Classical High School vs. Barrington HS (Providence: fit in, high schools, college)

[legaldub417]

Hi, I am currently a junior at Moses Brown and I went to Classical HS for my freshman year. The academics at Classical are completely abysmal. The teachers (dominated by an overbearing union) do nothing to teach the students, they merely try to keep the kids in their seats. Academically, MB has been extremely challenging and excellent. In terms of diversity, Classical can't be beat - it truly mirrors the demographics of the the rest of the city. MB on the other hand is 99.99% white and affluent. The drug and alcohol scene is the exact same at both schools.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

I graduated from Classical High many moons ago and it was regarded as the Rolls Royce of high schools, not only in New England but across the nation. I cannot speak for the present as I no longer live in RI but I seriously doubt much has changed. Classical is a college prep school and offers college prep programs only. Latin was required every year and a 2nd language had to be added in the sophomore year (Classical starts off at the 9th grade). Calculus was a requirement as well. In my time it was one of the most beat up buildings around and those who went there wanted an education first and foremost.

[mtb5492]

If you are looking for a wonderful school, you should look at St. Andrew's School. It's in Barrington and is a great school. I am a current student there. The school has a student to teacher ration of 5 to 1. The student's at St. Andrew's are very open to everyone and there idea's. The school asses the needs of every student and how the learn, individually. Our school has top notch facilities and programs superior to Moses Brown, Wheeler, Lasalle, and many other private school's. The school is a prep school with the open campus like any other one. There is also a casual dress code (pants, colored shirt, no hooded sweatshirts, etc.) compared to the usual prep school dress code. So if you are looking at a school for your daughter, you should look at St. Andrew's School. Link- http://www.standrews-ri.org/

[Joy_C]

Originally Posted by legaldub417

Hi, I am currently a junior at Moses Brown and I went to Classical HS for my freshman year. The academics at Classical are completely abysmal. The teachers (dominated by an overbearing union) do nothing to teach the students, they merely try to keep the kids in their seats. Academically, MB has been extremely challenging and excellent. In terms of diversity, Classical can't be beat - it truly mirrors the demographics of the the rest of the city. MB on the other hand is 99.99% white and affluent. The drug and alcohol scene is the exact same at both schools.

How can you generalize that the academics at Classical are abysmal if you've only been there for ONE year? The regular classes may be subpar, but the Honors Classes and Advanced Placement Classes are undeniably challenging and enriching. I took AP US History my junior year (the hardest class in this school) and nearly everyone I knew who took the AP exam either got a 4 or 5 (a small percentage scored a 3 or below.) and I also took AP Biology, with an amazing and inspirational teacher who, unfortunately, has been laid off due to lack of seniority. If academics are SO bad at Classical, why do we consistently achieve "High Performing and Improving/Sustaining" status? If academics are so bad, why do so many people get accepted to Ivy League schools and other prestigious colleges? Sure, it may only be because we alone are pretty good students; there are teachers at Classical who may not be as great, but then there is an equal amount of teachers who actually DO care about their students and provide a challenging curriculum.

I also HIGHLY disagree that the drug/alcohol scene is the same at both schools. It's so much easier to obtain drugs/alcohol at Moses Brown because people over there actually have the money to get them.

I'm a senior at Classical and I'm pretty satisfied with my education. I've had ups and downs, good teachers and bad teachers, but overall Classical lives up to its expectations.

[LilacLove]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Hi - I know a bit about Classical HS, although certainly not as much as Barrington HS where I worked for 8 years. But I did interview 2 students over the years (from Classical) as an alumni interview for my university, and was able to get a feel for it. Also, one of my professors for my Master's degree at Providence College was the director of guidance for Classical (Lou Torro) and he talked ad nauseum about Classical as a point of reference.

Academically, I think it's very strong - I honestly can't compare it to Barrington HS, but I feel that, as far as academics, I would feel comfortable placing my own children there, if that's any help.

