Comments on: High School Hustle: Where the boys are — or aren’t, and does it matter? http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:15:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Stephanie Reeder http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9618 Stephanie Reeder Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:50:12 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9618 This is an acute observation that will most likely be overlooked if parent don't address it. My daughter is graduating from Benjamin Banneker Academy-Clinton Hill Brooklyn, in the spring;. She's glad because the admissions criteria has been modified so intensely, she considered transferring in her senior year! The boys are focused, playful yet focus. The girls are the pushy, provoking loud mouths, and too much is too much. The inbalance is unhealthy as a social setting for maturing pre-teens and teens and like most public schools, the cattle like shift from grade to grade continue with little change. I liked it when parents and teachers could agree on what is best for the class, not just the child. When the Board of Ed focused more or supplying the teachers/admin staff with the tools they need to help the school succeed their goals, produce leaders and scholars! This is an acute observation that will most likely be overlooked if parent don’t address it. My daughter is graduating from Benjamin Banneker Academy-Clinton Hill Brooklyn, in the spring;. She’s glad because the admissions criteria has been modified so intensely, she considered transferring in her senior year! The boys are focused, playful yet focus. The girls are the pushy, provoking loud mouths, and too much is too much. The inbalance is unhealthy as a social setting for maturing pre-teens and teens and like most public schools, the cattle like shift from grade to grade continue with little change. I liked it when parents and teachers could agree on what is best for the class, not just the child. When the Board of Ed focused more or supplying the teachers/admin staff with the tools they need to help the school succeed their goals, produce leaders and scholars!

]]> By: Manhattan Parent of a boy http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9502 Manhattan Parent of a boy Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:23:56 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9502 As a parent who went through the high school application process last fall and winter and now has a 9th grade boy at Brooklyn Tech I saw what the writer and several of the commentators are saying. Last year Bard had a population of 3 girls for every 1 boy and the sole boy at the panel discussion about the school really liked those odds, after all as a male who wouldn't. What the DOE has created is a target rich environment whether its for the 5 girls for every 95 boys at Automotive High School or the 25 boys, and probably less who are interested in girls, at LaQuardia or Talent etc. Girls at a younger age tend to be more social then boys who are still figuring it all out. You see herds of girls wandering their neighborhoods when they are 10, 11, 12 or older but rarely do you see herds of boys at these ages doing the same. Girls talk on the phone, boys don't etc. Perhaps the idea of pushing middle school to 6-9th grades and then high school at 10th would be a good idea giving the boys an opportunity to mature some more. Girls, from all the reports and research that I heard about, tend to mature earlier then boys. Following through with the trend cited in the article and the DOE's admission that boys drop out also explains the why graduate programs and colleges themselves are now finding themselves populated by a higher ratio of girls to boys. This is not good for the girls, the boys, the schools or our nation as a whole. Thank you for writing this article. As a parent who went through the high school application process last fall and winter and now has a 9th grade boy at Brooklyn Tech I saw what the writer and several of the commentators are saying. Last year Bard had a population of 3 girls for every 1 boy and the sole boy at the panel discussion about the school really liked those odds, after all as a male who wouldn’t. What the DOE has created is a target rich environment whether its for the 5 girls for every 95 boys at Automotive High School or the 25 boys, and probably less who are interested in girls, at LaQuardia or Talent etc.

Girls at a younger age tend to be more social then boys who are still figuring it all out. You see herds of girls wandering their neighborhoods when they are 10, 11, 12 or older but rarely do you see herds of boys at these ages doing the same. Girls talk on the phone, boys don’t etc. Perhaps the idea of pushing middle school to 6-9th grades and then high school at 10th would be a good idea giving the boys an opportunity to mature some more. Girls, from all the reports and research that I heard about, tend to mature earlier then boys. Following through with the trend cited in the article and the DOE’s admission that boys drop out also explains the why graduate programs and colleges themselves are now finding themselves populated by a higher ratio of girls to boys. This is not good for the girls, the boys, the schools or our nation as a whole. Thank you for writing this article.

]]> By: Queens parent of 10th grader http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9498 Queens parent of 10th grader Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:48:57 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9498 I'm a parent of a boy attending Beacon, where all 9th graders have to take dance. Like most, we didn't have high expectations for the class. We were in for a delightful surprise. Beacon has a wonderful dance teacher who connects particularly well to boys. My son regularly takes dance classes now. I’m a parent of a boy attending Beacon, where all 9th graders have to take dance. Like most, we didn’t have high expectations for the class. We were in for a delightful surprise. Beacon has a wonderful dance teacher who connects particularly well to boys. My son regularly takes dance classes now.

