Open Zoning for Students

[mcwrestler]

Govman, I would say you are probably right about the AP courses being about the same, but the next step down difference. AP courses are most likly hard across the board. I took a few in Bio and History and they did a good job getting me ready for what I am doing now. I also took standard level that did a good job also. The honors and AP may be the same but the standard courses are where the big difference is most likly. Also another selling point for Alcoa, and one that I most enjoyed, is teacher student ratio that is higher than most other school hands down. Teachers are paid enough to want to be good at their job, and students can get needed attention. I believe open zoning is perfectly fine. I just hope Alcoa raises tuition so that they stay small for the students sake. As for a multiplier, I am not sure. Is it really needed.

Edited December 12, 2006 by mcwrestler

[rappy]

From the Williamson County Web Site:

Williamson County Schools Web Site

 

"The open-zoned high schools are Brentwood High, Page High and Centennial High (only to students zoned to Franklin High). All other schools are closed for enrollment to any student not residing in that specific school transportation zone or not approved under the guidelines specified in policy 1.703. Students requesting to attend an open zoned school may be denied if it would result in overcrowding or oversized classes."

[barb]

Govman where is your data to back this up? The single biggest factor in a students academic success is the economic condition of their parents. Check every school in the state of Tennessee and this is backed up. Check the difference in ACT scores at the schools. It probably is not as great as you think.

I know the county has had at least 1 perfect score on the ACT. So don't say the county schools are not preparing students for college.

People prepare themselves for what they want to succeed at so open zone all you want.

Govman WB should take back your diploma for this post.

 

The "data" you are referring to...would that be the # of children receiving free or reduced price lunches. If so you may notice the majority of these students statewide are in rural schools...as a rule, these schools are funded below the state average, which of course, means (this is for you Gov) less money for AP classes , teachers salaries, and arts programs...all of which contribute to lower over-all academic performance. You see, you can make the numbers say whatever you want them too if you have the right education

[CHS 2007]

From the Williamson County Web Site:

Williamson County Schools Web Site

 

"The open-zoned high schools are Brentwood High, Page High and Centennial High (only to students zoned to Franklin High). All other schools are closed for enrollment to any student not residing in that specific school transportation zone or not approved under the guidelines specified in policy 1.703. Students requesting to attend an open zoned school may be denied if it would result in overcrowding or oversized classes."

I really don't understand this. My girlfriend is zoned for Centennial and goes to Ravenwood just on the fact that her parents wanted her to go there. Another friend of mine is zoned for Page, went to Centennial, and then transferred to Franklin this year because she didn't like CHS. There has to be some kind of way to get around this or some kind of exception.

[mikey65]

I really don't understand this. My girlfriend is zoned for Centennial and goes to Ravenwood just on the fact that her parents wanted her to go there. Another friend of mine is zoned for Page, went to Centennial, and then transferred to Franklin this year because she didn't like CHS. There has to be some kind of way to get around this or some kind of exception.

I think students should be allowed to go to whatever school they choose. After my parents moved after my sophomore year, I did not want to switch schools and teams. What's the big deal about going to school in a different county or zone?

[rappy]

I really don't understand this. My girlfriend is zoned for Centennial and goes to Ravenwood just on the fact that her parents wanted her to go there. Another friend of mine is zoned for Page, went to Centennial, and then transferred to Franklin this year because she didn't like CHS. There has to be some kind of way to get around this or some kind of exception.

I cannot answer that question but if you are on good terms with her parents, asked them the same question. I know of parents living outside of WC wanting the kids to attend WC schools will use Grandparents or any other methods to beat the system. You can go to the zoning area for high schools and type in her address to verify. If this is the case and you want to get her back to Centennial, send the information to the school board. They will be glad to bust her for you.

[fromthetop2]

I don't think they (WillCo School Board) puts up too much of a stink if a non-athlete transfers from school to school for "personal" reasons. It is impossible if the student is involved in sports, unless they want to sit out a year.

[rappy]

I don't think they (WillCo School Board) puts up too much of a stink if a non-athlete transfers from school to school for "personal" reasons. It is impossible if the student is involved in sports, unless they want to sit out a year.

