Pride School Atlanta. Is a gay High School a good or a bad thing?

[marylander1940]

A first-of-its-kind private school in Georgia aimed at attracting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth and teachers is being established in Atlanta for students who feel bullied or not accepted in traditional schools.

 

Pride School Atlanta is a k-12 institution designed to be an alternative for LGBT students, though the school is open to any student who believes they’re not getting the support they need for “being different,” says Pride School founder Christian Zsilavetz.

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/groundbreaking-high-school-for-lgbt-students-to-171414115.html

[jackjackjack]

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the school. I understand that students and teachers will feel more comfortable, safer, able to express themselves in this environment... all or most being LGBT. But the real world is not that. We can't protect them from whatever their entire lives. They sadly need to deal with prejudice and learn how to handle it in a positive way.

[bigvalboy]

It's an idea whose time has come...Very interesting ML.

[seaboy4hire]

Wasn't there an alternative school similar to this in the bay area?

 

Hugs,

Greg

[nynakedtop]

Wasn't there an alternative school similar to this in the bay area?

 

Hugs,

Greg

There is one in NYC, the Harvey Milk School, which provides an alternate route to high school graduation for LGBT kids who have not been able to succeed in more traditional high school settings.

 

It is very well regarded, rigorous, and considered to be a huge success!

[MikeyGMin]

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the school. I understand that students and teachers will feel more comfortable, safer, able to express themselves in this environment... all or most being LGBT. But the real world is not that. We can't protect them from whatever their entire lives. They sadly need to deal with prejudice and learn how to handle it in a positive way.

 

We can't protect them their entire lives, but we can protect them while they are young. I'm sure we all remember Junior High. Kids are old enough to be vicious and haven't developed an ounce of empathy. I was able to "pass" reasonably well and still got tormented by a beautiful kid mentioned in another thread. (Who probably caught me staring. My bad.) Can you imagine how difficult it is for the kids that couldn't pass if their lives depended on it -- which they sometimes do.

 

We all have to learn how to deal in the real world, but I think it's great that they at least have a safe option. Especially trans kids and those whose flames burn too brightly to be contained.

[+ DERRIK]

Well, the musical theatre department will strong!

[marylander1940]

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the school. I understand that students and teachers will feel more comfortable, safer, able to express themselves in this environment... all or most being LGBT. But the real world is not that. We can't protect them from whatever their entire lives. They sadly need to deal with prejudice and learn how to handle it in a positive way.

 

I agree with you, we live in a society that is 90 or 95% straight, let's deal with it and not escape from reality.

[+ WmClarke]

I agree with you, we live in a society that is 90 or 95% straight, let's deal with it and not escape from reality.

It's not an escape. For six hours a day, on about 200 days a year, they will be in a safe, nurturing environment. That's about 13.7% of a year. The other 86.3% of the time, they will learn to deal with the world.

 

Given the epidemic of suicide among LGBT youth, the school is a good idea.

[marylander1940]

It's not an escape. For six hours a day, on about 200 days a year, they will be in a safe, nurturing environment. That's about 13.7% of a year. The other 86.3% of the time, they will learn to deal with the world.

 

Given the epidemic of suicide among LGBT youth, the school is a good idea.

 

 

Socializing in High School (or not) is from all point of views the most important thing in the formation of a preteen and a teenager.

 

One more thing, you're not counting the world sneaking into their facebook, twitter, etc.

[+ WmClarke]

Socializing in High School (or not) is from all point of views the most important thing in the formation of a preteen and a teenager.

 

One more thing, you're not counting the world sneaking into their facebook, twitter, etc.

Right--so it's even less time that they're in the 'safe' environment of the school.

 

The same argument is made for other 'partitioned' schools--don't have single gender schools, don't have single race schools, etc.

 

But research shows that they work. And alumni have no problem with the rest of the world as an adult just because they went to a single gender school or a school with some other superficially exclusionary criteria.

 

I used to think single gender schools were a bad idea. I don't anymore.

 

I think this school (and others like it) are a good idea. The results speak for themselves.

[marylander1940]

Right--so it's even less time that they're in the 'safe' environment of the school.

 

The same argument is made for other 'partitioned' schools--don't have single gender schools, don't have single race schools, etc.

 

But research shows that they work. And alumni have no problem with the rest of the world as an adult just because they went to a single gender school or a school with some other superficially exclusionary criteria.

 

I used to think single gender schools were a bad idea. I don't anymore.

 

I think this school (and others like it) are a good idea. The results speak for themselves.

 

let's see what happens, but I still disagree with you, it's no longer necessary high school students are less judgmental than previous generations when it comes to sex or sexual choice. Because of teens issues putting the phone down and interacting with others socializing in a diverse HS is more important now than before.

 

Sorry but we still disagree.

[jackjackjack]

It's not an escape. For six hours a day, on about 200 days a year, they will be in a safe, nurturing environment. That's about 13.7% of a year. The other 86.3% of the time, they will learn to deal with the world.

