You guys have asked me tons of questions about this, and I keep putting it off because 1) it’s complicated, 2) I'm not qualified to provide an informed answer (I went to private high school for four years, and therefore by definition didn't have a comparative public high school experience) and these are just my one-sided observations that no one should give a ^&$% about, and 3) I wanted to wait until college to see how my private school education actually served me. I think the best thing I can do is give you my take on some of the usual myths you hear about private school, and then tell you what I feel I personally got out of it.
NB: I realized after I wrote this that all of my answers have private prep school in mind. For those of you who are curious, I went to the Hopkins School in New Haven, CT. We didn't affect British accents, our dress code only banned leggings and midriffs and beer logos, and nobody had a private fleet of yachts. I also want to emphasize the following obvious facts: there are brilliant kids in both public and private schools, there are public schools in many districts that offer top-notch education comparable to private schools, and a motivated student can thrive and succeed in any environment.
Myth: At private school, success is dished up on a silver platter.
Well, yes and no. There are absolutely more resources to be found at a private school: we had a vast library, advanced courses, and teachers who were willing to do extra help and mentor extracurricular activities. But just because these resources are available doesn’t mean every kid will take advantage of them. From what I’ve seen, private school is no different from other schools in that students must take initiative – seek out extra help, start a club, hunt down that volume of Beethoven’s letters for your term paper – in order to succeed.
Myth: A private school education will help me get into the college of my choice.
In terms of college, private school is definitely a double edged sword. If you are an outstanding student at a rigorous private high school, I think your odds shoot up exponentially. That said, it is much, much harder to be outstanding at private school, because almost everyone is smart and hard-working.
Myth: It’s better for me to stay in private school getting B’s and C’s, even though I’m confident I could get A’s if I transferred to public school.
That depends on what you’re looking to get out of your education. A better shot at going to a top college? I would say go to public school. I don’t think being a mediocre student at private school gives you any special advantages at all, and you might just be wasting your money. If, on the other hand, you want to be immersed in an intellectual environment, stay in private school and stop worrying so much about college. And in fact, as far as college goes, your love of learning will be apparent and might make you a more appealing candidate.
Myth: It’s better for me to stay in private school getting D’s than to transfer to public school, where I still might do poorly.
In this case, I agree. Private schools have great advising and college counseling systems in place. If you graduate from private school – which you will, because they won’t let you fail out – you are almost guaranteed to go to college. They shoot for a 100% college matriculation rate, so their interests are aligned with your interests.
Myth: Private School is like Gossip Girl.
Maybe in New York, I wouldn’t know! At my provincial private day school, life was nothing like Gossip Girl. We spent our free time lounging in the common room, not doing unspeakable things in champagne-filled hot tubs or whatever. Of course there were different social groups, but they weren’t especially cliquey or judgmental. And while a lot of kids had them, you didn’t need iPhones or UGG boots to be accepted.
What I liked about private school (not to imply you wouldn't get the same benefits at some public schools; I really wouldn't know):
• People care. About learning, about each other, about putting in effort. You don’t have to pretend you don’t care to be cool.
• There was no culture shock in the transition to college. High school was more work than Harvard! My writing was up to par, I didn’t struggle with the reading load, and my high school study skills served me in good stead.
• This might be surprising, but I think I actually had a more diverse group of friends than I would have at public school. Of course, private schools tend to have fairly homogenous populations. That said, when you’re part of a class of 130 kids, you get to know everyone – whereas at huge public schools, I think it’s easier to navigate the social system by banding together with kids just like you. One of my favorite stories that illustrates this: while I was with our school team at Science Olympiad Nationals (oh, that too – at public school I might have been stuffed in a locker), I got texts from the captains of varsity soccer, football, and wrestling wishing me good luck. It meant a lot.
• I had a great intellectual experience. I took classes in high school – like Military History and East Asian Studies – that many people don’t even get to take in college. We dissected the poems of Ovid and Catullus in a seminar-style Latin class. My classmates proposed daring interpretations of Richard II in English discussions. My teachers loved the material they taught. Of course, this isn't what everyone is looking for at high school, but I enjoyed it.
• Everyone has some kind of passion or cool talent, so there’s a lot of mutual respect. See my grad speech if you’re curious!
• You are encouraged to play a varsity sport even as an un-athletic, half-Asian white kid. Not only is that a great opportunity, but it prevents the formation of a ruling jock-cheerleader class. Instead, people differentiate themselves by being witty, interesting, and fun to be around.
• My school was very small and very old, so there were lots of school traditions – like competing for the most dramatic prom asking (which IMHO my boyfriend won) -- that brought each graduating class together.
What I didn’t like about private school:
• Being coddled and sheltered. I have no illusions: public school will definitely give you a better sense of the real world. Private school can be like a happy bubble of nerd heaven.
• Lots of rigidity in curriculum requirements. A motivated student at public school (or so I hear...maybe I'm noticing a self-selected population and this isn't always the case) can go to the administration and say, “hey, I want to take AP classes as a freshman, test out of math, and audit courses at a local college.” Private schools like to do things a certain way, and you just have to roll with it. And if you roll with it, I admit the system works pretty well.
• At the end of the day, you’re competing against all of your closest friends.
• “Oh, you went to private school, of course you got into Harvard. I, on the other hand, went to public school and pulled myself up by my bootstraps.” Trust me, you still have to earn your way at private school, and the competition is fierce.
• If you don’t do well, you feel guilty for wasting your parents’ money and for disappointing teachers who had placed such high hopes in you.
I hope that helps! Let me know if you have specific questions I didn't address, and I'll add my answers to this post.
NB: I realized after I wrote this that all of my answers have private prep school in mind. For those of you who are curious, I went to the Hopkins School in New Haven, CT. We didn't affect British accents, our dress code only banned leggings and midriffs and beer logos, and nobody had a private fleet of yachts. I also want to emphasize the following obvious facts: there are brilliant kids in both public and private schools, there are public schools in many districts that offer top-notch education comparable to private schools, and a motivated student can thrive and succeed in any environment.
Myth: At private school, success is dished up on a silver platter.
Well, yes and no. There are absolutely more resources to be found at a private school: we had a vast library, advanced courses, and teachers who were willing to do extra help and mentor extracurricular activities. But just because these resources are available doesn’t mean every kid will take advantage of them. From what I’ve seen, private school is no different from other schools in that students must take initiative – seek out extra help, start a club, hunt down that volume of Beethoven’s letters for your term paper – in order to succeed.
