One of the greatest stigmas against Baltimore’s educational system (or any urban system, for that matter) is the “zip code effect”: the notion that students are confined to the educational institutes in close proximity to their residences, for better or for worse.
Today, Baltimore’s three most prestigious high schools – City, Poly, and Western – are defying that stigma, proudly accepting students based on academic merit rather than domestic location.
Might that change, though? If recent media reports are correct, Alonso and BCPSS might not have so much boasting power that students actually are capable of an excellent education via a magnet setting. A recent Sun article explored the recent declining SAT test scores of these three schools, and exposed their startlingly low college graduation rates (39% and 46% for City and Poly, respectively). The article continues,“The quality of those schools… is a drawing card that attracts families to Baltimore.” I’d argue that these schools not only represent a hope for potential new residents, but they also represent a hope for Baltimore natives who would otherwise be forced to attend a zoned school within the proximity of their residence.
If City, Western, and Poly can no longer boast impressive college graduation rates, SAT scores, or (at the very least) an HSA passing rate competitive with the state of Maryland, Baltimore City Schools might receive even more criticism from those who claim that BCPSS can no longer boast a way for students to reach academic heights by their merit and determination. Some might argue that, for the sake of students in the district, it’s imperative that these schools remain enduring, educational strongholds.
1 comment:
After talking to the middle school students I teach about where they want to go to high school most of them included Poly or City in their list of prospective schools. I also heard Digital Harbor, Douglass, and Mervo from a majority of children. Not a single girl said Western. We talk about prospective high schools a lot, especially in seventh grade - when your MSAs count toward your composite score that is a part of your high school applications. Moving to Baltimore last summer made it clear that the high schools this article focuses on were THE high schools in Baltimore, if you were going to go the public school route. However, I think your take on the true value of these schools is closer to why my students include them in their lists. Everyone knows that these are the schools to go to - if you are serious about school. While I believe it is more than a right answer, I am hearing less and less of my middle schoolers set their sites on these schools, despite their reputation. While passing tests rates are important, I am curious to know what really motivates students to apply to certain schools. Is an age old reputation enough? For many it seems that it is not. Questioning my students revealed that Digital Harbor is popular because of where it is, the fact that it is technology based, and that a lot of their friends want to go there. Other school favorites were chosen based on where siblings or parents had attended. With decreasing stats and less of a draw to rising students what will be the fate of the Big Three in Baltimore? And, more importantly, who will decide this fate? I'll put my money on the consumers and their parents' preferences - test scores aside.
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