 

Given the epidemic of suicide among LGBT youth, the school is a good idea.

 

You do have a point Wm. But instead of them being separated in a unique school, let these students be in the same school and let's educate and teach the rest of the student population.... about homophobe, prejudice, sexism. Teach them, show them that these same students are your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, your neighbors, your teachers and even your best friend.

[nynakedtop]

Well, the musical theatre department will strong!

Unfortunately, not the case at all.

 

Many of the kids in these schools have been victimized by families and/or peers, have been homeless, abused, or otherwise marginalized. While I undertand the humor implicit in your comment, let's not trivialize just what is going on here.

[seaboy4hire]

It wasn't too long ago when I was in high school. The end of my Jr yr and my senior yr I was teased and threatened on the daily. I eventually dropped out because of it all. Between being in the closet at home and the teasing at school there wasn't a day that went by that I did not think about killing myself and cry myself to sleep. I very much wanted to be "normal" and wanted all the meaness to stop. My friends were my back bone. My bedroom was my refuge. Now days with technology I'm not sure I could be as strong as I was back then. I think instead of separating the gays, straights, trans etc why not teach the kids that their actions good and bad have reactions? I don't want any kid to feel unsafe and threatened at school. They need to be nurtured to a certain extent but seperating them I don't feel is the right path.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[jackjackjack]

It wasn't too long ago when I was in high school. The end of my Jr yr and my senior yr I was teased and threatened on the daily. I eventually dropped out because of it all. Between being in the closet at home and the teasing at school there wasn't a day that went by that I did not think about killing myself and cry myself to sleep. I very much wanted to be "normal" and wanted all the meaness to stop. My friends were my back bone. My bedroom was my refuge. Now days with technology I'm not sure I could be as strong as I was back then. I think instead of separating the gays, straights, trans etc why not teach the kids that their actions good and bad have reactions? I don't want any kid to feel unsafe and threatened at school. They need to be nurtured to a certain extent but operating them I don't feel is the right path.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

I wish I could give you a hug right now and make those memories go away. Despite all the shit you went through, look what a fine, sexy (I had to add that) guy you've become.

[seaboy4hire]

I wish I could give you a hug right now and make those memories go away. Despite all the shit you went through, look what a fine, sexy (I had to add that) guy you've become.

 

Although that was just over 20 yrs ago it still hurts a little. And it hurts knowing that in 2016 there's still kids who don't have the support system from adults that are supposed to care for them. I'm not sure I would trade my experiences from school for something better. Going through what I did made me a far better person. I know I can be a straight up ass hole I can also be one of the most forgiving people too.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ SundayZip]

There was an era during which people thought that a tough childhood made a strong adult (e.g., spare the rod and spoil the child). We now know that a supportive and nuturing environment makes for a strong, healthy adult. This is true for the family environment. Why wouldn't it also be true for an adolescent's school environment? I'd say, give LGBT kids an environment in which they can safely learn, develop and discover who they are instead of needing to worry about harassment and being accepted by their peers.

[marylander1940]

It wasn't too long ago when I was in high school. The end of my Jr yr and my senior yr I was teased and threatened on the daily. I eventually dropped out because of it all. Between being in the closet at home and the teasing at school there wasn't a day that went by that I did not think about killing myself and cry myself to sleep. I very much wanted to be "normal" and wanted all the meaness to stop. My friends were my back bone. My bedroom was my refuge. Now days with technology I'm not sure I could be as strong as I was back then. I think instead of separating the gays, straights, trans etc why not teach the kids that their actions good and bad have reactions? I don't want any kid to feel unsafe and threatened at school. They need to be nurtured to a certain extent but operating them I don't feel is the right path.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

Thank you for sharing such a painful memory, teachers and students should stop bullying in all areas, unfortunately now cyberbullies follow kids home 24/7. There's no break!

 

Well, the musical theatre department will strong!

 

Imagine the Glee club!

 

Damn!

[+ WilliamM]

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the school. I understand that students and teachers will feel more comfortable, safer, able to express themselves in this environment... all or most being LGBT. But the real world is not that. We can't protect them from whatever their entire lives. They sadly need to deal with prejudice and learn how to handle it in a positive way.

 

I agree with the last three sentences. I remember being treated differently in the 8th grade by the some of the students who I had know since the first grade. Initially I thought it was the teacher who taught us history and math. He was also a gossip. I received much better grades in history. I assumed he thought I was not trying in math.

 

By the end of the year I know it was far more fundamental. Lesson learned relatively early.

[bigvalboy]

Judging by what has been written here, I thank God there are educators that are forward thinking, and are engaged in these kinds of formats.

[marylander1940]

Judging by what has been written here, I thank God there are educators that are forward thinking, and are engaged in these kinds of formats.

 

When I think of High School I can't stop thinking of this movie, btw is already a classic...

 

[+ nycman]

Well, the musical theatre department will strong!

But their football team will suck.....literally....grin