Between time restraints and fewer good stories available, we’ll take it easy in the beginning – hopefully there will be more posts. If you have a specific lead or idea that you’d like OCRenter to explore, leave it in the comment section, or email me. Here we go – welcome OCRenter:
How Special is Torrey Pines HS? Â
Carmel Valley has remained almost completely immune from any significant price collapse.
The question naturally is why?
The general consensus is simply that it has the perfect combo of criteria. It has the schools, its proximity to employment centers, and its proximity to the beach. But on the face of it, API scores just does not demonstrate a dramatic difference to compared to neighboring schools. Nor does a reduction of 10-15 minutes in commute time truly justify that Carmel Valley Premium in home prices.
So why is Carmel Valley the Promised Land? Using the UC stat finder site, here is what we have for the Class of 2009 (API for 2010 included for reference):
*note, Harvard/Westlake graduating class number inferred from total students.
In essence, as far as the Class of ’09 goes, Torrey Pines High is so good that it is on par with Uni High of Irvine and it actually edges out the most prominent private prep school of the land in regard to UC applications.
But is this just noise? Has Torrey Pines always been this good? The answer is no.
Going back the last decade, not counting ‘09, Torrey Pines seniors have achieved between 46% to 52% UC admission rate except for a single breakout year with the Class of ’01 when 58% were granted UC admission. I also do not see a pattern of gradual increase of percentage over the last decade to suggest an obvious trend.
While Torrey Pines may not be this good, year to year, on average it is still better in comparison to neighboring competitor schools. For example, of the 9 years data is available, Torrey Pines has averaged a 50% UC acceptance rate. For Scripps Ranch, that 9 year average stands at 42%.
Does an 8% edge on UC acceptance justify a $200k premium on an average sized house on most likely a smaller sized yard? You be the judge.Â
Catherdral Catholic HS 2010 graduates (from their website):
UC: 45 (11%)
CSU: 52 (13%)
Catholic 56 (14%)
“Name” 63 (15%)
Other 4-year: 129 (32%)
Other 2-year: 56 (14%)
Undecided: 7 (2%)
“Name” colleges include (one attended each unless otherwise mentioned)
Harvard, Yale, Stanford, USC (12), Michigan, Virginia, Fordham (4), Penn State, Purdue, SMU (6), Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, John Hopkins, ASU, UofA (15), Navy, Villanova, Baylor (2), UofWA (2), Indiana (3), Alabama (2), UofMass, Pepperdine (2)
84% of 2010 graduates went to a 4-year college.
CNBC: B of A to halt foreclosures in all 50 states
Thanks for the info, OCRenter.
An important addition to your data is the stats for Canyon Crest Academy (CCA). Although families living in the SDUHSD district, especially the Carmel Valley/Del Mar/Rancho Santa Fe/Sol Beach area (district map found here: (http://www.sduhsd.net/assets/pdfs/Aerial_Boundary_Maps_hs_1.1.pdf) are very familiar w/CCA by now, many outside the area still haven’t heard about it.
CCA has a higher API (894) than Torrey Pines and even more impressive UC admission stats (94%) than TPHS and other area high schools.
CCA is the district’s newest high school, opened about 7 years ago in Carmel Valley at the eastern end of Del Mar Heights Rd off the Carmel Valley Rd exit of the 56. High schoolers in the Del Mar/Carmel Valley area can specify their choice between Torrey Pines and CCA although TPHS is still the default high school for the area. CCA admits via lottery, but in years past, well over 90% of students interested in attending CCA got in and some years, they had room for 100% so the lottery was unnecessary. And, since the default high school is Torrey Pines, most kids and families aren’t exactly devastated if there isn’t enough space for them at CCA.
CCA, being newer, has some impressive facilities. Our daughter is a junior at CCA and we’re extremely happy with the education and entire high school experience she’s getting at CCA and can’t imagine any better school for her, public or private. Honestly, we’re continually astounded by the caliber and dedication of other CCA students, its teachers, sports and arts programs.
