High School Guide: Admissions, reviews, and advice

If only they’d actually remove those aggressive types from the system entirely. Usually, they just shuffle them off to a different school. They act like they're doing something for the students, but honestly, their colleagues often follow the exact same patterns.

I completely agree with your last point (something I’ve found myself saying quite often lately), and you provided such a brilliant analysis in that off-topic thread we had earlier—it's a shame it was deleted, but I still remember it vividly 👍.

You should drop by every once in a while regardless; one single person doesn't define this entire community, no matter how much toxicity they try to pour into it 😉. Especially since it looks like we're heading toward some major shifts in high school admissions. These national standardized tests aren't just some performative nonsense; there’s definitely something bigger at play here with much larger implications, and I'm certain of it...

Based on everything I’ve seen, those horror stories about sadistic teachers who actually enjoy tormenting kids in school are nothing more than urban legends. (It’s the exact same thing when people talk about those "saintly" educators who act like they have a literal halo over their heads because they live for the job.😁) In my experience, the absolute worst cases aren't even malicious—they just don't care. They’re just punching a clock. You usually see this with people right on the verge of retirement who have completely lost their spark, though you definitely run into younger ones like that too.

hiddendriver34 said:Based on everything I’ve seen, those horror stories about sadistic teachers who actually enjoy tormenting kids in school are nothing more than urban legends. (It’s the exact same thing when people talk about those "saintly" educators who act like they have a literal halo over their heads because they live for the job.😁) In my experience, the absolute worst cases aren't even malicious—they just don't care. They’re just punching a clock. You usually see this with people right on the verge of retirement who have completely lost their spark, though you definitely run into younger ones like that too.

I've definitely seen fresh college grads act that way too.
Generally, they fall into two camps: either they don't demand anything and hand out easy grades for no reason, or they hold you to PhD-level standards for everything. 😁

Anyway, I don't really buy into that whole "she just hates me" drama. I actually told my daughter once that her teacher doesn't care about her any more than she cares about anyone else in the class; if anything, the kid probably just gets on her nerves because there's always something to complain about. 😂

I recently ran into someone who truly lives for her career—and honestly, she’s a rare breed. It’s almost like she has a calling; she’s practically sworn herself to it. As someone who isn't particularly religious, I have nothing but respect for her. She’s probably the most devout person I’ve ever met, yet she approaches her work with this relentless, "do it like there's no tomorrow" energy. She even spends her free time tutoring kids pro bono across all subjects. The pay? It barely covers the bills, especially since she's supporting an elderly parent, but the sheer level of enthusiasm she pours into her work is staggering. What surprised me most was how unassuming her faith is; she’s incredibly open about it without making it her whole identity.

People like that actually exist.

Then there's my colleague, a PE teacher. He’s a bit more down-to-earth, sure, but the amount of effort he puts into his students is nothing short of superhuman.

On the flip side, I’ve encountered the sadists. They aren't the norm, just a bitter exception. We're talking about genuinely malicious individuals who thrive on power trips with their students and staff while doing next to nothing for their actual job.

Most people, myself included, fall into that middle ground—the professionals who show up and do their jobs with integrity.

The loudest complainers are always the ones who do the least. You know the type: they fight tooth and nail for every tiny perk, yet they won't even show up for a scheduled class. I once had a colleague who would literally vanish mid-lesson, yet she’d throw a fit if she wasn't paid overtime—even though she didn't take on a single extra responsibility outside her basic hours. The worst part? When she actually decides to try, she’s brilliant. She's a great educator, but when it comes to ethics? Zero. Self-interest always comes first.
We’re all in this together, frustrated by the working conditions and the peanuts we're being paid. ☕

Look, unlike Jose Wells3, I’ve spent decades working in various schools, and I can tell you from experience: I have never once met a saint, nor have I ever crossed paths with a sadist. Sure, I’ve run into plenty of teachers who I personally couldn't stand—people who were just difficult or unpleasant to be around—but even they didn't go out of their way to torment their students. To them, those kids weren't targets; they were just there, sitting in their desks, basically treated with the same level of emotional investment as the furniture.

Better late than never, I guess. Checking in three days before everything wraps up, once the verdict is basically already in.

The situation is this: my kid is sitting at less than half the required points. They aren't even going to hit the threshold for the school we actually want them in.

I’ve talked to the homeroom teacher and the subject teachers. Honestly? They’re about as flexible as a brick wall.

So, help me out here. To all you educators out there—from someone like me, just a regular guy trying to make sense of things—what is it about being a professor that makes some people think they can just ignore the big picture and refuse to HELP a student? Is it just the power trip? The ego?

I don't get it. I genuinely want to know what makes someone tick like that.

Don't they worry about anything? Not just about God, but about an angry parent waiting in the parking lot after class? It feels like they're asking for trouble.

