Going to BHS after Private School
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Going to BHS after Private School
April 2007
I have some questions about east bay private high school. I have been
reading the reviews on BPN and they all sound wonderful.
Our daughter
will start looking at possible high schools this year and any input
from parents of kids at area schools would be great.
...
Or should we just bite the bullet and send her to Berkeley High?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all.
berkeleymomanddad
(See Private high school for N.Berkeley kids? for the full question and all replies)
Check out Berkeley High.
After all, BHS has the most number of
AP and Honors classes than any school in the area, the
largest/most varied athletic program of any high school west of
the Mississippi, and an incredibly visual and especially
performing arts program (the jazz band of course is nationally
ranked). In addition, BHS offers more languages than many
colleges (Spanish, French, Latin, Swahili, German, and starting
next year Mandarin Chinese). With this year's implementation of
the new International High program, every student has the
opportunity to be in a community-based setting. In addition to
the IH program (where students will be able to choose to receive
an international baccalaureate degree), there is Academic Choice
(traditional, college prep), and the small schools:
Communications/Arts/Science (CAS), Community Partnership
Academy, Social Justice, and Arts/Humanity (AHA), themed and/or
somewhat non-traditional college prep. Not to mention the
amazing number of clubs, associations, and other student
activities. Yes, Berkeley High can be intimidating for some
students and for some, the independence and freedom at BHS can
be too much to handle but I truly believe that NO PRIVATE HIGH
SCHOOL IN THE BAY AREA provides more overall than BHS in terms
of academic opportunity, academic rigor, and more importantly
life experiences.
Karen
We investigated private high schools, went through the whole
application process and enrolled our daughter in a private
school for ninth grade. (She was accepted at multiple
schools.) She ultimately decided to attend a school in Marin,
and the commute was awful even though the school provided a bus
from N. Berkeley, upwards of three hours per day. She also
found that she really needed to be in a larger school
environment, having attended private school for K-8. We
finally agreed to let her transfer half way through her first
semester to Berkeley High, despite already having committed to
the tuition at the private school, and the experience has been
great for her.
Because she came in mid-year she didn't get a choice of program
or classes, but the school worked with her to get her into the
right level of classes, and she is certain she made the right
decision. She is the only Freshman in several of her classes.
So, my advice is, look into Berkeley High as a positive option,
not a last resort. Many people outside of the city find ways
to enroll their children in BHS because it is a vibrant
community with excellent academic options.
The right school for your child depends on their personality
and interests.
Happy BHS parent
April 2005
I am the mother of an small 7th grade boy. He has organizational issues, and
so is not good at navigating beaurocratic mazes. He's been at small
independent schools so far. He's intimidated by the idea of so many students,
and by the idea of having to find his way around the campus. He's not good
at advocating for himself. He doesn't do well in chaotic environments.
We are attracted by some of what Berkeley High has to offer as far as
programs and ''life experience'', but we wonder whether it is realistic to
expect this kind of kid to succeed there. I'd love to hear comments about
this, as well as what it's like to advocate for your child there (tutoring, class
choices); what's the likelyhood of getting into one of the small schools of
your choice? How are small schools, and the academics in general?
Thanks,
torn mom
Torn Mom,
As a ninth Grader, I came to BHS feeling nervous abouyt the large enviroment
and all the beuracy there. I have organizational difficulties and I survived
there for all four years and am present At UCB. AT lunch and after school
there's often tutoring in Math and the sciences .Whatever your son's interests
there will be class for him. If you select a small school ,there's a high
probaly that he would get in to the small school As a former Academic Choice
student, I would recommend either AC or CPA, In the large school ,
Academics are very IFFY. If you want more specific info on BHS, conevt me
off-list.
'04 grad
anon
Dear Mom who is worried about the disorganized 7th grader
going to BHS. I understand your concerns, but want to
reassure you. They've expanding the number of small schools,
and your son should have no problem getting into one of
them, even if it's not your first choice. The academics in
the small schools are good, and the students benefit from
smaller class sizes in many cases. And last, but not least,
I'm willing to bet that you'll be amazed how much your 7th
grader matures before he has to start the 9th grade at BHS,
some 16 months from now. I know I was. As long as he has a
group of friends from his middle school that are also going
to BHS he should do fine. Even if they're not in the same
small school he is, it's good to have friends to hang out
with at lunch time.