Myth: A private school education will help me get into the college of my choice.
In terms of college, private school is definitely a double edged sword. If you are an outstanding student at a rigorous private high school, I think your odds shoot up exponentially. That said, it is much, much harder to be outstanding at private school, because almost everyone is smart and hard-working.
Myth: It’s better for me to stay in private school getting B’s and C’s, even though I’m confident I could get A’s if I transferred to public school.
That depends on what you’re looking to get out of your education. A better shot at going to a top college? I would say go to public school. I don’t think being a mediocre student at private school gives you any special advantages at all, and you might just be wasting your money. If, on the other hand, you want to be immersed in an intellectual environment, stay in private school and stop worrying so much about college. And in fact, as far as college goes, your love of learning will be apparent and might make you a more appealing candidate.
Myth: It’s better for me to stay in private school getting D’s than to transfer to public school, where I still might do poorly.
In this case, I agree. Private schools have great advising and college counseling systems in place. If you graduate from private school – which you will, because they won’t let you fail out – you are almost guaranteed to go to college. They shoot for a 100% college matriculation rate, so their interests are aligned with your interests.
Myth: Private School is like Gossip Girl.
Maybe in New York, I wouldn’t know! At my provincial private day school, life was nothing like Gossip Girl. We spent our free time lounging in the common room, not doing unspeakable things in champagne-filled hot tubs or whatever. Of course there were different social groups, but they weren’t especially cliquey or judgmental. And while a lot of kids had them, you didn’t need iPhones or UGG boots to be accepted.
What I liked about private school (not to imply you wouldn't get the same benefits at some public schools; I really wouldn't know):
• People care. About learning, about each other, about putting in effort. You don’t have to pretend you don’t care to be cool.
• There was no culture shock in the transition to college. High school was more work than Harvard! My writing was up to par, I didn’t struggle with the reading load, and my high school study skills served me in good stead.
• This might be surprising, but I think I actually had a more diverse group of friends than I would have at public school. Of course, private schools tend to have fairly homogenous populations. That said, when you’re part of a class of 130 kids, you get to know everyone – whereas at huge public schools, I think it’s easier to navigate the social system by banding together with kids just like you. One of my favorite stories that illustrates this: while I was with our school team at Science Olympiad Nationals (oh, that too – at public school I might have been stuffed in a locker), I got texts from the captains of varsity soccer, football, and wrestling wishing me good luck. It meant a lot.
• I had a great intellectual experience. I took classes in high school – like Military History and East Asian Studies – that many people don’t even get to take in college. We dissected the poems of Ovid and Catullus in a seminar-style Latin class. My classmates proposed daring interpretations of Richard II in English discussions. My teachers loved the material they taught. Of course, this isn't what everyone is looking for at high school, but I enjoyed it.
• Everyone has some kind of passion or cool talent, so there’s a lot of mutual respect. See my grad speech if you’re curious!
• You are encouraged to play a varsity sport even as an un-athletic, half-Asian white kid. Not only is that a great opportunity, but it prevents the formation of a ruling jock-cheerleader class. Instead, people differentiate themselves by being witty, interesting, and fun to be around.
• My school was very small and very old, so there were lots of school traditions – like competing for the most dramatic prom asking (which IMHO my boyfriend won) -- that brought each graduating class together.
What I didn’t like about private school:
• Being coddled and sheltered. I have no illusions: public school will definitely give you a better sense of the real world. Private school can be like a happy bubble of nerd heaven.
• Lots of rigidity in curriculum requirements. A motivated student at public school (or so I hear...maybe I'm noticing a self-selected population and this isn't always the case) can go to the administration and say, “hey, I want to take AP classes as a freshman, test out of math, and audit courses at a local college.” Private schools like to do things a certain way, and you just have to roll with it. And if you roll with it, I admit the system works pretty well.
• At the end of the day, you’re competing against all of your closest friends.
• “Oh, you went to private school, of course you got into Harvard. I, on the other hand, went to public school and pulled myself up by my bootstraps.” Trust me, you still have to earn your way at private school, and the competition is fierce.
• If you don’t do well, you feel guilty for wasting your parents’ money and for disappointing teachers who had placed such high hopes in you.
I hope that helps! Let me know if you have specific questions I didn't address, and I'll add my answers to this post.
You have an excellent point of view! I am incredibly blessed to homeschool my children. Several of my children have been abused and neglected in the past and outside education would be extremely detrimental to, at least one of, my children. We are currently adopting two from China with medical special needs. I like that homeschooling is a valid option for many families.
ReplyDeleteI think you're viewing public school in a vary narrow way. There are lots of great public schools that educate and provide opportunities to students just as well as private schools. Just as you dismiss the private school-Gossip Girl stereotype in this post, I think it's important to acknowledge that just as erroneous is the public school-Freaks and Geeks stereotype.
ReplyDeleteAlso, every public school has a sector of students who cultivate an "intellectual environment" and a culture of "nerd heaven" for themselves and their peers. The only difference between these public schoolers and private schoolers is that the public schoolers can't afford to pay tuition at private school. All of these students have the same intellectual capabilities; care about learning and their school work an equal amount; and are competing against their friends for spots at colleges. There are probably kids at public school, in fact, who are smarter and care more than their private school counterparts!
It's important to realize this, and again avoid stereotypes: not every public school kid feels like he/she is wasting away in a deadly, vapid institution that does not support student growth. Plus, not every private school student is super-smart so much as super-rich! (And seriously, public school does not entail smart kids getting stuffed into lockers.....)
I agree, public school can be a great place for smart kids, and it certainly can have a "nerd heaven" culture (at least it does in my public junior high/high school). But about "The only difference between these public schoolers and private schoolers is that the public schoolers can't afford to pay tuition at private school," I would feel that's not always the case. My parents, and some of the parents of my smart classmates in public school, probably could afford to send their kid(s) to a good private school in our area. But we actually choose not to.
DeleteThere is a good private school in our area, and it has excellent teachers, course selection, extracurriculars, etc. But it's also filled with a lot more of (if I may be stereotypical) super rich white kids, who may perhaps lean more towards the gossip girl stereotype (even if they don't do unspeakable things in tubs of champagne...) Just as you said, "not every private school student is super-smart so much as super rich."