What kind of people are these? Seriously, explain it to me.

frozenrider15 said:I’ve been eyeing the pharmacy technician program at a local medical school. But looking at the numbers, it’s a bit grim. The cutoff was 73 points, sure, but the last person who actually snagged a spot last year had 76.57. The year before that? 77.72. With my track record—mostly Bs in math during middle school and just two Bs in eighth grade—I don't exactly look like a scholar. And I don't have any extra credit to lean on.
It honestly makes me feel for her. When I think back to my own high school days, I was sitting there with a C in math one year and an average that hovered right around a 3.0, yet I still managed to squeeze into a prep school. Looking back, I really feel for her struggle.

In my opinion, this is just a total tragedy of our modern education system...
it honestly breaks my heart for our kids...😢

It’s all quite stressful for me, especially since my kid could have pushed harder to secure better grades. A mix of health issues, puberty, and a touch of laziness finally caught up with him...

Some grades are earned. For others, a different teacher might have sparked more interest or motivation, but I wouldn't go so far as to call the grading unfair...

Looking at the big picture, I believe things eventually fall into place—perhaps even for a reason. Missing out on a first choice isn't the end of the world, whether it's their second, third, or sixth option...
If the child is doing alright, they will find their way in school. It might actually be for the best that they didn't get into their top pick ☕

I suppose I should mention—though it’s probably irrelevant—that chiquita. kaže:
Well, I suppose I should finally weigh in—three days before the deadline, just when the whole thing is pretty much a done deal.

The situation we’re facing right now is—well, it's grim, I suppose—because less than half of us are actually making the cut. It’s a mess. Take Boda, for instance—their kid isn't even going to hit the required GPA threshold to get into that school they've been aiming for. It’s just... it's frustratingly difficult, I guess.

I’ve had several discussions with the homeroom teacher and the department heads—just endless back-and-forth—but honestly? It feels like I'm talking to a brick wall. A heart of stone just stays hard, I guess. No matter how much you try to reason with them, some people just refuse to budge.

So, go ahead—tell me, you educators—you people who look down on someone like me, just a common laborer, a cog in the machine, an uneducated grunt—what exactly is it about being a professor that makes you think you’re somehow incapable, or perhaps just unwilling, to see the bigger picture? What is it that makes you refuse to actually help a child when they need it? I guess it’s just easier to sit up there on that pedestal, playing God while you enjoy the little power trip of being the one to hand out the discipline. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems pretty obvious.

I don't quite grasp that specific part—it’s a bit fuzzy to me—and, I guess, I can't help but wonder... why would someone actually be like that? It's honestly pretty baffling.

I wonder if people actually fear themselves—not just in a philosophical sense, but the tangible stuff—you know? Like, fearing that version of yourself that exists somewhere between the heavens and the earth... or perhaps more practically, fearing that enraged parent waiting right outside the school doors after class is over—or even just a sudden bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky. It's all quite unsettling, I suppose. Maybe.

What kind of people are these, exactly? Could someone please explain this to me?

This is truly a nightmare—an absolute disaster, really. I would suggest you write directly to the Principal—you need to lay out the whole situation clearly, provide a thorough explanation, and demand that they step up and actually help the child.

Jeffrey Edwards5 said:Better late than never, I guess. Checking in three days before everything wraps up, once the verdict is basically already in.

The situation is this: my kid is sitting at less than half the required points. They aren't even going to hit the threshold for the school we actually want them in.

I’ve talked to the homeroom teacher and the subject teachers. Honestly? They’re about as flexible as a brick wall.

So, help me out here. To all you educators out there—from someone like me, just a regular guy trying to make sense of things—what is it about being a professor that makes some people think they can just ignore the big picture and refuse to HELP a student? Is it just the power trip? The ego?

I don't get it. I genuinely want to know what makes someone tick like that.

Don't they worry about anything? Not just about God, but about an angry parent waiting in the parking lot after class? It feels like they're asking for trouble.

What kind of people are these? Seriously, explain it to me.

Maybe you're the one missing the big picture here. You're asking for a grade to be handed out like a gift in a core subject—and if that happens, your child takes a spot in a competitive school that should have gone to another student who actually earned it. For those other kids, that school is their dream too.

Well, if he's short by less than half a point, it just means he lacks the weight from core subjects since he can't make up for it by bumping up several electives...

That’s the issue; some teachers at certain high schools might bump those grades up while others won't, leaving our students at a disadvantage...

I still say if a grade isn't earned, it isn't earned. Period. He earned them fairly...
If there are other schools available when you don't hit the cutoff, why act like failing to get into one specific school is the end of the world?

Carl Bishop2 said:Maybe you're the one missing the big picture here. You're asking for a grade to be handed out like a gift in a core subject—and if that happens, your child takes a spot in a competitive school that should have gone to another student who actually earned it. For those other kids, that school is their dream too.

I didn't say that, even though apparently it matters—we weren't asking for handouts. We were just asking for the chance to take a test to boost a GPA.
We strictly wanted an opportunity to improve the score, and we made it clear we weren't looking for freebies.