So, CCA is probably another reason that the CV housing market continues to be holding up relatively well.
I think the Asian factor that has been discussed many times on this board has a huge influence on Carmel Valley and 4S home prices and test scores.
The question for us is, would we rather our kids compete against the hard working Asian kids for grades and class ranks in those schools, or do schools like San Dieguito and La Costa Canyon offer similar educational opportunities, but without quite as much Asian competitiveness?
We’ll probably choose the latter, and take the tradeoff of preferring to live in someplace like La Costa or Olivenhain instead of Carmel Valley.
Ouch. Hey, Anonymous, my kids aren’t Asian, and they don’t feel undue pressure specifically from the Asian population within our district.
Yes, there is definitely a climate of competitiveness at all our area schools, which we try to help our kids keep in perspective. But, a competitive climate is what happens anytime high achievers are grouped together, regardless of race. The trick is helping kids cope with that and not buying in to the pressure or, worse, taking on a defeatist (and basicallly racist, regardless of how many times it’s been stated here) attitude by dismissing it as just the overzealousness of the Asian population. Yikes.
Like you, we choose not to live in Carmel Valley but prefer the uniqueness and space of Del Mar. Still, the point of this post is to address some of the reasons that CV housing stock is holding up well in a downturn.
Isn’t ducking out on competing with “hard working Asian kids” (or perhaps, just hard working kids in general) part of the reason why American education is in the shape it’s in now?
Feel free to delete the previous post if it is deemed racist and/or offensive, and my apologies to JtR (and Carli) if so.
I agree with post 6. Then cry that they take our jobs.
Genek – our education system is in the shape it’s in now by intent.
The Powers That Be do not want a highly educated work force capable of critical thinking. They want mass numbers of people who are smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. This country is run by and for business, the goal of our education system is to turn out the types of workers that business needs. The knowledge revolution has left a gap in skills between what schools are producing and what business wants to hire.
Out of control housing and health care costs contribute to creating a work force that is too expensive for what business wants to pay, thus it makes more sense to off-shore jobs to cheaper labor countries.
I didn’t get here fast enough to delete that one, but I’ll leave it for now.
Asian buyers are driving the CV market, and I think we can say that factually, without prejudice. The world around is more integrated and diverse than ever. Hooray, we are all better off for it.
Vive la France!
The number one predictor of student high school success is the mother’s education level. While the school lunch controls help to identify the poorest kids, they aren’t sufficient to control for differences in income beyond poverty nor parental education levels.
While I think this is a good first start at identifying “high performing” schools, one needs to look at the Socioeconomic status of the community to determine how well a school is actually educating the students, versus how good the students were going in.
Art E… Normally you write good stuff. This time not so much. That’s kooky.
Why are you comparing overall admission rates instead of success rate, when, evidently, 80% or more of the admission rate is self-selection – the share of students who don’t even bother to apply to any UC?
And I wonder what happened to 180 students who were admitted to some UC in 2009 but chose not to enroll.
We’re trying to get back in the swing here.
OCRenter’s point was to show that if there are homebuyers choosing to spend substantially more dough to live in CV just because of the schools, they should be aware of some college stats.
Getting into a UC school is probably the best bang for the buck. OCR shows that the odds of getting into the UC system is enhanced at TPHS, but is it enough to warrant paying the extra dough for housing?
Carli makes a great point – I know someone who lives in La Costa and has both their kids going to CCA.
There are plenty of choices, and no perfect answers, so we hope to put forth the additional information to assist. If others have more to add, great, I don’t think we have to pick it apart.
the success rate is actually very uniform across the board, therefore it doesn’t really help looking at success rate.
rather, looking at overall acceptance or even just overall application rate you can see the differences.
as for folks that were admitted to an UC campus but did not enroll, it is quite likely that student only applied to UCs as part of an overall backup plan, but the fact that he/she applied indicate that student is very much college bound.
