Len Lipkin

School Choice Based on Parental “Qualities”?

One of the things that I have noticed during my school search are the parents sitting next to me in open houses.  It occurs to me that one of the factors that has emerged as important to me indirectly are the parents of the children at the school I choose.  This point cuts across many themes that I have written about on this blog over the last 8 months, most directly parental involvement in the...

PSS Community

Why I Chose Friends Central: 2010-05-28 School Selection Report

Tell PSS and our readers about your school choice! Date Submitted: 5/28/2010 What school did you decide on? Friends Central Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2009-2010 Grade your child entered/will enter Kindergarten and Preschool What neighborhood are you in? West Philly What schools did you consider? Lower Merion Township Public Schools, Philadelphia Charter Schools What factors were most...

Len Lipkin

School Success Criteria Vol 1: Parents

In the news lately there has been a lot of talk of underperforming “Renaissance” schools who will forced to dismiss many of their teachers.  On the one hand, I applaud the attempt to shock our worst schools into improvement.  On the other hand, I am dismayed that the teachers are being disproportionately punished for the failures of their schools.  It occurred to me that so many factors...

Len Lipkin

The Lower Merion School District Paradox

Drawing the school districting lines for the Lower Merion School District (LMSD) last year was a contentious issue, involving loud town hall meetings, angry allegations of racism, lawsuits, and now a federal investigation. Should that controversy be a factor in whether to move to LMSD for the schools?

Len Lipkin

Lower Merion–Spies Like Us?

Lower Merion has long been the no-brainer school choice.  Living in the city is a priority for me, but when schools are a factor, it is hard for Philadelphia School District’s beleaguered system to compete with what some consider to be one of the best public school districts in the country.  Until now, perhaps? Unless you have been living under a rock over the last few days, you have most likely...

Len Lipkin

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

This blog got very popular very quickly.  I have no illusions that it is about anything that I am doing.  I am certain that it is all about the shared anxiety we have as parents of soon-to-be-school aged kids.  I have only gotten one community submission on the emotional aspect of this process, but, as a result of finding this blog, many strangers and friends are reaching out to me to share their fears...

Len Lipkin

Judge a Book By Its Cover?

I am perusing different school websites to start my research.  I probably shouldn’t pre-judge a school by its site, but the Meredith School website is pretty lame and it bugs me.  Jenks is a little better.  Penn Alexander blows them both away–better design, more information for parents, better secondary resources.  Of course I want a school to pay attention to education first, website...