HELP!! Young AA family ISO affordable intown living and good public schools!! (Atlanta: hair salon, crime rates)

[plessthanpointohfive]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Whoa, whoa, whoa...misinformation! We have to be careful...


The Kirkwood and East Lake neighborhoods are in fact zoned for Grady High (Toomer Elementary and East Lake Elementary).

Crim High no longer exists as a normal high school...it is now an evening/alternative school. Its former zone was divided between Grady High and Maynard Jackson High.

Edgewood neighborhood, for example, (just east of Kirkwood) is zoned for Maynard Jackson High.

Toomer and East Lake both feed into Coan Middle...Coan Middle feeds into Grady and Maynard Jackson...the Toomer/East Lake parts go on to Grady High.

So, to help the OP further...Toomer/East Lake Elementary...good-great! Grady High...great! The weak link is Coan Middle. However, I think as the tide rises at Toomer/East Lake, we will start to see improvement at Coan Middle in the next 5 to 6 years--following the same pattern that Inman Middle, Sutton Middle, and Renfroe Middle followed in the past (improvement at the elementary level in neighborhood schools eventually leading to improvement at the middle school level...and Toomer/East Lake/Coan have an advantage--they already feed into a great high school!)



I hope this helps...and informs! Good Luck!

Thanks for the update. That's why I said *I think* because I wasn't sure. Toomer is physically close to Crim, so I thought they'd be zoned there.

We should always put a disclaimer to check with APS website. They have an app where you can put an address in and it will tell you which schools it's zoned to.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

Thanks for the update. That's why I said *I think* because I wasn't sure. Toomer is physically close to Crim, so I thought they'd be zoned there.

We should always put a disclaimer to check with APS website. They have an app where you can put an address in and it will tell you which schools it's zoned to.

Yep, yep...so true.

And that fact that Crim is no longer a real high school...this definitely needs to be spread...I've even seen some realtors still using "Crim High" as the high school for certain areas...!

A problem...especially since Grady and Maynard Jackson are good schools with good reputations (and yes, people...Maynard Jackson High does have a great reputation/program...it was recently designated one of the top urban high schools in the country!)

[StPaulEastSider]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Yep, yep...so true.

Maynard Jackson High does have a great reputation/program...it was recently designated one of the top urban high schools in the country!)

This is news to me, thank you. Unfortunately, I can't really figure out where their website is, although "Southside Comprehensive
High School" seems like it may, perhaps, be one in the same with Maynard Jackson High School.

Why is it APS, all but Grady HS's, have such lousy websites? I mean they are PATHETIC!

I was told, just today in fact, that we can apply for the APS Magnet Programs while living out of district... our daughter will be in 8th grade in the upcoming school year and our plans are to move to ATL in late June of 2010, after our oldest graduates from high school in mid-June 2010. This year St. Paul, MN public schools run through June 10th, so I don't think we will be able to get to ATL any earlier than the last week of June in 2010.

I was advised by a woman in Minneapolis who was with KIPP WAYS ACADEMY in Atlanta until recently, and is now employed by the KIPP Academy Middle School in Minneapolis, to look closely at Mays HS Mathematics and Science Magnet Program for our now 7th grade daughter.

This appears to be a better fit than Grady HS's Commuications Magnet for my now 13 year old daughter, her strong suits are math and science and that's been her passion since early elementary school. She is in band and orchestra and they appear to have strong programs in that as well. My kids's are 1/2 black and she says attending an all-black HS doesn't bother her in the least... since she's been in virtually all-white to mostly integrated schools here in Minnesota, we are fine with her attending an all-black school for HS - the experience should give her a well-rounded educational experience overall.

I'm reasoning/hoping, since Mays' Magnet Program doesn't APPEAR to be as highly sought after as Grady HS's Magnet Program, she may have a better chance to walk into the district in June of 2010 and still get enrolled in the Mays Math and Sceince Magnet Program. Either that, or I would like to apply for the Magnet Programs in the APS next Jaunary, when she is still in 8th grade up here.

BTW, this kid is currently pulling a A- average and she admits shje really isn't putting any effort into it. She is consistently tests into the top 99% on the IOWA Basics and is currently in the Gifted and Talented Track at her junior high school in St.Paul, it's one of the top two public junior high schools in the district. She's taking Algebra I as a 7th grader [this is typically 8th grde math in our district], she plans to take both Algebra II and Geometry next school year, and she's in pre-AP courses in most of her other subjects. She's also active in the YMCA's Girl Power Leadership Program and volunteers at a nature center.

