| Author | Message | ||
     Moving To Maplewood Citizen Username: Movin2mplwood Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hello, We are relocating to NJ and considering Maplewood. Could you please tell me about the Maplewood school system? I have heard good things about K-8 but heard Columbia HS has it's share of problems, ie. gangs, poor education, etc., etc. We have heard that it's "supposed" to get better but that's always the tag line from a realtor who wants a sale... We do not want to have to relocate for better high schools and I'm a little bit concerned about the high school. Actually, very concerned. Would love everyone's thoughts on the school system, especially the HS as the taxes are high in Maplewood. Thank you for your input! | ||
| dave23 Citizen Username: Dave23 Post Number: 1358 Registered: 5-2001 |
Please please please let this be a prank. | ||
| catmanjac Citizen Username: Catmanjac Post Number: 29 Registered: 2-2004  |
The schools, particularly CHS had been excellent until around the early 80's. I know people disagree, but some have moved out of town to avoid having their kids in the schools, especially CHS. I ran into my old guidance counselor from CHS a few years ago, and she had a mouthful to say about what a change has taken place over the years... and no, she isn't a racist, far from it... she's black. The schools are still better than most, but a far cry from years ago. | ||
| ess Citizen Username: Ess Post Number: 1147 Registered: 11-2001 |
Actually, CHS was "excellent" into the mid-1980s. I can attest to it as I was there. What it is now is certainly better addressed by those who have children attending or who have recently graduated. Let the games begin. | ||
| catmanjac Citizen Username: Catmanjac Post Number: 32 Registered: 2-2004 |
There was a shared custody case a few years ago, involving one parent living in Maplewood, and one in Madison. The judge sided with the one in Madison, as to where the child would be better off as to the school system. People blasted the judge on this, and I don't recall if the decision was changed. But his position was well understood. | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 623 Registered: 10-2003 |
I am a graduate of CHS. I have two children who graduated from Columbia in 1998 and 2000. My nephew graduated in 2003. The education is there if you want it. We have terrific teachers in our schools. We always have a large number of graduates that are accepted into Ivy League schools. What has brought our scores down are a number of people who move in to town and do not have the benefit of elementary and middle school education here and so are not up to the standards set by the district. Are there problems at the high school? Absolutely, but nothing that kids who have support at home and good guidelines cannot handle. My kids were involved in a number of activities after school that kept them busy and they had to follow our rules while in school...they did just fine. You will always hear negatives about CHS-you need to visit the school and talk with the principal or guidance team and make your decision that way.(IMHO)- and by the way catmanjac- I know people in Millburn who paid for their children to go to Columbia because they wanted their children to have what CHS offered that they could not get in Millburn. | ||
| catmanjac Citizen Username: Catmanjac Post Number: 35 Registered: 2-2004 |
I am a graduate of CHS too, 1976. People from Millburn paid to go to CHS? Hard to fathom. | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 4946 Registered: 2-2003  |
Our neighbors daughter and her best friend are graduating with honors this year, and were accepted to Brown. | ||
| catmanjac Citizen Username: Catmanjac Post Number: 36 Registered: 2-2004 |
redY67, congratulations to your neighbor's and friend's daughter. My sister would have died to have gotten into Brown back in '79. She was wait-listed, and went to Tufts instead. I never said the school system was horrible. I said it was a far cry from years ago when my sister and I attended. | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 624 Registered: 10-2003 |
catmanjac---why is that so hard to fathom? I am talking academically...what do you think that Millburn has that CHS does not have academically???? | ||
| finnegan Supporter Username: Finnegan Post Number: 294 Registered: 6-2001 |
dave23 - your first post made me laugh out loud! The older I get the less I like nostalgia - [warning, short rant ahead:] oh please, everyone always says: the high school was good back in the day, but now... When my parents bought a house in Livingston in 1967, the neighbor up the street warned them that Livingston HS used to be a good school, but it was really going down hill, so they were sending their kids to private schools. It's one of the oldest songs in the book... MovingtoMaplewood, Welcome - why not read the education thread, and do a search on Columbia HS? You'll find plenty of boosters and plenty of critics and be able to judge for yourself, from tone and experience cited, who makes the most sense. | ||
| dave23 Citizen Username: Dave23 Post Number: 1360 Registered: 5-2001 |
catman, Do you have kids there now? | ||
| tjohn Supporter Username: Tjohn Post Number: 4082 Registered: 12-2001  |