I’ve tried it, appealed it, and lost. The school board wouldn’t budge on one of my younger sons attending the same school as his older one due to zoning changes. When they lock down the zones, the school system won’t budge even if it helps reduce overcrowding to the benefit of overcrowded school. Exceptions are rare in any case for WCS. WCS school board gets real nasty and narrow minded to any reason making common sense. The reasons are not even related to sports, just location.

[osunut2]

I think students should be allowed to go to whatever school they choose. After my parents moved after my sophomore year, I did not want to switch schools and teams. What's the big deal about going to school in a different county or zone?

It wasn't a big deal, until sports became involved. I don't think people object to the idea of someone going to a different school because of convenience or for academics. But once sports are involved in the argument, things change. However, I do see both sides of the argument.

[inthezone]

The "data" you are referring to...would that be the # of children receiving free or reduced price lunches. If so you may notice the majority of these students statewide are in rural schools...as a rule, these schools are funded below the state average, which of course, means (this is for you Gov) less money for AP classes , teachers salaries, and arts programs...all of which contribute to lower over-all academic performance. You see, you can make the numbers say whatever you want them too if you have the right education

 

You would think your logic would be correct, but if you study what is suppose to be the top system in Tennessee (Oak Ridge), their test scores go directly with economics. Oak Ridge Schools with higher free lunches do worse than schools with lower free lunches. However, they are all under the same school system with the same resources. So, I stand by my theory. Of course this debate is for an academic board.

[fromthetop2]

I’ve tried it, appealed it, and lost. The school board wouldn’t budge on one of my younger sons attending the same school as his older one due to zoning changes. When they lock down the zones, the school system won’t budge even if it helps reduce overcrowding to the benefit of overcrowded school. Exceptions are rare in any case for WCS. WCS school board gets real nasty and narrow minded to any reason making common sense. The reasons are not even related to sports, just location.

 

Now, that is a horse of a different color. They won't budge on siblings attending schools that older siblings went to, or are currently attending. I know for a fact a prominent athletes' parents wanted to send their children to BHS when RHS opened up, for the very same reason and were shot down. Particularly when it comes to the radioactive topic of zoning in WillCo, they won't even listen to the complaint. They are getting enough flack from the elementary school parents on that one.

 

I do know that there have been transfers for personal reasons (ex: social maladjustment at one school, and on one rare occasion a compelling divorce explanantion), but overall it is darn near impossible. The only sure-fire method is to buy a house next door to the school.

[rappy]

Now, that is a horse of a different color. They won't budge on siblings attending schools that older siblings went to, or are currently attending. I know for a fact a prominent athletes' parents wanted to send their children to BHS when RHS opened up, for the very same reason and were shot down. Particularly when it comes to the radioactive topic of zoning in WillCo, they won't even listen to the complaint. They are getting enough flack from the elementary school parents on that one.

 

I do know that there have been transfers for personal reasons (ex: social maladjustment at one school, and on one rare occasion a compelling divorce explanantion), but overall it is darn near impossible. The only sure-fire method is to buy a house next door to the school.

I agree but wondering a little bit about the statement made “I know for a fact a prominent athletes' parents wanted to send their children to BHS when RHS opened up, for the very same reason and were shot down.”

 

It was probably the fact at the time or in this case, it's a moving target.

1) BHS is open zone high school.

2) I know for a fact a prominent athlete zone for Ravenwood went to Brentwood in 2005 because his older brothers played and graduated for Brentwood.

3) I kind of remember during the last coaching change at Franklin three football players from the Grassland area decided to go to BHS as incoming freshman after getting ticked off at the Franklin head coaching change. They were incoming freshman at the time and decided to go to the open zone Brentwood HS.

 

In the case stated, Brentwood could have been close zone to Ravenwood when Ravenwood opened up in its first two years with freshman and sophomores in 2002 (I don’t exactly remember the zoning details back in 2002). In 2004, Brentwood went back open zone due the drop in students and the tearing down and rebuilding the new and improved Franklin HS.

 

With all the new homes being built in Williamson County, the school board really has to juggle the zoning lines to keep up with the balance of schools population while new schools are being built. Rutherford County is having the same problem while Wilson, Summer, and Davidson county (Antioch area) is having the same problem but to a lesser extent. It’s really amazing how in just two years, some of the area schools can go from half empty to full. It’s really starting to get kind of crowded around here and it doesn’t look like it is slowing down anytime soon.

 

Therefore the zoning in Williamson County is and continues to be a moving target.