Chapter 2: The Learning Environment

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Chapter 2

THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

New York City has every type of high school imaginable. Take some time with your child to consider an ideal learning environment for them. Do they want a small school, a medium-sized school or a large school? Do they want a single-sex school or a co-ed school? Do they want a highly academic school, one with 5 hours of homework a night, or do they want a less pressured environment? Many high schools in New York cater to a particular art form or interest. If your child has a strong interest in dance, for example, you may wish to consider a specialized high school for the performing arts.

The Case for Small High Schools

Small high schools have much to recommend them. With student populations of 500 students or less, students can easily get to know all the members of their grade and other grades as well. This often translates into a strong sense of community and belonging, of feeling "seen" and "heard." For these reasons, quiet and shy students may feel more at home in a smaller school. When looking at a small high school, be sure to ask about the typical class size and the teacher-student ratio. It is not always the case that a small high school will have small class sizes. In many subjects, a small class size is desirable because it means more personal attention and time for classroom discussions. Some of the most academically demanding high schools have class sizes of around 12 students to enable rich interactions between students and teachers. While smaller schools may not have as many course options, extensive facilities and extra-curriculars as larger schools, they may offer a very coherent, well-thought out program of instruction designed to prepare students for a rigorous college experience. Similarly, a smaller school may not offer an amazing breadth of sports and extra-curricular options, but if they offer the sports and extra-curriculars you want, the lack of other options won't matter. One of the great advantages of a smaller school is that you are more likely to access the classes/ team sports/leadership opportunities/arts activities you want. With fewer students, there is less likely of these opportunities filling up and denying you entry.

The Case for Large High Schools

Some of the jewels of the New York City school system are large high schools with over 3,000 students each. In fact, Brooklyn Tech, a SHSAT school, is the largest high school in the US, with a student body of over 6,000! These schools make it clear that a very large school can provide an excellent education.

Large schools can offer a remarkable range of courses, sports and extra curricular activities. For example, Bronx Science offers over 30 AP courses. Sports can range from lacrosse to badminton to fencing to bowling, in addition to more traditional options. Furthermore, well-funded large high schools often have college-level facilities for sports, theatre and laboratories.

On the downside, a big school can feel crowded and impersonal. Students who thrive in large schools learn how to advocate for themselves. They figure out how to get the attention they need from teachers and access the courses and activities they want. Larger schools often feel more grown up and freer than smaller schools. Many students appreciate this college-like atmosphere.

It is not always the case that large schools have large classes. Ask the school representatives you meet about the average class size. In general, a good school will offer at least some smaller, discussion-based classes with no more than 20 students.

The Case for a Medium-Sized High Schools

Schools with student bodies between 500 and 1500 can be described as "medium-sized" high schools. Are these schools not too small, not too big, just right? It's hard to generalize about medium-sized high schools. They may have the friendlier scale of a smaller school with the facilities and options of a larger school or they may offer the disadvantages of both small and large schools. So ask the same questions you would ask of any school: • What is the school's approach to education? • Who is the principal? What is s/he like? • What is the average class size? • Are there some smaller, discussion-based classes? • How many APs do you offer? • What team sports does the school have? • What is the arts programming at the school? • What extra curricular opportunities are there? • Is there a commitment to social justice/ anti-racism/ community service? • How good are the facilities for sports, arts, science, social life, independent study and learning in general? • Do I like the look and feel of the campus? • What sorts of colleges do graduates attend? • What percentage of students graduate? (Less than 99% is a bad sign).

The Bottom Line: Visit the Schools!

Visit the schools that you are considering. Approach students and askthem for their experiences at the school.

While at the school, take some time to really watch the student body. Ask yourself, “Could I see myself here? Would I want to see myself here? Would these students have a positive impact on me?”

Looking hard at the current students is essential. The most critical influence on a high school student is not their parents. It’s not their teachers. It’s their peer group.

If you attend a school filled with ambitious, hard-working students, that is, in all likelihood, what you will become. If you attend a school with a less ambitious student body---some who work hard, and many who do not---it is entirely possible that you may not fulfill your potential in high school.