The rest of the good private schools in our area are Christian schools, and I'm not Christian. And then there's some crappy Christian private schools. And finally the schools that are just plain crappy. :P
did you get one time an B or C and what did you do?
ReplyDeleteYou have nice points...
ReplyDeleteI'm a private school student myself,but for me the system is completely different.I live in Brazil,and here public schools dont work at all.You might be in 11 grade studying 7 year material.In private schools here we dont have any additional subjects.We have the basics state required subjects(math,portuguese,english,history,geography,biology,physics and chemistry).I would like to go to college abroad,and I wondered If you think I can pull it of studying here,or should go on an exchange program or something...
I don't know anything about the Brazilian education system, but I know that my parents went to public high school in mainland China during the 1980s, and they also had practically no choice in what to study (at the start of high school you could choose to take the set of liberal arts/language courses or the set of math/science courses, and then you just take that set of preset courses through all of high school). They both then did their undergraduate studies at good Chinese universities (because at that time nobody went out of China for undergraduate studies), then they were able to go to American universities for their master's degrees and their Chinese college classmates were able to go to other universities abroad for postgraduate studies, not only in America but in Britain, Germany, Japan, Singapore, etc.
DeleteSo basically, just from what I see, as long as you study well (and you know the language of the country you're going to, and if that's English it looks like your English is good) you should have a chance to go to college abroad.
Okay, I wrote a comment last time and I said that I speak (and write) in French but I also know other languages including my mother tongue (an Arabic dialect) and I studied English, Latin, Spanish and Italian in school. Now I am fluent in the first three but not so much in the last ones. I know you speak English, Mandarin (or Cantonese? I can’t remember) of course, and probably Latin if you’re going to dissect those poems you better know your declinations. Also you said you wanted to eventually learn Arabic but what other languages do you know, practice and/or have learned?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think their knowledge offers in other areas of your life or for example in writing better in an other discipline or language or in learning a new one?
Finally, what do you like or dislike about a language or an other, for example I love the Arab alphabet, English conjugations and gender distinction in French instead of only the this and the that we have le garçon and la fille.
Okey, pretty technical questions I know but I’m very curious know what you think about them.
Someone in Canada
Well, I go to a public school that's in the top highschools in the nation! Everybody, like Hopkins, really care about their school work, and teachers are really, really, enthusiastic about teaching! Sometimes I think that public school teachers who are enthusiastic about teaching and get small incomes should be more respected than private school teachers who get a fair amount...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, some public schools are really rigorous. Yeah, we have a variety of choices, but if you want to become the best, you need to take as many AP's as you can. (Any advice on how to do this? :) )
I really like your post, but I think you may have misunderstood life in public schools. First of all, in my school, our lockers aren't big enough to fit in a highschool kid. Second of all, we are encouraged to do everything we can, athletics, clubs, AP classes, college classes...and many more too. And lastly, the kids here aren't that bad, they're very well behaved and really encouraging like your school. Maybe it's because I just go to a high Asian populated highschool, but sometimes I walk around my school thinking that it's a private school. I love my highschool!
P.S. I know there are some random comments in here. Oh! Do you and your peers have to follow the same curriculum? Thanks Sophia! :D
Hi, Chloe. This isn't really something that high school freshmen would be expected to know, but I just thought I'd clear up that public school teachers typically make more money than private school teachers. Public schools have to compensate teachers with a salary and benefits stipulated by the government, while private schools do not have such high compensation requirements. It may be different at the tippy-top elite schools, but in general across the nation teachers are paid more in public schools than in private schools. Good luck with high school!
DeleteI really like your post, but I think you may have misunderstood life in public schools. First of all, in my school, our lockers aren't big enough to fit in a highschool kid
DeleteLOL jesus she was kidding.
How did you know I was a freshman?
DeleteYou said that you haven't taken AP classes yet. I'm not the same anonymous that commented, but I believe that's the reason.
DeleteChloe, do you happen to go to Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan (NYC)? When you said "top high school in the nation" and and "high Asian populated," Stuy immediately came into my mind. I attend another similar public high school in NYC that may be Stuy's competitor ;)
DeleteTo the 10:12 poster, I agree with many of your points, but with a few caveats:
ReplyDelete1) At a very large public high school, the cliques are alive and strong. The nerdy bubble remains exclusive to the nerds (unless you are speaking of the selective enrollment public schools like Bronx Science or Boston Latin).
2) Sophia's absolutely correct: one would likely make a more diverse group of friends at a school with a much smaller student body (public or private). I attended a large public school and my friends were exactly like me. My sibling attended a private school and made friends which such diverse interests and backgrounds.
3) Sophia - you might be incorrect about one thing...public schools can at times be very sheltering. I went to a public school in an upper class Chicago suburb. People in college found me unintentionally obnoxious...something I had to work on.
My biggest gripe about small private schools (having a daughter who attends one) -- terrible band and orchestra groups. I suppose if you want a top-notch student basoonist you need to recruit from a highly populous zip code.
"The nerdy bubble remains exclusive to the nerds" <-- great point! It's true that public schoolers may not feel as though they're in an intellectual wasteland, but it seems that unless they go to a very small school, they are much more unlikely to get texts from the wrestling captain. I think Sophia's point about the pervasive intellectual atmosphere at a private school as opposed to an intellectual atmosphere sought out by one group of students at a public school is a good distinction. Of course there is intellectualism at both schools, (and of course I'm no expert on the subject) but I think the way private schools expect it on a higher level (often through entrance exams) from the entire student body is what makes the social and academic experiences there so unique.
DeleteWhat do you think about beauty contests for kids?
ReplyDelete"We spent our free time lounging in the common room" in the sentence following "provincial"? Seriously? HAHAHAHA -public school kid
ReplyDeleteOkay, sorry, I don't have to be so snarky about it (although that sentence really did make me laugh). With all sincerity, thanks for writing this post. I think you brought up a lot of good points, and from my own non-authoritative standpoint, I think many of your opinions are well thought-out. However, as 10:12 alluded to, it is a tad bit hypocritical to be offended by the Gossip Girl stereotype and then turn around and invoke the "ruling jock-cheerleader class" stereotype.
