Most Schools Lacking In Quality Education

Sat., Sept. 9, 2000

Cassandra Lamothe Special To Handle Extra

Coming from a family of 10, I have had the opportunity to go to different types of schools, and the ones which I haven’t experienced, one of my siblings has.

Almost all of my schooling has been in a private school, which is superior to other schools academically, but with little in the way of sports programs.

Home schooling is convenient, and it’s fun to get out of school early or do two years in one, but it lacks in the social aspect.

The Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy by far is the closest to being a so-called “ideal” school, but barely comes close to the academic standard of private schools.

These ideas may sound harsh, but I am judging from experience.

The public school system’s sports programs are the best anywhere, but they are sadly in need of a boost in educational standards. For example there are teens in the Charter Academy who were averaging a 4.0 grade-point average in public school, but on coming to the charter school could barely pass. Surely this must say something to all those who think the public schools have no need of a change!

When the Charter Academy first opened last year, I began school there. Coming from a private school, I was amazed at the ease of the work, and the subject material in general. The things I was learning as a sophomore I had already learned two or three years before. At the end of the year I decided to switch back to the private school because I felt I wasn’t being challenged.

How much higher is the academic standard at the private school? It must be extremely high if I am barely passing, while at the Charter Academy I averaged a 3.8 g.p.a.!

One might think that private schools are only for the wealthy, but I can tell you that with a family of 10 we are by no means wealthy. My parents sacrificed so that I could get the best education at a private school, and I will be grateful for the rest of my life.

If one wants to avoid a price for schooling, the second-best place to go is the Charter Academy. I believe that within the next few years it will improve by leaps and bounds and will be ranked right up there with the private schools.

The reason I wrote this is not to rate the schools but to show the facts so people will think twice about where they send their children and so that they will become more interested in education standards.

Hopefully, when you read this, you will want to become involved in the school system. Instead of simply voting for high taxes to get big, expensive school buildings, vote for higher taxes to improve the quality of education.

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