As for the discrepancy in the UC application rate for Cathedral vs its actual 4 year college %, I think a large part is student self selection. Note that there are actually more students that picked probably small liberal arts colleges and Catholic schools vs UC/CSU/”name” schools. In general regular public high schools would not see that as the trend.
the bottom line of the breakdown seem to point to school culture. does a particular school instill an overall atmosphere that going to college is the expected step to take.
“it is quite likely that student only applied to UCs as part of an overall backup plan”
What was their plan A, then? It is highly unlikely that more than 20 of those 180 ended up at an Ivy or at Stanford. And it does not make sense to go for a second tier east coast 4-year like Wake Forest over an UC, when the east coast university is going to cost 35k/year before room and board, and UC costs 9-12k/year.
“Getting into a UC school is probably the best bang for the buck.”
It definitely used to be, but costs have gone up exponentially to a point where it might not be worth it unless you are going to commit to a engineering or science discipline. I graduated UCSD in 2001 with an engineering degree but the costs back then was 3900 per year for tuition. Now it’s up to $11K plus and I’d say the average starting salary hasn’t gone up much since then, even if you can find a job.
It might be time to rethink the college thing a bit. I understand that the go to college and get a good job thing is deeply entrenched in our beliefs and many aren’t ready to look at the cost to benefit equation, but you might want to think about it a bit. I know a lot of people my age with a bunch of college debt and wish they could do it over.
For parents that are wealthy and can afford it college is a no brainer. For those that are seriously stretching their finances to get into a good school district so you can then over pay for a UC school education might want to think about whether or not it’s really worth it.
Nameless –
I can think of other reasons a student may gain admission to a UC school but still choose another school like a small liberal arts college.
Perhaps the student is an athlete who is getting a significant amount of financial aid or a scholarship to attend that small school. Maybe they just want to go to the small school because they will get more playing time than they would at a large UC. I am personally aware of several students who have made this choice for this reason.
Maybe the student prefers a small school learning environment to a large university. I personally chose to attend a small liberal arts college even though I was admitted to several UC schools.
There are plenty of families at all of the schools listed above who can easily afford the tuition at a private school versus a UC school.
However, I do think that OCR’s analysis is an important factor to consider when choosing schools. There are many factors and it is difficult to make a decision based on only one. I certainly like this data more than API scores.
Even though the individual UC school handles admissions separately, students who want to apply, file one application for all the UCs. They call it the “multiple filing system”, and students pay a fee for each campus to which they apply.
This new system increased significantly the numbers of applicants to Berkeley and UCLA, the most highly sought after campuses.
It is important to know that all eligible California high school students who apply are accepted into the UC system, but they may not necessarily be accepted to the campus of their choice.
Parents/HS students who do their homework and due diligence can figure out, based on last year’s acceptance statistics and their child’s GPA and SAT/ACT scores, the UC schools where they will probably be accepted. For those that don’t get into their “top choices”, other public and private institutions in CA and around the country then become options.
I believe there is no “one right college for you” – there are many. It takes time and effort to figure out what they are, but well worth the exercise.
“What was their plan A, then? It is highly unlikely that more than 20 of those 180 ended up at an Ivy or at Stanford. And it does not make sense to go for a second tier east coast 4-year like Wake Forest over an UC, when the east coast university is going to cost 35k/year before room and board, and UC costs 9-12k/year.”
the possibilities are endless. Maybe someone does not want to go to UC Merced and prefers to stay in town at SDSU. Maybe someone applied to UC as a backup but really prefers a small liberal art setting. Of course it certainly possible a small group ended up at first tier private university. Given the recession, perhaps instead of paying room and board + tuition at an out-of-town UC, maybe someone decides to go to a local community college for 2 years before transferring to UCSD.
You can see how the list of possibilities is simply endless, right?
The transfer plan plan is a strategy by itself.
Go to a 2-year, or inferior 4-year, then transfer to the school of choice. Allegedly, it is easier to get in at the junior levels of the premier schools, than as a freshman.
Wifey didn’t like that crazy idea either… 😉
pride and bragging rights get in the way too. you can’t brag about gonig to Palomar College with plans to transfer to UCLA after 2 years.
