madgolfer
Senior Member
I am getting closer to finishing my PhD in education and am totally disgusted with the way our education system works. I can't think of going back to a regular teaching position and watching students suffer through year after year of BS and questionable pedagogy, so I think I might open my own private school. I need your input to help make this a great experience for students.
A very brief academic philosophy:
There would be (out of necessity) a strong emphasis on academics, but with a contemporary music vibe. Most importantly, students should have the opportunity to focus on the music that is most important to them. I don't necessarily want to prepare students for music careers (unless that is what they want) or specifically for college music exams, but rather I would like to see the focus be on learning how the personal characteristics they develop through music training (focus, time management, communication, etc.) can serve them on whatever path life leads them on. I am not saying this school would not prepare students for college, it definitely would. I am simply saying we wouldn't necessarily push students toward music degrees.
The other thing is, the curriculum would be integrated, meaning If you are in an ensemble learning a rock song (for example) your other academic classes would add to your productivity. So once you get to perform it, your technology courses would show you how to record the performance, your business/math courses would show you how to market your music and make a profit (while you are in school!), your art class would help you design media for its promotion, your history course would show you what was going on at the time that contributed to the creation of that song, etc. Hopefully that makes sense?
Apart from that, however, what would you like to see in a private school? Please be serious. I know it should be affordable, so let's not focus on $$$. Some areas I would like your input on are:
1) Environment (rural vs. urban, residential vs. day school)
2) Personal characteristics of potential teachers
3) Types of classes (beyond the basic academic curriculum)
4) College placement
5) Technology
6) Performance emphasis
7) Extra-curricular activities
**please feel free to add anything else you think is important, just please be serious**
Would you be more or less likely to attend if it were a residential campus (meaning you stay in the school dorms, away from home). Would a rural or urban campus make a difference? If anyone is a parent here, I would like to hear your thoughts on what would convince you to send your child to a particular school.
Thanks in advance.
A very brief academic philosophy:
There would be (out of necessity) a strong emphasis on academics, but with a contemporary music vibe. Most importantly, students should have the opportunity to focus on the music that is most important to them. I don't necessarily want to prepare students for music careers (unless that is what they want) or specifically for college music exams, but rather I would like to see the focus be on learning how the personal characteristics they develop through music training (focus, time management, communication, etc.) can serve them on whatever path life leads them on. I am not saying this school would not prepare students for college, it definitely would. I am simply saying we wouldn't necessarily push students toward music degrees.
The other thing is, the curriculum would be integrated, meaning If you are in an ensemble learning a rock song (for example) your other academic classes would add to your productivity. So once you get to perform it, your technology courses would show you how to record the performance, your business/math courses would show you how to market your music and make a profit (while you are in school!), your art class would help you design media for its promotion, your history course would show you what was going on at the time that contributed to the creation of that song, etc. Hopefully that makes sense?
Apart from that, however, what would you like to see in a private school? Please be serious. I know it should be affordable, so let's not focus on $$$. Some areas I would like your input on are:
1) Environment (rural vs. urban, residential vs. day school)
2) Personal characteristics of potential teachers
3) Types of classes (beyond the basic academic curriculum)
4) College placement
5) Technology
6) Performance emphasis
7) Extra-curricular activities
**please feel free to add anything else you think is important, just please be serious**
Would you be more or less likely to attend if it were a residential campus (meaning you stay in the school dorms, away from home). Would a rural or urban campus make a difference? If anyone is a parent here, I would like to hear your thoughts on what would convince you to send your child to a particular school.
Thanks in advance.