On the flip side, what about the kids getting unearned grades who end up unfairly taking my child's spot? You didn't mention them or why they're doing it.

Jeffrey Edwards5 said:Better late than never, I guess. Checking in three days before everything wraps up, once the verdict is basically already in.

The situation is this: my kid is sitting at less than half the required points. They aren't even going to hit the threshold for the school we actually want them in.

I’ve talked to the homeroom teacher and the subject teachers. Honestly? They’re about as flexible as a brick wall.

So, help me out here. To all you educators out there—from someone like me, just a regular guy trying to make sense of things—what is it about being a professor that makes some people think they can just ignore the big picture and refuse to HELP a student? Is it just the power trip? The ego?

I don't get it. I genuinely want to know what makes someone tick like that.

Don't they worry about anything? Not just about God, but about an angry parent waiting in the parking lot after class? It feels like they're asking for trouble.

What kind of people are these? Seriously, explain it to me.

I really have to weigh in on this part.
Honestly, how can you not feel a sense of shame? What kind of person does that make you?
I can't help but wonder what goes through your mind when you write about sabotaging others.
Aren't you afraid of judgment—from above (since you clearly believe in that) or from those around you? You're essentially trying to strip away a child's chance at getting into a good school just so your own kid can get a better grade. Why does your child always have to be the priority?

Carl Bishop2 said:I really have to weigh in on this part.
Honestly, how can you not feel a sense of shame? What kind of person does that make you?
I can't help but wonder what goes through your mind when you write about sabotaging others.
Aren't you afraid of judgment—from above (since you clearly believe in that) or from those around you? You're essentially trying to strip away a child's chance at getting into a good school just so your own kid can get a better grade. Why does your child always have to be the priority?

Actually, it’s the opposite. My kid isn't more important; it's the kid with the higher GPA—thanks to handed-out grades—who matters more.
And that kid is the one who gets the shot at a top-tier school.

Mine won't.

Do you honestly believe every kid outperforming yours just got handed a free pass on their report card?

Grades don't just magically appear at the end of the year because you went in to lecture professors about their "character"—Roger Federer already turned in all the final marks.
If your kid somehow snagged a grade they didn't earn through favoritism, they’d basically be stealing a spot from a student who actually put in the work.
Look, if you're truly convinced your kid knows more than what's on paper, there’s always the option of sitting for a final exam to prove it.

edit: And how on earth would they even accept a transfer into that school just a few days before the term ends? In the US, schools don't just let people roll in like that; there's zero chance of getting any info or having parents show up for enrollment unless it's at least two weeks before the school year wraps up.

Just because last year’s cutoff was at a certain level doesn't mean it'll be the same this year.
It could drop, or it could climb—there's no way to know for sure until the numbers are in.

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Reddit

Maybe they mean the qualifying score rather than just the last points entered.

Carl Bishop2 said:I really have to weigh in on this part.
Honestly, how can you not feel a sense of shame? What kind of person does that make you?
I can't help but wonder what goes through your mind when you write about sabotaging others.
Aren't you afraid of judgment—from above (since you clearly believe in that) or from those around you? You're essentially trying to strip away a child's chance at getting into a good school just so your own kid can get a better grade. Why does your child always have to be the priority?

Bravo.👍
This is getting seriously messed up. Now the kid realizes he might miss out on his points. And good luck finding any other chances, since we have no idea how many he’s already burned through.
If they don't bend the rules for him, he’ll probably just try to bribe some teachers.
Plus, he’ll be pissed if anyone else gets a handout. Like it's somehow unfair that everyone else's grades weren't "earned" the same way. It's pathetic.

Especially in NYC, those cutoff scores aren't some ironclad guarantee you'll actually get into the school, even if there's an entrance exam...

The cutoff score doesn't really apply here; it applies somewhere else, perhaps to a better school that just isn't as prestigious

Jeffrey Edwards5 said:Better late than never, I guess. Checking in three days before everything wraps up, once the verdict is basically already in.

The situation is this: my kid is sitting at less than half the required points. They aren't even going to hit the threshold for the school we actually want them in.

I’ve talked to the homeroom teacher and the subject teachers. Honestly? They’re about as flexible as a brick wall.

So, help me out here. To all you educators out there—from someone like me, just a regular guy trying to make sense of things—what is it about being a professor that makes some people think they can just ignore the big picture and refuse to HELP a student? Is it just the power trip? The ego?

I don't get it. I genuinely want to know what makes someone tick like that.

Don't they worry about anything? Not just about God, but about an angry parent waiting in the parking lot after class? It feels like they're asking for trouble.

What kind of people are these? Seriously, explain it to me.

And just how many professors would we need to sit down with to bump up a grade? Just one, or a whole committee, when you say they "talked with the teachers"?

Anyway, my son is wrapping up his freshman year of high school, and he's sitting at a 3.6 GPA😁 He doesn't seem thrilled about it, but he tells me he'd never dream of begging anyone for a better grade because the whole idea just feels too humiliating for him.