As 10:12 also mentioned, there are many great public schools; even so, I'd trade my pretty good public school for your "happy bubble of nerd heaven" in an instant. Or maybe I wouldn't, since I think not being sheltered helps me to really appreciate intellectual vitality where I find it, even if the search is a bit more difficult. That's a tough one. But Military History and East Asian studies? Gah, give me your life please! As someone who also just graduated in a class of 130, it is true that like-minded kids (in whatever way that may be) will find each other-- but, at least in my case, the group of us that made Catullus jokes was pretty small, and I would have appreciated some more members. Not that someone needs to be able to appreciate Catullus jokes to be a valuable friend. But that's another matter.
Anyway, thanks for agreeing to do this post after all the requests for it! It's great to hear your thoughts. :)
Just curious... how did your boyfriend ask you to prom?
ReplyDeleteI wanna hear this too!
Deleteme too ... you mentioned it, so you have to elaborate ;)
Deletealso: how did the class decide who won?
where do you get dresses from?
ReplyDeleteI'd question your assessment of curriculum requirements in public schools. Public schools have state requirements to fulfill, and administrators do not have tuition bills as incentive to be flexible with students' desires. I know it would have taken much pushing and finagling to get my high school to consider some of the things you mention.
ReplyDeleteBut otherwise, thanks for a great post! I love seeing new updates!
Agree with this. I went to a top 10 public school in California and administrators were awfully inflexible! They don't have time to cater to every student, and they make you feel annoying for even asking. Plus, we couldn't customize with cool stuff like East Asian History.
DeleteI actually found public school more bureaucratic than private school. I was seldom permitted to test out of classes.
ReplyDeleteHow did your boyfriend ask you out to your prom? :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous @ 10:12 AM.
ReplyDeleteSince you mentioned it, you have to tell! :) -- How did your boyfriend ask you to prom?
ReplyDeleteHey, I am also on the Science Olympiad! :0 It made me smile. What was your favorite event? I like Disease Detectives and Anatomy. I am glad you did the debate on private vs public schools, because I go to a private school, so it is nice to see what a public school is like by comparison. :) Thanks you
ReplyDeleteHave you ever timed your reading speed? How many hundreds of words per second;) can you read?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post! Didn't know the whole private vs public debate was so multifaceted.
ReplyDeleteQ&A:
-Tiger mom's view on high school dating?
-Worst year of school & why?
-Biggest academic obstacle faced in high school?
I go to public school. Many public schools such as mine have small learning communities that often work somewhat like a private school setting, except there is a much larger student body outside of classes to interact with. I feel that my experience as in high school (currently a senior) has been quite similar to your descriptions as a student in a private school. I feel that in the end, it all depends on how the student takes the education.
ReplyDeletealright - NOW you have to tell us how your boyfriend asked you to prom!
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia, first I'd like to apologize ahead for my long post but I'd appreciate it if you could take your time to read my comment as well as my question below.
ReplyDeleteSo, while I understand that the initial reason you created this blog is to defend yourself and your family from those crazy accusations in regards to tiger parenting, all your posts seem to highlight only the positive aspects in your life. I know from all your posts that you sound content with your education (and that's a good thing), and that you've provided quite a balanced point of view about it but sometimes you do seem like you live in this happy bubble of nerd haven but I believe, noone is perfect and they will have as much positive as negative aspects in their lives, and perhaps in one or two posts you could open up about these negative parts as well.
My question is, in regards to my comment above, do you honestly say you have never encountered a single corrupt student or teacher or character in your entire life?
Now, let me share a little bit about myself. I am quite academic myself, I love getting good grades and I believe in top education. I have always been a good student until high school, where I began to question things, whether geeting good grades was all that mattered. Back then, all the top students in my high school were the goody-goody type, the type that didn't dare to question authorities (in this case teachers and principal) for fear they would have been given bad grades.
I remember when one day the whole senior class staged a protest about the cafeteria's price hike by refusing to get into classrooms until we were granted an audience with the principal, and those top students refused to join and stayed in the classroom. In a way, apart from not wanting to get into trouble, it was also their way of sucking up to those teachers as if by saying 'hey teachers, look at us, we're good students, so it's all As for next exam, ya?' It was like the polar opposite of the good student getting stuffed into a locker, it's this small group of elitists who side with the higher power and make the rest of us look like bad guys.
So now, back to my questions. In my entire school run and now at work, I've encountered so many corrupt people, something that seems lacking in your life (or at least from what I can tell from your posts). I'm sure by now you have read/heard/seen all the negative things thrown at you since the whole tiger mom thing, but what I'm curious about is whether these corrupt characters exist in your real life, prior to and current, and how you deal with them, and whether your dad or the tiger mom prepared you for this as well? Thanks.
Did you consider that maybe the top students understood that the price hike needed to happen?
DeleteNope, they said it themselves they didn't want to mar their 'flawless' track records. I should add, though, the #1 student did join us, even helped representing the students during the protest. It was the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th top student and so on, and a group of top student wannabes who refused to join.
DeleteA better way to protest would be to stop buying their $hit and start bringing your own, cheaper food. I don't doubt that a good portion of those "protesters" only joined you because they didn't want to go to class.
Deleteuh ok now obviously you need to tell us how your boyfriend asked you to prom! also can we pleeeaaaase see a picture? please? I BET HE'S CUTE! #whyamisocreepy
ReplyDeleteI've got a limited point of view as I only ever attended public school as well as my kids...being a military mom, we have lived all over the country and I can say that some public schools were awful as far as behavior and resources...while other public schools have rivaled private schools in terms of education and resources. I think ultimately it comes down to the student. With the internet out there and all the educational resources, a child can learn as much as they want and go as far as they want. Just because it's not always "easy" to find or handed to them, anybody can learn to the best of their ability. Just depends on how bad they want to learn, and how motivated they choose to be...
ReplyDeletePublic magnet schools compare favorably to private schools, at least in the competitive science arena (AAST and TJHSST, in particular).
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia, love the post as usual, thanks for sharing your thoughts! My own observation has been that students from private schools are more social, more creative, and more eloquent than those from top-tier ultra-competitive public schools (like the one I attended), which stressed test-taking over intellectual curiosity, and practical subjects (calculus, biology) over the arts and humanities. Do you have any comments on that? How do you think the vibrant extracurricular/sports culture shaped you as a person?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd imagine that parents who send their children to private schools share certain characteristics (I'm guessing many Yale professors send their children to Hopkins?) How do you think the families of your classmates shaped your school and your high school experience?
