Every day, I sit at a computer desk in an overcrowded classroom. There are 34 students packed into this small classroom for an honors-level English class. Across the hall, there is an International Baccalaureate classroom with an empty desk in the back. Every day, I sit and dream of a chance to change classes and have a desk of my own; not to mention be allowed to learn something through the challenging IB curriculum.
I am not allowed to live out my dreams though; I am not allowed to gain the education that I desire because of where my family resides. I live in the purple “choice” zone; East Mecklenburg is my home IB school. My ultimate dream though, is to take IB at Myers Park; the IB school for the Gold Zone and the 7th best high school in the nation.
One year ago; at the end of my 8th grade year, I was looking at high schools. I was a student in the IB program at Randolph Middle School. Randolph normally feeds Myers Park, just like AG or Carmel. The Randolph IB program use to feed the Myers Park IB program; that is, until my class. Unlike all of my classmates who got an easy ride into the Myers Park IB program, I was forced into the East Mecklenburg IB program. Contrary to standard CMS procedure; while I went to a Middle School in the gold zone, I did not just get grandfathered into a gold zone high school.
I was told by the Myers Park guidance department, to sign up for regular Myers Park (not IB) on my “choice” application. I would then be able to sign up for IB classes once I was at Myers Park. I did what I was told, and in the middle of last summer, I got a letter announcing my acceptance to Myers Park. At the same time, I also received a letter saying that I would not be allowed to take IB classes. I later found out that this was because East Mecklenburg was complaining that Myers Park was taking all of the East IB students. I contacted the Myers Park guidance department and was told that I would not in fact be able to take IB classes my freshman year. I was then told by the guidance department that I might be able to take IB courses my sophomore year, but the classes would certainly be open to me by my junior and senior Years. I thought that everything would be alright, so I just marked down honors classes on my class application form.
About a month later, I received my schedule and found that I was registered for all advanced courses. I inquired and found out that the honors classes were full. I was not made aware of this at the time of my registration and felt cheated and taken advantage of. Eventually by the end of first quarter, all but one of my core classes were honors courses – this turned out to be the best schedule I could get.
Again, I thought that I was at the end of the incongruous stories and misconceptions; but all of that was to change. I began the registration process for my sophomore year; it went smoothly. I signed up for full IB and was sure that I would get in. I was sure though, until just a few days ago. I was called to the guidance office and was told a third story – I could NEVER take IB at Myers Park. I was told that I had two options; I could move, or I could appeal the decision. The counselor then went on to say that appeals almost never do any good. I felt even more confused than ever by the mixed messages that I was being given. I was then told that there are four students; including me, who are currently attending Myers Park and want be a part of the Myers Park IB program, but live in the East Mecklenburg IB zone.
Now, some may think that it’s just fair that the other 3 students and I will have to go to East if we want to do IB, but I [and I assume others] have been lied to and been told many different stories about how to get into the Myers Park IB program. It would be crushing to be just thrown away; into East Mecklenburg, after we have been dragged into Myers Park and come so close to achieving our goal.
This issue can also be looked at from a practical point of view. There are four students, in my exact position, that wish to take IB at Myers Park. Since operations within the school system need to be as consistent and as fair as possible, all four students would need to be admitted, just four students. Since these four students would be accepted into the Myers Park IB program, in fairness, the system would have to permit all other students at East Mecklenburg wishing to take Myers Park IB to change schools. To prevent a rapid influx these hundred-or-so East Mecklenburg students, the system could make a rule that students wishing to take IB at a non-home magnet would have to spend at least a year at the non home magnet before they could transfer into the IB program. The four students at hand would be eligible for the IB program next year under my proposed rule. Physically there would not be a problem admitting these four students; they make up about .14 percent of the Myers Park student population. Should a rule designed to keep students at East Mecklenburg stay in effect for students that obviously have no intention of ever going there?
I have been an honor role student my entire life, scored 99’s on my EOGs and EOC last year, was a member of the National Junior Honor Society in middle school, and as a freshman, scored an 1190 using the 1600 scale on the PSAT. The school system’s motto is “prepare for greatness,” but with my options being restricted, I’ll never be able to go as far as I can go and I’ll never be able to reach my full potential.
Disclamer:
I have had a horrible experience with CMS, however, I do not support splitting up the system. That action will just restrict the possibilities for thousands of low income students and only help spoiled, rich, white, republicans who don't need it.