Dianna
Dear Torn Mom,
Your letter describes my son to the letter. He is now
completing his 2nd year in the small school CAS at
Berkeley High School. Unfortunately, as a public school
teacher, parent and advocate it pains me to say that he
will not be returning next year. The classes are too big,
his teachers over worked and he is lost. I believe
Berkeley High is a great school for some kids but they
are not able to serve all kids (yet). We are leaving it for a
small school (10-12 kids ) in each class with a learning
center and homework hotline built in. There are some
great resources at Berkeley High but they weren't
enough for my son. I wish you luck in your decision.
Good Luck
April 2005
My 15-year-old daughter is unhappy at her present high
school and would like to switch to Berkeley High for
her sophomore year. Her father is opposed to her going to
BHS. How can I convince her that it is a ''good thing'' to
remain at her present school, at least for next year, and
then we can discuss it again?
anonymous
To the parents who have a daughter wanting to go to BHS as
a sophomore next year and is unhappy at her current school:
You didn't say why your daughter is unhappy or why it would
be a good thing for her to remain at her current school.
Why not Berkeley High? Have you visited the school? What
are your concerns? Berkeley High has something for
everyone. How might you engage your daughter in the process
of deciding and taking responsibility for her education? My
children have all graduated from Berkeley High. The
youngest will graduate from college in May and the others
have advanced degrees in law, English and one is working on
a PhD in medicine. I would have been just as proud if any
one had gone directly into the work world after high school
as long as he/she was prepared to work hard, be responsible
and contribute to society in positive ways. I would want
them to follow their hearts. They are supportive of their
parents and each other. They work hard and are caring,
loving and sensitive people. Their experiences growing up
with an education in the Berkeley public schools, yes,
Berkeley High, make them the wonderful adults they are
today.
Anonymous
I believe BHS is a great school, academically and socially,
for students who can handle many choices and mostly make
good ones.
I would suggest letting your daughter try BHS for her
sophmore year to see if it is a good fit. Work with her
current school to save her spot in case BHS is not a good
fit and she needs to return. Attending BHS as ''an
experiment'' in the 10th grade is a better idea than later
because there will be more time to recover from bad grades,
if that is what happens.
--BHS grad and supporter
Our three kids went to BHS, in the days when the bathrooms
were locked, the principals changed every year, and the
sports facilities were sub par...but they all are proud of
their BHS education. The oldest went to UCD, the second
daughter to UCB (and now UCSF med school) and the youngest
is currently at USF. They now say that there is nothing
that happened (drugs for example) at BHS that those in
private school didn't have access to in spades. They say
BHS prepared them for the ''real world''. The parent group at
BHS was always a fabulous group of smart dedicated
individuals, and their kids fun to know.
vicki, bhs parent
Sept 2001
My daughter,10th grade, very bright in her own way, has some learning
difficulties that affect memory . She is finding her Catholic School
program too demanding for this reason and wants to change and go to
public school.
Can anyone give me a sense of what it would be like to transfer to BHS ( If
it can be done) in such a context? Are there special supports there for
learning problems? My fear is that she would just be put with slow
learners and get lost. She has the impression public school would be easier
academically. I don't think this is so, except for those the school might
have given up on altogether. What I have heard about BHS ( rightly or
wrongly) is that there are a group of very bright and high performance kids
who get a great education at BHS and then the rest, some of whom get
very little. Perhaps this is not accurate.
Also, I am concerned by the reports of violence or intimidation. My
daughter is strong and street smart and has done public school before (on
the East coast). I am not really worried about her getting hurt but about
her getting distracted by this kind of drama. Are these incidents
considered exceptional? From what I read here this does not seem to be so.
Related factors: my daughter is on medication for depression and mood
stabilization and is a person of color in a biracial family extremely
concerned with race issues.
With this picture in mind, would anyone RECOMMEND trying to change
to BHS in this case? My approach at this point is to try to work with
the people at her present school and see if they can make adjustments
for her. But this may not work and her stress level is very
high. Does anyone have experience with other private schools, such as
Maybeck, that might be helpful to consider? Any suggestions would be
welcome.
