We have a school district that believes it truly has achieved academic excellence, with students performing above average, though not excellent in terms of SAT scores.
The problem is that, like most of its students and parents, AUSD believes that it is the best or one of the best in Southern California. Nothing can be further from the truth, and I invite you to research public schools in Southern CA, and I can guarantee you that Arcadia Unified School District is average compared to other public schools in middle to upper middle class neighborhoods.
Take its neighboring school district, San Marino Unified School District. Arcadia students and administrative staff pale in comparison to the SMUSD. You only need to look at the average SAT scores of these school districts and draw your own conclusions, and you will be immediately surprised at the significant differences in average SAT scores.
Unfortunately, I have children attending the AUSD, and I have already made significant changes to their education. My children receive 20% of their education from the AUSD, and I provide the other 80%. 20% of my children's education relates to socializing and doing assigned class work when they're in school. I contribute 80% of their education in math, english, reading and the sciences, and my children are performing excellent. The teachers attribute my children's excellent performance to their teaching prowess. I laugh at that.
UPDATE 11/4/2011: This week was parent-teacher conference. Again, after speaking with my daughter's teacher, I am 110% certain that my daughter is receiving subpar academics. The teacher just doesn't get it...why my daughter doesn't understand certain concepts. I wanted to scream, "IT'S YOUR TEACHING METHODOLOGY! WAKE UP!! YOU'RE NOT THAT GREAT A TEACHER!!"
If you're serious about your child's education, I humbly implore you to do thorough research regarding Finland's education system. They have the best and continue to have the best education system in the world. Our educators, the ones who care, are traveling to Finland to learn and understand their education system. Our education system is beetle dung compared to Finland's. As an introduction to understanding our education system, please watch "Waiting for Superman," then watch "The Finland Phenomenon." After watching these two documentaries, google more information. read more