WELCOME TO MY BLOG (or attempt at one!)...
Just getting started, but I thought this Blog Spot might be a helpful way for other parents in Fayette County to get a perspective on the public high school vs. private high school in Fayette County, TN. We just enrolled son #2 at the public high school and he's a freshman. Son #1 went to private school in Fayette County, so I will present a perspective on both types of education through this blog. This should be interesting! I will try to update daily and be HONEST - the good, the bad, the ugly.
From now on (here and in future entries)...
Fayette Academy = FA (http://www.fayetteacademy.com/)
Rossville Christian Academy = RCA (http://www.rossvillechristian.com/)
Fayette Ware Comprehensive High School = FWCHS (http://www.fayettewarehighschool.com/ )
Fayette County Schools = FCS (http://www.fayette.k12.tn.us/ )
A bit of history...
I grew up in the Mid-West and there was ONLY public school to choose from in my hometown. We moved to this area in the mid-90s and all of my children attended/are attending FCS since 1999. Son #1 went to Oakland Elementary until 7th grade and then transferred to FA. Son #2 went through Oakland Elementary and West Jr. High through 8th grade and is continuing on to FWCHS. I also have one in West Jr. High (was at Southwest Elementary last year) and Oakland Elementary this year. That's 4 kids...pray for me please!
Once our oldest son (now graduated) became a senior and we started thinking about college and tuition, etc. we reflected on all the $ we had spent on private education (approximately $33,000 total for grades 7-12) and how that would have possibly been better saved towards college. Don't get me wrong...FA was a nice school and my Son #1 had very little in the way of problems there. But, we had heard some really nice things about FWCHS from family friends and contacts and decided that we would give it a try and put the money we would have been spending on private tuition towards a college savings fund for Son #2. With two other children left after him we are hopeful that this plan works!
The one big thing I am nervous about is the one thing that FWCHS is missing compared to FA (relevant to my son anyway)....a soccer program. This was a big hurdle for us as Son #2 LOVES soccer! FA started their soccer program about 5 years ago and the coach is a really great coach/role model. FWCHS doesn't have a soccer program...YET! One thing I did was email Mr. Hicks (principal of FWCHS) to tell him how much my son would like to play soccer. HE WAS RECEPTIVE! He said he would like to have soccer at FWCHS and will talk with one of the teachers who formally played semi-pro soccer to see about coaching. I am waiting to hear back on this - I'll keep that endeavor updated within this blog. Hopefully there can be at least an intramural team this year with travelling next year. With the popularity of the YMCA soccer in Fayette County I think this would be a great plus to our public school system.
When I said that FWCHS doesn't have soccer compared to FA, I failed to mention something in reverse...last year FA cut out their Cross Country program because it wasn't popular enough with the kids (however the interest has remained steady there since Son #1 started the 7th grade and running Cross Country)...basically it was on the bottom of the totem pole as far as sports there and they just did away with it in 2009. FWCHS not only has a Cross Country team, but also a Track and Field Team - something FA doesn't have either. So...it runs both ways I suppose. If I can help to get soccer implemented at FWCHS I will be one happy momma!
This is Day 2 of the 2010-2011 school year. I didn't think about creating this blog until today, so let me give you a brief synopsis of Day 1 for Son #2 at FWCHS:
Day 1:
School starts at 7:25am which is good since I have to drop my younger children at Oakland Schools by 8:25am. After one final check of his cool new hairdo in car mirror, I dropped Son #2 off at the FWCHS gym for an assembly. I basically said, "Good luck!" and secretly winced because I am unsure about how it "works" at FWCHS. He went nervously into the assembly and I left. He was to ride the bus home and I was nervous about that too, but...
at the end of Day 1 Son #2 reported that HE LIKED IT (oh - he made it home fine on the bus)!!! Whoo hoo! He was directed after the assembly to his homeroom where they gave him info on school supplies, his schedule, etc. FWCHS has the "NGA" or "Ninth Grade Academy" and basically all the 9th graders have classes together in their own hall separate from the rest of the high school. Honor students (my son has some honors classes) do have to venture out to other classes, however.
