Definition of "GOOD" and "BEST" School Districts PLEASE.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by SlyFrog

Thank you Bongopercylou. I too have noticed golfgal's trumpeting of 196 in ways that seem excessive or unrealistic.

I do not think there is any malice behind it; instead I think that golfgal probably just lives in the school district, is proud of it, and like most people, wants to believe that her choice was the best one in all ways (golfgal has also given some other thoughts on the Rosemount area in the past that made me roll my eyes a bit, but again, I think she has the best intention and is just a bit too enthusiastic about it).

No different the many of the posters and their trumpeting Minneapolis--roll your eyes all you want but you don't live here, you don't have experience with the schools, it isn't excessive or unrealistic if you have actually experienced life here. Do you call Camden Northsider out on all his posts on how wonderful Minneapolis is? No, it is just a bias many people here have on Minneapolis vs the suburbs.

Bongopercylou is nothing more then a troll looking to start an argument in my opinion.

[SlyFrog]

Originally Posted by golfgal

No different the many of the posters and their trumpeting Minneapolis--roll your eyes all you want but you don't live here . . . .

What? I do live here!

I also agree with you about those who have an agenda bias in favor of the cities (such as Isaysos and Minnehahapolitan, I get equally tired of hearing dismissals about crime, etc.). But that does not mean there are not biases expressed toward the suburbs as well, or specific cities in general.

[Slig]

It is really difficult to give Golfgal's opinions the time of day on any subject, not just with quality of schools.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Dismiss is a very strong word. Crime bothers different people differently. I do my best to try to describe the crime levels in different parts of the city. Crime is best described in relative terms, which makes that task exceedingly difficult. I can tell you there is more crime in Elliot Park than Loring Park, but I can't compare that to an anonymous small town. I don't red line parts of my city because certain people are uncomfortable in them and I do my best to help people find an area of the Cities that they would be best comfortable in. If that is in the city I can help them a great deal. I can only do that to a lesser extent in suburban areas as I am simply less familiar with them. Apparently, that manifests in my "bias".

[roneb]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Bongopercylou is nothing more then a troll looking to start an argument in my opinion.

I would respectfully disagree. Trolls live for flaming and display a distinctly sophomoric wit that lives to put down others. Bongopercylou has stated his arguements in a very straight forward and direct manner without resorting to "troll" tactics.

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by golfgal

No different the many of the posters and their trumpeting Minneapolis--roll your eyes all you want but you don't live here, you don't have experience with the schools, it isn't excessive or unrealistic if you have actually experienced life here. Do you call Camden Northsider out on all his posts on how wonderful Minneapolis is? No, it is just a bias many people here have on Minneapolis vs the suburbs.

Bongopercylou is nothing more then a troll looking to start an argument in my opinion.

I actually agree with what you're saying in the above paragraph here, Golfgal (maybe we're not so different after all!). As much as I give you a hard time Golfgal, I respect your experience in Rosemount and the pride/ happiness you have in living there, and I think you are often very helpful to posters on here to which you may not always get credit. And just like you, there are MANY people who can't or won't believe that my neighborhood in North Minneapolis is as great as I say it is, and maybe since moving here I haven't been able to believe it myself, but I really do think my neighborhood is the greatest thing since sliced bread and can't talk enough about it.

However, there is a point to be made on not trying to steer someone into something that they don't want or wouldn't be comfortable with at the expense/ detriment of another area that they might really like. If someone comes on here and says they want a suburb, I don't respond (unless they want an inner suburb that I can talk somewhat knowledgably about) as I don't have knowledge of most suburbs and it's a waste of time to try and sway someone to come to Minneapolis (but of course I'll throw in the occassional jab just for kicks and lack of self-control, but I try and be respectful). What really bothers me is when someone says they want a diverse neighborhood in the city or a close in suburb but they are persuaded to look farther out after someone bashes and promotes fear of all Minneapolis neighborhoods and the MPS system in order to promote the interests of suburban areas - I know the market's bad right now and people are worried about their overinflated property values coming back down to reality, but come on...

[bhart]

Regarding the original post: We moved here 5 years ago from suburban Chicago--from what was considered "top 25" high school district in IL. I find that the disparity among districts across Chicago suburbs was more pronounced than it is in MN, making it hard to differentiate between MN schools, which I had tried to do as well. It seems that MN schools receive more state level support than in IL where property taxes are the bulk by far--the local tax contribution depends on demographics willing to invest and that willingness can directly impact quality overall, creating more disparity among districts, in my opinion. An example: We've had experience attending both Edina and Prior Lake schools and find both to be excellent--quality of staff and curriculum was very similar. The main disparity I saw is that the more mature district can offer a broader curriculum while "newer" districts are trying to catch up with their growth and cover the basics. The Fact is, from a H.S. teacher's perspective: the "best" education comes from kids applying themselves and associating with friends who will help vs. hinder their progress. MN has done a tremendous job offering consistently high quality across districts and minimizing the disparity found across districts in other states.