Walnut creek vs Pleasant Hill schools (college, live, vs.)

[andyl814]

Comparing the schools in PH vs WC, is there really that much of a difference? Is a greatschools.org rating of an 8 vs a 9 that big of a deal?

Can any parents in the area comment on this?

[LeroyDeshawnJenkins]

8 vs 9 is usually a negative correlation w/ the %hispanics. more hispanics, lower scores.. english scores are just lower for them. math skills, well. yes there are outliers and some are really good at english/math. for the most part, not really.

this is mostly true for this area. cant speak for other areas.

and no my name is not donald sterling. im leroy.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by andyl814

Comparing the schools in PH vs WC, is there really that much of a difference? Is a greatschools.org rating of an 8 vs a 9 that big of a deal?

Can any parents in the area comment on this?

Not a big deal. Schools are only as good as the students attending (of course there are schools where there aren't any real science/art programs, etc, which is generally supported by parent $$). This is often where the general standards are more clear.

Of course parental expectation/involvement go a long way for the kids that score well on these standardized tests, but from my experience as a parent, "good vs. not good" isn't that clear cut. I honestly don't think it's specifically about the teachers, but the CULTURE of the area in which you live---parents that have higher expectations/value education =kids that also care.

It's all about YOUR kids, what matters to you/them, how the culture fits into your child's learning processes. IF your kid is expected to learn, they will learn. Most schools won't really MAKE it happen. Teachers are all taught to teach to a certain standard. It's the same material no matter what school it it. Some kids flail, some kids are rearing to go. The parents and their EXPECTATIONS are the most important factor.

So, no big difference in terms of what's taught/learned unless you're comparing schools in a poverty stricken area with little parental involvement?$$ vs a upper middle class/wealthier area where parents may be more inclined to push their children towards college.

As for WC vs Pleasant Hill School===no difference at all===from my perspective a parent in the area. Sorry about the long post!

[LeroyDeshawnJenkins]

yup. basically its the hispanics pulling down the test scores. teachers can be of the same caliber per city, doesnt matter. statistics show that hispanics score lower on both math and english. they just dont care.

your kid will perform good in either city if you keep them focused.

diversity is a good thing sometimes, helps them when they get to the real world.

[cocoexpert]

If he teachers spend all their time teaching ESL to Spanish speakers, they will not have any time to pay attention to your child.