Ski Bus Rebuttal

Okay, so now there's a debate going on, and now I need a fair chance to justify my claims, considering that my points were not accurately expressed, or given a fair chance.

First off, I would like to say that MSSM is better than KHS in certain ways, but KHS is better in other ways. I'm not trying to argue that one is better than the other, and I'm not trying to convince anybody not to go there because it may be an excellent fit for them, but just saying that MSSM is worlds better than KHS is a completely unfair statement.

Many of you may be aware of a rating that U.S. News & World Report came out with, that says that MSSM is the #12 public school in the nation. This is hardly fair, and doesn't necessarily mean that the school is actually better. Not only can MSSM choose there students, they also attract more motivated intelligent student, whereas KHS must serve everybody. So, naturally, their SAT scores an such will be higher, because they have a larger percentage of smart people that attend there. So just because they have a higher college acceptance rate, or higher average SAT scores doesn't mean that they are a better school, just that they have a higher average intelligence among their students.

There are of course, good an bad schools. I was not trying to say that there weren't, and (on the contrary to what James' believes) my argument doesn't mean this at all. I am just saying that I have yet to come across compelling information stating that at MSSM you actually get a better education. In fact, the AP exam pass rate is 87.7% at MSSM, and at KHS, last year 88% passed. These results show that KHS courses prepare students just as well as ones at MSSM.

There are obviously good and bad schools, but if one challenges him or herself in their courses, and has the same intelligence as someone at MSSM who also is challenged, then they will probably get a similarly rewarding education. If a school doesn't offer rigorous or challenging courses then it is probably not a good school.

One point that has been made against KHS is that you are less likely to get into a good college. This in my opinion is false. If you are an equally good student, than you will get into a similar college. I've read plenty of articles about what colleges look for in applicants, and guess what? What high school you attend wasn't heavily mentioned in any of them. If James' completely made-up statistic was true, then it would mean you have smarter students at MSSM, not necessarily that it prepares you better.

Next, lets talk about some other factors. MSSM does have a smaller student to teacher ratio, which is a good thing, that I really can't argue with. But KHS, has better athletics, and a larger course selection. When it comes to departments, the only thing I can say for sure is that KHS trumps MSSM in music. Some say that the teachers are better at MSSM. We do have some bad teachers at KHS, but from many of the accounts of bad teachers that I've heard they are mostly personal gripes, or bad learning style fits. For example, I know some people that think our Biology isn't too great of a teacher, but we have learned a ton in that class. You can't say that someone is a bad teacher because he doesn't match up well with you. I, personally like our Biology teacher and his teaching style. And, in this one year of science I've learned more than I probably did in all of the Middle and Elementary School years combined. And, bad teachers do exist. If you aren't presented with lots of challenging or interesting material, and aren't learning anything, than that is a waste of time, and a bad class. But, just like in any school, I am positive that there are bad teachers at MSSM too.

Lastly, if you want an argument to stop because it is, "this is so annoying I don't want to argue," then you shouldn't make a freakin' blog post to continue the argument. If you really want the argument to stop, then never, EVER call an idea "stupid," on a blog post. That will only get you more of an argument, especially if the person you are arguing, likes to argue, and likes having the last word.


James' Post
US News & World Report Ranking

P.S.

This was a response to James' Post. This was mainly directed towards him, so just imagine me talking in my argument voice. If you were confused, then I apologize.