Equally important is the tone of the school. Some schools emphasize community spirit more than others. Some schools emphasize codes of conduct and community values more than others. You may find that a highly academic school does not have a friendly feel to it. It is important to be as attuned to the “friendliness factor” as much as to the academic seriousness

of a place. We’ve all known people who have had miserable high school experiences. By carefully selecting a school with an intentional community spirit and a friendly student body, you increase the chances of having a happy high school experience.

Exploring Educational Philosophies

Different schools reflect distinct educational philosophies. The personality and learning styles of a child may align better with some educational philosophies than others.

This sections introduces some of the more common educational philosophies and how they impact the learning process.

Traditional Education

A traditional approach to education has a high level of structure, with the teacher as the authority and source of knowledge in the classroom. Advantages of this program, especially in schools that have long histories, is that the curriculum is likely to be well-thought out and coherent. Assignments are clear and almost always completed by individuals rather than groups. Assessments tend to be based on tests and essays rather than on completion of projects. Traditional schools are often known for providing rigorous education in the area of critical reading and writing. The traditional approach relies almost entirely on logical and verbal abilities. As such, students learn to express themselves in writing and in speech, to take notes on their reading and classroom learning and to master the skills that prepare them for a college education. The disadvantage of this approach is that it anticipates one learning modality and may not encourage students to personalize their learning or create knowledge products that they have designed. Dyslexic students may have a harder time in traditional schools. Don't assume that traditional schools are weak on classroom discussions; they often shine in this area. Increasingly, traditional schools are offering project based learning, but not to the same degree as progressive schools. Most, but not all Catholic parochial schools (as opposed to Catholic independent schools ) offer a traditional approach to education. We should note that there is a difference between teachers and schools that have an authoritative approach and those that have an authoritarian approach to education. Just as the most effective parents tend to be authoritative, a sound traditional school will have teachers who are in command of their classrooms without being dictatorial. This style of teaching is often described as "warm demanding" and involves a focused, good-humored dynamic between student and teacher. As you consider traditional schools, look out for schools that seem to have an authoritarian culture in which students seem intimidated, silenced or disengaged. Some confuse the authoritarian approach with traditional education when it is traditional education gone wrong.

Progressive Education

A progressive approach to education aims to enliven learning through hands-on projects, expeditions and experiential learning. Collaboration and communication skills are developed through group projects. Efforts are made to enable multiple paths of learning so that students with different strengths have a way into the same material. Students learn to personalize their learning; setting their own goals and tailoring their learning process to their unique strengths. The advantage of this approach is that it often engages children and allows students to identify strengths in themselves and others. Because progressive schools often provide opportunities for students to create their own learning projects, students can feel more motivated to learn. The disadvantage of a progressive education is that it can be more challenging to ensure that students master the academic disciplines that are non-negotiable for higher learning; such as critical reading, writing with clarity and coherence and complex math. Mastering these skills require a great deal of practice and revision; ultimately the most effective method for producing strong readers and writers is working with a knowledgeable teacher who provides individualized feedback and requires follow-through in the iterative process of revision. This process tends to look more traditional than progressive. The progressive emphasis, for example, on peerediting can be counter-productive if peers are lacking the target skills.

As you review progressive schools, try to get "eyes-on" student work. Look for mastery of core academic skills, evidence of rigor and college-ready curriculum coherence.

Culturally Responsive Education

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a research-based approach that makes meaningful connections between what students learn in school and their cultures, languages, and life experiences. These connections help students access rigorous curriculum, develop higher-level academic skills, and see the relevance between what they learn at school and their lives. Our brains are wired to make connections. It’s easier for our brains to learn and store information when we have a hook to hang it on. That hook is background knowledge. Students bring this knowledge to the classroom every day, including their culture, language, and life experiences.

When we acknowledge this background knowledge as assets and tap into it, we create an optimal environment for learning. But for students of color, English language learners (ELLs), and other underserved student populations, those assets are often overlooked and underutilized. As a result, we miss the chance to use them to support rigorous learning.

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) helps create environments, curricula, and instructional methods that validate and reflect the diversity, identities, and experiences of all students. When we do that, we raise the level of academic rigor for all learners. It also sends the message that educators value all students and that multiculturalism is an asset.