Moving to Maplewood, If at all possible, DO NOT make any decisions based upon comments on this board. The most curious thing about the school system is that parents with kids in the schools generally have good things to say about the schools whereas comments on this board tend to be very negative. | ||
| catmanjac Citizen Username: Catmanjac Post Number: 37 Registered: 2-2004 |
No kids. But I know of people who do, people who did, and people who don't want their kids there. And my old guidance counselor's views... | ||
| Smarty Jones Citizen Username: Birdstone Post Number: 386 Registered: 10-2005 |
I think last year CHS put 30 students into the Ivy League, and in the high 20's the year before that...they will fax you a list of colleges their students head off to, and it's quite impressive. My High School of 690 students placed 2 in Ivy League schools...both Penn. I don't, however, know if it's all white students going to the Ivy's, or if it's all Minority students going to the Ivy's, or if it's evenly split, like the population of the school. I would hope it's evenly split. | ||
| Smarty Jones Citizen Username: Birdstone Post Number: 387 Registered: 10-2005 |
tjohn is exactly right. We examined the school district here before we moved in, and at first we were nervous, but then spent time talking with the School (very helpful in getting you information about the district, etc) and then we felt much better about it. Lots of people I work with here in Manhattan have their kids in CHS, and are pleased. Funny thing is, we have years before we actually have kids in Jr/Sr high....but if we didn't have something to worry about, well it wouldn't be worth it now would it? | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2727 Registered: 9-2002  |
Actually I think the debate about what is right and what needs to be fixed in the schools is very encouraging. Shows that residents and parents care about the education of the kids in town. BGS, I think the question is the opposite. What does CHS have that Millburn does not? I think it is hard to fathom anyone paying for a house in Millburn to send their kids to a different public HS. Though I've heard that CHS has a superior arts program. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4524 Registered: 5-2001  |
There are definitely those who used to go to CHS in the 70's who have the "it's not the way it used to be" syndrome. Fine. But the school has amazing things going on there like BGS said. I have a senior who got in Early Decision to a fabulous college. I have another at the HS and 2 in middle school. I'll let y'all know where they end up and then the naysayers can have their say. Moving2Maplewood- PLEASE, watch what you say. You are new and to say at CHS you get a poor education is an outlandish statement and if it came from your realto, then your realtor is an a**. A friend has a kid at a well known private school and one at Columbia. She says the teachers at Columbia are every bit as good and better than the private school. catmanjac- kids still go to Brown and Tufts and all the ivies from CHS and it is much harder to get into these schools these days. CHS is still VERY well thought of in admissions at all these schools. And CHS still provides top-notch education. I suggest to any and everyone to go to the all school Musical, Grease, on March 10, 11 or 12. I think it's the weekend after that too. And see for yourself what is going on there. | ||
| dave23 Citizen Username: Dave23 Post Number: 1361 Registered: 5-2001 |
Moving, Make special note of Tjohn's 4:14 pm post. I don't have kids in the schools yet, but I've noticed the same thing. One thing I've noticed, too, is that the high school kids I interact with are, for the most part, great. (Back in my day, kids were dumb, selfish and mean. Nowadays they are genius, angelic and charitable. Times sure do change!) In all seriousness, if you are truly interested, I strongly suggest you reach out to parents of current students. Only those with direct experience will be able to answer your questions. Otherwise, you'll be getting filtered second- and third-hand perspectives skewed by unknowable personal biases. | ||
| Hamandeggs Citizen Username: Hamandeggs Post Number: 186 Registered: 8-2005 |
The schools here are good and the much-touted diversity is absolutely real. I would go so far as to say that it is our chief educational asset (and chief among many). Seriously, we have family situations and ethnic combos that I've seen nowhere else, and teaching kids that such is expected is an excellent preparation for the world. I am a teacher, and I am delighted with my kids' education. CHS is a lively, dynamic place, arts-rich, grounded, real. | ||
| Trent_Daddy Citizen Username: Tcedwards Post Number: 166 Registered: 6-2001 |
I completely agree with BGS Parents must support the guideliness set by the school and should expect their kids to follow and even exceed those guidelines. I have an idea for a case study. Move to Maplewood then send your kids to a private school. I have heard that dozens of families do that just. The personal energy used in NOT supporting the school can pull down school and the community indirectly. If the parents care as a group, then the teachers will feel supported and the school system will excel. How many generations must pass before folks realize a school system is only as strong as the communities and families that support it. If the taxes don't kill you then the life will. TD  | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4525 Registered: 5-2001 |
