High schools in Medford (Portland, Beaverton: public school, college, legal)

[zagyzebra]

My concern is quality of education in Medford, particularly on the high school level. Comments from parents/educators/students? Please weigh in.

[Kathleenh54]

Send your kid to St. Mary's. Period.

[zagyzebra]

At 10K per year for St. Mary's tuition, this will soak up my meager savings toward college ed. Nonetheless, thank you for your brief but to-the-point response. It seems that nobody who reviews this board went to public high school in Medford, nor knows anyone who did. Nice weather and beauty aside, this doesn't say a lot for the community, does it? If it doesn't even have a decent public high school, and its libraries are closed, well then, this alone speaks volumes for the area, no?

[zagyzebra]

My meager college tuition savings will be soaked up by St. Mary's 10K per year tuition. It seems nobody who reads this board, other than yourself, has experience with public high schools in Medford...strange. The fact that it appears Medford's high schools suck, coupled with the fact that the libraries are CLOSED speaks volumes for this community -- am I right? Nice weather and beautiful surroundings aside, this would appear to be a largely uneducated community because the area has not prioritized public education.

[KatinOr]

It's a tough one. . . I think to discuss Medford High School really depends on what you are comparing it too. Compared to inner city LA. . . they are fantastic, compared to a smaller school with attentive teachers, we rate at the bottom.

My daughter is a Senior this year, and I run a shelter who has several students in the high school, so I deal with them often. There are pro's and con's.

I moved out of district this year, but my daughter stayed because she has been involved with the band. If you have a musical student, both the High Schools have really awesome teachers. Other then that I can only speak of North Medford High.

We have had luck with the band, french and english teachers so far. Several of the teachers do "journaling" and repeated worksheets. My daughter feels that she is very ill-prepared for college. I don't think they require alot from the students.

There was movement towards breaking down into small schools, like they do in Central Point, but that didn't work out.

Not sure what specific points you want addressed. Feel free to ask questions!

Kat

[zagyzebra]

Thank you. That validates pretty much what I know of Medford high schools. I have a friend whose son is in the jazz band at South. I went to their concert this past spring and it was UNBELIEVABLY FANTABULOUS! So yeah, I got that music, and even perhaps drama, is good. But the academics and college prep is really more what I'm looking at. I'm seriously thinking about placing roots down in -- I haven't decided yet -- maybe Ashland, Corvallis or Portland, even though I love the weather and countryside around Medford, particularly Griffin Creek and the Applegate. Ah well, I want the best for my son and need to place him first in years to come.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by zagyzebra

The fact that it appears Medford's high schools suck, coupled with the fact that the libraries are CLOSED speaks volumes for this community -- am I right? Nice weather and beautiful surroundings aside, this would appear to be a largely uneducated community because the area has not prioritized public education.

Our kids went there. Our daughter's husband graduated from there and enlisted in the Marines not long ago. He went to south. Did marvelous with chemistry and mathematics. Even graduated early.

I went to Beaverton schools, and my children too, but thought Medford's overall school system is a better place to go.

One closed library is our legal access - didn't stop us from getting books and reading. An uneducated person might think that a library was the gate to learning. If one avenue is shut - the smart person finds the other avenue.

If the library avenue opens again, great - an old avenue reopened.

[zagyzebra]

Thank you very much for that feedback. Are there any students or parents of students out there that have kids who went on to excellent institutions of higher learning upon graduation from the Medford public school system?

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by zagyzebra

Thank you very much for that feedback. Are there any students or parents of students out there that have kids who went on to excellent institutions of higher learning upon graduation from the Medford public school system?

There should be hundreds or thousands of them.

Most of them are not on the internet forums.

You may need to come down and do your own interviews if you want a clear picture for that question.

[argonman]

Originally Posted by zagyzebra

Thank you very much for that feedback. Are there any students or parents of students out there that have kids who went on to excellent institutions of higher learning upon graduation from the Medford public school system?

I'm sure if you do the research, you'll find the Medford Schools have churned out plenty of graduates that went on to their various institutions of higher learning.

I graduated from South Medford in 2000. I will be honest... I think it could have been more challenging but I would rate them 'good' -- not 'best' but good. I think you get a good education but perhaps somewhere else may be better.

Regardless, I do think Medford churns out some of the best despite it's flaws so I would have to say that 549c will do you good but if good isn't acceptable, there is better and that may be a wise choice depending upon your circumstances.