Defining graduation rate is a whole thing, with federal and state guidance. Here is DC's:
https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/ACGR_Policy_Guide_2023.pdf |
it's not unreasonable for a parent to want to know the percentage of kids that leave a school. It can say a lot about a school. If 5 or 10 kids leave a school a year, not a big deal. But it it's closer to 40% or 50%, that tells me a lot of kids that go there don't want to stay there. |
Agree. It's not unreasonable to want to know this before sending a kid to a school. |
No one's saying it's unreasonable. People are saying that's a different question from graduation rate. |
Does anyone know the percentage that go there that stay and graduate? Earlier in the thread it was mentioned there was very little attrition. Maybe this was a different school or maybe this graduation rate calc misleads people. |
STA has very little attrition in the high school. 8th grade is where there is significant drop off. Depending on the year, you might have somewhere between 5-10 boys leave out of a class of ~60. 8th grade is when the boys figure out whether STA is really for them. If the student is not bright and academically inclined the school can be a horrible joyless grind. The grades show whether they can handle it or not. |
Some boys, not all, will be much better able to study and learn in a good-fit boys school. Different children are different, and different schools are different. Find the best fit school for your DC. |
My younger one was all hormones in 8th grade and couldn't concentrate and was so distracted by the opposite sex at our public---particularly with no dress code either. There was also drama amongst the boys related to the opposite sex and posturing and having to be cool, etc. The time he spent worrying about hair, clothes, etc. was outrageous. He's a sophomore at an all-boys private HS and LOVES it. We saw such positive change in him...and in the kind of kids he hangs out with now. He embraced his intelligence (before it wasn't cool to be smart). And he now has all As in very tough classes and is proud of it. He's more in touch with his feelings, more compassionate and they do a ton of community service. I find that boys aren't embarrassed to speak up in class or talk about poetry, etc when they aren't trying to impress girls. They also are kinder to one another and more supportive---you take that element of competition right out and they can focus on the school work. My older one would have been fine single-sex or co-ed. He never had the issues younger one did, but I'm glad he also is finishing up at a single sex HS. |
that's awesome. I found just the opposite in my child. After leaving an all boys catholic school, his grades shot up and he seemed to care much more about his self worth. I couldn't be happier with this change for him. And this school is no less challenging academically. If anything I feel that I was duped by thinking that the all boys catholic environment was anything accept soul crushing for him. Happy your boy likes his school because he couldn't function around girls. The all boys school makes perfect sense in that instance. |
I feel lucky that my child isn't socially stunted like this, am so happy that these alternative environments exist for children like yours! |
this is great detail. Thank you. Do you work at the school? |
NP. This is not a response that makes you look like the more reasonable person or like a better parent. |
Rude, mean people. |
I don't read the comment as negative. Maybe stunted isn't the best word to use. However that is how the original post reads. "so distracted by the opposite sex." That's not a good thing and it's great that he was able to be removed from that. |
“I feel lucky that my child isn't socially stunted like this, am so happy that these alternative environments exist for children like yours!” Not negative? Huh, interesting take. |