[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The B-Town Blog nor its staff:]
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Clik here to view.Dear B-Town Blog Editor,
Recently there has been a lot of debate in our area regarding small schools and opportunity. I would like to clarify a major misconception currently held in the community.
Many people think small schools do not offer as many choices, programs and electives as large schools.
This is simply not true for Global Connections High School on the Tyee campus.
Global Connections High School has:
- classes where students can earn college credit from a multitude of AP courses and vocational classes.
- a physical education program with a weight room, state of the art soccer and baseball fields, and tennis courts.
- a full Visual Art program including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, publishing and even video production.
- nationally award winning Jazz and Wind Ensemble bands.
- an award-winning DECA vocational program, along with a school magazine and yearbook vocational program.
- STEM based electives that also qualify for vocational credit including Introduction to Computer Science and Environmental Sustainability.
- clubs initiated by students. Students can have as many clubs as they want. They just have to start a club and get others to attend.
Furthermore, students can attend classes at PSSC, another Highline program, offering entirely vocational and college classes from dental assisting, firefighting and culinary arts, to computer programing. Students can also participate in Running Start, attending Highline College as early as junior year.
Also, what GCHS offers that large schools do not are teachers who know nearly every student by name. Teachers have greater accountability with students because they know who they are and what they should be doing. Furthermore, because they have a small staff, teachers can work closely together creating the best possible curriculum and school wide practices for students.
If anyone truly wants to know how a small school serves its students, they should simply come visit, and talk to students and staff. Find out why students LOVE Global Connections HS.
I can understand a parent’s frustration at feeling like their choices for their children are limited; however, look a little deeper and find out what options there are. You might surprise yourself. There is a reason small schools were established: they serve students’ and family’s individual needs exceptionally well.
Sincerely,
Valerie Anderson
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