[Blargrifth]

Originally Posted by BicoastalAnn

I would go for the best schools for elementary and middle school since those are formative but some people are pretty set in their ways by high school. If you had a kid who was in the 99th percentile in all their standardized tests, did a bunch of extracurriculars, started the PSAT's in middle school, then I think that kid will excel anywhere and not be a victim of their environment. But again I'm only talking about schools where the curriculum itself is good but where the ESL population might skew the general standardized test scores. Like maybe Stamford. Idk how West Haven compares but I don't think anyone here would assume a kid is doomed if they go to Stamford.

Of course they aren't doomed, and yes those types of students in middle school should be more likely to take high school seriously. But 15-16 is still an unpredictable age where bad influences can easily overpower good influences if they are prevalent enough. So I guess my question is, if you can afford to have your kid go to a good elementary school and middle school, why take that risk by sending them to Stamford? Even if it doesn't change their personal behavior directly, it is still going to affect their academic opportunities and access to greater standards of education. It is not very engaging for the smarter kids in class to sit with their head on the desk for the second half of every period while the teacher works with the struggling kids so they can catch up.

[FutureTown]

Originally Posted by BicoastalAnn

That doesn't mean the kid who goes to Stamford and gets a 4.0 is losing out if he ends up the same school as his Ridgefield friend that has a 3.8. If his curriculum was really easier, then that's fair to me and I would expect that. If I bought into Ridgefield then sure I wouldn't go out of my way to send them to Stamford but for parents who are asking "Is Stamford terrible" I would say no... your kid could benefit from the slightly less competitive nature, but he should be prepared to work just as hard as if he were at Ridgefield.

This honestly sums up every "is this school district good in Connecticut" topic. Every CT school except for the inner cities one like BPT or Hartford are set up for your child's success if they are willing to succeed. No school will magically pump out better kids at the end of the day if the child is not motivated. I know kids from Ridgefield High who did not go to elite colleges and settled in community colleges/local universities because they didn't care much in high school. Likewise, I know a good friend of mine who went to Danbury High and has a great job here in Connecticut four years after high school. It really depends on the individual at the end of the day. Stamford High School has plenty to provide a good experience for kids.

[beerisgood02]

Originally Posted by FutureTown

This honestly sums up every "is this school district good in Connecticut" topic. Every CT school except for the inner cities one like BPT or Hartford are set up for your child's success if they are willing to succeed. No school will magically pump out better kids at the end of the day if the child is not motivated. I know kids from Ridgefield High who did not go to elite colleges and settled in community colleges/local universities because they didn't care much in high school. Likewise, I know a good friend of mine who went to Danbury High and has a great job here in Connecticut four years after high school. It really depends on the individual at the end of the day. Stamford High School has plenty to provide a good experience for kids.

Lots more to it than that. As another posted said, its also the disctractions from the riff-raff going to these schools. Why would you want your kid sitting next to another kid who robbed some house last night? No thanks.

[FunkOdyssey]

Originally Posted by beerisgood02

Why would you want your kid sitting next to another kid who robbed some house last night? No thanks.

I'm reminded of the popular wisdom, "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with". To whatever degree you can influence that in your children, seems a worthwhile effort.

[FutureTown]

Originally Posted by beerisgood02

Lots more to it than that. As another posted said, its also the disctractions from the riff-raff going to these schools. Why would you want your kid sitting next to another kid who robbed some house last night? No thanks.

Which is why I made the exclusion to inner cities (like BPT or Hartford). No kid really robs a house in Danbury or Stamford. Most bad groups are drug related and you find those in wealthy town and communities as well.

These city schools (Stamford, Danbury, Norwalk) have a huge population generally and hopefully your kid is wise enough to pick decent folks as his/her friends from the lot.

[beerisgood02]

Originally Posted by FunkOdyssey

I'm reminded of the popular wisdom, "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with". To whatever degree you can influence that in your children, seems a worthwhile effort.

Of course, but teenagers are just begging to try new things.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by Blargrifth

Of course they aren't doomed, and yes those types of students in middle school should be more likely to take high school seriously. But 15-16 is still an unpredictable age where bad influences can easily overpower good influences if they are prevalent enough. So I guess my question is, if you can afford to have your kid go to a good elementary school and middle school, why take that risk by sending them to Stamford? Even if it doesn't change their personal behavior directly, it is still going to affect their academic opportunities and access to greater standards of education. It is not very engaging for the smarter kids in class to sit with their head on the desk for the second half of every period while the teacher works with the struggling kids so they can catch up.

This. Fantastic.

[beerisgood02]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

This. Fantastic.

Agreed

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by Blargrifth

So I guess my question is, if you can afford to have your kid go to a good elementary school and middle school, why take that risk by sending them to Stamford?

DUHH!
no kidding Capt Obvious

[Blargrifth]

Originally Posted by Raider111

DUHH!
no kidding Capt Obvious

Maybe you should pay attention to the posts that I respond to before quoting me out of context.