Not that I can afford CV, or the vast majority of Del Mar, Encinitas, or Carlsbad, but we live within our means and are teaching our son to do the same. For that reason, we saved a small amount for college, what we could, and he’s going to a 2 year college and will transfer to a 4 year when the time comes. He’s working and we’re all ‘paying as he goes’. I do not want my son or us saddled with enormous debt to go to ‘the right’ school and live in ‘the right’ district. Just a thought, but I wonder how much of ‘the right’ -fill in the blank- got so many people into the financial crisis they find themselves in?
Right on Deb!
W.C.
“Nor does a reduction of 10-15 minutes in commute time truly justify that Carmel Valley Premium in home prices.”
I don’t get this part. In almost every major city this is *exactly* what results in high home prices, like it or not. It’s certainly not the only reason for preference. How much do you think the premium is anyways? 90% of the CV premium is simply for living in California. Welcome to our state!
I make the drive every single day, and 5-6pm on weekdays it’s a pile up between Via Del La Valle and Del Mar Heights. I take the exit immediately before, which is usually a single clear lane without traffic. If you’re heading on the 56, there’s more often than not a pile up in that direction. It takes me 10 minutes to drive 6 miles, instead of 30 minutes to drive 12 to the next zip. Just FYI.
I’ve known people who transferred from community college to UCs as a junior. It’s an excellent way for someone who couldn’t get admission or just temporarily couldn’t afford a UC at the time (family problems, etc..). The advantage is that it is indeed an easier way in. The problem is a lot of people who go this route simply don’t transfer in the end. Known plenty of people on both sides here.
The morale is people who are determined and self motivated can get where they want any route they take, but most people aren’t determined or self-motivated. Double edged sword there.
Half the kids at my high school were Asian, and honestly the non-Asian parents were pretty happy to send their kids to a school where everyone was trying hard to learn. I think a big factor in success here is simply having the values and belief that education is very important. A lot of Asian parents including mine reminded me of that almost every day. It’s certainly not genetic – second and third gen Asians tend to lose that by comparison.
I loved reading BubbleTracking back in the day. Good to see the author back in biz, part time.
I second that Jeeman
Good to see ocrenter doing some post-retirement freelancing. As he’s mentioned previously, the intangible is the culture of kids wanting to go to college. CV schools are king in this category, and apparently the price for that is around $200k.
But honors/AP classes can skew the culture in your favor if your child attends a “lesser” school. The honors students are always in the same classes together, which shrinks their peer group to, say, 25% of the class. Nearly everyone in this group wants to go to college. And if there’s an “advanced” level (just below honors,) I’m guessing most of these kids want to go to college, too.
Which brings us back to making school a priority as a parent from the beginning. If your child can perform at an advanced level, they will be in a peer group who wants to go to college even if you didn’t pay $1+ million for your tract home.
I know that this is “techincally” off topic, but I think that there is good reason at a “bragging” right to attending a junior college, when your child is attending a junior college when she’s still in highschool, so that the child can transfer to a 4 year university, at the age of 18, when all of her peers would attend the same 4 year university at age 18, but without any transferable units under their belt, shaving off cost and time. The child takes college transfer level courses while she’s in her junior and senior year, duplicate classes of her highschool curriculum, and attain transfer level units as a junior, and transfer 2 years ahead of her classmates from highschool, (as a junior in college) on her transcript, another way to get into a UC-, saving on a load of tuition. In this economy, a viable choice. **The only draw back, that I would consider at the junior college level, versus a 4 year university would be that at junior colleges, many junior colleges fail to address/emphasize encouragement/educate in terms of how to attend/pursue a graduate degree, while they are students at the junior college level, where as there is emphasis for that at a 4 year university. So those who have children at junior college might consider exploring a good junior college that offer good workshops, for graduate school level, and PhD. candidates. Locally, Mira Costa San Elijo offers a good selection, and they offer them frequently. These workshops educate in terms of qualifications to enter and certainly educate in terms of financial choices as well. After I informed my bestfriend of this about junior colleges, she’s currently having her daughter attend Mira Costa, the girl will be attaining college transfer courses in her junior yea of highschool. Another girlfriend from highschool has her daughter attending Mira Costa as well. Her daughter is 15 years of age and getting straight A’s in her math in Mira Costa(calc, etc,) planning to transfer by the time she’s 20 years old. She would be able to attain her PhD by the time I’d say, she’s 25 years of age. **Note though, my highschool friend’s sister-in- law is a PhD, teaching math at Mira Costa. I feel it’s a reasonable choice, regardless of financial status.
