What's so bad about Huntington schools? (Greenlawn, Jericho: sale, real estate, mortgage)

[iluvmycuties]

Originally Posted by GigiBowman

I think that in the High School there are less younger teachers and more teachers in my age group (48) so I just place myself at the lunch table where they hang out and eventually they got used to me and became very friendly.
I do notice that a lot of "shy" substitutes will sit by their lonesome at some far of tables sometimes. Best to not be shy and eventually you realize that cliques are really only a group of people who know eachother

I think my mother's subbing position is very different from yours. My mother would love to have your situation, as she is 57 and one of a handful of "older" teachers there (she does get on well with peers her own age). I think it may come down to a just out of high school mentality with the younger females (no offense), b/c my mother is anything but shy, trust me! LOL

[VillageOfWestbury]

Originally Posted by AlexisT

I went to South Huntington, cousins went to Huntington (back when Halesite was zoned to Huntington El, which is now intermediate).

Part of it is LI racism. I've said it before and i'll say it again because it's true: LIers often look down on districts with a large black/Hispanic population. It's one of the most educationally segregated parts of the US.

I would not class either Huntington or Whitman as being in the top high schools (and the stats bear this out if you look at NYS report cards). But they're not bad. Their rep is far worse than the reality. They've made real efforts to deal with the gang problem that they had a few years ago (my sister went to Whitman when it was bad--graduated in 2000).

Illegal immigrants: sorry but the district has no choice under NYS law. Are you sure that the classes are specifically based on immigration status? that doesn't sound right to me. What seems more likely is that they're language based, and coincidentally many of them are not legal. I'd rather have these kids in school than out roaming the streets. Also, NYS law provides for education up to 21; this is not NCLB. Some areas do push kids out into "alternative" programs but this has a much higher drop out rate. Holding kids back to repeat was built into NCLB, but this has always been possible. Even when I graduated ('94) we had 5th year seniors.

I do believe that your point has merit. I also believe that today, racism is being replaced or better yet....accompanied by classism. In the Westbury s.d., which is prodominantly minority, was all but abandoned by higher income whites & blacks. Many of my neighbors send there children to private school particularly from middle-school on. What's left is a school system 75%+ attended by New Cassel students who happen to also be less affluent, immigrant, and either black or hispanic.

Unfortunately human nature is to immediately associate the race as being synonymous with poverty and poor performance. Although statistically there is a correlation, I think folks with similar socio-economic backgrounds are more akin these days regardless of race.

[iluvmycuties]

Hi Alexis,

Is it that the parents are pulling their children out and sending to private b/c of race, or b/c there are disciplinary issues in the schools?

I know some people don't advocate "jumping ship," but what would you do for your child? If you could afford it, would you send your child to public because it promotes healthy, diverse interaction, or would you send to private where the class ratios are smaller, gangs are not an issue, etc?

[AlexisT]

that wasn't me - that was VillageofWestbury

I'm not a fan of jumping ship - my first instinct would always be to improve the local schools if possible. Otherwise, yeah, you get the rats fleeing the sinking ship effect, none of the parents care because none of them send to public school, and it gets worse and worse. One of the reasons LI schools are good is that parents use them and have a stake in them. You can see the difference between LI and some parts of the country where well off parents all go private.

Private school would be a last resort for me if the motivation were solely school quality (I have considered it for religious reasons, but that, to me, is a separate issue--I would be doing it solely for the religious education and not because I thought public school was bad.)

[VillageOfWestbury]

Originally Posted by iluvmycuties

Hi Alexis,

Is it that the parents are pulling their children out and sending to private b/c of race, or b/c there are disciplinary issues in the schools?

I know some people don't advocate "jumping ship," but what would you do for your child? If you could afford it, would you send your child to public because it promotes healthy, diverse interaction, or would you send to private where the class ratios are smaller, gangs are not an issue, etc?

I think race always plays an issue, but I think most importantly it's socio-economics. My next door neighbor is a physician his daughter attends private school. Because the ratio of children who attend the high school is so heavily skewed towards the less advantaged New Cassel students, he may feel that from an overall socio-economic standpoint, his daughter may not have much to gain from interacting with students with such different backgrounds/economics.

Believe me, residents in the Westbury school district would LOVE to either have New Cassel under their own zip code w/ their own school district...but where's the money coming from?

Personally I am a product of private school and was sorta brought up to believe that they were superior to public schools. But this was because I grew up in Brooklyn in the 80's were my zoned school was the pits. On L.I. since so much of the tax bill is for schools you feel like you're paying twice if you send your kids to private school.

Bottom-line: People who can afford to, tend send their kids to private school because of the perceived benefits. I have no kids...so either way I'm getting screwed.

[iluvmycuties]

I agree, it is double spending. It is sad that with all that Long Islanders pay in school taxes they feel they must still pay private tuition. A lot of people go private to better chances for college entrance. A big reason is socio-economic. Another big reason is that there are still some people who are religious (not PC these days) and wish for their children to have a religious-based education.

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by iluvmycuties

I agree, it is double spending. It is sad that with all that Long Islanders pay in school taxes they feel they must still pay private tuition. A lot of people go private to better chances for college entrance. A big reason is socio-economic. Another big reason is that there are still some people who are religious (not PC these days) and wish for their children to have a religious-based education.

Its for all the reasons you mention that I send my kids to catholic school. Its my choice so I don't think I'm getting double taxed. I would like a small refund of my taxes but that will never happen.

[iluvmycuties]

KB-

My post reads as if I'm saying how sad it is that people send out to private.

I was trying to convey (not so well) that it is sad that some public schools are still not meeting standards for parents and children, despite the steep tax bill.

I agree, if a parent opts out of private, there should be some sort of tax rebate. Seniors deserve some break as well (besides STAR). Never going to happen.

[Kbinspections]

Originally Posted by iluvmycuties

KB-

My post reads as if I'm saying how sad it is that people send out to private.

I was trying to convey (not so well) that it is sad that some public schools are still not meeting standards for parents and children, despite the steep tax bill.

I agree, if a parent opts out of private, there should be some sort of tax rebate. Seniors deserve some break as well (besides STAR). Never going to happen.

Well I do think that even the "marginal SD" give a better education than what most kids get in other states.

I think parents have a hugh part in educating their kids but that is broken too.

I agree some seniors need tax breaks . On the other hand, many seniors are far wealthier than I am and can afford to pay the full amount. Low "salary" but hugh assets in the bank.

[lilibrarian]

In the Westbury s.d., which is prodominantly minority, was all but abandoned by higher income whites & blacks. Many of my neighbors send there children to private school particularly from middle-school on.

This is true of Hempstead and Freeport also. I worked in Hempstead for awhile, and I sent letters to 36 different schools to say that such and such a student had completed the summer reading club.

Well I do think that even the "marginal SD" give a better education than what most kids get in other states.

I have to agree with this also.

Thanks for the fascinating thread. Lots of food for thought regarding the area. Gigi (and others), what do you think of the Harborfields district? I drove through Greenlawn/Centerport and just loved it.