Schurz High School Graduation, 2011
Last Sunday, driving home an hour after church on Milwaukee Avenue, I found myself in the middle of a traffic jam. It was the Schurz High School graduation for 2011 at Addison and Milwaukee Avenue on Chicago’s northwest side, in my neighborhood.
Congratulations to Schurz High School Graduates of 2011
I wish Schurz’s new high school graduates the very best. I’ll sit in traffic anytime watching high school graduates celebrating with their families. I remember seeing one young African American teenager walking away from the school speaking with a middle aged white man, most likely his teacher (my guess). You could almost sense the young teenager’s pride and hope for the future as he walked briskly in his nice suit and tie. Best wishes.
My Son almost went to Schurz
Back when my son was in 8th grade, my wife and I interviewed the high school counselor at Schurz regarding her school. I remember her being very positive and showing us around the building. I believe its rare for prospective parents to interview a Chicago public high school. But that was our purpose.
My son was already to become a Schurz Bulldog when we received a phone call from the Lane Tech principal inviting our son to come to Lane. But that’s another story. It turned out well. So rather than send our son to the neighborhood high school that was 2 blocks away, he took the bus and drove to Lane Technical High School which was over 2 miles away. No offense to Schurz, but our son received a better education at Lane High School. Parents will always choose a better education for their children, if given the chance.
“Is there something wrong with your daughter?”
When my daughter was not quite 5 we interviewed the principal and assistant principal at our local Chicago Public grade school. We wanted to know if it was a good school for our daughter.
In the morning at about 9 AM, my wife and I arrived promptly dressed in business attire. I had a business suit, my wife looked businesslike and friendly. We wanted to make a good impression.
We met with the principal and the assistant principal. The principal had about 40 years of teaching with the CPS and the assistant had 30+ years of experience with the Chicago Public school system.
At the interview we asked questions such as:
- What’s your average teacher:student ratio?
- How many kindergarten classes do you have at the school?
- What do you teach in kindergarten?
- Is it a half day program or full program?
After about 15 minutes the principal stopped us politely and asked these questions:
Is there something wrong with your daughter? Does she have any special needs?
We said no, no problems. Just a bright 5 year old, healthy child, our daughter.
In 75 years of teaching, we’ve never…
Then the principal said this to my wife and I:
We were concerned, we didn’t know why you were really here today. In 75 years of teaching for the Chicago Public Schools, we never had parents interview us about sending their children to our school.
The principal and assistant principal were very nice. They closed the interview and showed us the incredibly crowded hallway, they showed us an auditorium with a stage where kids had to eat their lunches because of overcrowding, and they described their very crowded kindergarten classes.
They also said we should send our daughter to 1st grade rather than kindergarten, although I forget the reasons why (It’s been two decades.)
We sent our daughter to a gifted program where she did wonderfully. Once again, if parents can, they will send their children to the best school possible.
What is the Schurz High School Graduation rate?
I’ve searched on the Internet and found graduation rates ranging from 51% to over 65%. I don’t know what number is accurate.
Personally, I believe a Chicago Public high school should post its graduation rate once a year, at graduation, on its public billboard outside the school. Everyone should know the high school graduation rate of their high school. I think this should be done for every high school in the nation, not just Schurz High School.
Congratulations to all new High School Graduates
Best wishes to our new high school graduates throughout the nation and at Schurz High School in Chicago, IL. May your futures be bright with new dreams and accomplishments of a lifetime.
