David Starr Jordan Senior High

I visited many classrooms around LA County as an instructional auditor for LACOE, a few years ago. I did not see very many differences in teaching from one school or district to another.

If you take all of the schools in Southern California and rank them by standardized test score averages, and then do the same thing for the average family income in each school population, you will see that test scores and income have a direct relationship.

The magnet program being closed is just outrageous, the magnet program with its 99.5% graduation rate is pretty much what is holding the whole school up, I right now am part of the magnet program Junior class of 2012, and what can i say my class is terrified and frustrated at the fact that next year our senior year is going to be a disaster, then the news of the magnet program closing just adds to our fear, we have no college counselor for next year and many of us are taking the choice to transfer, we have asked the reasons for it closing and the answer that we received was because at the time Magnet cannot be economically sustained, I ask what is more important money or education, instead of closing us down the rest of the school should follow our teaching example, what can I say my senior year is going to be one heck of a year.

I think it fair to say that the educational system in the United States has many opportunities to improve. The issues at David Starr Jordan are indicative of a larger problem in the education system of today. First, the subject matter that is being taught in schools has to be reinforced at home. English proficiency at 4% is dismal and can ONLY be corrected by teacher and parent teamwork. You also must codify the langage proficiency results in to degrees of levels that indicate where students are beginning their learning process to determine a true measure of success. Lastly what do people (students, staff,administrators, parents) believe in general about the school? Beliefs drive results it a proven concept, reference the pygmalion effect. There is a direct correlation. The issue at Jordan didn't just happen and it will take a combination of all parties referenced to correct the short and long term issues at the school. I do believe outside people will need to be brought in to facilitate an objective solution.

Hey! I think its fare to say that we dont agree with homboy but Come See For yourself what we Bulldogs has to offer.Class of 05

Jordan is totally what you make of it—and what you think of it.

When family moved to the neighborhood–honestly, a bad one, I was weary about attending Jordan. Attended it for the last two years of high school. I did not want to be in a school with such a bad reputation. Rejected to be placed in regular just-to-graduate classes, and embraced those classes taught by successful and experienced teachers, mostly in the Magnet/AP Program. One might say that I was not attending a failing school, and that instead I was getting prep school education.

But, reality is, I attended the same school that I initially thought would fail me. But, again, I am endowed with luck.

Cannot be so proud about other classmates. Personally, I have not seen improvements for a while. Successful teachers have left, funding is tighter, kids are rowdier, and people are getting frustrated. This school needs a reform, an active reform that takes all matters into consideration.

—Dartmouth College Sophomore

I admit, Jordan does have its downfalls. But it is what we are willing to do that will allow it to be better.

I am a graduate of the Class of 2009 and I am currently attending Georgetown University.
I do not feel prepared for college. But that did not bard me from attending Georgetown. I have just finished my first year.

I would love to see more improvements at Jordan High School but there have been a few.

Unfortunately, we still have a high drop out rate, low test scores and the Magnet Program will soon be terminated.

Although, there have been some improvements I am seeing Jordan falling. With today's economy and the retirement of Jordan's best instructors I am hoping Jordan HS will keep on track.
ACT NOW!

hey i dont know why fransico told you that but its a lie. im a 9th grader at jordan and all i have to tell you is that jordan is a great school. the staff teachers and students are all pretty darn good. im proud to be a bulldog. sure its in watts but that doesnt mean anything!!! jordan is a great school. FYI one of the actors who comes out in the movie FAME graduated from jordan his name is walter perez. so there. and if you dont believe that jordan is a good school then thats on you. oh and one more thing there hasnt been any fights. so go check out jordan if you dony believe me.

I agree with Antonio Ingram. I graduated from Jordan '09 and now I attend Smith College.

Jordan High School is not what people think it is. I graduated from Jordan just a few years ago and now attend Yale University. Jordan is what you make of it.

Principal Gary Koolostian and his staff of dedicated teachers are doing great work at the Talent Development High School.

I take curriculum programs to students all over LA and whenever I invite scientist or experts to Jordan, they are always shocked at how well -behaved, well-spoken, earnest and studious the students are.

No doubt, that shock is due in no small part to the misrepresentations like Frances B' s above.

Hey i go to L.A Jordan High and i'm proud of being a BULLDOG!... i do not agree with Francisco B. I have no idea if he attended to that school or what but what really matters is that i do attend to Jordan and that its the BEST school EVER. All the programs and events how to explain....GO BULLDOGS Grad. 20010! yay

As a proud product of Jordan High School, I am obliged to provide you with myself as an example of quality teaching at Jordan High School.

After attending Jordan High School, I earned an Associate of Arts Degree, an undergraduate Degree, and a masters' degree, and now preparing to take an examination to apply to a PhD program.

Were there challenges? Yes. Was it difficult living in poverty? Yes. Was there a language barrier? Yes. Would I do it over again? YES! At Jordan I learned real-life lessons that helped me throughout education.

The question I have for anyone who is not happy with the current state of education is, "What are YOU doing about it?" Get involved.

Look out for my book, "The Latino Child and Higher Education: 50 Years from Now."

Love,
Marvin Espinoza

P.S.: Our mascot is a bulldog, not to intimidate anyone, but to make sure you know we mean business! :)

To current students: Change the score, try harder, spread the message, dedicate yourselves to the change--your change.

Wow! What a change Jordan has gone through. I don't know what Francisco B. was talking about but Jordan is a diamond in the rough in my eyes. I visited Jordan many times last year (as I was tracking it's progress to decide whether my child should go there). I saw a very clean and orderly school. I saw students glad to be there and willing to learn. I saw the hard work of a principal and his staff that had been there 5 years and implemented a wonderful SLC model (through Talent Development). Just because Jordan is located among four projects, it doesn't mean that it's the bottom of the barrel, nor does it reflect what outsiders think of the projects. Newsweek Magazine (June 2008) rated Jordan #780 of the Top 1500 U.S. Public Schools, ahead of King Drew Medical Magnet, Foshay Learning Center and many more. There are over 14,800 high schools in the United States. I wish people would go to the school and see for themselves instead of believing what other people say. So what, the school was in the movie "Menance II Society"? Nike just shot a commercial there as well, now what? (like Francisco) I encourage all...GO TO JORDAN...SEE FOR YOURSELF!!! I'M NOT A BULLDOG BUT I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM BEING ONE AND MY SON WILL BE ONE!!!

Jordan High's been the second worst performing school in Los Angeles for over a decade. We can't find Osama and we can't fix Jordan High, gosh darrn it! Any one out there know of a creative solution? Let's get together and share our thoughts with the current principal.

FYI, Jordan High is in Watts, is situated next to the projects (free housing) and dilapidated factories, and is shown on the film Menance II Society.