I actually floated the idea she try for scholarships in a private high school once we get to ATL, but she shot down that idea. We were in a VERY affluent suburb here in Minnesota for several years, and the snootiness of the kids there left a bad taste in her mouth. She likes the urban environment of her currently school, which is located in a NICE part of St. Paul, literally next door to MaCalaster College, if that means anything to anyone here.

Mays has a lower ratio of "economic disadvantaged" students than her current school, with 71% on the free and reduced lunch program at Ramsey, compared to 61 % at Mays.However, if what we have found to be true at Ramsey holds true for Mays, a higher percentage of the students in the "magnet" program will likely be drawn from the school's non-economically disadvantaged population. We appreciate economic diversity, but we also want our children to get well-versed in middle-class standards and values.

So they only BIG difference is that her current school is pretty close to a three-way split between Asian/Black and White [in St. Paul, MN, "asian" students are almost always "Hmong" students] and MAYS is 98% Black and 2% Hispanic... and <1% multi-racial... but I suspect most bi-racial black/white kids self-identify as "black" - at least I know my own kids self-identify as black, even though they are all so light-skinned they sometimes find themselves arguing to convince other students that they really are black. My 13-year old has her hair in locs, her highly textured hair is usually her "proof" of her racial identity - that and the testimony of her friends and teachers who have met her dad.... so I don't know how this is all going to go over at MAYS, but this kid is VERY self-aware and VERY self-confident, she knows she'll be walking into a totally new environment, and she's game for it - in fact she's looking forward to it. No doubt she'll deal with any opposition in stride - she always does just fine... sometimes, oftentimes, amazing her parents in the process.

Lastly, she likes the school spirit of a school with a strong athletics program, even though she's not really into sports herself... should she get into the marching band, having teams to support is a good thing. She wants a more "traditional" HS experience, as opposed to an experimental or charter school.

OKAY, so from my digging at GreatSchools dot net, Mays looks to be a very viable option... but the area where we are looking for homes appear to be in the Douglass and Washington Zones... not that that really matters, since we are looking at the SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS MAGNET PROGRAM at MAYS...

++++

"My Perception of a Possible Problem - Real or Imagined?"

This was far as I got on the Internet, so I decided to get on the phone earlier today. I called the district directly and got "I think you can apply for Magnet Programs while residing out of district, check back in January when the applications come out to be sure." Not exactly concrete information - UGH!'

I tried calling MAYS directly, and this is where I started wondering if I was "in for it" as a white mom dealing with an all-black school administration. I made at least 3-4 calls to different people, trying to ask questions and get a feel for the Magnet program at MAYS.... I was not given the time of day! I mean, I could not even get a complete sentence out w/o being transferred to either a voice mail system, or outside the building and back to the district offices!

Then, as an experiment of sorts, I had my Georgia-born & raised, black, husband call MAYS HS.

Often, in his job in sales, most people cannot tell if he's black or white or whatever when he's on the phone, but when it's helpful for building rapport, he can easily slip into full "black, southern vernacular mode"... not really a big deal, most professional black folks can do this with ease...

So, my husband called MAYS and asked a few questions. Guess what? He got a totally different response from the staff at Mays - they were receptive, let him ask questions - unfortunately I hadn't coached him regarding what questions to ask... but he certainly got more respect than I did in any of my attempts to communicate with the school.

He only made one call, to my several calls, so it wasn't a controlled study or anything like that... but still....

The question I'm asking myself is, "Am I going to be able to function in my role as parent to a student in that school?" I mean, I can't even get an ear to give me the time of day as it stands right now, and I do feel this is a racial thing, I really wonder what the reaction would be if I just walked into the school and started asking questions... when we get to Atlanta for our planned visit in the fall... it may get interesting.

I told my husband, "You may end up being the primary go-to parent for this kid's educational concerns while she's at MAYS - because I don't know if I am going to be accepted there... I mean, I really don't know how this is going to work out for ME in the parental role I usually fulfill in our household, so we may need to switch up the roles a bit."

Typically I do the selecting of the kids' schools, the advocating for the kids' educational pathways, etc. - we both typically attend conferences together, although sometimes his work schedule interferes with this plan. In h.s. my 2nd daughter will likely need very little input from me regardless - but there have been a few times I've marched into the school office at my older daughter's high school and made a case for her to, for example, get transferred from one elective to another, or moved from a regular to an AP course. OF course, at this age I try to coach my kids to advocate for themselves, but sometimes a parent's pro-active advocacy is still appropriate.

