Why do people favour elite schools?

[pi]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been due of school 2 years running.

That doesn't mean primary public schools are all good, maybe you just know 4 good kids. I went to a primary public school (never been private), and I can tell you that it was complete crap educational-wise. Most of the people from my primary school grade 6 class (and this is a fact) got <70 ATAR on Friday. And that doesn't mean that they are "stupid" or anything, that just shows what a public environment in a school ranked ~#350 does to people who otherwise, were quite decent.

[pi]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been due of school 2 years running.

That doesn't mean primary public schools are all good, maybe you just know 4 good kids. I went to a primary public school (never been private), and I can tell you that it was complete crap educational-wise. Most of the people from my primary school grade 6 class (and this is a fact) got <70 ATAR on Friday. And that doesn't mean that they are "stupid" or anything, that just shows what a public environment in a school ranked ~#350 does to people who otherwise, were quite decent.

[pi]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been due of school 2 years running.

That doesn't mean primary public schools are all good, maybe you just know 4 good kids. I went to a primary public school (never been private), and I can tell you that it was complete crap educational-wise. Most of the people from my primary school grade 6 class (and this is a fact) got <70 ATAR on Friday. And that doesn't mean that they are "stupid" or anything, that just shows what a public environment in a school ranked ~#350 does to people who otherwise, were quite decent.

[Reckoner]

Out of the two best in my year at school, one went to a private primary school, the other a public. I don't think that the primary school has a drastic effect on the performance of the student in their later schooling years, from a strictly results perspective at least.

[pi]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been due of school 2 years running.

That doesn't mean primary public schools are all good, maybe you just know 4 good kids. I went to a primary public school (never been private), and I can tell you that it was complete crap educational-wise. Most of the people from my primary school grade 6 class (and this is a fact) got <70 ATAR on Friday. And that doesn't mean that they are "stupid" or anything, that just shows what a public environment in a school ranked ~#350 does to people who otherwise, were quite decent.

[pi]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been due of school 2 years running.

That doesn't mean primary public schools are all good, maybe you just know 4 good kids. I went to a primary public school (never been private), and I can tell you that it was complete crap educational-wise. Most of the people from my primary school grade 6 class (and this is a fact) got <70 ATAR on Friday. And that doesn't mean that they are "stupid" or anything, that just shows what a public environment in a school ranked ~#350 does to people who otherwise, were quite decent.

[pi]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been due of school 2 years running.

That doesn't mean primary public schools are all good, maybe you just know 4 good kids. I went to a primary public school (never been private), and I can tell you that it was complete crap educational-wise. Most of the people from my primary school grade 6 class (and this is a fact) got <70 ATAR on Friday. And that doesn't mean that they are "stupid" or anything, that just shows what a public environment in a school ranked ~#350 does to people who otherwise, were quite decent.

[queendaisy]

I didn't learn very much in my public primary school, and I dont think I would have learnt much more in a private one. The only possible thing from primary school that could really affect results is those schools that do the whole language immersion program. Running classes in that particular language and so the kids become pretty much fluent. (I've only heard stories, not sure how effective it is) Now that would be a huge bonus in VCE!

[EvangelionZeta]

Not true. 4 of my freinds went to a public primary school and they are 4 of the smartest people I know. One has been dux of school 2 years running.

Primary school is a joke in terms of academics.  Hell, even year 7 and 8 aren't particularly relevant.

[werdna]

A couple of things -

- Prep to year 9 means pretty much zilch. Yes, all these years of education and development are obviously somewhat crucial to how to grow as individuals, but I think way too much emphasis is placed on elite education right from the start. Like how some parents send their children to Haileybury as soon as they're in Prep... I can't justify spending $15K in a year like that..

- Majority of the top public schools all have zones. Glen Waverley, Balwyn and so on - they all have their school zones. The locations are prestigious and top-tier pretty much, the socio-economic status up in these areas is very high and a lot of parents buy in these zones just so their kids can go to these schools. So to compare the performance of zoned public schools with schools like mine isn't exactly on equal footing.. and it could be argued that these zoned schools are quite similar to selective schools in a sense.