Are most of your classmates at Harvard from private schools? Can you tell who the public-schoolers are? (Serious question). Here's an article you might find interesting! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119638146482608732.html
-PL
Hi Sophia! I read your mom's book and found it both amusing and insightful. Thanks for sharing your comments on private and public school education!
ReplyDeleteI'm a sophomore at the College Preparatory School. I just wanted to say that I found some parts of this post particularly relatable! I'm writing a term paper on Beethoven right now, and recently hunted down a book of his letters as a primary source document. We're reading Richard II this semester too!
Hahah now I want to know how he asked you to prom :) Requesting that story, sometime, please!
ReplyDelete- Aurora
so i assume that these comments go through Sophia first. On that note, I know she (you) probably won't post this, because it's mean to the "anonymous viewers". but seriously? Questions like did you ever get a B and what happened to you? What kind of answers do people expect? "I once got a B... then my mom locked me in a dungeon and I only got out to come once I learned the first 14,000 digits of pi "
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I really like your blog. You're funny, intelligent, and self-depricating. I do think some of the comments are a bit obsessive and crazy :). I get that people see you as a hero, and I do think you're a great mentor. But the obsessiveness (on the part of some fans) can't be healthy.
Anyway, hope all is well!
- Aurora
Aurora, I agree! While I think Sophia is a "great mentor" figure, it does sort of weird me out how some readers here completely put her on a pedestal. Maybe it's because I'm also a nineteen year old girl, so I see more of myself and my peers in Sophia than older or younger readers might. I don't mean for that to sound braggy, and my family certainly didn't become an international punching bag over the past year, so she's definitely unique in some ways (beyond the "everyone is unique" kind). But the main reason I still read this blog is because Sophia doesn't seem like a "hero," nor do I think she wants to be viewed that way; she seems like a fairly ordinary, if extremely smart and talented, person her age, and I think she tries hard to present herself that way.
DeleteRegarding comments, it also makes me a little sad that Sophia had to put that disclaimer in bold, underlined italics at the beginning of this post. Of course she isn't an expert on the subject! She's just writing about it because people (myself included) keep asking her to. I think that discussing her points and noting how her *anecdotal experiences* differ from our own *anecdotal experiences* is great, but that people could misinterpret the context of this blog post so much as to necessitate that disclaimer is upsetting.
-Erin
@Anonymous Jan. 19, 2012 10:12 AM, I have been in both the private and public school systems and have an understanding of both sides of the spectrum. I do think that Sophia is pretty much spot-on for the most part. She did imply a little bit that public school teachers don't love what they teach as much as private school teachers, but I have had some really amazing and inspiring teachers in public school. But I also do know what she's talking about because I have definitely had those teachers that teach the benchmarks as quickly and as painlessly as possible for them and the students do suffer from their lack of enthusiasm. And no, my public high school library is not stocked with the best encyclopedias and what not, but as Sophia said, with dedication and hard work, any student can thrive and be successful in any type of environment. And as much as I don't like to admit it, it is not very difficult for me to stand out in a public school because Sophia's right, a lot of people just don't care... But if a student tries their absolute hardest, and stays dedicated and works hard, then there's no situation that they can't achieve in... So, it really doesn't matter. One thing I would like to add, is that even though a lot of people in public schools don't care, there are still a lot of people fighting for valedictorian because there are so many people in the school. Either way you look at it, there are pros and cons.
ReplyDelete(P.S. I love your posts, Sophia!)
:)
Hi Sophia, I loved your blog post.
ReplyDeleteI live in Aus, and I go to one of the state's top public schools. Although we are one of the top public schools,I feel like they don't prepare and really care for students. I'm currently going into grade 9(I'm having my summer now), and I haven't had exams,so I'm going to have an absolutely big shock when I go into year 10 next year which is when the exams start coming.
Although I love my school, I think some of your points are rather quite right. I think I'd actually prefer going to a smaller school. My school has 4 houses, about 3-4 classes in each house. One year level has a few hundred students. You tend to hang out with people with the same interests. You don't exactly know 'everyone'. I'd love to be in a small school where everyone knows each other.
For me, the teachers have been okay. Some really love what they do, some really don't and you can see it. I think that private schools would be coddling the students though, but it's nice to have the teachers provide support. We also don't even have that many extra-curricular activities. It's not compulsory or anything.
Though I don't agree about that 'almost everyone' in a private school are smart and competitive. I know some kids who go to private schools and waste their time going on Facebook all day, complaining about having exams when really they should be studying!! Of course, there are some brilliant students, but I don't think every private school has nearly everyone quite smart. You just really need the money, or in other cases, the brains if you were to earn a scholarship.
I have a question, how did you meet your boyfriend in high school? When did you start dating and when you started dating, did your mom freak out?
Reiterating what tons of people have already asked: How DID your boyfriend ask to prom? And is he at Harvard with you, or are you doing a long-distance type thing?
ReplyDeleteI want to apologize for my comments about the whole public school thing. I just love my school, which is a public school. My school is actually quite similar to private schools, but with more people. :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway I apologize!
P.S. I would like to write these kind of comments on twitter to you, but I don't have one...
Don't know what you wrote, but you shouldn't apologize! If I didn't want to hear your opinions, I wouldn't have this blog :)
DeleteNot have a lot to say about private school vs. public school issue, as I went to a terrible public high school, had been bullied since grade 8, and not had many friends (which is why I am still suffering bipolar and never find myself on par with any of my classmates); hence my opinion would be skewed to private school. I am incredibly jealous that you were successful in high schools - having friends, getting good grades, and having so much fun! Anyways, talk more about your private life, and yea - a post on your bf would do fine. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat would you do if you went to a public school, but want private education?
ReplyDeletespeaking of private schools, didn't you win the latin prize, a big honor, at your high school? have you thought about continuing studies in latin at harvard?
ReplyDeleteComing from a bad public high school, I feel so unprepared for college next fall. Is there anyway I can prepare myself for college?
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was unprepared for college myself, I suggest you find out the classes that you will need to take in your freshman year and get the syllabi for them, which I could always find online at my school's website. If not, just email the profs and they will give it to you.
DeleteOnce you have the syllabi, which normally tell you which text books will be used, loan the needed textbooks from a library and read. Read and learn everything that will be covered in the courses. Don't slack off for a single day during the coming summer, study every single day. Don't study ALL day necessarily, but do study a LOT and you will be fine.