Many thanks
I have been through the same process now with two teenagers with very
different needs. It is never easy, but the best advice I can give is
to closely listen to your teen (after doing some school visits with
her) and have faith that she will recognize the place where she
belongs. Remember--ALL our teens are different, in their own
wonderful way. It's our job to help them find a place where they know
that they are accepted and valued for the unique people they are,
despite their learning "differences". When you think about it, it's
those "differences" that make us poets or scientists, fire fighters or
ballet dancers. Find your daughter a school where she can be
treasured.
After a very long journey, my daughter is now a senior at Maybeck high
school. It is the absolute best place for her. She has ADD and is on
antidepressants, and has decided not to take Ritalin or other
stimulants because she just doesn't like "feeling weird" during the
day. We moved back to the US after living in Hong Kong for five years
and simply assumed that she would go to public middle school and would
be fine. WRONG! Our middle school, while having an excellent
reputation academically, was absolutely huge, anonymous and clearly
not the right place for learning differences that weren't severe
enough for special ed. One of the more harmful factors was the
cruelty of the other kids to my daughter. Call it the pecking order
or the pack mentality, but middle and high school kids seem to have
this radar down to a science. Luckily, we have a child who was able
to verbalize her upset to us and she communicated that this was just
NOT the place for her.
At that time, we had not heard of Maybeck, were part-way into the
semester and visited Arrowsmith. The smallness of the school, openess
of the staff and students and the obvious "differences" of each person
immediately appealed to my daughter, and she decided that was where
she would go. It was with real trepidation that I took my 8th grader
to that school each day. I think living overseas and the independence
she gained there served her well--she learned more about drug
addiction, street kids, racial issues, homeless people in that one
year than I could ever have imagined. Luckily, she just kept talking
to us quite honestly. It was a real awakening for me when she
matter-of-factly asked if I could drive her friend to rehab! after
school one day. I would recommend you check out Arrowsmith for
comparison. It is an accepting place where many kids who would
perhaps never finish high school do--and go on to lead very productive
lives.
The next year, because of the good grades that my daughter received
and Arrowsmith, she was accepted at Athenian. It is and excellent
school, with an exceptional staff who nurtured my daughter in every
way. Its only drawback was that we didn't realize just how
academically demanding it would turn out to be. My daughter had not
yet been diagnosed with ADD and we just couldn't figure out why such a
bright girl couldn't finish her assignments. She stayed up all night
working too many times to count, still with unfinished work. And
finally she was diagnosed and it all made sense. The ADD struggle is
still not over--we have to keep reminding ourselves, and changing our
expectations--but we treasure our daughter and have no doubt that she
will do something (many things) wonderful in the world.
After 2 years of loving Athenian but struggling terribly there, she
was getting very depressed and starting to lie about what she had
finished in terms of school work. She was put on academic probation
several times--each time with the resolve to do better and tutors etc.
She finally, once again looked at us and said Athenian just wasn't the
place for her. She felt very badly letting her teachers, to whom she
had grown very close, down. She loved that place "in theory" and all
that it stands for, but looking back, she realizes that she was
constantly comparing herself to the rest of the students who in
majority were "superachievers".
By this time, she had a wonderful therapist who helped us regroup and
suggested looking into Maybeck. (See Maybeck recommendations.)
I hope this helps you to see that there are alternatives to the public
school "mill". Just look into them and remember that smaller truly
can be better, especially for kids who see themselves as different.
Saying that, my younger teenage boy has opted to go back to public
school after a year in Catholic school because he misses the "larger"
arena and the ability to meet more kids, instead of kids who may have
spent their whole school career in what he calls, "sheltered"
parochial schools. So you see--different needs for different kids!!
It's true, we feel VERY lucky to have the financial option to help our
children find the right school for them.
Now, I wonder what my newly adopted Chinese daughter will need when
she gets to high school. I can confidently say that we will help her
find her place every step of the way.
You can e-mail me privately it you would like. Good luck to you.
Sounds as though you have a good handle on your daughter's
needs--don't be afraid to let her go a little different route. Best
of luck on your journey.