- I would've loved to experience learning in a private school or selective school, but whilst yes the culture and work ethic at my school is quite questionable at times, I wouldn't swap my secondary education for a thing. I don't regret doing all the things I've done for the school and I don't regret being heavily involved in things outside of the classroom. The school has a great vibe about it, and there are some really amazing teachers here as well. So yes, public education does have some merit.

[paulsterio]

Werdna, I agree and disagree with what you've said

Prep to Year 9 doesn't mean nothing (i.e. it means something - sorry for the double negative), although I agree that it's ridiculous that people might spend $15K in these years, you actually do learn a lot. Even in Year 7, you can sit there and pick out the "smart kids" from the rest of the group and it's no surprise that these kids are the ones who do well in Year 12. Sure, some of them fall out in later years and some others improve, but generally, you can sort of predict who will do well in Year 12. I think that a good foundation is really important in Year 12, especially in Maths and English

Zoned schools are different to selective schools, selective schools select on academic merit, zones select on financial merits. But I do agree, most zoned schools tend to do well, that's why they're zoned. I personally think that they're zoned because they do so well and need to restrict enrolments rather than them doing well because they're zoned. It's debatable

I have to agree with you on the last point though, even though I've attended a good public school (probably one of the best 5-6 public schools in the state), I've really enjoyed my time at school, no matter how you look at it, I feel a sense of pride when I think about how well I have done given the lack of a private school education. It's like that underdog instinct I guess, but apart from just academics, I've actually loved my school's environment, the diverse range of people I've gotten to know as well as the fact that it's co-ed. SERIOUSLY, HOW DO YOU GUYS SURVIVE IN A SINGLE-SEX SCHOOL?! :S like.....?!

[aes_999]

I survived through the tight bonds of brotherhood we have at Melbourne High.
All of us do become really good friends, and there's always that incentive to beat
ur friends in terms of scoring. But there's no doubt that there's always incentive
to be able to have contact with the opposite gender in co-ed schools.
More so if they're good ones like Paul's GWSC or Balwyn High or MWSC.

[Camo]

Werdna, I agree and disagree with what you've said

Prep to Year 9 doesn't mean nothing (i.e. it means something - sorry for the double negative), although I agree that it's ridiculous that people might spend $15K in these years, you actually do learn a lot. Even in Year 7, you can sit there and pick out the "smart kids" from the rest of the group and it's no surprise that these kids are the ones who do well in Year 12. Sure, some of them fall out in later years and some others improve, but generally, you can sort of predict who will do well in Year 12. I think that a good foundation is really important in Year 12, especially in Maths and English

Zoned schools are different to selective schools, selective schools select on academic merit, zones select on financial merits. But I do agree, most zoned schools tend to do well, that's why they're zoned. I personally think that they're zoned because they do so well and need to restrict enrolments rather than them doing well because they're zoned. It's debatable

I have to agree with you on the last point though, even though I've attended a good public school (probably one of the best 5-6 public schools in the state), I've really enjoyed my time at school, no matter how you look at it, I feel a sense of pride when I think about how well I have done given the lack of a private school education. It's like that underdog instinct I guess, but apart from just academics, I've actually loved my school's environment, the diverse range of people I've gotten to know as well as the fact that it's co-ed.

SERIOUSLY, HOW DO YOU GUYS SURVIVE IN A SINGLE-SEX SCHOOL?! :S like.....?!

We learn to bat for the home team. Jokes.

I wish I could go an elite school, just money plays such a large factor. Why can't I be around smart people in school.

[Jdog]

the best public schools are probably not far behind the best private schools in my opinion.

yes because they're selective

no, i meant non-select entry (so like my school for example)

Scotch or MGS or CGS or Haileybury are far better than GWSC or Balwyn or UHS imo

I have to laugh at anyone who thinks GWSC and Balwyn can be compared to the top tier private schools (Scotch, St kevs, MGS etc.)
I have experienced both and can condifently say anyone who says otherwise hasn't experienced both.

Moderator action: removed real name, sorry for the inconvenience

[Syncness]

Elite schools doctor a certain type of work ethic. That work ethic is required to excel in not only year 12, but also in life.

It is as a result of this desired work ethic that we see a vortex of interest around these elite schools.

Just my 2cents.

and just for the record, calling someone smart is quite literally one of the worst things you could possibly do to their subconscious mind, no joke.