While we’re on the subject, here’s a new observation.
Average SAT of a UCSD enrollee from TPHS: 1374 (out of 1600)
Average SAT of a UCSD enrollee from MMHS: 1199
How do we explain this discrepancy?
One possibility is that TPHS students are so much better overall that they all have SATs in the range of 1300 and up. But that is easy to disprove: in 2008-09, the average math+reading SAT of a TPHS graduate (of the ones who bothered to test) was only 1220. (And the average math+reading SAT of a UCSD freshman was 1243, not much higher than that.)
The other possibility is that graduating from TPHS is actually a handicap: the same SAT in MMHS means a better chance of getting into a good UC university.
I transferred to Cal Poly SLO from De Anza JC (Cupertino) decades ago and found the transition to Poly much easier than the incoming freshmen did. The percentage of incoming freshmen who ended up on academic probation was amazing, but for most it was the trifecta of no parents, easy access to booze, and teachers who weren’t babysitters that did them in. A local JC keeps the parents in play and that might help keep the booze controlled, so I heartily recommend the junior college transfer strategy.
Great posts, Deb, Bella, and Frank.
My entire family went the JC-to-college/university route, and cannot recommend it highly enough. Dad got his MBA from a CSU, Mom graduated from UCLA with honors, and I graduated from a CSU with a B.A. and 2-year, post-grad teaching credential. Nowhere on any of our certificates does it state that we first went to a junior college. I see absolutely no reason to waste money on the first two years of college when most kids are still trying to “find themselves.”
Out of curiosity, I asked a friend who’s a guidance counselor at one of the “good” high schools what her opinion was. She laughed and said that the JC route was absolutely the best way to go. When I asked why parents were so caught up in getting their kids into their chosen university right after high school, she said that they wanted the “dorm life” experience for their kids. Call me crazy, but I don’t care to have my kids living the “dorm life” (IMHO, this means drinking, sex, and all manner of trouble) right after high school.
————–
Also agree with Art Eclectic on our high housing, medical, and education costs pricing us out of the labor market. If we could get these prices down, we could accept lower wages that would be competitive with the cheap labor overseas.
I call the dorm experience the “dorm handicap.” as a commuting student to UCLA, I did not experience the dorm life. However, I will tell you in my group of friends, I would say the great majority of the folks with top GPA and gone on to first tier professional schools were commuting students. while majority of the dorming students (even though many came in at a much higher GPA), ended up in 2nd choice professions.
I may be way off base here, but do kids get to have fun in high school anymore??? 🙂 I’m from a small town back east where this kind of stuff isn’t really an issue, is it a California thing, or just a big city thing in general to have so many parents wringing their hands over the differences between the #1 and #2 schools in an area?
The only negative I have heard about doing the 2-year community college then Xfer to 4 year is that internships have become more necessary for graduate school and/or a resume. For a good internship you need recommendations from professors who know you well enough to write one; if you are a new student it might be hard to get those letters of recommendation.
ocrenter, I should have guessed you’re a Bruin with the quality work you do.
There’s obviously better paths for different people. Personally, the dorm/fraternity experience gave me social skills, confidence, and humility I otherwise wouldn’t have had when I graduated. Some of my peers absolutely went awry, but many were better equipped for success in the “real world.” And the couple beers we had along the way made for some good times (and great pictures.)
