Perspective

It starts at Elementary , kindergarten ( prep ) to grade 4 . Leroy’s in grade 1 at Hermosa View .The schools are often divided up . From here it’s middle school . Hermosa valley has grades 4to 8 .Usually middle school spans grades 6 to 8 . Standards are high , school is taught around standardised testing .The schools are measured by performance and are ranked . The Hermosa schools make up a 1.4 million dollar short fall through fund raising . The parents expect their kids to be in a high performing school when this level of fundraising is required in a public school . Hermosa valley is ranked 177 of 2508 in California. That’s high!It’s fair enough , but there’s a downward pressure that is applied to the principal and staff to keep the grades up. Tex is barely keeping his head above water . He gets up early to do extra English classes at 730 am on Tuesday and Thursdays . He was also doing the same for maths . If your kid falls behind they’ll provide extra classes . It sounds ok but you realise the work load grows . You gotta do more to catch up . We ‘l have to find a math tutor to keep up that end of the bargain . It could mean two extra hours in English plus more than likely another 2 hours in maths . This is just to get passing grades.Its what’s expected , if your kid is naturally not academically inclined you have to push them . Often I’ll be asked if he’s doing extras . ” Have you tried kumon . ” “Is he doing after hours tutoring .” “He must do more , he’s gotta work harder ” This is the common response , deadpan no alternative . Push them hard . I haven’t met a parent without a college degree , no bullshit . The blinkers are on , its college , nothing less . In 18 months Tex will be at high school age .Its either Mira costa orRedondo union . Your talking kids legally driving at 16 years of age ( year 10) . Shit , Tex driving at 16 and the many other distractions and vices on offer , that’s frightening.Take Mira costa ,it’s ranked 274 of 2399 schools , it’s a public school . Here’s the thing , this year they have a staggering 800 kids in year 10 ! They have a 95% year 12 graduation rate . 65 % are ready for college . Redondo union(also public ) is ranked 144 and has 2700 students from year 9 to 12 .These schools compete with many private prestigious schools , these rankings are around the top 10% .Competition is fierce , the pressure is on these kids to make it . There’s 40 million or more people in California , the schools are huge . Tex , strap yourself in . If we are here in 2 years time you’ll be in the big league , the pressure will only rise .