My first semester in college was disastrous because I simply couldn't keep up with all the material in chemistry, physics, and biology. Oh god, just thinking about that semester makes me shrug in shame.
Were you #1 in every subject? Did you win the best student award/prize at the end of the year in every subject in high school? I go to a private high school as well and we have award ceremonies at the end of the year every year.
ReplyDeleteI live in Australia. I went to a Catholic independent (I guess you could say private) school while my sister went to public high school. My sister's school was great because they offered her opportunities and there was a huge range of students - from those not caring about school to those who put everything into school - so she knew to stick with the right crowd and with them (and her own motivation of course) she had a great all-rounded high school experience and graduated with one of the highest marks to get into uni.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I was always less motivated and studious than my sister. My school, being Catholic, emphasised the importance of community events and "western" things beyond the classroom. I mean, we did nothing but "meditate" all the time in our religion class! Also, basically 99% of the grade wasn't really into "aiming high" or becoming doctors, so in this relaxed environment we had shocker results (99.95 is the top mark. People achieved anything from the 50s to the 90s, most around the 70s, which isn't really good). I achieved one of the highest marks, but it was considerably lower than my sister's. I never aimed to be like my sister but I definitely think that my environment impacted my motivation and therefore my end result.
I was lucky enough to scrape into my first choice preference though, so I don't regret how anything worked out. Though, MAYBE if I had aimed for the sky, I might have hit a higher tree (if I had aimed to become a doctor, I would have worked my ass off. Now I wish I maybe had, because now there's no chance of me ever getting into medicine for example). It's simple - higher marks = more choice. You can do anything. But hey, that's just Australia. They don't really care about extracurriculars in high school!
So my advice is, even if you don't want to be a lawyer/doctor, AIM for it. Then if you ever change your mind about your career (and you probably will), you'll probably have worked hard enough to get a great mark that will lead you anywhere you want to go :)
After reading through your blog, I’m actually convinced that people don’t give you as much credit as you deserve for your ability and willingness to think for yourself. I’ve heard people around me praise Lulu for being much more daring (in a good way) and you for simply being a meek automaton and not standing up for yourself in the book, but for the purpose of narrative and satire, you can’t put everything in a book, right? Anyway, I really admired how even though you had a fight with your mom about writing a speech for your grandmother’s funeral and though your mom kept suggesting things that you should say in your speech, you didn’t take any of her suggestions but ended up giving a marvelous speech anyway that would have made your grandmother very proud.
ReplyDeleteEven your decision to start this blog despite your mom having reservations about it shows that you’re totally your own person and can make important decisions independently of tiger mom, despite what people may think. In fact, just ignore critics and think of all the people who truly admire and respect you! Also, thanks for your post on private school versus public school – it was very helpful. Keep us updated on your life plzzz!
Well, don't ignore ALL critics, just the simplistic/insecure/jealous ones, whose opinions only stem out of their own ineptness. :)
DeleteHi Sophia!
ReplyDeleteI'm from India (twitter tells me you're going to be at the Jaipur lit fest. I’m jealous! So wish I could be there too) and the education system here is MUCH more rigid than in the US. We don't really have 'private' schools; private schools are just schools which are not directly under government administration, they manage themselves, but still have to follow the government approved syllabus. What we have are extra tuition classes after school, run by private organizations, and no matter what school they go to, almost everyone who wants to do well and get into a choice college goes for extra classes after school...Its like the school can't fulfil it's own purpose of educating kids well enough. You’re really lucky to have studied at such a great school. I love your blog, its funny and thought provoking, you have an awesome sense of humour! xoxo ( even though you're nothing like gossip girl :P )
I was home schooled during high school and my best friend went to a public high school. I have other friends who went to private high schools. Honestly, from what I've observed with my friends, public high school doesn't give you a better sense of reality. It gives you more understanding of the life the majority of people live, but it doesn't give you a good understanding at all of the life you will live if you transcend your public high school experience and become one of the people in the top 1% that manage our society. Nor does it foster more empathy toward people of different backgrounds, providing your family encourages understanding and equality to begin with. I've observed that my talented friends who went to public high school are so used to being the best and brightest among their peers that when they walk into a room of strangers, they presume that they are the smartest there and that everyone else is destined to go nowhere. They also tend to believe that success comes by talent and not by work. I don't think many of them developed an understanding of what life was like for the kids they went to school with; rather they became bored at school and express their frustration now in disdain for others for whom achievement didn't come as easily for a variety of reasons. I didn't even have a social experience during high school, yet I believe that I respect other people more than my friends who went to public school. It frustrates me that public school graduates think that they know reality (not that I think that I have a perfect understanding of reality myself; this is just my opinion).
ReplyDeleteI don't think you missed out on anything as far as reality goes by not going to public school; you seem to have a well-rounded perspective of the world around you that does serve you well and that will continue to do so. : )
Hi, I just wanted to say that I went to both a private high school and a public high school and I wanted to point out that not all private high shools are very good academically. I went to a private high school in upstate New York and I eventually asked my parents to transfer me to the local public school because the private high school I was enrolled in was so terrible.
ReplyDeleteThe private school I went to had very high standards (for example, a lot of the texts and materials we read in 9th and 10th grade I got to reread in 11th and 12th grade at the public school), however thay had no means of helping students reach those standards and they were very quick to criticize those who did not. There me and my classmates were, in 9th grade, doing 10th/11th/12th grade work in the eyes of New York state with no extra help from the school or the teachers. Secondly, at the time, in New York state private school teachers did not need a teaching degree or even any proof that they knew the material they were teaching. One of my Spanish teachers was a professional interior designer - she had never taught Spanish before in her life! In her defense she was very fluent in Spanish (she had lived in Spain for a few years) and she was an excellent teacher, however it always made me wonder about the terrible teachers I was forced to put up with, and it made me question if they were even quailifed to teach a class. Thirdly, in my private school, if you failed any class you were not welcomed back the next year. Even if you retook the class over the summer and passed it.