As a white woman married to a black man, I cerainly do feel more "tension" in the south from black women.... Repeatedly, I feel a dramatic 'change' in attitudes once the fact I am with a black man becomes known to a black woman I've just recently met...

You know what? I get this. I understand... I really do understand. Just to be clear, I didn't steal anyone's man, we've been together for 19 years and I never chased after him [he did the chasing - ha!] and I never dated a black man before him... but I still understand the implications and whatnot of a black man w/ a white woman.

Once we get to know each other, and the walls are broken down a bit, everything's usually cool. In fact I was with an AA girlfriend of mine recently when she went on a rant about black guys who overlook sisters for white women. I was like, "Hold up! Did you forget who you are talking to here?" Her response cracked me up - "Oh, you guys don't count- you and my bro' [her nickname for my husband] were born to be soul mates."

Anyhoo.... I know this is kind of a lot of streaming thoughts which I'm putting out here for dissection.... but any input or insight would be appreciated. TIA

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by StPaulEastSider

This is news to me, thank you. Unfortunately, I can't really figure out where their website is, although "Southside Comprehensive
High School" seems like it may, perhaps, be one in the same with Maynard Jackson High School.

Why is it APS, all but Grady HS's, have such lousy websites? I mean they are PATHETIC!

I was told, just today in fact, that we can apply for the APS Magnet Programs while living out of district... our daughter will be in 8th grade in the upcoming school year and our plans are to move to ATL in late June of 2010, after our oldest graduates from high school in mid-June 2010. This year St. Paul, MN public schools run through June 10th, so I don't think we will be able to get to ATL any earlier than the last week of June in 2010.

I was advised by a woman in Minneapolis who was with KIPP WAYS ACADEMY in Atlanta until recently, and is now employed by the KIPP Academy Middle School in Minneapolis, to look closely at Mays HS Mathematics and Science Magnet Program for our now 7th grade daughter.

This appears to be a better fit than Grady HS's Commuications Magnet for my now 13 year old daughter, her strong suits are math and science and that's been her passion since early elementary school. She is in band and orchestra and they appear to have strong programs in that as well. My kids's are 1/2 black and she says attending an all-black HS doesn't bother her in the least... since she's been in virtually all-white to mostly integrated schools here in Minnesota, we are fine with her attending an all-black school for HS - the experience should give her a well-rounded educational experience overall.

I'm reasoning/hoping, since Mays' Magnet Program doesn't APPEAR to be as highly sought after as Grady HS's Magnet Program, she may have a better chance to walk into the district in June of 2010 and still get enrolled in the Mays Math and Sceince Magnet Program. Either that, or I would like to apply for the Magnet Programs in the APS next Jaunary, when she is still in 8th grade up here.

BTW, this kid is currently pulling a A- average and she admits shje really isn't putting any effort into it. She is consistently tests into the top 99% on the IOWA Basics and is currently in the Gifted and Talented Track at her junior high school in St.Paul, it's one of the top two public junior high schools in the district. She's taking Algebra I as a 7th grader [this is typically 8th grde math in our district], she plans to take both Algebra II and Geometry next school year, and she's in pre-AP courses in most of her other subjects. She's also active in the YMCA's Girl Power Leadership Program and volunteers at a nature center.

I actually floated the idea she try for scholarships in a private high school once we get to ATL, but she shot down that idea. We were in a VERY affluent suburb here in Minnesota for several years, and the snootiness of the kids there left a bad taste in her mouth. She likes the urban environment of her currently school, which is located in a NICE part of St. Paul, literally next door to MaCalaster College, if that means anything to anyone here.

Mays has a lower ratio of "economic disadvantaged" students than her current school, with 71% on the free and reduced lunch program at Ramsey, compared to 61 % at Mays. If what we have found to be true at Ramsey runs true for Mays, a higher percentage of the students in the "magnet" program will be from the non-economically disadvantaged population of the school.

