LVPA students are 'well-educated'

So many people, especially some teachers, are threatened if a school is different or is not THEIR school or if things aren't done THEIR WAY.
If you only are interested in educating "cookie-cutter" kids, then keep them in the regular system and God Bless you! If however, you have a child who is a little different, maybe a little more artsy, maybe goes against the grain and IS NOT a cookie cutter kid---then a charter school like LVPA is for you. I had one in a regular public high school and one at LVPA. I was complaining about something at LVPA and I said why couldn't my child have stayed in the regular school, and guess what my older child (product of regular school) said? Because maybe you want her to have a good high school experience unlike most people. That made me realize we had made the right choice. LVPA is not perfect...name a school public or private that is. However, my child thrived there, did what she loved to do (music), is learning (despite comments previously to the contrary) as much as my other child did (both are good students), has made wonderful friends and doesn't feel like a freak because she loves the arts and music, and isn't interested in kicking a ball and cheering for those that do. No offense intended..I miss the sports but let's face it...we've all been to high school and the priorities are not on the arts and often are on sports. How many of the sports kids are going to to play in the NBA or NFL? Not many...how many of the arts kids will be making art or playing piano for the rest of their lives for a living or a hobby. Probably most...Signed a 46 year hobbyist piano player (who also works in a regular job)

So sad when people allow jealousy and especially ignorance to inform their opinions. My child goes to the school (from over an hour away)---Not because she needed better grades (she's a great student) but because she loves to do what she does. She's not a child actress and I don't believe in children supporting their parents. She's just an artsy kid who wanted a chance to do what she loved and not to be encumbered with the typical High School prejudices.(Sports rule; everything else is dumb!) I went to a traditional high school and worried that she might miss something. I was wrong---she loves it there and will graduate next year. She's met great kids, normal kids, kids who happen to have a talent that they maturely want to nurture earlier than most. I believe the person claiming to be a teacher is NOT. My daughter's classes are challenging in Music AND the regular academics. She does not get all easy "A's". People in this country should pay more attention to their own business and stop comparing and trying to tear others down that they don't understand or that are different from themselves.

Not accurate wrote:

No one doubts that LVPA caters to the artistic needs of its clients; however, as a teacher in an area public high school, I've seen these students transfer into our system, and most of them lack basic skills that you'd expect from a teenagers.
They do not have strong writing skills; their ability to use reading strategies is lacking; I've had numerous who cannot name one part of speech or write in complete, grammatically sentences. Sure, they can sing, they can dance, they can play the violin. Can they read and write well enough to prepare them for the real world? Chances are no. And as for getting better grades than East Penn? East Penn and many other schools stress rigor in the field of academia, while the LVPA has rigor in performing.

First, let me say that I could only get through the first half dozen or so posts before feeling the need to become a voice here. Secondly, the LVPA students are fortunate NOT to have that former teacher on staff. One can easily read between the lines what an inadequate educator that person is.

Now as for East Penn: if you are a student who has any kind of academic or social struggle, you are done for in that high school. Guidance counselors who don't return phone calls, teachers who don't teach, come to class late, publicly insult/humiliate struggling students who need ADULTS to care about them, ineffective administrators, biased coaches for clubs and sports... These are the things you find in the premier East Penn School District.

In LVPA, you are cared about, and yes, students fail in LVPA. They are put on academic probation and restricted from extracurricular activities, and as in ANY school, the education of your child is a partnership between school and home. With the intervention of the ADULTS in that student's life, they can get back on the track to academic success. As for the academic superstars at LVPA, they are challenged by their teachers at every level and aspect of their giftedness.

In short, smaller is better, especially when the giftedness lies outside of the verbal and mathematical areas.

Let's respect each other for our differences, agree to disagree, and most of all, be humble.
Be a role model for the young adult(s) in your life.

You are completely wrong! For your information, LVPA got the highest writing scores on the PSSA's in the Lehigh Valley. So your statement about how the students there can't write is wrong. They have a lot of creativity, which many other people lack.

Not accurate wrote:

No one doubts that LVPA caters to the artistic needs of its clients; however, as a teacher in an area public high school, I've seen these students transfer into our system, and most of them lack basic skills that you'd expect from a teenagers.
They do not have strong writing skills; their ability to use reading strategies is lacking; I've had numerous who cannot name one part of speech or write in complete, grammatically sentences. Sure, they can sing, they can dance, they can play the violin. Can they read and write well enough to prepare them for the real world? Chances are no. And as for getting better grades than East Penn? East Penn and many other schools stress rigor in the field of academia, while the LVPA has rigor in performing.

Why don't we start a charter school for students talented in the art of playing football. They could work out most of the day and have actual classes that involve pen and pencil tests. I bet they will get good grades especially if I was teaching there. I would make sure the kids did well academically. Why wouldn't I? My job depends on this.

LVPA is one of the most amazing schools in the whole Lehigh Valley.The class sizes are smaller and our children actually learn a trait that they can pursue when they graduate.
What a difference to walk down the halls of LVPA,the kids are happy and they want to be there. Try saying that about the other High Schools in the area!!
The kids at LVPA respect one another and their teachers.There is no hatred or bullying,say that about the other High Schools!
Did you know that LVPA finished first the the whole scholl district in Reading and Writing?? That goes out to the person who says our children are not learning.
Did you know that 975 of the children at LVPA go to college and most of them with special grants for their excellence in what they do.
For all you haters of LVPA,all I can say is you should be worried about the school that your child is in...gangs,cliques,hatred,not wanting to be in school,drugs and so fourth. And stop complaining about LVPA. It is the best school in the area!!!!!