Katie
If you suspect your student has a learning disability,
you should request in writing that your public school
test your child. The letter should go to the Special
Ed administrator on site at the school or the
principal. Keep a copy for your records. The school
must respond within 15 days with an asessment plan and
must test a student suspected of learning
disabilities. If a student qualifies for an IEP, the
IEP must be written and implemented within 50 days. If
the student has a disability but does not qualify for
special education, you can request a "504" plan which
will allow for accomodations (more time for tests and
assignments etc.)
Berkeley parents have formed a parent group BSPED that
provides information and support for special ed
parents in BUSD. To join the BSEP etree: Julia Epstein
sandstep at earthnet.com
Beth
In reply to parent whose daughter wants to change to
public school
My daughter has not changed to BHS but when we
originally considered sending her there, we thought
she might be distracted and perhaps not given the
attention and focus she needed. She has been at
Arrowsmith and that has worked quite well for her.
While the majority of her friends go to BHS she has
found a balance between her social life with them and
her academic and social life with her school mates.
I think it depends on how severe your daughters learning difficulties
are. But the truth about BHS, or what I believe it to be is this: I
don't think your daughter has to worry about violence. The school
doesn't give up on students. The students give up on themselves and
the parents give up on the students. At BHS there are "easy"
teachers that give very little work and/or work that is not
challenging. This results in getting a higher grade easier, but this
also usually means that the students don't learn very much in these
classes. Then there are "hard" teachers. Some of them give too much
work and not enough help and it is in these classes that usually only
the very highly motivated students succeed with a high grade. Some
"hard" teachers give some challenging assignments but also offer
enough teaching and help for most students to complete these
assignments and learn a fair amount new information. There most
definitely are racial issues at BHS, but since your daughter is
biracial she should have the less trouble with racial issues than
most other students at BHS. There is also a good chance that your
daughter would find some very supportive friends, this always, I mean
always helps with deppression and mood stabilization. But there is
also a chance of her getting involved with some not so helpful
people. There are so many people at BHS that whatever you look for
you can usually find it. I am not so sure about programs to aid your
daughters specific learning difficulties. But, that aside, going
purely from the information you posted in the newsletter, I would
recommend transferring to BHS, earlier rather than later in the year
if it's going to happen.
I really, really hope this helps at least a little.
OM
I wanted to let the mom looking for a new school for her 10th grade
daughter know that Arrowsmith Highschool in Berkeley may be an
alternative. (See Arrowsmith
recommendations.)
June 2001
I have been watching this newsletter for a year and a half - and have put out
"tactful queries" in the past about the tough decision we face about whether our
son should leave private school to go to Berkeley high. No responses have been
forthcoming. He just finnished 7th grade and is quite interested in changing to
BHS, but has only social reasons ( which have some merit). The more I read at
this site - and talk with parents - I am perplexed as to why would I choose to
give up great teachers, access to great courses, lots of sports and resources and
support - for BHS - which, among other things, is now eliminating history in the
Freshman curriculum. All tact now aside - my kid has a strong sense of social
justice, and is not in an ivory tower. He doesn't need BHS to get a taste of the
"real world" _ So what is the draw, if we can afford to do otherwise. My son is
not a "self-starter" who will jumpt to take advantage of what BHS has to offer
academically - and is not likely to "fight" to get a few good classes" He will
slide and have "fun". Lately - however, I feel like I am the only one left that
doesn't see the attraction of BHS. So please - I could use some read benchmarks
on which to base this decision. Thanks - Anon parent of 8th grader in fall.
Both my kids went through Berkeley High-- my second will graduate in June
2002 and I would likely make the same decision again. BHS is not without
it's frustrations and limitations, it's bureaucracies and it's share of
mediocre teachers. However, it is most importantly an exciting, vibrant,
creative school with dedicated teachers and every possible color and shape
and inclination of kid. We as parents have seen both our kids collectively
participate in Lit Mag, Soccer, Cross Country, Jazz Ensemble, the truly
exceptional Latin program, Orchestra, senior streak, proms. They've made
movies, learned photography, served on committees. We recently had the
pleasure to attend the performance of Grease and the final Dance
Performances, both of which were fun and wonderfully done. The spirit of
these kids and the camaraderie among the performers and the pride coming from
the audience put me in touch with all that's the best in this school
community.