I just got back from being out of town, and thought about this post, and checked in; it seems I missed a lively discussion. My thoughts are, from what I’m gathering, is this: What I’ve missed, and what I haven’t, this weekend. The Carlsbad school shooting which I knew about when I posted this, on my way out of town. I remember wondering if anyone knew about it here as of yet, to JTR’s NY Times article mention. After putting things into perspective, I felt the school shooting mattered to me very much, and I felt my strong need to get out of town.
Coming back to sororities and cheer teams, and such, I know of girls who benefit from it, and I think that there is a place for that, except I know of stories and things that I know as a parent, they would rather never have their children learn. Like how a high school cheerleader, after being feted in high school, learns its a whole new game once she reaches the 4 year college cheer team. Olivia L., learned that being told everyday how “bad” she was at cheer was wearing to her, and came back to junior college to get her general ed, and to become a physics teacher, and with her talents, and knowledge in calc, since it’s so close to the subject, I’m certain that she will make it. I just think that there are better ways to learn some things besides through humiliation. Then there’s Nikki K., who went to San Jose State, also a former high school cheerleader, went about as far away as she wanted from family as she could only to find once she got there, that she would find herself becoming pregnant. Only I remembered thinking, is this what she meant when she said that she’d wanted to “win” and was that what it was about for her, when it came to her boyfriend, whom she wanted to take from a former stripper, for her, it seemed a matter of pride to her, I remembered. Competition can be an ugly thing. She was in sorority, and enjoyed all the perks therein. Nikki, though, is a lucky girl, and I know will land on her feet, thinking of things in terms of family, and no doubt turn it into a good thing. These things were experienced at a 4 year, are things that I know parents could do without. On the other hand, I know of Lam K, a chemical engineer major at UC Berkley my father’s alma mater, who left home and never looked back. She’s a lovely girl that will do fine without any supervision, because she will keep in contact with her family. She grew up with things that she will never forget, no matter how far she is away from home. Their love and support. Another girl, Rachel S, is one my favorites, as well, who is though having grown up affluent, (her father is in commercial real estate), finds that she neither needs beautiful or affluent surroundings around her to thrive. She is from La Costa Canyon High, currently attending Chapman College through an active scholarship that gives her access to a future which includes a masters degree in business, although I feel that her talents really lie in literature,(she loves to write). She is an advocate of sorority, and loves the environment. The only concern that I have, is that jokingly, (but only half) she’d put out a comment about the “spouse pool.” I smile when I remember this conversation, because I know that **this is what most mothers concern themselves with, when they advocate a 4 year, over a junior college. I have nothing against it, in Rachel’s case, because I know that she has a heart that can truly love, and appreciate a person for who he is. She is a mature, now, 18 (then, 17) when we had this conversation. When she researched her 4 year colleges and typed out her applications, (I was there for the process) she diligently researched her colleges using social network sites as well as college websites and personally visiting colleges and even researching to make sure that these campuses were “relationship” friendly. For example, some were less likely to find a relationship, if that was meaningful to you, and a part of the experience that you wanted from a 4 year, she researched what schools were likely to provide it. Some discoveries were surprising to both of us. But surprisingly accurate as well, when we thought about it. I know not every teen is as well rounded and wholesome as Rachel, and mature. Some would only go to find her “Mrs.” degree. Olivia L., loved to comment about how prevalent that is. I am concerned that these young men would only be seen as the **next easy arm or “ticket” to where they wanted to go in life, as seen by the girls in cheer or sorority, and I wondered, is that how a mother would like her son to be seen as? How I would like my son to be seen as? A simple meal ticket? Because that’s really what it is for some of these girls, nothing more nothing less, and that won’t change with the passing of time. I can see how that would rub some mothers the wrong way. I have seen it happen, and years down the road nothing’s changed. In most cases, I feel, that it’s by mutual consent. For the girls it’s a plus, for the guys, in some cases, not so much. I don’t think any man wants to be reduced to that, especially if they work so