About my public school experience, I went to one of the worst high schools in upstate New York as far as drop out rates. Over 45% of students drop out before their senior year. However, that public school was wonderful for anyone actually looking to learn and understand course materials. The school taught German, French, Spanish, and Latin (my private school only taught Spanish). They offered more than Biology, Earth Science, and Chemistry in the science department (they also had Physics and Astronomy - something my private school did not have). Thay had specialized English classes for juniors and seniors (I got to take Shakespeare Engish, I had friends take Native American English) - something which the private school did not offer. They had pottery classes, piano classes, photography classes, creative writing classes, flim classes, AP classes, etc. - all things that the private school that I went to did not offer, as a matter of fact my private high school did not offer anything beyond the basics of New York state standards.
I'm not trying to downplay priavte schools. It sounds like the one you went to was wonderful, and I know some other people who went to much better private schools than I did and I know some people who had the same experience as me. However, just because a school is private and has high standards does not mean it is a good school. Some private schools seem to think that because they are private they are better and therefore they can ride the coattails of other private institutions.
I guess my point is to make sure the school you are looking at can help you (or your child) meet the standards that they set! Some private schools don't have anything extra to offer and can even hurt you academically speaking.
Please tell us about how your boyfriend asked you to prom? Was Lulu there when your boyfriend asked you? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh my god. I just went to Jaipur like yesterday!! Please tell us all about it! Did you like city palace? The Lit fest was so fun. You should go to Choki Dhani that is a good time too!
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia
ReplyDeleteIt'd be great to get a post at some future point (when you have time) about all the wonderful travelling that you've done. And do tell about your bf and the prom invitation. How demanding are we :)
As someone who attended a college prep private school, I agree with this post 100%. Glad we have the same opinions about our educations.
ReplyDeleteBut I want to hear about your bf's prom invitation! Please?
Oh My Gosh!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just realized that you performed a solo in Carnegie Hall and won the Science Olympiad in nationals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :O
No wonder you got into Harvard University!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How in the world did you do that!!!!!!!!!!
Do you think I could be able to achieve as much as you did? If so, HOW????
I'm kind of confused. Your mom says that you can't do this and that but then you guys have the excuse that it's self parody? What is true? Did you have playdates? And isn't there some thuth in the fact that she said that you're going to be a drug addict if you play the drums? I mean, what does that come from? I think it feels like you're hiding preudice views.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering if you had any advice for a soon-to-be high schooler (right now in 8th grade). Course selection, socially, etc.?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
For now, I wish to say this is an excellent post. Thoughtful, articulate, honest, and balanced, with nice moments of humor thrown in. Wish this could be seen by a national student audience. I am sure Private and Public schools come in a wide variety of types, unlike the stereotypes we use as mental reference. I will return to read the many interesting comments, updates, and despite this brilliant post, maybe this "Old Fossil" can find a question to ask too.
ReplyDeleteBefore I go, let me say this, I spent my whole school life in public schools. At the high school level I spent two years in a public high school that was almost like a private academey, then spent my senior year in another city going to what I laughingly called Hippie High (Which dates me, doesn't it?) I will always be grateful for the two years at the almost private academy public high school, but in certain respects, I wasn't academicly prepared for the school, therefore various aspects of my two years there were not enjoyable. Yet, at Hippie High, despite a feeling of being in a poor academic environment I did not care for, the relaxed, laid back nature of the place allowed me to graduate at the end of my senior year, after being sick most of the first half of the school year and in recovery the second half. So, I had a very strange high school experience; even less of a high school social life.
If you are academicly challenged by your school, feel comfortable within all aspects or nearly all aspects of its environment, and have the respect of students and teachers alike, then you have probably made the right choice. Does not matter whether the school is public or private. I am sure Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or any Ivy League school is usually great for a person's future. Nowhere U. may mean you will have a few more challenges after you graduate, if you graduate. However, life is about each of us overcoming our own obstacles. No one is without their own obstacles. After reading the above post, I think Harvard or any other university is lucky to have Sophia as a student. In fact, if you are in Harvard, I think there is hope for Harvard looking better in my biased eyes. Again, a GREAT POST.
Interesting post!
ReplyDeleteRegarding well-roundedness vs. "well-lopsidedness," I was just wondering about your perspective on the rigid core graduation requirements in high school (i.e. math, science, history, English): should a substantial amount of every subject (say, 3-4 years per subject) be forced upon every student? In particular, what do you think about students who have obvious inclinations toward certain subjects (perhaps the most obvious divide is math/sciences vs. humanities) -- would it not be more productive to give students greater freedom at an earlier age?
great post!
ReplyDeletedont u think that now some private schools care about how much money a family has instead of the kid's intelligence? or what race they are?
private schools are super fancy. visited 5, all looked like hotels or something... but i likey :)
LOVED your mom's tweet! "yeah, you GET the book! It's making fun of a lot of the narrowness of "traditional Chinese" parenting"
ReplyDeleteRight on!!! :D Are you ever going to post pictures of india and do a back-to-college blog post? I miss your writing already!!!!! lol :)
Having just watched your graduation speech, and read your entries, I have to say, that I admire your light-hearted homor. Thank you for your opinions on public and private schools, considering I may actually end up living in the States and raise children there, even though I'm only turning 19 now.
ReplyDeleteI love this article!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/dec/27/tiger-cub-roams-free-harvard-chua-says/
Q How will your parenting change or adapt once your oldest daughter, Sophia, goes to college next year?
A I’m just going to let her go completely free. One of the virtues of the tough immigrant model — coupled with love and compassion, of course — is that it is about very early child-rearing, instilling a work ethic and teaching them not to give up. But it’s not forever. When my daughter started high school, I was not a helicopter mom. I would never dream of doing my kids’ homework for them, and I taught them not to blame their teachers or school for their mistakes. When Sophia goes to college, I’ll just give her total freedom. I’ll check in occasionally. I’m praying she’ll want to stay close to me because I’m very close to my parents still.
Your mom is such a great writer just like you! I totally respect her and she seems like a sweet, but at the same time very strong, person :) I guess the way both you and your mom deal with criticisms is an indication of the inner confidence and strength that tiger parenting instilled in both of you.
Hi Sophia!
ReplyDeleteDo you ever drink coffee to help you stay alert when you need to study? I find myself torn - coffee definitely gives me a boost when I need it, but I wonder if I am just addicted to caffeine and would not have needed a boost had I not consumed caffeine at all in the first place.
