What's your opinion on magnet schools ? (and my situtation)

[Progressivism]

I am a fourteen year old incoming High School Freshman who recently moved to NYC, and my current plan is to be admitted into either Stuyvesant, or Bronx Science.I have a more sophisticated view of subjects such as Science, Math,Politics, than most people my age.For example, I post on DU(and seek mental stimulation from many other forums), I enjoy asking philosophical questions, I understand Math as the science of patterns,and I prefer to see Carl Sagan and C-SPAN to form my opinions on science and politics.



The question I ask is: Do you think my actions would violate my progressive ideology if I went to a school for more advanced students, that might be subtly segregated (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHSAT#Fairness) ?

[Vincardog]

1. The question is do you think your actions would violate your progressive ideology?

I think you should go to the best school you can get into and have a BLAST while you are there.

[d_r]

2. People will tell you different things

I will tell you this. The fact that you thought of this as an issue as a 14-year-old reveals that you are not violating your progressive ideology. Maybe the school will benefit from your ideas.

[Frances]

3. Thoughtful Question

I think that Obama was saying yesterday that each of us is good as something and each of us should do our best to work hard at that thing.

In your case, you say that science and math are your best points. You probably know someone else whose best talent is mechanical, or performing, or whatever. Those students would not necessarily do best in the school that is best for you.

I think you should go to the school that best fits your talents and interests.

[MineralMan]

4. Go to the school that will best prepare you for what you want

to do. Your progressivism will not suffer from the decisions of the school system. You're not in a position to change the schools, so focus on your own goals, then work for change once you've finished your education.

[pfloydguy7750]

5. It's nonsense

[noamnety]

6. you should go to the school that is best tailored to your needs

only if you are confident you will, in the future, support a choice of schools that are tailored to students' needs.

If you are going to attend a tailored school - and then advocate that everyone else must attend a school based on nothing more than address, then I'd consider you no better than a chicken hawk.

Most people have a very particular set of ideals when they are discussing what other people's kids should do. But if their own child is clearly more successful doing online classes (maybe they are being bullied, maybe they have anxiety issues) or going to a school of choice, or homeschooling, I don't know any parent who will choose to put their kid in the environment where they are the least successful and most miserable - for years and years.

Oddly enough, I don't know any adults who think they should be forced to go to a particular college based on where their parents live. Most people feel some colleges are better suited to their needs than others. I don't know why they don't get that the same is true in high school.

[ChazII]

7. Speaking just for myself

and wearing my teacher's hat ..... I think you are doing what is best for your learning style.

[kaylynwright]

8. Go to the school that has what you want

I would say that if you are already worrying about this at 14 years old, then you need to seek out a mentally stimulating school. I don't know much about magnet schools, but they sound like they are beneficial. Regular high school might be very boring for you.

If the school is subtly segregated, this is not your fault. Go to whatever school will benefit your educational needs the most. Once you are there, figure out what you can do to make change in the school if you choose to. Maybe this will be something you are passionate about changing later in life?

Good luck! :)