Newsweek 2009 top 1500 schools (Nassau, Maryland: condo, high school, living)

[zulu400]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

True, but NYS had a very high percentage (38%) of the 300 semi finalists when compared to the rest of the country. "NY ranks high in Intel science competition." May 01, 2009. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org

59 students were from LI. 59 LI students are Intel science semifinalists -- Newsday.com

At the finalist stage, 9 out of 40 were from NYS and of those 9, 4 were from public schools on LI - 1 from Roslyn, 1 from Smithtown, and 2 from Ward Melville. The remaining 5 were from NYC -- Stuyvesant, John Jay, and Bronx HS of Science. Correct me if I am wrong, but don't students have to test to be accepted into those city schools?

NYS is the only state which had two students in the top 10 winners - Roslyn 5th place, Ward Melville - 8th place. Nothing to sneeze at!

Although participation in Intel isn't a qualifier for the Newsweek list, it does display another facet of that school's impact on student education. Is it possible that Newsweek omitted it simply because it would have helped skew the results (albeit slightly) in NY's favor? After all Intel, like AP & IB, is not mandatory for students.

That is my point exactly..... there can only be one winner, but look at how many from NY made it to the semis and the finals.... even from public schools, that a good indicator.... good enough for me.

[dman72]

I think summary of this thread should be:

LI schools are good.

Most of the people who don't think they are good have an axe to grind about taxes. That's a perfectly valid "axe", but trying to defend the position that taxes are too high by saying the schools aren't good makes you look like an idiot.

[WJFM]

Yes.. Its normal on almost all Asian households. That is why Asians are academically the best performing students in any highschool or college. ( Not to mention things like Spelling bee.. 35% of the finalists were Indians, and Indians make up only 1% of the US population).

Originally Posted by dman72

My co-worker was Indian. This kind of stuff is normal in many Indian households.

[azzurrony]

Putting THAT much pressure on your kid is not a GOOD thing. Those kids look miserable and burned out much of the time. You need a balance in life with these things.

[WJFM]

It depends. Some like to call it pressure.. some like to call it parental involvement. To be a super-achiever, you need some pressure and involvement from the beginning.

As far as I have seen, parents are not forcing kids to do something against their will, but supporting their ambitious goals ( which are probably put in place sub-consciously by the same parents when they are younger). And kids nowadays have crazy schedules.. homework, karate, piano class, tennis class, ballet, swimming... all in one week. They are busier than a single working parent! Its a different lifestyle for these kids.. but probably necessary in today's competitive world.

Support of the family is absolutely crucial to achieving some of these things.. so nothing wrong here. Infact, its good because the greatest doctors, scientists and leaders of tomorrow will probably come from this group.

Originally Posted by azzurrony

Putting THAT much pressure on your kid is not a GOOD thing. Those kids look miserable and burned out much of the time. You need a balance in life with these things.

[dman72]

Originally Posted by azzurrony

Putting THAT much pressure on your kid is not a GOOD thing. Those kids look miserable and burned out much of the time. You need a balance in life with these things.

They'll be burned out and the vast majority of the natives will be part of the under class in 25 years. Our kids knowing their multiplication tables is more important than knowing how to cradle a lacrosse ball.

[azzurrony]

Yes, but how many of these kids will be HAPPY, well adjusted adults, with strong families in life?

Sure, some of these "pressure kids" will go on to do great things, but a lot will just burn out or lead mediocre lives.

Parents today are out of control with the way they pack their kids schedule and pressure them. They essentially are trying to live vicariously through their kid, and it's sad.

[dman72]

Originally Posted by azzurrony

Yes, but how many of these kids will be HAPPY, well adjusted adults, with strong families in life?

Sure, some of these "pressure kids" will go on to do great things, but a lot will just burn out or lead mediocre lives.

Parents today are out of control with the way they pack their kids schedule and pressure them. They essentially are trying to live vicariously through their kid, and it's sad.

You're talking about yuppie upper middle class Long Islanders. I'm talking about the immigrant from India who sits down every night with their 6 year old and goes over FRIGGIN MULTIPLICATION tables while the yuppie LIer is taking their kid to fu-man-chu wok fighting, Lacrosse, or pee wee football.

[zulu400]

Originally Posted by azzurrony

Yes, but how many of these kids will be HAPPY, well adjusted adults, with strong families in life?

Sure, some of these "pressure kids" will go on to do great things, but a lot will just burn out or lead mediocre lives.

Parents today are out of control with the way they pack their kids schedule and pressure them. They essentially are trying to live vicariously through their kid, and it's sad.

I think everyone has their own way to convince themselves that what they can do is the best thing....
If you see someone who is smarter than you.... you want to call him a geek.... its another way of saying "It sucks that I can't be as smart as you, but I have to call you something bad to make myself feel good" !!

You can decide for yourselves who is burned out and who is not !! That will also be according to your standards. I really want to know.... what exactly is your definition of "mediocre lives" and what exactly constitutes a "strong family" ?

[WJFM]

Interestingly, I find that the more work you put in when you are younger, the less work you have to do later in life. If you put in a lot of work to get into the best college, and after that, life will be easier since it opens doors and helps you get better jobs by automatically proving a credential etc. A lot of them do lead comfortable happy lives with strong families.

But its a fine balance between pushing your kid too hard, and encouraging your kid just right. I am sure there are parents who just push kids and expect too much. But if a parent is supportive and loving at the same time, its not really pressure anymore. Even multiplication tables can be family time.. and fun.

Originally Posted by azzurrony

Yes, but how many of these kids will be HAPPY, well adjusted adults, with strong families in life?

Sure, some of these "pressure kids" will go on to do great things, but a lot will just burn out or lead mediocre lives.

Parents today are out of control with the way they pack their kids schedule and pressure them. They essentially are trying to live vicariously through their kid, and it's sad.