Jeremy Wrote: "Long ago and far away I graduated from the South Open program. As for long term results, I have an Ivy League Bachelors, a good job and I'm involved in my community. I will tell you in no uncertain terms that South has been a major factor in my ability to succeed.
As an open student I knew most everyone in the program and often had the same students in all of my classes. The primary benefit was that we all worked to lift each other up, and my entire peer group has proven to be successful in their respective fields. My Mother originally selected the program because she wanted me to have the benefits of an old country school house, and I believe that these results played out. The person at South who said the school lacks structure may be correct. There is a certain sink or swim attitude, and I certainly know folks for whom the Open school was not the best idea. The open program is set up in part for a student to find their own structure, and if it's not reinforced by other students and the family, there can be trouble. " Dan Replies: I am also the victim... er... product of South High's Open program. I agree completely that South's open program WAS an excellent school experience, and it's very true that the limited scope of the program within the school as a whole did mean that Open students had an easier time getting to know each other. Open students tended to be more friendly, and community oriented in the classes as well. I made friends across class/race/clique groups easily at South. However, like Jeremy, I was last in High School so long ago, that my memories of it are probably no longer relevant. One would do well to visit the school during session to get a feel for it's atmosphere, and talk to students that have been there recently. Meeting the teachers would be a good way to check the pulse too. Forget talking to administration. They don't have a real grasp of what school society is like. As to structure, there is a strong empahsis on personal responsibility in an Open school environment, which is definately NOT for everyone. It takes a self-motivated, interested student for the program to work, and for that kind of person, it works great. It's probably the most ideal way for a student who really wants to learn to do so. For anyone that needs whip-cracking, or close supervision, Open is a guaranteed way to fail in school. Dan McGrath Longfellow REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
