Schools, schools, schools

[OhEdo]

Originally Posted by theboysmom

Ah, really? I have friend who blew a freakin' gasket when somebody called him "oriental". So I thought okay, who am I to disagree? Lol, ever since then it bugs me whenever I hear it because I think of how mad he got.

My ethnically Japanese mother refers to herself and others of her ilk as "Oriental" all the time. Just like some older African-Americans use "Negro" or "Colored." I agree, though, none of those terms are the most correct thing to say nowadays. All I meant is that "Asian" is a very broad term used in an incorrectly narrow way, and there are more accurate descriptions out there, such as East Asian or South Asian. The only time I actually get annoyed, though, is when someone refers to me as "Asian" or "Japanese" or half Asian or half Japanese and ignores the other (Irish) half. What that implies is that the non-white part of me is somehow less American than the white part, which makes no sense. Still, other than being called "Ch!nk" a couple times way back before I even knew what it meant, I've never felt like a victim of racism. Even the implication of being called half Asian and half American (as opposed to half Japanese, half Irish and all American) is not ill-intended, just a little ignorant. I correct these people and move on, and they get the point without becoming upset.
In any case I apologize for being a little off-topic - unfortunately I don't have a lot to add to the diversity in school debate due to lack of experience in the matter.

[dakwilk]

Thank you all for that lively debate! We just returned from Troy and had a good experience. We visited a school and there was not as much diversity as I would have liked, but I did see kids from many backgrounds and ethnicities. Of course the school's test scores are important to me, but I know that at school kids learn a lot more than the three R's. I went to a very diverse school growing up and it was a wonderful experience. I really didn't even notice the other kid's looked differently than me because it was normal to be different. It has helped me so much in my life. In high school, I was in the minority and could have used some more people that were like me. It was hard to be the only one in many of my classes! But, we didn't separate ourselves by race, it was more about what you did in the school. (Cheerleaders, football players, etc.) I want my kids to know that there are lots of people out there and that your racial background really doesn't make a difference as it relates to what type of person you are.

[MI183]

Those are all good school districts. I would rate B'ham as the best, Troy second. Troy seems to have the most varied cultural demographics of the four.

[millennialmom]

I too, have to disagree with Coldjensens. Troy has a great school system and it's diversity, in my mind, is a major strength. Opportunities are abundant in the Arts and Athletics as well as Academics. Troy High is the largest "feeder school" to The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. I would say that's pretty good.

[dnjskid]

Do you know if there are a lot of good employment opportunities with these school districts or any districts over there? I'm not a teacher but I work with an elementary school district in California and I am considering relocating to a much more affordable area.

[skoonz]

Personally I would send me child to Avondale schools over Berkely schools.

Skoonz

[BlackJapan79]

I wanted to know some summer camp that teach Japanese for my 6yr old. He goes to a foreign immersion school and takes Japanese.

[djmilf]

Originally Posted by skoonz

Personally I would send me child to Avondale schools over Berkely schools.

Skoonz

Really? I live in the Berkley school district, I'm curious as to why Avondale over Berkley?

And please, be honest...I won't be offended.

(then again, others might).

[firecracker123]

I got off the phone the other day with a women in Miami (where I will be travelling to for work) and she stated "you're from Toronto? I heard everybody is a mix od something up there" and I said "yep, I believe my husband is the only full white person in the city!" lol i was joking of course....but it made me realize just how racially mixed we are up here and though there are pockets, and areas (naturally( where one culture dominates it isn't the rule....so I guess to hear so much debate about the schools demographics isn't normal for me

I just want a good school with great teachers that will allow my children the best opportunities to excel in academics and sports (hmmmm, I guess we all do ... lol)