So they only BIG difference is that her current school is pretty close to a three-way split between Asian/Black and White [in St. Paul, MN, "asian" students are almost always "Hmong" students] and MAYS is 98% Black and 2% Hispanic... and <1% multi-racial... but I suspect most bi-racial black/white kids self-identify as "black" - at least I know my own kids self-identify as black, even though they are all so light-skinned they sometimes find themselves arguing to convince other students that they really are black. My 13-year old has her hair in locs, her highly textured hair is usually her "proof" of her racial identity - that and the testimony of her friends and teachers who have met her dad.... so I don't know how this is all going to go over at MAYS, but this kid is VERY self-aware and VERY self-confident, she knows she'll be walking into a totally new environment, and she's game for it - in fact she's looking forward to it. No doubt she'll deal with any opposition in stride - she always does just fine... sometimes, oftentimes, amazing her parents in the process.

Lastly, she likes the school spirit of a school with a strong athletics program, even though she's not really into sports herself... should she get into the marching band, having teams to support is a good thing. She wants a more "traditional" HS experience, as opposed to an experimental or charter school.

OKAY, so from my digging at GreatSchools dot net, Mays looks to be a very viable option... but the area we where we are looking for homes appear to be in the Douglass and Washington Zones... not that that really matters, since we are looking at the SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS MAGNET PROGRAM at MAYS...

++++

"My Perception of a Possible Problem - Real or Imagined?"

This was far as I got on the Internet, so I decided to get on the phone earlier today. I called the district directly and got "I think you can apply for Magnet Programs while residing out of district, check back in January when the applications come out to be sure." Not exactly concrete information - UGH!'

I tried calling MAYS directly, and this is where I started wondering if I was "in for it" as a white mom dealing with an all-black school administration. I made at least 3-4 calls to different people, trying to ask questions and get a feel for the Magnet program at MAYS.... I was not given the time of day! I mean, I could not even get a complete sentence out w/o being transferred to either a voice mail system, or outside the building and back to the district offices!

Then, as an experiment of sorts, I had my Georgia-born & raised, black, husband call MAYS HS.

Often, in his job in sales, most people cannot tell if he's black or white or whatever when he's on the phone, but when it's helpful for building rapport, he can easily slip into full "black, southern vernacular mode"... not really a big deal, most professional black folks can do this with ease...

So, my husband called MAYS and asked a few questions. Guess what? He got a totally different response from the staff at Mays - they were receptive, let him ask questions - unfortunately I hadn't coached him regarding what questions to ask... but he certainly got more respect than I did in any of my attempts to communicate with the school.

He only made one call, to my several calls, so it wasn't a controlled study or anything like that... but still....

The question I'm asking myself is, "Am I going to be able to function in my role as parent to a student in that school?" I mean, I can't even get an ear to give me the time of day as it stands right now, and I do feel this is a racial thing, I really wonder what the reaction would be if I just walked into the school and started asking questions... when we get to Atlanta for our planned visit in the fall... it may get interesting.

I told my husband, "You may end up being the primary go-to parent for this kid's educational concerns while she's at MAYS - because I don't know if I am going to be accepted there... I mean, I really don't know how this is going to work out for ME in the parental role I usually fulfill in our household, so we may need to switch up the roles a bit."

Typically I do the selecting of the kids' schools, the advocating for the kids' educational pathways, etc. - we both typically attend conferences together, although sometimes his work schedule interferes with this plan. In h.s. my 2nd daughter will likely need very little input from me regardless - but there have been a few times I've marched into the school office at my older daughter's high school and made a case for her to, for example, get transferred from one elective to another, or moved from a regular to an AP course. OF course, at this age I try to coach my kids to advocate for themselves, but sometimes a parent's pro-active advocacy is still appropriate.

As a white woman married to a black man, I cerainly do feel more "tension" in the south from black women.... Repeatedly, I feel a dramatic 'change' in attitudes once the fact I am with a black man becomes known to a black woman I've just recently met...

You know what? I get this. I understand... I really do understand. Just to be clear, I didn't steal anyone's man, we've been together for 19 years and I never chased after him [he did the chasing - ha!] and I never dated a black man before him... but I still understand the implications and whatnot of a black man w/ a white woman.

Once we get to know each other, and the walls are broken down a bit, everything's usually cool. In fact I was with an AA girlfriend of mine recently when she went on a rant about black guys who overlook sisters for white women. I was like, "Hold up! Did you forget who you are talking to here?" Her response cracked me up - "Oh, you guys don't count- you and my bro' [her nickname for my husband] were born to be soul mates."

Anyhoo.... I know this is kind of a lot of streaming thoughts which I'm putting out here for dissection.... but any input or insight would be appreciated. TIA

Hello St. Paul...

