Last week, we received a large number of comments regarding whether or not Foster City should have a high school on our story "Elementary School District Enrollment Expected to Grow." Here's a few:
- Zack Armstrong: "I, as well as others in Foster City still feel we need a High School. My daughter got 99 on the GATE test and we're proud to know Bowditch is one of the top ranking middle schools in California. But then where do our kids go to high school? San Mateo? I don't think so... It's like our kids climb all the way to the top of the stairs and then there's nothing but a drop waiting for them. I would pay higher taxes to have a high school."
- Kathy Bartaldo: "You have got to be kidding. There is a very biased opinion being stated here. San Mateo - as well as other San Mateo Union High School District Schools- provide a great education - academically as well as life lessons - just look at the merit scholars at these schools. Open your mind to the opportunities at San Mateo. Foster City DOES not need a high school. Our kids needs to get out of FC. Your bias against the San Mateo population is telling."
- John: "Nah - Those high schools are just fine. Bowditch's ranking is a reflection of the kids that go there, and their comparative affluence. Let them go to a HS in San Mateo - it'll be good for them ;)"
Now it's your turn. Vote in our poll, and comment below on whether Foster City should have a high school.
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Should Foster City have a high school?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Zack Armstrong
Joined Patch Tuesday, October 26, 2010 -
Kathy Bartaldo
Joined Patch Saturday, February 4, 2012 -
John
Joined Patch Monday, February 6, 2012 -
Ryca Henry
8:06 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I would not have made it through high school if I had been forced to stay in Foster City with the same small group of students that I had known since kindergarten. San Mateo High Schools provided the opportunity to meet new people and breath fresh air. I would not wish a Foster City High School on anyone, let alone anyone I had hoped to see thrive.
Tom Rendall
9:00 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
"But then where do our kids go to high school? San Mateo? I don't think so... "
absolutely ignorant remark.
Sarah Yokubaitis
10:58 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Thanks for chiming in! Any one else with strong opinions on whether Foster City should have a high school? We're getting a lot of votes in our poll.
Zack Armstrong
10:15 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tom,
My "ignorant" comment is based on statistical facts, administration peoples comments (such as the principal at SM High) and from concerned parents. People do move out of FC to Have a better high school. I feel we have a lot of constructive comments in this debate. Peace and have a happy day.
Molly Swan
11:06 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
You knew there wasn't a high school in Foster City when you moved here. It's not like we told you there was a high school and then when you moved here we said 'only kidding'. Some of us moved here for the peace & quiet that is Foster City. It's your job, as parents, to research any and all information (ie schools, crime, parks) about a place prior to moving. It's not our job to build to suit you.
jen l.
11:29 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
"We told you"? I don't remember asking you, Molly, but now that I'm here I have a say too. I would like my daughter to attend a local school.
Zack Armstrong
2:20 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Molly, when my family moved here there was talk of building a high school here. There used to not be a White House in America, but we built one.
Fangzi
12:23 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
I think there are still tons of parents in foster city wish to have a high school in FC. It's good to have a choice. I know and heard some families move out to Palo Alto and Cupertino when their kids went to high school and they do not like San Mateo High. Having a high school inFC definitely will help property value in FC!
Zack Armstrong
1:12 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
The family I bought my home from moved to Palo Alto for that reason and it's a story I hear time and time again from my realtor friends. Thanks for your input Fangzi,
Maryann
2:49 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
I have children in high school in our district currently and would never vote for a school in FC. Much of my children's high school experience has been the many new friends they have met from other San Mateo schools; many of whom will become life long friends, I'm sure. By the time they get to 8th grade, the kids themselves cannnot wait to get out of FC and meet new people! I hear this all the
time. FC doesn't need a high school with such GOOD (not bad) schools in our district. Any money that is available to FC could be used such better ways!
Chef Veena.N.K
4:06 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Yes, yes, yes, yes......Please we need a high school in Foster City. Kids will get exposure everywhere, its the matter of convenience. Why not have a high school in Foster City. They are building so many new apartments, imagine the crowd going out everyday morning to get to school and work. Its even more important to have one locally. I know several other who will support this. I really wish the council listens to the people.
Allene
9:38 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
These past councils are the ones to give away land ear marked long ago for educational purposes. If not for the further back past councils' foresight there would be no controversy for it would have been lost a long time ago. This land has been lost in bits and pieces. The past Educational Foresight has been replaced by residential senior development. It is sad. It is also a very emotional issue. I feel our families have almost been brainwashed to think there should be no high school here. Different story if we were our own district. The kids and families accept what they are used to and feel there is no other choice. It is scary to comment as it is a highly emotional issue. Any issue involving families and kids is emotional. Try living through the 5 school closures containing F.C.kids in the San Mateo Elementary School District in the 80's. We were spread all over that district. How ingratiating to have added Foster City to the District name. Aren't we impressed!
Sarah Yokubaitis
11:53 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Thanks for all your comments, guys! The results of our poll can be found here http://patch.com/A-qP0l
Jim S
8:02 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
A multiple choice ballot:
a) PJCC
b) High School
would have been better...
CarolineK
10:50 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
I don't care so much if FC has its own high school or not, but I would LOVE to see the high school district offer alternatives somewhat similar to Summit Prep in Redwood City. The focus shouldn't be on location; it should be on choice and good fit for our kids.
Rheri
10:43 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
Yes, I think we should have a high school in Foster City. There are 2 new elementary schools being built in FC because of the increase in children here. It makes sense for FC to have a high school of its own. The San Mateo Schools are going to get very crowded pretty soon and will not be able to provide quality education. Besides I would like my kids to go to a school that is local to them. I bought a house in Foster City when there was the proposal of opening up the Foster City High School and I am very disappointed that this has not come to pass. So please YES!YES!YES! for a High School in Foster City.