Academically there are highs mediums and lows -- I'm sure you've heard
testimony regarding all three. Much what you hear is true, some of what you
hear is tainted by parental experience with their particular child and his
or her struggles and strengths. I've heard parents who are considering BHS
over private schools think that allowing their child to follow their desire
to go to Berkeley is tantamount to dropping them into a garbage dump. Despite
it's rough exterior (literally) and the complexity of running a huge school
in an ethnically and socio-economically diverse community I find that there's
so much life and a good deal of excellence there that I am pleased to have
given my children an opportunity to be a part of it.
Wfred
In response to the parent wondering why he or she doesn't see the benefits
of Berkeley High but continues to think that he or she is missing
something: If you don't see any benefits to Berkeley High for your child,
don't send him there.
It sounds like the school he's in is fine, he's not a self-starter and
might float too much in a big school. He may not want to take advantage of
all the opportunities there. That's okay. So leave him where he is, feel
good about it and stop worrying.
Berkeley High already has more than enough students. If yours is happy
elsewhere, that's great!
I'm sorry that no one responded to your question. I'm happy to share my
opinion- but you raise some good questions. If your son is happy,
thriving, and in a positive environment, and the cost of private school is
not crushing you and your family why move him? We have had a very positive
experience with BHS. It is definitely a complicated place with the bad and
the good mixed in. My daughter would often say she hates it, but my
observation is that she is thriving. She is definitely a go getter, and is
becoming more so as she is at BHS. She is challenged taking AP science and
honors math classes. History and English were okay this year, great last
year. She gets a real world experience which I think is important. It is
making her savvy, cynical, jaded, less idealistic, angry, more practical,
able to fight for what she needs for herself.....what else can I say? It's
part of growing up. As I watch her move in the world I like who she is
becoming, and I think her experiences at BHS have a lot to do with that.
The fact that race and class so often run along the same lines is a complex
thing for all of us to deal with, and I think being at BHS brings her face
to face with the injustice of our educational system for some. Grappling
with these issues makes her a more thoughtful person. Educationally, I
think she gets enough of high quality that she will do okay long term--but
she may learn to write in college, since it is not happening in high
school. I'm not sure what you should do, I can only offer a description of
our experience. I am hoping we can pull together enough money that my
daughter can go to a smaller private college and get more individualized
attention. It seems like it would be a reward for wading through the
complexity of BHS. Maybe a great private high school, then a state
university does the same thing in terms of teaching kids to function well
in different learning environments. There are so many right ways to do this.
Hope this is helpful.
My children, nieces and nephews have all gone to Berkeley High. Our
family adult peers are all college graduates as well as our parents/
their grandparents. The girls all did well. The boys flunked out,
went to alternative, private schools or just barely graduated. I
think to succeed at BHS, you have to be well disciplined and involved
in extra-curricular activities. If your child is already having
trouble at school, they will not get the extra help and support they
need to graduate. The open campus and the loose attendance policies
of the past have made it more fun to not come back from lunch and to
stay in the park with friends and wander off.
I think the students at BHS are incredibly talented, vocal
and multi-faceted. BHS is like a junior college. It doesn't have
the same sort of "school spirit" that other high schools have. The
students who graduate can articulate their experiences and social
relationships in a way that most adults have trouble . Students have
great teachers, the courses are of the highest quality for college
bound youth. Kids who aren't going on to college or don't have the
drive, interest, skills are left behind quickly. If your child joins
a sports team, or club, that will help pull them along. But extra
tutoring is often necessary.
If your child wants to go to BHS and you can afford a
private school and you think they have the motivation to succeed.
Then I would send them to BHS and monitor the situation. If they
start to fail, pull them out and send them to a private school.
First time reply on my part; our daughter just finished freshman year at
Berkeley high and had what I would consider a great experience. Most of it
is based in the fact that she joined the womens crew team and had an intense
experience (virtually yearlong workouts some of which are at 6am at Lake
Merrit). Also she has a huge group of great friends (30 or so on the team).
