K a year less.

The only thing I wonder about ~ and I truly do not know ~ is if the best public schools have anywhere near the college-like infrastructure of schools like MUS, St. Mary's, and Hutchison. The buildings, gyms, theaters, science and language labs, playing fields, computers, technology, et cet. These schools have invested millions and millions of dollars in their physical plants over the past couple of decades. It has to be seen to be believed. I am amazed every time I return to
my old campus.

I would say good teachers, demanding and no-nonsense curriculums, plenty of AP courses, involved parents, and state-of-the-art physical plants add up to the best education.

(01-23-2014 04:56 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 02:39 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

At least, though, you know you have dedicated and concerned parents that want the best for their kids. That is the cornerstone of strong schools, public or private. Those parent's sweat equity (or frost equity) matches private school parent's monetary investment.

That's why a school like WSHS will still provide an equal educational opportunity with most every private school, at $15-$20K a year less.

Bingo.

While I love my hometown, I have been fortunate enough to live in other cities where the public schools are very good.

My son, who's a senior in Bentonville AR HS, has had the opportunity to take multiple AP classes and participate in a myriad of events.

None of this cost me a thing, except of course for taxes.

If I lived in Memphis and weren't fortunate enough to be in the WSHS district, I would send him to a private school.

And the bill might be upwards of $100K ++ for 9-12. Before Year One in college.

The folks who send their young ones through the PDS / St. Mary's pipeline from kindergarten on, well, they have some major bankage.

And I'm sure those folks can afford to bank roll their kids in college. Most people can't do that.

Good public schools are a must.

(01-23-2014 09:54 PM)k2tigers Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 04:56 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 02:39 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

At least, though, you know you have dedicated and concerned parents that want the best for their kids. That is the cornerstone of strong schools, public or private. Those parent's sweat equity (or frost equity) matches private school parent's monetary investment.

That's why a school like WSHS will still provide an equal educational opportunity with most every private school, at $15-$20K a year less.

Bingo.

While I love my hometown, I have been fortunate enough to live in other cities where the public schools are very good.

My son, who's a senior in Bentonville AR HS, has had the opportunity to take multiple AP classes and participate in a myriad of events.

None of this cost me a thing, except of course for taxes.

If I lived in Memphis and weren't fortunate enough to be in the WSHS district, I would send him to a private school.

And the bill might be upwards of $100K ++ for 9-12. Before Year One in college.

The folks who send their young ones through the PDS / St. Mary's pipeline from kindergarten on, well, they have some major bankage.

And I'm sure those folks can afford to bank roll their kids in college. Most people can't do that.

Good public schools are a must.

I sent two through Hutch, 15 years each, Pre-pre-kindergarten through 12, and one through PDS-MUS-Briarcrest, almost totally by myself. No major bankage at all, just a mid-two-figure income.

What is not commonly known is that there was and is all kinds of financial aid available by the private schools to parents who need it and students who pass from grade to grade and behave. And it's a gift, not a loan. This is aid given by the school itself, through its generous benefactors. All you have to do is file the FAFSA every year. The best private schools have the most aid.

Ditto for college, except those were mostly loans. I got 3 children through 11 years of college on a mid-two-figure income.

ANYONE who has a financial need and the determination to put their children through a private school in this city can do it. A fair percentage of children in private schools here are on financial aid.

But I agree, excellent public schools are vital. I with they ALL were excellent. Private schools are not the choice of every parent for many reasons.

21,

those are great stories

What about folks like us who do not qualify for any kind of financial aid because we are deemed not to have financial need?

How are we supposed to afford a 110K private school education and a possible 150K college tuition? We are as determined as anyone to put him through school.

I am trying with the college part. I know for darn sure that I could not do it had I have to pay the going rate at MUS.

Someone is joking about schools like hutch or mus vs. athletic or other things vs. wshs, in terms of "college atmosphere" stuff. I'm a CBHS grad but respect the hell out of WSHS and what they provide. Athletics? WSHS is on ESPN this Saturday.

As for "infrastructure" that is college like. WGAS? College is college and there is no need to prep for niceties. I hope my kids learn the fundamentals, if they get a hold of an ipad or tablet, good for them. I hope that Shakespeare, Trig and Physics are promoted over other stuff. As far as I know WSHS has been pretty good in the drama dept.

Clare Grant (actress) is from WSHS and one of the main members from MGMT are from WSHS.

(01-23-2014 04:56 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 02:39 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  further reinforcing why private education is always the best.

At least, though, you know you have dedicated and concerned parents that want the best for their kids. That is the cornerstone of strong schools, public or private. Those parent's sweat equity (or frost equity) matches private school parent's monetary investment.

