Comments on: Another year, another Skyline principal search

By: Skyline’s never-ending principal search - The Education Report - Reporter Katy Murphy’s blog on Oakland schools

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:25:56 +0000

[...] High School’s principal selection committee can’t rest just [...]

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:53:49 +0000

You sure do — thanks for letting me know. Next week, I’ll post a list of the schools which I know are undertaking principal searches.

By: Gordon Danning

Gordon Danning — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:21:20 +0000

Hey, Oakland High is also searching for a new principal; don’t we merit a post on here?

By: Nextset

Nextset — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:33:46 +0000

Skyline Student: Complain all you want – you most likely don’t even know what you are missing in your education. You would do well to consider what the older posters are trying to say. So ask for a clarification rather than snipe.

A question to those who do have access to OUSD stats. Has there been a change (in the last decade or 2) in the ratios of students leaving Skyline or OUSD high schools accepted at 4 year colleges? What is the change if any in SAT scores? Do we have any objective measures of improvement or degradation in Skyline High student academic performance?

I’m especially interested in how OUSD students fare in the marketplace after leaving. For example, are there stats on military acceptance rates by school?

By: Skyline Student

Skyline Student — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:49:15 +0000

As a student who woke up and went to Skyline in 2009, not 1998, 1996, or 1993 I say you have no idea what your talking about.

By: Chris G.

Chris G. — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:00:54 +0000

I gtraduated from Skyline in 96, my brother in 93, and sister in 98.

Its a different school now than when I was there- worse.

Preach and say what you want. Its overrated.

By: Diamond Broussard

Diamond Broussard — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:37:58 +0000

It is appalling that the school board would completely ignore the school’s request to keep Mr. Sye on as principal. Our school has improved in some ways. There were many less fights on campus this year, and for once, the principal was respected. While some may dislike Mr. Sye, he is respected. He and Mr. Blye have also made a conscious effort to get to know students- you’ll often see them around during lunchtime or during school events. It is about time the Skyline community band together to fight for what’s best for US. The district obviously has no idea, and we want next year’s students to have an opportunity at success! With Sye gone and a WHOLE NEW principal, the school’s rep will continue to decline. KEEP SYE ON BOARD, PEOPLE!

By: Skyline Teacher

Skyline Teacher — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:10:58 +0000

I have no problem with a variety of options for parents and students in Oakland.

There are advantages to big schools, to charters and to non-charter small schools. And disadvantages to all.

A LOT depends on the type of kid you have and what their strengths and weaknesses are. If they’re independent, centered, motivated and interested in extracurriculars, there’s nothing like a large comprehensive high school. Other kids need the more intensive and personalized support and/or structure they can get in a well-run charter or small school.

As a kid, I would have run away from home if you put me a boot camp academic school with 200 kids! I loved sports, for one thing, and those are almost never available at schools with under 300 students, nor, generally are significant performing arts programs. And to be so limited in your choice of friends…

But I had relatives and friends who foundered in a big school, just adrift and got into all kinds of problems. Some turned it around in private or alternative schools, where adults were in their face all day long.

Once size does not fit all…

By: Skyline Student

Skyline Student — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:19:40 +0000

Chris G., you lack any knowledge of Skyline. While the school is certainly not the gold standard of high school education it is not the empty easy summer camp you describe. Your claims have no basis in fact and it is obvious you know absolutely nothing you speak about. Visit our school and you will find students hard at work trying to learn, and sure you will find those who come to Skyline just to kill time and mess around but to say all 2000 are that way is insulting to our school. We have a respected and challenging AP program that produces smart analytical thinkers. We have a national award winning school newspaper. Our sports program is top notch, currently our baseball, softball, and soccer teams are winning the Transbay championships they are in. Our performing arts academy performed a extremely impressive two week run of West Side Story. We may have some students who come to mess around, who come for the fun, for the ease of certain classes, and for the escape, but to say we command respect only for our location is an extremely uneducated statement to make. Shame on you.

By: Chris G.

Chris G. — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:00:14 +0000

Kids go to Skyline cause its fun, easy, and away from home. This school is respected simply becuase of location.

AND… Skyline Teacher 40,000 students attend Oakland Schools? One in every 4.5 attend charters? The end is near as soon as people recognize thery have choice, and unions have power over kids.