If you are looking for a nurturing, welcoming (aka a bit sheltered!) community, you have to know that Classical is still an urban school. For example, they still have a clinic doling out birth control and (I believe, at least they did 5 years ago) a daycare for students' children. I'm not saying there is a problem with any of that, but if you don't want your child being exposed to the more "nitty gritty" aspects of urban life, you won't avoid it at Classical.

You will probably find more recreational drug and alcohol use at Barrington HS (not IN the high school, but part of the weekend culture), although I can't say that with all authority. You may very well find "harder" drugs in some of the Classical circles, but again, that is totally speculation.

Not sure if this helps or leads to more questions!

First of all, as a graduate of Classical ('01) I can certainly say with 100% confidence that there was never any clinic "doling" out birth control to students - just as there was never any daycare for students' children. You, my friend, are thinking about Central High School. Perhaps you should get your facts straight before putting them out there. Also, as far as "harder" drugs in some of the Classical circles, are you kidding me? You must be pretty delusional if you believe students in Barrington are not doing hard drugs.

Stop stereotyping people/schools just because they are located in urban areas. Classical is an exceptional college prep school that this woman's daughter would be very lucky to have the opportunity to attend.

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by LilacLove

First of all, as a graduate of Classical ('01) I can certainly say with 100% confidence that there was never any clinic "doling" out birth control to students - just as there was never any daycare for students' children. You, my friend, are thinking about Central High School. Perhaps you should get your facts straight before putting them out there. Also, as far as "harder" drugs in some of the Classical circles, are you kidding me? You must be pretty delusional if you believe students in Barrington are not doing hard drugs.

Stop stereotyping people/schools just because they are located in urban areas. Classical is an exceptional college prep school that this woman's daughter would be very lucky to have the opportunity to attend.

Um...no. I know the difference between Classical and Central. I received my Master's in School Counseling from Providence College in 2001, and Lou Torro (who is still the director of guidance there...I just checked the Classical website) told us about the clinic with birth control and daycare for children. If I have my facts wrong, then they are wrong from him.

I believe I was quite clear in my speculation about there possibly being MORE hard drugs at Classical...I never once said there aren't hard drugs at Barrington. I'm crystal clear on the drug scene at Barrington, trust me.

Sorry to touch a defensive nerve with you, but I was giving my honest opinion. You can certainly present your perspective/experience as well.

[sevenofsix]

I went to classical for a couple years and didn't see any hard drugs. It's a fine college prep school.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Lou Torro (who is still the director of guidance there...I just checked the Classical website) told us about the clinic with birth control and daycare for children. If I have my facts wrong, then they are wrong from him.

I went to Classical. albeit 20 years ago. I would guess that Classical uses/ send kids to Centrals "Health" and DayCare facilities and does not have their own so to speak. Classical and Central are 2 big buildings right next to each other on the same big plot of land and only a local would know they are 2 diff schools

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by leighland

I went to Classical. albeit 20 years ago. I would guess that Classical uses/ send kids to Centrals "Health" and DayCare facilities and does not have their own so to speak. Classical and Central are 2 big buildings right next to each other on the same big plot of land and only a local would know they are 2 diff schools

That would be an answer to the confusion. Thanks!

[Joy_C]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Um...no. I know the difference between Classical and Central. I received my Master's in School Counseling from Providence College in 2001, and Lou Torro (who is still the director of guidance there...I just checked the Classical website) told us about the clinic with birth control and daycare for children. If I have my facts wrong, then they are wrong from him.

Mr. Torro was a guidance counselor at Central for a couple of years when my sister was in high school ('98-01). I know this because Mr. Torro was my sister's guidance counselor. So he must've been talking about the clinic at CENTRAL.

And in the topic of hard drugs, sure, they may be there, but it's not like some random person is going to go up to you and be like, "HEY, let's drop out of school and have a drug overdose!"