Yes, APS's website is poor. Here is Maynard Jackson High's website...

Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School


About Mays...I think once people there get to "know" you, things will be ok.

I think Mays may be the perfect school for your daughter...it has the strong math/science program, plus the athletics and marching band your daughter craves. I also like how you mentioned an "all-black" experience will round out your daughter's education. If she's in the Math/Science academy, I predict the transition will be even easier.

The fact that your daughter is so light-skinned should not be a problem...there will be a "rainbow of hues" at Mays High...there will be plenty of kids who look just like her.


Good Luck!

[StPaulEastSider]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Hello St. Paul...

Yes, APS's website is poor. Here is Maynard Jackson High's website...

Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School


About Mays...I think once people there get to "know" you, things will be ok.

I think Mays may be the perfect school for your daughter...it has the strong math/science program, plus the athletics and marching band your daughter craves. I also like how you mentioned an "all-black" experience will round out your daughter's education. If she's in the Math/Science academy, I predict the transition will be even easier.

The fact that your daughter is so light-skinned should not be a problem...there will be a "rainbow of hues" at Mays High...there will be plenty of kids who look just like her.


Good Luck!

Thanks Aries!

I'm thinking Maynard Holbrook Jackson HS won't even be an option unless we live in the zoning for that school - correct?

They don't seem to have a magnet program. The do seem to have a lot of college-bound students, and I think it's safe to assume they offer AP courses.

I know my daughter would really like the fact they don't have "uniforms". The uniform requirement at MAYS is one thing she REALLY does not like about that school.

If someone could point me to a map of zoning for high schools in the APS, that would help when we are ready to start looking for our next home.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by StPaulEastSider

Thanks Aries!

I'm thinking Maynard Holbrook Jackson HS won't even be an option unless we live in the zoning for that school - correct?

They don't seem to have a magnet program. The do seem to have a lot of college-bound students, and I think it's safe to assume they offer AP courses.

I know my daughter would really like the fact they don't have "uniforms". The uniform requirement at MAYS is one thing she REALLY does not like about that school.

If someone could point me to a map of zoning for high schools in the APS, that would help when we are ready to start looking for our next home.

Well, APS has traditionally had a pretty open out-of-district attendance policy.

APS's school boundary maps are always hard to find on their site...they often remove it (and then put it back)...I don't know how to help you here.

But, considering your criteria (good school, good neighborhoods, math/science, athletics, marching band, diversity, and no problem with heavily black), I recommend that you look at Mays, Douglass, and Jackson high schools in APS.

I also recommend that you look into Westlake High, Langston Hughes High (brand new 2009-2010), and Creekside High in Fulton County; and South Cobb High and Wheeler High in Cobb County (both South Cobb and Wheeler have excellent Science/Math Magnet Programs). The schools I listed in Fulton and Cobb are also not too far out and are pretty close-in. And all of the districts have great neighborhoods/homes!


*I know you said "in-town living"...but I just wanted to mention a few more options for you.

[Atlantasfinest]

StPaulEastSider-

I have many friends that have attended Mays, Douglass and Westlake High Schools who I attended college with in the Atlanta University Center who attended Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Spelman and Morris Brown and they have all turned out well, come from great families and were very proud their High School experiences.

If your daughter attended a all white school she would stand out even more than she would at Mays, Doug or Westlake so she should fit in just fine at those schools. The magnet programs for these schools usually have the majority of the kids from higher socio-economic backgrounds and those from middle class to poor who are on the college track and who are excelling.

The top schools in the nation (Ivy League, Top public and private) recruit out of these schools as well and I know many who have received full-scholarships to Harvard, Yale, Spelman, Morehouse, Howard, Vanderbilt, Emory, Stanford, Etc. With your daughter on the Math-Science track she will have schools throwing themselves at her If she continues to excel. Good luck to you.

[StPaulEastSider]

Aries ~

Thanks again! I'm not the OP, btw. I hope she doesn't mind this hijacking of her thread... it just occurred to me this minute I'd kind done that.. ::hide::

Yes, we are really quite "stuck" on "intown"

Our budget to buy a home is quite low, we've never owned a home previously [no equity] and we want to keep the house payment very affordable on one income because we have dreams to start a business and we don't want the pressure of a huge mortgage payment weighing us down.