]]> By: 8th grade Parent http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9482 8th grade Parent Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:21:51 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9482 One reason I hear boys balking at Bard is because they all are forced to take dance in freshman year. I understand that Bard boys tend to sit and watch in the class instead of trying to participate. What a waste of their time! Perhaps Bard should re-think how they present their courses at the tours. I don't know if the boys are self-stereotyping or if it's naturally how they're wired. One reason I hear boys balking at Bard is because they all are forced to take dance in freshman year. I understand that Bard boys tend to sit and watch in the class instead of trying to participate. What a waste of their time! Perhaps Bard should re-think how they present their courses at the tours. I don’t know if the boys are self-stereotyping or if it’s naturally how they’re wired.

]]> By: Harris Grad http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9479 Harris Grad Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:18:54 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9479 As a recent Townsend Harris graduate, I can't help but smile at the familiarity of this topic. My friends and I spent many a moment complaining about the lack of boys at school and the seemingly "abnormal" high school atmosphere during our first few months at Harris. The feelings lingered throughout my four years of high school, but after a while, I became less aware of it. Most of my classes had a decent number of boys in them and I learned to make friends outside of our small humanities school. I don't think that the gender ratio at a school should ever deter someone from applying to a certain high school. Boys and girls succeeded equally and in the past two years, boys, not girls, took the spot of valedictorian at THHS. In response to queens parent's comment, I'd like to say that if a student is qualified, then he or she should definitely apply for a spot at Townsend Harris HS. The reason there are so many girls at Harris is not due to an unfair quota system. It is due to the high averages of the female middle school students who apply for spots in the next freshmen class. In recent years, the numbers have shifted, and the administration is trying their best to make the ratio as equal as possible. As a recent Townsend Harris graduate, I can’t help but smile at the familiarity of this topic. My friends and I spent many a moment complaining about the lack of boys at school and the seemingly “abnormal” high school atmosphere during our first few months at Harris. The feelings lingered throughout my four years of high school, but after a while, I became less aware of it. Most of my classes had a decent number of boys in them and I learned to make friends outside of our small humanities school. I don’t think that the gender ratio at a school should ever deter someone from applying to a certain high school. Boys and girls succeeded equally and in the past two years, boys, not girls, took the spot of valedictorian at THHS.
In response to queens parent’s comment, I’d like to say that if a student is qualified, then he or she should definitely apply for a spot at Townsend Harris HS. The reason there are so many girls at Harris is not due to an unfair quota system. It is due to the high averages of the female middle school students who apply for spots in the next freshmen class. In recent years, the numbers have shifted, and the administration is trying their best to make the ratio as equal as possible.

]]> By: Queens Parent http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9478 Queens Parent Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:10:48 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9478 To respond to LaGuardia Grad, I think that LaGuardia actually grabs the smartest guys. I have a son at LaGuardia now, and he also got into Brooklyn Tech, and many of his male friends at LaGuardia also turned down science high schools. These kids were mature enough to make the right choice for themselves as both gifted artistically and smart. Both the boys and girls at LaGuardia are some of the most focused kids I know, and most organized -- they have a full academic and full arts schedule. I do think it has to do with maturity, however, I'll grant you that. Many boys applying to high school (or middle school) seem to still be finding themselves. Boys applying to LaGuardia seem to have figured out what they want to do, and then feel entirely comfortable going after it. As for comfort level at a school dominated by girls, NOT a problem for my kid, and I would guess not a problem for most if not all guys at LaGuardia. I think most of the male students at LaGuardia have probably had close female friends for years in elementary and middle school orchestras, acting classes, art classes, etc. So being surrounded by female students in high school is not a big deal for them. I would also note that at LaGuardia, the kids do not clump together by sex, which also indicates a certain comfort level. To respond to LaGuardia Grad, I think that LaGuardia actually grabs the smartest guys. I have a son at LaGuardia now, and he also got into Brooklyn Tech, and many of his male friends at LaGuardia also turned down science high schools. These kids were mature enough to make the right choice for themselves as both gifted artistically and smart. Both the boys and girls at LaGuardia are some of the most focused kids I know, and most organized — they have a full academic and full arts schedule. I do think it has to do with maturity, however, I’ll grant you that. Many boys applying to high school (or middle school) seem to still be finding themselves. Boys applying to LaGuardia seem to have figured out what they want to do, and then feel entirely comfortable going after it. As for comfort level at a school dominated by girls, NOT a problem for my kid, and I would guess not a problem for most if not all guys at LaGuardia. I think most of the male students at LaGuardia have probably had close female friends for years in elementary and middle school orchestras, acting classes, art classes, etc. So being surrounded by female students in high school is not a big deal for them. I would also note that at LaGuardia, the kids do not clump together by sex, which also indicates a certain comfort level.