What about your mom, does she ever drink coffee? She seems like a super-woman to me. :)
In general, what do you do when you need to study/practice but are tired and can't concentrate? Do you ever get mental fatigue? As in your brain just doesn't want to take in anything anymore? Or is it simply the brain's way of tricking me into giving it break that it doesn't need? That's what I tend to think, why the hell does the brain need a break, does it not get enough break at night?!
Anyways, love your blog!
I think more people need to see this. seriously..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivqYcbIMBjo
You make such a good point, and you're such an eloquent speaker!! Also, what brand dress are you wearing in this interview? It's quite classy :p
Best of wishes to you!
@your latest tweet: oh no!! I hope your injury wasn't too big and that you don't need stitches and that you're feeling better now! :) and that's awesome that someone gave you tissues. even though there may be some trolls (it sounded from your tweets like there are some oddly-dressed ones even at harvard?!), there are many good people too! lol
ReplyDeleteSort of related but sort of not:
ReplyDeleteCompetitive public high schools, I think, offer the worst of both worlds. The training is rigorous, and your peers are motivated. However, the faculty is completely ambivalent about the futures of individual students (in a class of ~35, I can't blame them) and the competition is freakishly intense. Top colleges pluck the same quota of students from each school. But it's different when your graduating class has 800 students (which mine has) instead of 150.
And it's different when everybody is betting on your failure.
Dont know how many "grown ups" you have on your blog. I enjoyed your mons book but disagreed with
DeleteCertain issues. As for you , nice analogy between private school and public school spoken by someone from private school. The truth is your options are infinitely better at a private school and plan to enroll my son in p school. I spent my life in public school and managed to get a phd in chemistry from ucla and an MBA. I spent all my life in public school but I can tell you the higher education road is less travelled.
Can you include Charter School as well!!!!!!. I am sure you have no experience with Charter School. In one of the gifted programs, they are spending tons of money on Technolgoy, whereas the teacher doesn't have the time to teach on academics other than getting herself famous, so she introduced Khan Academy to the students. http://www.khanacademy.org/. Is it good or not too good?
ReplyDeleteHello, Sophia,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, insightful and informative.
I just finished reading your mom's book. What a life saver!!! I don't care what Americans/Westerners say (I am an immigrant (Mongolia/Asia), came here as a grad student, so far 7 years have gone), the book gave me a clear sense of direction of parenting, where I was really confused and for this I am extremely thankful for your mother's courage. (I am a mom to 2 sons, 5 year old and 6 months of age).
Good luck, and may God bless your family!
I feel a little as if I am hearing Mitt Romney talk in an offhand way about his wife's two Cadillacs. Sophia, in your pros and cons of private and public schools, you don't even mention that there is a very small fraction of families for whom it is possible to even consider paying $32,000 a year tuition, as at the Hopkins school. For most people, the financial consideration is an enormous issue, and so perhaps the real question is: is it worth paying over $30,000 to attend an elite prep school ?
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia,
ReplyDeleteI have a question. I'm an incoming freshman at high school and applied to a number of private schools this year, but didn't get in.
I'm wondering how private schools see our stuff, like: Which is more important? The school grades or the exam (for us it was the ISEE) grades?
Also, do you think that there would be one space for me to fill in? (I want to try to get in for sophomore year, but some say its harder because there are less spaces.).
Thanks!
Did you take any Advanced Placement courses or specialized courses such as IB or Cambridge which allow the student to earn college credit during high school?Do they accept these credits at Harvard?
ReplyDeleteAs a mother of several Hopkins Students...where you went to High School, I would like to differentiate the various types of private schools and I regret, I really regret sending my children to Hopkins. It was too hard. It is also not the type of school where you get help if you need it. If you can't swim--they throw you into the water and tell you "Oh well, there are others to take your place, go ahead and drown." There are plenty of "normal" private schools around here in southern Ct. that are gentle and kind. I wish they would have gone to Greens Farms Academy or St. Lukes or King L.H., or anywhere except Hopkins. It DEFLATED their grades instead of the rest of the US schools that INFLATE grades. If they had just gone to a regular public school (Staples) they would have emerged with very high GPA's but instead they were studying William Blake in 7th grade not to mention mandatory Latin and therefore became exquisite scholars but ended up with ended up with 3.3 GPAs. Staying up until 2am nightly and composing one teachers' evaluation..."flawless masterpieces" landed them in ordinary (too easy) colleges and Universities when they belonged at the Ivy's after the rigors of Hopkins --the torture chamber of horrors. So, you got to go to Harvard. Bravo. I wonder what your Tiger Mom did to get you into there...The problem with Hopkins is that the teachers may be excellent in their fields of study but they are not necessarily good teachers. Often they are right out of ,where else? ... Yale, and have no idea how to teach. I feel like I shot myself and my children in the feet and because of this crazy high school crippled them from matriculating into the colleges they belonged in.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is exploring several private school options for her freshman year. We are deep into the process. It was her idea to pursue one private school that she feel in love with while walking the campus last summer and that interest snowballed into a much broader school search. She has taken 3 rigorous entry exams and we have gone through 3 lengthy application processes plus interviews, tours, portfolios, etc., not to mention the entire financial aid process. And we have also attended our high school open house, and an open house at a 1/2 day arts magnet program. It's Dizzying!! I would be content with my daughter attending our local high school. She is a top student and I am positive that she will excel there. I fear for her with the pressures that these elite private schools will put on her and the pressure that she will in turn put on herself. And in the end, will she be happier? I appreciate the comments of the regretful mother of two Hopkins students. It is interesting to hear all perspectives, positive and negative. BTW, just to inform, not all private school students have deep pockets, those schools have huge grant programs. Thanks for your insight on Hopkins Sophia! Dizzy Mom.
ReplyDeleteEducation is not about marks. The environment of private schools builds in you habits and skills to pursue resources and competitiveness.
ReplyDeletePublic schools could have resources and opportunities but they don't develop skills to use those resources. The environment is the exact opposite for majority of students (high school is place to have fun and pass time). Private schools have residence where the school environment and home environment mixes well.
I wish I stayed in a poor country until grade 11 where you develop the value of education and the skills to use the resources even though they didn't have resources themselves.
There is lots of books in the libraries and lots of knowledge on the internet and lots of good books to buy (don't go to school/don't send your kids to private school). Will this work, no.
international schools promoting International education.They have good infrastructure.The aim and mission of this school is to educate the students in higher manner. IGCSE Schools in India
ReplyDelete