hard at what they do. But in Rachel S. and Lam K., I know they will find enriching experiences, no matter where they go, that’s just how they are. I find it so sad that in some cases these troubles could have been avoided, had the girl grown up in a different environment, where they were taught that their honor and values, virtues were stressed, these things could have been avoided, and in some cases never been exposed to. That there are places like Institute at UCSD for example that they could go to to find likeminded friends and fellowship, so they would feel less likely to make these mistakes and be influenced by those less loving to them than they would be treated. Social skills do not have to be learned at the college level, and in many instances, they are the most effective and cultivated, when they are learned at an early age, instilled by a sense of community, respect and love through their peers and teachers in a network which they have access to, the way I grew up. In my own case, I was advised by my father, (who had two graduates degrees, one from Naval Post Graduate School there in Monterrey,CA in Engineering, and one from National University, for Business), to attend a junior college, and solidifying my study skills before going to my 4 year college of choice. He told me of how he had gone straight from high school, to UC Berkeley, and how hard he worked, and how the UC system had used its curriculum to “wean” students out, in their first two years, and how hard it really was. He wanted to see me avoid that type of heartache, my mother also agreed. (I was accepted to SDSU at the time) He told me of how he had seen how the students that came from junior college studied harder, and had a better grasp on the material because they were better prepared for the pace and pressure that they were facing because they had been preparing for it the past two years. And that they had gotten better grades. I have no regrets, I love my father.
So in closing, I feel, that there are many advantages as well as drawbacks to any choice we make for the sake of education.
People get so caught up in these scores. SDA is a perfectly great school and it’s not that far off from Torrey Pines.
I know a teacher who taught at SDA, then moved to CCA. She like the kids, but the parents are the ultimate helicopter parents. All they do is berate her when their daughter or son (god forbid!) gets a B or, OMG….a C? Not in Carmel Valley!
She says that it’s great parents want their kids to succeed. But it’s not great when the parents INSTILL the mindset that it’s all about grades and scores…..and the ‘learning’ aspect somehow is not present. It’s all about getting their kid into the most prestigious college possible and the highest scores. Learning in the traditional sense, as in something you don’t use on a standardized test, doesn’t seem to be that important at CCA….because of the parents.
Again, I spoke extensively with this teacher and while she likes it….she said the parents are awful. The kids don’t even come to her with a grade dispute, the parents do! They send endless emails and come in delirious how their perfect Carmel Valley Child doesn’t have a perfect GPA.
I think this point is what’s driving scores. It’s these absurd parents that meddle with the teacher-student interaction all the damn time and all the parents (and sadly now, the kids) believe that school is all about scores and numbers….actual learning?
Who cares. It’s all about getting into the best UC possible baby! That way, we don’t have to care about being embarrassed by our kids getting a B or maybe going to a lest prestigious university. And sadly these parents really do think that scores are the most important.
She says this happens wherever she works, but NOT NEARLY AS BAD as CCA.
And don’t tell me that I don’t know what I”m talking about I do. I know this teacher very well, all the other teachers basically say the same thing and well, that’s that.
For $1.3 million, I’ll be in Encinitas. Sorry, the test scores at SDA might be an inch lower than CCA…but I learned things I wouldn’t have been exposed to had the focus been all about numbers. I got into Santa Clara University, which pays half of my tuition under a academic scholarship, and I’m going to law school.
And somehow I did this without going to CCA!
What a novelty!
hahaha
And if people want to live in an overpriced, cookie cutter home on an non-existent lot….god bless them. But I wouldn’t want to live in such a community, Carmel Valley or otherwise.
SDA and LCC are great schools. I know people that make millions of dollars a year and they send their kids to SDA, when they could go to a private school. It’s not a terrible school!
Look at what you get in Encinitas for $1.3 million. You could get a nice place by the beach or a bigger house inland. Either that or a 3,000 square foot track house on a postage stamp lot looking right at your neighbor for the same price. Not to mention that Carmel Valley has all the character as a piece of paper….all cement…all the time. It’s like that show Weeds…..they should have shot it in CV.