]]> By: LaGuardia Grad http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9477 LaGuardia Grad Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:16:53 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9477 To respond to Toni Bruno's comment about having more boys in non AP/Honors classes- Based purely on speculation, I think boys tend to be competitive in a way that girls are not. Although LaGuardia is for the arts, it does have a good academic reputation. Smart girls who have artistic ability probably don't feel the need to go to a purely academic school in the way that smart boys do. The science high schools grab the smartest guys leaving the more artsy schools like LaGuardia lacking. To respond to Toni Bruno’s comment about having more boys in non AP/Honors classes-

Based purely on speculation, I think boys tend to be competitive in a way that girls are not. Although LaGuardia is for the arts, it does have a good academic reputation. Smart girls who have artistic ability probably don’t feel the need to go to a purely academic school in the way that smart boys do. The science high schools grab the smartest guys leaving the more artsy schools like LaGuardia lacking.

]]> By: Roebling http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9476 Roebling Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:43:20 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9476 Correction to the above: ... perhaps the "more" expansive athletic program at other schools. Correction to the above: … perhaps the “more” expansive athletic program at other schools.

]]> By: Roebling http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9475 Roebling Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:39:59 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9475 At a recent breakfast meeting with parents, Bard principal Ray Peterson was asked about the balance of boys to girls. I was intrigued by his answer. He says Bard offers seats to girls and boys in an even ratio of 1 to 1. However, Bard receives acceptances in a ratio of 2 to 1, girls to boys. He cited Bard's lack of a gym and perhaps the most expansive athletic program at other schools as a reason boys are less likely to accept the seats offered at Bard. (It appears likely that those students offered seats at Bard are also taking the SHSAT and offered seats at one of the specialized schools -- and that the boys are more likely to accept the latter). At a recent breakfast meeting with parents, Bard principal Ray Peterson was asked about the balance of boys to girls. I was intrigued by his answer. He says Bard offers seats to girls and boys in an even ratio of 1 to 1. However, Bard receives acceptances in a ratio of 2 to 1, girls to boys. He cited Bard’s lack of a gym and perhaps the most expansive athletic program at other schools as a reason boys are less likely to accept the seats offered at Bard. (It appears likely that those students offered seats at Bard are also taking the SHSAT and offered seats at one of the specialized schools — and that the boys are more likely to accept the latter).

]]> By: queens parent http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9472 queens parent Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:22:56 +0000 http://insideschools.org/blog/2009/10/05/high-school-hustle-where-the-boys-are-or-arent-and-does-it-matter/#comment-9472 My son would love to go to Townsend Harris, but I have told him not to list it. I don't like the fact that the school is 70% girls. High schools should be required to admit an even amount of boys and girls for 9th grade. Even if some decide to go elsewhere or drop out later on (which is less likely at the better schools) the ratios wouldn't change all that much. The 700 girls to 300 boys that exists at Townsend Harris is too great an inequity not to have been that way from the start. It is is a shame because my son will not select it and I am sure other boys also do not pick a school that is mostly girls. So having so many more girls in the first place makes the scenario more likely to repeat. My son would love to go to Townsend Harris, but I have told him not to list it. I don’t like the fact that the school is 70% girls. High schools should be required to admit an even amount of boys and girls for 9th grade. Even if some decide to go elsewhere or drop out later on (which is less likely at the better schools) the ratios wouldn’t change all that much. The 700 girls to 300 boys that exists at Townsend Harris is too great an inequity not to have been that way from the start. It is is a shame because my son will not select it and I am sure other boys also do not pick a school that is mostly girls. So having so many more girls in the first place makes the scenario more likely to repeat.

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