West Seattle as Its Own Micro-District
Second, I really like the West Seattle Blog. They do such a great job of covering that whole area like a little mini-city. There seems to be such a sense of community over there. They also getsome pretty interesting reader comments on their stories.
I was checking out what was being said about the departure of Bruce Bivens, the current principal at WSHS. Just as you would expect there are differing thoughts about his departure but then some tension crept in over the differences between Chief Sealth High School and West Seattle High School. Here's what one commenter had to say:
Currently have students at both schools, like both schools for different reasons. My family’s experience summarized through my students:
CSIHS:
*more classroom disruptions/poor behavior
*energized teaching staff
*district publicity for school bordering on “cult of personality” status
*staff does excellent job of presenting opportunities (scholarships, internships, career ideas etc) to students of all different levels
*often perceived as the “underdog”
*history of administrative decisions made unilaterally by principal
*many different opportunities for a kid to fit in
*possible unintentional segregation of students due to IB program
*racially and economically diverse
WSHS:
*very strong history and alumni involvement
*beautiful campus
*seems to have more drug and alcohol usage (or perhaps it is more noticeable?)
*seems to be a bit in flux with the hybrid period schedule
*strong PTA, possibly more parental involvement
*my student here seems to have many more projects and homework, although both students took “honors” classes
I know more about Sealth than WS due to the time my children have been there. The one thing I am certain of; any student could fail or succeed at either school. If, as a parent, you are concerned enough to be reading this blog and researching the schools, your child has the advantage right there. Parental involvement is the key.
And another parent:
As parents of a Madison 8th grader, we’ve been looking into high schools a lot this year. West Seattle High under Bivins has a reputation as the lesser of the two Westside high schools. Self-motivated achievers can do well at both, but while Sealth has purportedly a bit more of a “gang presence”, it also…rumor has it…does a better job of getting it’s legions of slackers, “ghetto”(their words not mine)wannabes, and immature misbehavers interested in its academic offerings, and not letting them steal the show from teachers who want to teach instead of manage behavior, and kids who want to learn…really the great unspoken truth of modern public schools. I definitely hear a lot of “I wouldn’t send my kid to either of those schools”, but private school isn’t an option for us, nor do we want to become one of the growing number of West Seattle parents sending their kids to Vashon.
SW/West Seattle are more isolated areas in our district and thus the comparisons between schools become sharper. It probably makes for good competition in sports. But it is interesting to see how the district's initiatives and decisions play out in one distinct area. (I do like that "cult of personality" status named by one commenter; I have to say that the district does seem to spend a lot of time on saying how great Denny/Sealth will be together.)
With the closure of Cooper AND the new SAP AND the massive remodel/rebuilt at Denny/Sealth, it makes for an interesting place to watch it all unfold.
Comments
When looking at HS WSHS was last our list, Sealth was 2nd and we got into our first choice, Center.
We were so unimpressed with WSHS even though that school is a mile from our home. The leadership was dismal and the organization was non-existent. (note: Susan Derse was the principal the year we were looking).
WSHS always seems to be noted for large fights etc. whereas you do not hear that happening at Sealth (though maybe that is a case of reported vs not, I don’t know). Whether earned or not, my experience is that many in the North end of WS would not consider sending their kids to WSHS as it is today.
We need to produce the same elsewhere (I've hear Bothell has good community coverage) and there are incipient beginnings elsewhere, but the WSB is an amazing model (and, I think, really the result of some pretty amazing founders).
And, though there are geographic reasons why its a micro district, I think the WS Blog is participating in creating the community, too.
(and, no I don't have anything substantive to say about WS schools, and if I did, it would all come from the blog, anyway.)
The WSHS principal has not changed this reputation- last year he met with a large group of 8th grade parents interested in finding out more about rigorous offerings at the school. The principal showed up with only one representative, the autoshop teacher, and the parents were so discouraged from attending that school that NOT ONE of those families signed their kids up for WSHS for 9th grade.
The district has further undermined any chance of offering two sets of equitable secondary schools in West Seattle, with the new attendance area maps funneling 6 elementary schools to Denny/Sealth and only 4 elementary schools to Madison/WSHS. What were they thinking?
I did find on a flyer for prospective parents that in 2008, 42% of WSHS graduates reported going on to a 4-yr. college but that is quite low compared to the Seattle Times School Guide data (older, from 2005) where 6 of the other comprehensive high schools reported higher rates (Ballard, Roosevelt & Garfield between 60%-70%). Even Franklin came in at 52%, Ingraham & Hale at 50%.
I do fully agree with your comments at the end- "If WSHS gets a strong charismatic leader who will listen to local parents and add academic rigor it could be a very good school." But parents have to jump in and make this work with their neighborhood support or it just won't happen.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/schoolguide/index.php?
Antecdotely, it does seem to be a great place for "trade/tech"" school path students, not so great for the "private university" path students. Hopefully, academics will improve.
Do they offer 4 years of language?
Do they offer a handful of AP classes?
Do they offer Calculus and Statistics?
Do they have decent (doesn't have to be Duke Ellington worthy) art offerings? Band, drama, dance?
Do they sports for those interested in sports scholarships?
It seems to me that in almost any school, even RBHS, a student could choose to take classes to allow them access to just about any college.
I don't know much about WSHS so I could be wrong though? Anyone?
A students chances of a full scholarship to a 4 year university might be much better at RBHS where the senior class is about 80 students who are predominantly under performers, than say at Roosevelt, where the senior class is about 412 students who are predominantly average to high performers.
Not saying I would pick a school based on these averages, but it is something to think about.....
And every kid in every school is armed with a weapon, wears a black leather jacket, has tattoos and drives a stolen car. And Alki Beach is covered in litter, oil spill residue and discarded needles and medical waste.
I would stay away from West Seattle forever. Its soooooo bad. Please don't come here. I mean, DON'T GO THERE!
Thanks.
I was going to spend my vacation on Alki. I had my flights, hotel, rental...all set up. I was looking forward to a week in West Seattle!
But you've convinced me: I'm changing my reservations to Magnuson. The NORTH coast of Seattle is....better.
"[students attend school] in shanties [portables] on the playgrounds at elementary schools.
By the way, and this is no secret since we said this publicly while covering a Steve Sundquist coffee chat, plus we believe in transparency anyway, we were affected by the whole NSAP thing.
We are blocks from Sealth and the second redrawing put us into WSHS.
We have just received our letter admitting our incoming 9th grader to Sealth. Nothing personal against WSHS, but the proximity factor among other things is big. We will continue to do our best covering both schools (plus West Seattle's lone private high school, SLHS) - and thanks to all the very knowledgeable parents and educators who take the time to flag us to issues, and the research they've done ... We call our style of news coverage "community-collaborative" and it truly is, thanks to thousands of amazing people.
-Tracy (WSB editor)
A lot of West Seattle kids also go to Vashon.
Do many go to Kennedy in Burien?