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School of Choice...sort of. VENT
So SS is in the 8th grade at a GRPS middle school. We (him included) can't stand GRPS system. He really isn't being schooled, hasn't had homework in 3 years. The notes he takes in class have to be handed in, he can't take his books home to study. Some days they is no lessons b/c the teachers has to spend all hour breaking up fights, so on and so on. I know a lot of this isn't the teachers fault and that the kids there have no respect for anyone adults or kids, but it effects my child learning and what he does in his life.
Next year SS will be entering Union HS unless we can get him in somewhere else. I filled out paperwork for School of Choice for Kenowa Hill PS. We got a call from the school 2 days later only to find out that they don't accept HS students for School of Choice. Wow! Great!! So now I'm still trying to find a way over there. They have a career pathways programs that would fit perfectly with what SS wants to. I know we will be moving but I'm not sure when and where yet and it would be nice if I could know where the kid is going to be going next year.
I was able to get SS enrolled at the theme HS inside Union which is for design and construction which he does have an interest in but not as much so as mechanics.
I so frustrated with schools right now. I'm not trying to get SS into College, I'm just trying to get him into a place where he can learn and get a Diploma. You think it wouldn't be that hard of a thing to ask. We've worked so hard to try and get him caught up in reading and math and english and this year feels like such a set back since they brought in new teachers and new principles. It seems like new rules are being enforced more than learning.
I should add the the middle school he is at is/was on the watch list to be taken over by the state too. Sorry for the rambling. Just don't know what to do. Talking to the teachers and school doesn't seem to help this year.
Re: School of Choice...sort of. VENT
I am so sorry about the frustrations. Do no high schools do school of choice? or is it just Kenowa?
Not sure if you want suggestions but, have you looked into Comstock Park? It looks like last year they were accepting School of Choice for almost all grades.
Will keep my fingers crossed for you and SS! I hope you get settled in where you want to be very soon.
I am so sorry for all of this! How frustrating and this isn't just over something trivial. What you described is going on at the middle school is sickening and I feel terrible and hopeless about it. I wish things would change but I know there is a lot behind all of it. I don't have any advice but all I can say is that he has some great parents who are looking out for him and that is something to be proud of. I hope that a solution will come your way!
Sorry this is so frustrating. Have you looked at Kent Skills Center - he could go to that no matter what school district he is in. I think the programs start in 11th grade.
http://www.kc-tc.org/
It is frustrating....I am in GRPS, and DD is three right now, and I am looking and thinking about her future. DH and I are planning on sending her to a Catholic private school for two years of pre school, as for Kindergarten and up, I don't think we will be able to do that. I will be looking into Grandville (our H.S. would be Union also, if she was at that age) for school of choice. Also, Comstock Park is close, as someone had mentioned in a previous post.
Good luck to you. Education shouldn't be one of those situations, where you need to worry about if your child is getting a good one or not. So sorry
Well, if Snyder's proposals for schools go through, the situation WON'T get better at GRPS. It's tough to be a public school right now. It's tough to be a teacher in a public school. We have a lot of poorpoorpoor children... like 70% of our school population gets free or reduced lunch. We all deal with a ton of social problems rather than academic issues. I'm sorry your step son is suffering through that
(
I'm sorry that Kenowa didn't let you in. My school is turning kids away, too, which is good and bad. Good that we have the reputation to get *a lot* of Schools of Choice kids coming to us... bad because we simply don't have the room for all of them. Our 3rd and 4th grades are at 29 kids PER ROOM. It's wall to wall kids.
Is moving before the fall an option? If you live in district, they can't turn you away. I know that's a bad solution, but it might be the only one right now.
I think this is the option were looking into. Our top 2 apt choices are in Kenowa Hills. I've been told to look into Coopersville as well but I think it is to far away for us.
We also are aware of Kent Skills but as far as I know it isn't a Full time HS just considered extra class off campus. I wanted to take a few classes there when I was in HS but wasn't able to. (Stupid Guidance Counselor)
Thanks for letting me vent girls, I luv ya all!
Deeder, I saw this article on Mlive this morning and thought of you. It lists some districts in the area that are opening up more school choice slots. It doesn't specify whether it applies to high school students though.
Hope you're able to find a good school for your SS.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/04/new_choices_kentwood_forest_hi.html