We are brave... we are willing to go into some neighborhoods with crime rates from which others might shy away , or run away! So our definition of "good" is not necessarily the same what others may define as "good"... I see a plethora of beautiful old homes, homes with great 'bones', but in dire need of a good renovation as a "good" neighborhood.

We want a neighborhood which we feel will make the turn towards revitalization, but really has not been "found" as yet... at least not in the way areas such as East Atlanta, Grant Park or our neighhborhood of the first year we were married - Candler Park - have been "discovered".

So... we have pretty much decided on West End, maybe Westview or Capitol View. We want to get involved in community organizing activities, community gardening, a neighborhood church... basically, we want to get "in" on a neighborhood at the very foothills of its' climb towards urban renewal. We know it will take time, especially in this economy... so, if the process takes 10, 15, even 20 or 25 years to be realized, we want to put down roots and be a part of the process.

Those area I mentioned are in the Douglass HS range, but the reviews at greatschools for Douglass are not great, two showed up this past month which are really quite damnning - one purportedly from a teacher. In addition to that, I've also talked to teachers in both the APS and DeKalb schools who have advised us to steer clear of Douglass... I do hope Douglass turns the corner at some point, but it's not where I want to send my now 7th grader.

I think having my mind set on either MAYS or MAYNARD JACKSON is good for now, good to know APS has been somewhat lenient about school boundaries in the past...

So now we have two options we are considering, that's one more than what we had before you mentioned MAYNARD JACKSON in this thread, and that makes me feel a little better about everything working out, one way or another, once we arrive in Atlanta in June of 2010. With my daughter entering her freshman year the fall of 2010, we need to make plans ahead of time.

I have a friend her in St. Paul who is headed to Atlanta this summer already [lucky her] they are an AA family and I know she's fine with mostly black schools, she just wants to find the good ones... I'll pass your list onto her... I'll just cross Douglass off the list before doing that... since I've had two educators in the ATL area express extreme disapproval at the very mention of Douglass, and these same educators were willing to consider other APS schools in predominately black areas - I feel pretty comfortable taking their advise on that one.

So once again - thank you - you've help me a lot!

[TJ26]

Hey Gang,

OP here. Just an update that we saw two homes yesterday that we LOVED. One right across the street from Grant Park and one in White Oak Hills off candler rd and memorial. I know the GP area goes to Parkside Elem so Im wondering if anyone has info on how to enroll my daughter in there who is out of district. Im thinking it would be cool to get her started in K this fall while we make arrangements to move intown. Then I would have time to save more money and not feel as rushed.

Second, I know that WOH goes to Midway and the Avondale Estates schools and Ive heard over and over again that they suck. So that is very discouraging, though the large craftsman there rocked.

So, if anyone has info on how to get into an APS elem school living out of district, let me know.

Thanks!
TJ26

p.s. carry on, this convo is very enlightening.

[StPaulEastSider]

Attachment 40770Attachment 40770

Originally Posted by Atlantasfinest

....

If your daughter attended a all white school she would stand out even more than she would at Mays, Doug or Westlake so she should fit in just fine at those schools. The magnet programs for these schools usually have the majority of the kids from higher socio-economic backgrounds and those from middle class to poor who are on the college track and who are excelling.

The top schools in the nation (Ivy League, Top public and private) recruit out of these schools as well and I know many who have received full-scholarships to Harvard, Yale, Spelman, Morehouse, Howard, Vanderbilt, Emory, Stanford, Etc. With your daughter on the Math-Science track she will have schools throwing themselves at her If she continues to excel. Good luck to you.

Atlanta's Finest -

Thanks for the words of encouragement, you made some very good points.

My kids actually don't stand out in an all-white environment, in fact that's exactly the type of schools they all attended up until 3 years ago. They are all light skinned enough to "pass for white"... my youngest girl has straight hair, that is unless it's a very humid day. It's kind of strange, but I think her hair is probably like that due to the my husband is at least 1/3 cherokee. My 13 yr old has dreadlocks, but a lot of white kids have dreadlocks these days, so that doesn't necessarily make her "black".

In fact, our kids weren't identifying themselves as a black and that's why we made the move from the virtually all white suburb to the city, here in Minnesota, 3 years ago.

Up until when we moved to the city, our kids didn't know the vernacular of the black culture... in other words, they didn't know how to "talk black". Let's just say, they have gotten far more than simply an academic education from the St. Paul Public Schools.

Thanks again for your post... It's all good.