He made it through the day finding comfort in fellow friends from West Jr. High (as well as making a few friends with East Jr. High kids). We are a little confused about his schedule, so I emailed Mr. Hicks and got a response within a couple of hours. He told me to tell Son #2 to come to his office for help with changing his schedule.
FWCHS has a pretty well-rounded curriculum with electives chosen in a certain field or course of study (Son #2 was signed up for the wrong field and we wanted to change). They also run on a "block" schedule where they take different classes first/second semesters and complete one whole credit per class each semester. That will be good for my son as he gets bored easily. The class times (from what I understand so far) run 90 minutes instead of an hour, so they fit more class time in the 90 days during the semester than would a high school with 1 hour class periods. Hope this makes sense!
The course and graduation requirements can be found on the FWCHS website. FA and RCA offer the same on their website. One item of note...I believe FWCHS offers a lot more choice of classes than either FA or RCA. For instance, my son will be able to pick between French and Spanish for a foreign language - at FA & RCA only Spanish is offered. This is another reason (class choices) we decided to try FWCHS.
Moving on...
After looking at his schedule post-Day1, we are not certain what the "advisory" period he has during 7th hour is - I just emailed the counselor this morning and am waiting to hear back. We don't want Son #2 stuck in study halls - would rather he take other elective classes if possible. I know it's the first week, so I'm going to give her until Tuesday morning before I call to check up. At FA Ms. Scates (the counselor/advisor) would usually respond ASAP via email or call you back if you left a message. We'll see how that compares at FWCHS.
One thing of note also...FA always had "required summer reading". Because I checked out the FWCHS website this summer I saw that they also had a summer reading list, but this must be "extra credit" because we never received a note or mailing home about mandatory reading. I'm trying to clear this up and will mention to Mr. Hicks/Dr. Gray (new superintendent) that maybe next year a note should go home through the Jr. Highs (maybe it was supposed to and just didn't?). Anyway...it was a good thing to do for my son this summer when he claimed he was bored!
So that's it for my first entry and Day 2. Hope you found my blabbering helpful! I know I got my info from others going through FWCHS last year, so maybe next year(s) you'll be able to say the same thing! Beth :)
p.s. Forgot to mention that over the summer I also had contact with the officers of the FWCHS PTO to offer my services to the PTO (newsletter for the school). I WAS SO WELCOMED...I feel I have made parental friends and allies already! When my older son started to attend FA I twice contacted (once by phone and once in person) the PTO president at the time. Although we had a brief, friendly conversation in which I offered my help with PTO projects or a newsletter, etc., I never heard back from her about helping with anything. That was disappointing to me as a new parent. I told you I was going to be honest...anyway...see you next entry!
Love the blog! This is going to be a great way to let parents know what really goes on at FWCHS. You bring a good perspective having had a child also attend FA.
ReplyDeleteLove your passion for your kids' education in Fayette County. My daughter is in 8th grade at West and I'm trying to decide between FWCHS and private school in Memphis for next year. Heard some negatives about FWCHS over the years even though my twin girls graduated from there after 1 year of attendance. Keep us informed on your son's progress.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I graduated from FWCHS, and I currently have an 11th grader there. We actually gave my son the option of attending public or Rossville Academy for high school. Thankfully, he chose the public high school and we are glad that he did. He is in honors classes and has done well, and wouldn't go anywhere else. In my past 2 years experience with Fayette Ware, there have been no issues that doesn't occur in any other high school. The principal has always been responsive to any visit or call that I have made. Like any school, the majority of teachers are excellent except for a few.
ReplyDeleteI graduated from FWCHS (Class of 96) I live in Oakland and have a son who is a 5th grader at Southwest and will be going to West Jr High Next year. I have battled with the thought of sending him to Fayette Ware since the day he started Kindergarten. I hope reading your blog throughout this year (and hopefully more to come) will help put to rest some of the negative feelings I have about FWCHS.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this. I believe that each time any involved parent puts their kid(s) @ Fayette-Ware; the school benfits-- at very least FW gains higher test scores and more involved FAMILIES. Word of mouth seems to be the best source regarding FW and all our schools. This blog will be vital to decisions we make about our child. Positive Criticism: You are organized and bold enough to call the school and force issues---this could effect your experience to the point of not being the same as those reading your blog. Not criticizing your calls, just pointing out how it could change your birdseye view from those of less vocal parents. Oh, and; I can give input on home-school issues if you want.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, It is great to see that you have taken the time the inform us of your thoughts on private and public school. I pray that your son has much success at FW. I encourage you to continue your blog so that others can see that FW has a lot to offer their children. It is good that you have introduced yourself to the PTO. I believe that the PTO has great things for this upcoming year and a newsletter would be excellent.