That's why a school like WSHS will still provide an equal educational opportunity with most every private school, at $15-$20K a year less.

I felt very lucky all three of my kids got to go through White Station. I am barely in the district by just a block.

(01-23-2014 10:45 PM)k2tigers Wrote:  21,

those are great stories

What about folks like us who do not qualify for any kind of financial aid because we are deemed not to have financial need?

How are we supposed to afford a 110K private school education and a possible 150K college tuition? We are as determined as anyone to put him through school.

I am trying with the college part. I know for darn sure that I could not do it had I have to pay the going rate at MUS.

Well, if you are a two-income family, and only have one child, I can see where you might not qualify for financial aid at a private high school. But I would apply, anyway, because the formula is complex, and you are allowed to have more than one home, vehicles don't count, and other expenses (even vacations) are taken into account. I never thought I would qualify either, until a school secretary encouraged me to apply when my oldest was in 6th grade.

Do the best you can with high school, and college can be accomplished. I actually found college was cheaper than private high school. You may benefit from seeing a college guidance counselor and getting their advice about financial aid. Basically, you just file the FAFSA in January of your son's senior high school year with the colleges your son is interested in, after he has been admitted. You will receive a package of aid from each college that includes room and board and transportation.

Every college or university has scholarships for high GPA's, good test scores, exceptional community service, special talents, athletics, specific religious affiliations, intended careers, Native Americans, on and on. They have a handbook or web site that details all their possible scholarships.

Then there are grants you can receive which are outright gifts, like Pell grants. And finally, there are both student and parent loans. It took both my children and me taking out loans to get them through. Some contiguous states have in-state tuition for out-of-state students.

Your child will also be able to apply for on-campus work which will supplement his weekly spending. They are allowed to work about 15 hours a week in many places on campus. This is called work-study.

The school will offer you a package of financial aid, made up of all of these categories. And some of the best colleges in the nation are "need blind", which means if your child can get himself admitted, he will have a completely free ride. The Ivy League schools, like Harvard, offer that and also now Vanderbilt.

My children attended the U. of Missouri, the U. of Oregon, and Birmingham-Southern. If I can help you further, I will be glad to.

(01-24-2014 05:33 PM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  

(01-23-2014 10:45 PM)k2tigers Wrote:  21,

those are great stories

What about folks like us who do not qualify for any kind of financial aid because we are deemed not to have financial need?

How are we supposed to afford a 110K private school education and a possible 150K college tuition? We are as determined as anyone to put him through school.

I am trying with the college part. I know for darn sure that I could not do it had I have to pay the going rate at MUS.

Well, if you are a two-income family, and only have one child, I can see where you might not qualify for financial aid at a private high school. But I would apply, anyway, because the formula is complex, and you are allowed to have more than one home, vehicles don't count, and other expenses (even vacations) are taken into account. I never thought I would qualify either, until a school secretary encouraged me to apply when my oldest was in 6th grade.

Do the best you can with high school, and college can be accomplished. I actually found college was cheaper than private high school. You may benefit from seeing a college guidance counselor and getting their advice about financial aid. Basically, you just file the FAFSA in January of your son's senior high school year with the colleges your son is interested in, after he has been admitted. You will receive a package of aid from each college that includes room and board and transportation.

Every college or university has scholarships for high GPA's, good test scores, exceptional community service, special talents, athletics, specific religious affiliations, intended careers, Native Americans, on and on. They have a handbook or web site that details all their possible scholarships.

Then there are grants you can receive which are outright gifts, like Pell grants. And finally, there are both student and parent loans. It took both my children and me taking out loans to get them through. Some contiguous states have in-state tuition for out-of-state students.

Your child will also be able to apply for on-campus work which will supplement his weekly spending. They are allowed to work about 15 hours a week in many places on campus. This is called work-study.

The school will offer you a package of financial aid, made up of all of these categories. And some of the best colleges in the nation are "need blind", which means if your child can get himself admitted, he will have a completely free ride. The Ivy League schools, like Harvard, offer that and also now Vanderbilt.

My children attended the U. of Missouri, the U. of Oregon, and Birmingham-Southern. If I can help you further, I will be glad to.

Ha

not at you, but at this scenario - his idea of supplementing his spending will come via a text or phone call



Thx. We are way down the college path. He most likely will be attending U of Missouri as they gave him the most merit aid possible given to out of state kids.

Interesting that one of yours did too.

like I said I did both private and public high schools... a major difference was the number of PhD's at the private which was quite impressive

(01-23-2014 05:21 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  the private school I left was ahead of what I got at wshs
the Spartans were close. but not quite there...

WSHS just became one of the 121 AP Capstone schools worldwide.

This is a big deal.

http://www.scsk12.org/uf/news/viewrelease.php?id=204