Trent- the percentage of kids that go to private school in MSO are equal to that of surrounding districts. | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 3181 Registered: 11-2001  |
I believe it was recently mentioned at a BOE meeting that it is estimated @ 15-20% of school age children attend outside of district. | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 625 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thank you Trent Daddy- Again, I suggest that whoever is interested in finding out what the schools are like spend some time there and ask the questions that you want answers for from the people best suited to answer them. | ||
| Strings Supporter Username: Blue_eyes Post Number: 814 Registered: 4-2004  |
I graduated CHS in 1999 and had a fantastic time there and received what I felt was an excellent education. My sisters graduated in 2002 and 2004 and two of my cousins currently attend. Yes, we all see a continuous change in the school, but I really don't think it's as horrific as some people like to try to make it out to be. Is it the best school in the area? No, definitely not, but it's also far from the worst. BGS said it the best, "The education is there if you want it." | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4526 Registered: 5-2001 |
pizzaz-- 15-20% is not correct. But 10-15% is more like it and is pretty much what surrrounding districts see. Even Millburn. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 4074 Registered: 1-2004  |
BGS What did Columbia have the Millburn-Short Hills Schools didn't? | ||
| kathy Citizen Username: Kathy Post Number: 1261 Registered: 5-2001 |
One thing that CHS has that Millburn HS doesn't is strong music and arts programs. I have friends who moved from Millburn to Maplewood when their kids were in high school for this reason. Millburn HS does have a huge orchestra but they don't have a marching band. My kids both graduated from CHS and got excellent educations--a lot better than I got at my white-bread suburban high school. I agree with everybody above who said that information should be sought from parents of current students or recent graduates, not from people who have heard rumors from who-knows-where. | ||
| Strings Supporter Username: Blue_eyes Post Number: 815 Registered: 4-2004 |
The music program at Columbia is very good, but no where near what it was 7 years ago or so. It was very strong in the late 90's (when I attended, and continued studying music to receive my Bachelor of Music from The College of NJ), but is continuously having to rebuild itself since. The orchestra director that I had from 7th-11th grade in M/SO left in 1998 to go to Millburn HS, actually. I think Columbia may still offer more in music and arts than Millburn, but it's been difficult to maintain in the past 5 years or so. Also, when I was interviewing for jobs 3 years ago, I met with the music supervisor in Millburn and was told that they were expanding their department. I also knew a girl who was a few years older than me who moved to Millburn but her parents paid for her to continue at CHS, quite possibly the same one BGS was thinking of. | ||
| Amateur Night Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 1763 Registered: 5-2001  |
I don't have kids at CHS yet, but worked there as a tutor last year and was very impressed by the staff. I moved here when my daughter was about to enter kindergarten -- next year she'll be heading off to middle school, and so far I have been absolutely delighted with the level of education she's received. Plus, she's a well-rounded person with a veritable United Nations of friends. So far, so good. | ||
| Trent_Daddy Citizen Username: Tcedwards Post Number: 167 Registered: 6-2001 |
Summary Points: ==>To have a strong school system we need the parents to be responsible for their childrens discipline and supportive of the schools attempt to educate and imply some discipline. ==>No school can function without order and support from both sides. Working parents or not. ==>Of course the local government must supply the proper level of funding (and law enforcement). Sweat the schools and the equity will come. TD | ||
| mwsilva Citizen Username: Mwsilva Post Number: 480 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cutting to the bottom line. Expect to pay $900 a month for your schools here with a net growth rate of 15-20% each year. That is all. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4527 Registered: 5-2001 |
Strings- Was you director Krempasky (sp?) My kids are not in the music program, but I remember that everyone was very upset by his departure. I don't know if it was one or two guys since then, but it was rocky and apparently there is a phenomenal director now. Just ask any kid currently in band or orchestra. Our marching band still wins awards. I'm also looking forward to seeing the play and hearing the orchestra as well. | ||
| extuscan Citizen Username: Extuscan Post Number: 612 Registered: 6-2001 |
Can you imagine Kemprasky (another sp?) tolerating the no-Christmas music rule? He used to have a traveling brass ensemble that would go from room to room playing christmas music around the holidays. Who was the chorus director who died/or retired/died in 1993 or 1994? His signature song was the Hallelujah Chorus... Basically I can't imagine, with all the restrictions, that the CHS music program could possibly operate at the level it did in the early 90's. Freakin Liberals. -John | ||
| AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1198 Registered: 10-2004 |
This is just a ploy to allow people to talk about Education before the March 1 approved date. Dave shut it down now!!! | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 629 Registered: 10-2003 |
Krempasky would have tolerated the rule because he taught his students that rules, while we might not like them, were there for a reason. He was a terrific motivator of students and if you knew him, he had plenty of rules of his own. The Brass Ensemble was a volunteer group of students who carried on after he left. When the religious music ban went in to effect, that volunteer group disassociated themselves from the school and played in Maplewood village on their own. I think that that says something for the kind of education that people can get at our schools. | ||
| Chasm Citizen Username: Chasm Post Number: 329 Registered: 6-2001  |
I have 2 kids at CHS, and they are doing just fine. They're both in level 4 & 5, so they are among thet brighter students. We have not had any problems, and they have not reported any problems. In general their classes are a lot tougher than mine were when I was in HS a long, long time ago. You will find that every HS in America has an "element" of druggies, delinquents, etc. If your kids are smart and are raised correctly they will avoid it no matter where they are. There is NO perfect HS situation. IMO the kids in Millburn, Livingston and other minimally-diverse school districts are at a disadvantage in life in that they won't learn how to interact with other people. Our #3 is currently in 2nd grade, and we plan on staying and having him attend CHS. | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 641 Registered: 10-2003 |
Good for you Chasm...you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned minimally diverse school districts... My oldest started college in New Hampshire, after one semester she called us and told us that you cannot send a CHS graduate to a small college in NH and expect them to get along. She said "everyone here is white bread...the only language spoken here is English and I question that" She asked me what these classmates of her were going to do if they ever got out into the real world....and so she transferred to a school that had 39,000 students in the middle of America but these students were from every corner of the earth and she was able to assimilate very well because of her exposure to the world at CHS. By the way-I am not bashing New Hampshire or small colleges etc...am just reporting what one CHS graduate said to her parents... | ||
| extuscan Citizen Username: Extuscan Post Number: 615 Registered: 6-2001 |
What NH college would this be? | ||
| Michael Turner Citizen Username: Resident_lune Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2006  |
If you ask my sister, she'd probably say that Columbia High School was a nice place. That she enjoyed her time there, and that the sports were the best part of it. If you ask me? I can't rationally give an opinion about CHS, having only spent a total of 3 months there in my freshman year before leaving. Suffice it to say, I felt in those few months that CHS and the Board of Education lacked heavily in the Special Education department, as someone who was diagnosed with ADD back when I was at Tuscan School (one of the several elementary schools in the area). It seems as though as time went on, the effort made by the schools went from good, to average, to below par in terms of Special Education. So if you are looking for a school that is considerate to needs for a child who may have difficulties in some classes (more of the focus kind than any other issues), I would not recommend CHS. But again, my particular gripe is with the Board of Education that controls Maplewood and South Orange. As a student who desired special services or a change of scenery for the better, I was put between a rock and a hard place. I remember in my attempts to stay at boarding school (where I was doing ten times better than CHS or MMS), people sent by the Board of Ed. regularly attempted to convince me that I was not happy away from home, and that I should return to CHS. In the end, these manipulations were just an attempt by the district to not have to pay for the needs of a child who was unique from the typical public school student, and did not want to pay even the smallest amount of school fees for boarding school or other schools that would have been more beneficial. If I was a regular student back then who did not have needs beyond the normal ones of the typical student, this would have not been as much of an issue. But as a student who was officially labelled as in need of help, the Maplewood/South Orange Board of Education failed me. I gained enough of this highly touted "diversity" from hopping school to school due to the Board of Ed's inability to supplement my educational needs. Frankly, what is the point of diversity if I can't even partake in it, as I am too busy chugging along at borderline passing (or below the grade line) with the lack of help offered by the middle to high school level public schools to students with the same issues as myself? |
