Landstown High school (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Salem: best schools, live, zoned)

[Hokie]

It does not cover all that is taught throughout the year. Additionally, a child can pass with a 69! If you have a school that says it has a high pass rate, please consider that fact. It doesn't mean they all passed with a high score. I think most parents do not realize that is the cut off for passing the SOL.

Right now we are being told to give the kids at least a 50 even if they don't do an assignment or fail a test or quiz. How is that good? It does not teach any personal responsiblity or accountability. This is the new policy this year. Reports cards are about to go out, and I can tell you that at my school teachers are inflating grades like crazy to keep administrators off their backs. Principals think it looks good for them downtown if they have high grades. Many students have been placed in advanced classes by the school even though some did not pass the SOL last year. Again, it looks good for the school. Until you teach in the system, there is much you might not know. It isn't just this school. I have taught at another in this city, and grades were inflated. We are told to do it.

[Hokie]

Shelley,

I taught at that school for five years. They do inflate grades there. We were told to make sure that the grade point averages of advanced kids stayed above a certain number. In general, if grades were low for any student, we were advised to drop their low grades to raise the overall grade. It isn't a bad school, but parents don't know what goes on. We are taught to hush up about these things.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by Hokie

Shelley,

I taught at that school for five years. They do inflate grades there. We were told to make sure that the grade point averages of advanced kids stayed above a certain number. In general, if grades were low for any student, we were advised to drop their low grades to raise the overall grade. It isn't a bad school, but parents don't know what goes on. We are taught to hush up about these things.

They inflate grades at every school. I'm convinced of it. It's called "No Child Left Behind". And it's crap. My son has been in the advanced/honors classes since they were first offered to him in the 4th or 5th grade, and I consider them to be truly what every class SHOULD be. Everything else is just stepping over a low bar.

[FL Beaches]

I have a friend who had one child at Hickory and another at Cox a couple years later. I have to say they were much happier with Hickory.

[wjjbward]

What is the concensus about Ocean Lakes High? That's where my kids would go.

They're in elementary school now, though, so we could move by the time they are old enough for high school.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by wjjbward

What is the concensus about Ocean Lakes High? That's where my kids would go.

They're in elementary school now, though, so we could move by the time they are old enough for high school.

Ocean Lakes High is NOT a great school.

[pbehson]

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

Ocean Lakes High is NOT a great school.

I teach at a VB high school and am an engineering graduate of UVA. I was born and raised in a very affluent area of northern NJ. I have worked as an engineering manager and a teacher at an exclusive New England boarding school where most kids matriculated at Ivy League institutions.

You can make what you want of the public schools in VB. The schools are big. There are drugs. Fights occur from time to time. But come on. . . they're pretty good here. I have taught kids who have gone to Duke, UVA, Princeton and Penn (both Ivy League) in the last YEAR. The schools here are as good as you want them to be. Some kids (and parents) will always be knuckleheads and screw up, while others will take advantage of the opportunities afforded them.

Ocean Lakes has an excellent academy program and CAN BE a great, no outstanding, school if you seek these opportunities. Do not listen to the poster above.

[shellytc]

I am so glad that another perspective is being given. This is my experience, and I know teachers in the system as well.

Shelly

[pbehson]

Originally Posted by FL Beaches

I have a friend who had one child at Hickory and another at Cox a couple years later. I have to say they were much happier with Hickory.

Cox is probabily academically stronger than Hickory (real stats: college admissions, SAT averages, AP 3+ scores) but is known to be snooty as there is a lot of money there. Hickory is a very strong HS too, but is a little more down to earth.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by pbehson

I teach at a VB high school and am an engineering graduate of UVA. I was born and raised in a very affluent area of northern NJ. I have worked as an engineering manager and a teacher at an exclusive New England boarding school where most kids matriculated at Ivy League institutions.

You can make what you want of the public schools in VB. The schools are big. There are drugs. Fights occur from time to time. But come on. . . they're pretty good here. I have taught kids who have gone to Duke, UVA, Princeton and Penn (both Ivy League) in the last YEAR. The schools here are as good as you want them to be. Some kids (and parents) will always be knuckleheads and screw up, while others will take advantage of the opportunities afforded them.

Ocean Lakes has an excellent academy program and CAN BE a great, no outstanding, school if you seek these opportunities. Do not listen to the poster above.

I know several teachers there and also a few parents, and I am only going by their opinions. That's why I just left it at a short comment. Their experiences could be in the minority, so take it for what you will. I DON'T agree with the comment that the schools will be as good as you want them to be. Wanting a school to be a good one, won't make it so. If that were so, I wouldn't be having to tell the kids working in the stores how to count back my change.