BHS is huge, no denying it, and if you feel your child can benefit from a
larger school than do it. If where he is is great then why change. BHS is
great for us. I just never see other people say this in this newsletter.
We too have been following the discussions regarding Berkeley High for some time and
share your concerns about children who are not "self-starters" who will fight their way
into the "good" classes. We have decided to move to Orinda solely because we have come
to
believe that attending Berkeley High is not the only way to insure that our son
graduates
from high school with a sense of what the "real world" is all about. We are planning on
sending our boys to public school in Orinda. Our son too wanted to attend BHS because
"all of his friends are going" but that wasn't reason enough to sway us. We just decided
we didn't want to possibly sacrifice our son's physical well-being to the political
correctness gods who feel that people who choose alternatives to inner city public
education don't care about their communities. Are we heartbroken to be leaving
Berkeley,
you better believe it. It was a tough decision but one we felt very compelled to make.
Good Luck -
2000
While this may be a Pandora's Box - I would appreciate comments re: decision
whether to send our son to Berkeley High for 9th Grade. From K-present (7th) he
has been at Head Royce and has been really happy - but he is anxious to "spread
his wings." He is a good student - not stellar - and not particularly self
motivated, same with sports. I am worried he will get lost in the cracks at a
large public high school. I am also not happy with the recent management
problems I have been hearing about BHS . Also, when I was reading school board
candidate statements I only heard emphasis about helping the disadvantaged
(which is fine) - but with what seems like a lot of resentment toward the
"advantaged" Getting rid of tracking seems to be a big concern as well. I was
a public school kid, and feel sad not to support my own community school - but
"exposure to the real world" is not the only good reason to change schools.
Please give me your comments.
Anonymous
Basically, you have to know your child. One and one-half years ago, we
had serious concerns as to whether or not BHS would be the right place
for our son, after 1-8 at a very small independent school.
We were concerned for his physical safety, ability to motivate himself
if assigned a so-so instructor, and the possibility of being
influenced by students who did not want to be in school.
After he exhibited incredible discipline in preparing for his Bar
Mitzvah, we were no longer concerned about the issues requiring his
focus. We decided that we would rather he face some of the rigors of
BHS with us 10 minutes away, than face the extreme academic pressures
of most of the college prep schools. We were very concerned about the
"burn-out" factor he might face at the prep schools.
So far, everyone's experience has been good. We had no immediate
scheduling problems which got things off to a good start. The added
responsibility of the extra independence of riding the bus has
actually made him more responsible in other areas of life at home.
He is able to be positively critical of both his "good" and "bad"
teachers, and to see that his favorite teacher personality- wise, is
really not delivering much materially. Conversely, he is mature enough
to see that one of the teachers he doesn't like, is teaching him a
great deal.
We have had enjoyable discussions about certain student issues - the
latest being the issuing of tickets to jaywalkers at lunchtime.
He is not as academically challenged this semester as I would have
hoped, but he is learning and working, especially in math. He also
acknowledges that this will change as he enrolls in AP courses.
His attitude regarding his safety seems to be a prudent and informed
one. Perhaps the transition was made easier by the fact that some of
his independent school classmates, as well as religious school
acquaintances and soccer teammates are also at BHS.
Hope this helps. but it all boils down to individual experience and
being able to take the good with the bad.
Anonymous
I meant to write this before to all the parents trying to decide where
to send their child. Although I pulled my hair while my daughter was
at Berkeley High School, and thought that often the teachers did not
expect very much from the students, and even though I dispaired what
and if my daughter was learning, she did eventually get accepted at a
college. In fact she was accepted at all three colleges where she
applied. And even better, she is able to handle the course work at
the college. She is doing very nicely even in the basic Freshman
writing class (which is where I think Berkeley High is the weakest).
And after attending Berkeley High she is quite able to handle the
buraucratic stuff of going to college, like selecting classes, meeting
with advisors, changing classes, etc. I noticed that during the
orientation program, she had no difficulties, unlike many of the
students. Berekely High kids are used to finding their way, tracking
down the appropriate person, and so forth. So have faith that with
your monitoring and assistance that your student can learn at Berkeley
High School and go forward into many good choices.
Miriam
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