ReplyDeleteI am a '89 graduate of FW and my son is a now a senior. I'm a very involved parent and want the best for all students attending our schools here in Fayette County. FW has an open-door policy for parents to come and meet the teachers. I have been able to show up and visit my son's teacher whenever I like with respect to the teacher's schedule. I was just there yesterday to introduce myself to one of the new math teachers. A supporter of public school and this county!
I definitely think that more people need to have faith in our public school system. When my family moved here from the Midwest almost ten years ago I was very discouraged about the schools - they were not even close to the schools that me and my husband attended. But because it is hard to afford a private education here, and because we also went to public schools back home, we decided to stick with the public school system. I feel like with FW being as big as it is that it would have more to offer by way of sports and clubs and organizations, but hopefully when more parents voice their opinions and offer their support then maybe the school will grow in a positive way. My son is in 8th grade at West and he looks forward to FW next year. Best of luck to all new freshmen this year . . . we'll see you all next year!
ReplyDeleteI'm not really anonymous! I have a better perspective of FWCHS as I have a son who attended FA 6-8 and now FWCHS. (guess who!!!!!).
ReplyDeleteMy son has showed more interest in school in the past 3 days than he has showed in 8 years. He has tried Montessori,homeschool and private, but I think this is the environment for him to thrive.
The more parents who send their children to public schools, they will steadily improve. It takes support and work from the parents to obtain all those programs that need developed, such as music, athletic programs, etc. We can make substantial differences in each and every school.
ReplyDeleteDon't be fooled. The gang activity at this school is out of control and mr hicks is scared of them. My son had an encounter and we were assured the boy would be expelled and not graduate because he admitted it was gang activity. Guess what he graduated. My son deeply regrets not going to private school he says he learned nothing after 9th grade because the classes were out of control and they are going to pass the bad kids anyway. A teacher told me they can't get rid of the bad kids because there are to many of them and they will lose funding. Look at the state report card online it speaks for itself. I went to a private school and there is MINOR drug activity but it is NOT tolerated. Look at the percentage of kids from fayette ware who go on to college compared to private school. It is worth the sacrifice you only get one chance at an education. My son would not even go to the bathroom upstairs he had to hold it all day because he knew what went on in there and had enough sense to stay out. If I had it to do again I would force him to go to a private school.
ReplyDeleteDr. Anonymous (previous post to this)...this is the author of the blog. I'm sorry to hear your report about FWCHS, however I'm thinking that either this happened awhile back or your son had a totally different experience from what I'm hearing. Please read my blog on GANGS AND FIGHTS AND GANGS AND FIGHTS...I spoke to current students, parents and a sheriff's department officer. All of their accounts differ greatly from what you describe. I'm not saying what your son experienced was not real or anything like that - just that I don't think that rampent gang activity is happening at FWCHS in 2010. Mr. Hicks has zero tolerance for fights when he knows about them - the kids know not to touch others ("no touching" policy was instituted last year) or fight or they will be suspended/expelled immediately.
ReplyDeleteYes, testing and ACT scores are not on par with private schools, however private school does not have to admit children who have no desire to further their education in college - public school must take them and must test them. There are children who have great brains, but would rather work with their hands after high school instead of going to college. They still have to take the ACT test and guess what they might do? They might just go in and fill in the bubbles instead of really trying. All of the disabled children at FWCHS also have to take the mandatory testing and their scores get averaged in. The college-bound population at FWCHS is testing at about a 22 average on ACT...that is on par with private school. So...just wanted to point these things out to you. Thanks for your comments!