20 Reasons to Chose Cambridge Schools

The School Committee passed the 07-08 school budget last week and sent it to the City Council for final approval on May 9. As far as I’m concerned, there are many reasons for Cambridge parents and taxpayers alike to celebrate.

If you agree, after reading this post, please call or e-mail the City Council and urge their unanimous support of our school budget and thank them for their generous support for our schools.

While major expenses for next year are increasing between six and nine percent (energy, transportation, health insurance), the school budget is growing by only 1.8 percent. This is the third year in a row that the budget has increased less than two percent--proof of an efficient, well-managed department. Things that were no longer needed (like training for the transition to the block schedule at the high school) were reallocated to cover cost increases and to fund 18 new initiatives both small and large.

But the picture in school districts around us could not be more different. Due to the increasing reliance on property tax to fund education, among other factors, towns and cities all over the Commonwealth are imposing and/or increasing fees, narrowing their curriculum by eliminating programs that don’t directly relate to MCAS (art, music, sports, librarians etc.), increasing class sizes and gearing for overrides. It’s so bad, the Boston Globe has even started a blog to document all the woes called Override Central.

Cambridge children, on the other hand, are enjoying the stability of low class sizes, increased training for teachers and principals and a well-rounded education filled with updated curricula and programs that many districts just can’t afford anymore --or couldn't even dream of starting. And all without notorious fees that block equal access.

It’s time to count our blessings and make a list of all the reasons why we should feel pretty good about our investment in education in Cambridge and why young families should seriously consider getting involved in our schools.

This list also doubles as an explanation for that perennial question of “Why do we spend so much in Cambridge?” The answer is pretty self-evident as you read below.

This list also explains why folks in other districts are becoming more vocal in saying: “We should be spending more.”

Finally, lest anyone accuse me of overstating, all this is offered with the caveat that nothing is perfect and we, like districts across the nation, have serious work left to do to close the achievement gap among other tasks.


20 Reasons to Choose Cambridge Public Schools

1. Free full-day kindergarten with increasing public preschool options.
[Arlington now charges $1,500 for kindergarten, plus assorted fees for sports and instrumental music with increases possible for next year.]

2. Choice of schools and free transportation outside walk zones. [Makes socioeconomic balance possible; allows families to choose between schools that teach to same standards, yet offer different themes or teaching philosophies or that have longer school days, no matter where they live in the city.]

3. Low average class size (17.5).

4. Updated, enhanced core curricula: the latest, balanced math and literacy curricula (TERC, Connected Math, Literacy Collaborative). Science Initiative updated labs and curricula, started a middle school science vacation camp, high school internships and Earthwatch trips.

5. Foreign language in elementary school (Spanish) beginning in 6th grade and earlier in some schools i.e. Chinese at the King; Italian at Haggerty, etc. [Lexington had to eliminate foreign language in elementary schools last year and some high school honors courses and is looking at eliminating even more programs unless an override passes.]

6. Arts of all sorts: Art lesson 1-8; music K-8; drama integrated into curriculum. Choral/instrumental program in middle school. High school visual/performing arts options that rival area private schools according to Boston Magazine. [Newton SC is trying to restore art and music in elementary school through a possible override.]

7. State certified vocational program in 10 areas. [Many students have to travel to regional vocational schools to take advantage of these types of programs, like engineering, commercial design or culinary.]

8. College Prep, Honors and AP courses, dual enrollment in undergraduate classes at Harvard College and/or Harvard Extension classes at the high school level.

9. Homework help, after-school programs in every school; free clubs and sports at the high school. [Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association estimates that two-thirds of school districts now have athletic fees.]

10. Full-time librarians and technical assistants in every school. Family liaisons in every school and for non-English speaking families.

11. Cutting-edge nutrition and health programs: City Sprouts gardens in eight out of 12 elementary schools; physical fitness “report cards” sent home; special p.e. programs like 5/6 ballroom dancing, middle school intramural competitions.

12. Myriad of programs to support children academically: Jump Start summer school for elementary students; Harvard-run summer school for high school students; special classrooms and supports for special education students; alternative high school program.

13. AVID program to support motivated students in taking honors and AP courses at the high school.

14. Homeroom advisory program at high school pairs students with same homeroom teacher and guidance counselor for four years.

15. Diverse student body that is celebrated in the culture and the curriculum of the schools. [Ability to communicate and collaborate with others is considered a 21st Century skill.]

16. One of the lowest drop-out rates in the state.

17. All subgroup scores on MCAS surpassed those of the state in 2006.

18. SAT scores of students in the top two-fifths of their class have surpassed their state and national counterparts. [SAT averages are lower because CRLS encourages students in the bottom two fifths of the class to also take the test].

19. Ninety-two percent of CRLS class of 2006 enrolled in two or four year college, university or technical school. One out of four enrolled in the nation’s top 100 colleges and universities. Here's the matriculation list for 2006.

20. Lowest residential taxes in the area ($7.38 per $1,000 value vs. $11.34 in Arlington; $11.17 in Watertown; $11.20 in Boston; $9.55 in Brookline; $11.11 in Lextingon and $10.53 in Somerville).