BajaNomad

top 20 schools in BCS

bajacalifornian - 10-5-2013 at 07:08 AM

No surprise Loreto is not on the list.

And lttle Lopez number 5! Wow!

BajaRat - 10-5-2013 at 09:44 AM

Viva ! Asuncion !

BajaBlanca - 10-5-2013 at 09:48 AM

Viva punta abreojos and bahia asuncion! That is just awesome!

DianaT - 10-5-2013 at 09:56 AM

I wonder about this. One of the important things for kids continuing on to college is learning English as many of the textbooks are in English; English is NOT taught in Asuncion. The teacher does not speak English and the English classes are a joke. In trying to help some of the older students, I was amazed at how little they knew and that they never spoke English while in class. I have been told by friends that the teacher is there because of who she knows.

This really hurts the students as many need to delay college entrance while they take special English classes.



[Edited on 10-5-2013 by DianaT]

Osprey - 10-5-2013 at 10:50 AM

Are you sure that English is a requirement in Baja California schools? Diane, could you be wrong about that? Or, said another way "How and where did you learn English was required in Baja California schools."

DianaT - 10-5-2013 at 11:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Are you sure that English is a requirement in Baja California schools? Diane, could you be wrong about that? Or, said another way "How and where did you learn English was required in Baja California schools."


We have been told by local parents that English is a requirement at the secondary level. Have I checked the official Mexican Department of Education? No. My information is strictly from the local parents in Bahia Asuncion.

And, a while back they were in the process of requiring the teaching of English in all Mexican schools beginning at the elementary level, but there was some opposition to that so I do not if it is being done or not. Again, it was a topic of conversation with local parents after I read it somewhere--- sorry, I don't remember where. The locals were the ones who explained from where some of the opposition was coming. Again, did I go out and poll the country to verify? No.

And have I personally checked out the science textbooks at the university in Ensenada? NO --- again, it is just what local parents have told us.

Do I know that the students were not being taught English worth a darn in Bahia Asuncion? Well, I did not work with every student in Bahia Asuncion, just some very bright ones. They were very good students with very good grades.







[Edited on 10-5-2013 by DianaT]

Osprey - 10-5-2013 at 11:15 AM

How about next time "Some local parents told me the secondary schools in this village teach English as a mandatory course."

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 11:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT

We have been told by local parents that English is a requirement at the secondary level. Have I checked the official Mexican Department of Education? No. My information is strictly from the local parents in Bahia Asuncion.



I question that as well for secondary schools. Ensenada is running over with bright young folks who went through the system at that level, and don't speak a word of English.
A foreign language is required in some, if not all, of the college level curriculums. Many students choose Italian for the ease of comprehension.

Bajaboy - 10-5-2013 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Are you sure that English is a requirement in Baja California schools? Diane, could you be wrong about that? Or, said another way "How and where did you learn English was required in Baja California schools."


We have been told by local parents that English is a requirement at the secondary level. Have I checked the official Mexican Department of Education? No. My information is strictly from the local parents in Bahia Asuncion.

And, a while back they were in the process of requiring the teaching of English in all Mexican schools beginning at the elementary level, but there was some opposition to that so I do not if it is being done or not. Again, it was a topic of conversation with local parents after I read it somewhere--- sorry, I don't remember where. The locals were the ones who explained from where some of the opposition was coming. Again, did I go out and poll the country to verify? No.

And have I personally checked out the science textbooks at the university in Ensenada? NO --- again, it is just what local parents have told us.

Do I know that the students were not being taught English worth a darn in Bahia Asuncion? Well, I did not work with every student in Bahia Asuncion, just some very bright ones. They were very good students with very good grades.







[Edited on 10-5-2013 by DianaT]


Things have changed....they are teaching English at the secondary level...we just had this conversation last week with some friends.

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 12:24 PM

You are right Diana. My daughter attended public school in Mexico in 6th grade. They taught the colors and the basic numbers. I then put her in a private school in Ensenada which cost me about $250 American a month, but they had an excellent English program. The books you had to buy were about $400 American yearly, and the enrollment fee was $400 American. This is the going rate for any parent that wants her child to get a good basis in English. MY daughter spoke perfect English but I wanted her to keep up with the grammar, so this is the price you have to pay. You are right to point out that being the best public school in Mexico does not mean you learn English.
Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
I wonder about this. One of the important things for kids continuing on to college is learning English as many of the textbooks are in English; English is NOT taught in Asuncion. The teacher does not speak English and the English classes are a joke. In trying to help some of the older students, I was amazed at how little they knew and that they never spoke English while in class. I have been told by friends that the teacher is there because of who she knows.

This really hurts the students as many need to delay college entrance while they take special English classes.



[Edited on 10-5-2013 by DianaT]


[Edited on 10-5-2013 by EnsenadaDr]

Mulegena - 10-5-2013 at 12:39 PM

I'm not favorably impressed by the calibre of education at the secondary level here in Mulege.
I assume the standard is the same throughout the state.

The students have 2 months off in summer and 2 months off at Christmas time.
They regularly have 1-3 hour school days.

My step-daughter is in her last year of college-prep. Yes, according to her, she and every student in her public school studies English and has studied for several years. This brings forth the logical question, "Can she speak or understand even a rudimentary amount of the language after years of classroom lessons?" The answer is a resounding "No".

Additionally, she wants to study nursing in college, but her options of studying science now are limited. For example there's no advanced sciences taught, no chemistry laboratory. She is restricted to the school's curriculum which gives a limited option of majors; she has chosen to major in Hospitality which focus of study is geared to cooking and working in hotels.

I've urged her to meet with a guidance counselor to discuss her education plans but that's not an option until the end of the school year after she takes her college entrance exams.

Additionally, some of the (male) teachers say it's not necessary to educate females beyond secondary school because they're only going to become mothers.

We have a long way to go if Mexico is going to step-up and be a contributor on the world-stage, imo.

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 12:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
I've urged her to meet with a guidance counselor to discuss her education plans but that's not an option until the end of the school year after she takes her college entrance exams.

Additionally, some of the (male) teachers say it's not necessary to educate females beyond secondary school because they're only going to become mothers.



Sounds like public education at it's worst. No discussion with a counselor until it's so late in the game?
That is sinful.

Your next paragraph is mind-boggling, so I won't comment on it except to say it's mind-boggling. Absolutely mind-boggling. [can't say it enough]

Mulegena - 10-5-2013 at 12:52 PM

All I can say is I'm glad she's a stand-up girl.
She has a dream of a future and is willing to go after it.
She's a good girl and strong-minded and doesn't believe that chiite her teachers spew!
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
I've urged her to meet with a guidance counselor to discuss her education plans but that's not an option until the end of the school year after she takes her college entrance exams.

Additionally, some of the (male) teachers say it's not necessary to educate females beyond secondary school because they're only going to become mothers.



Sounds like public education at it's worst. No discussion with a counselor until it's so late in the game?
That is sinful.

Your next paragraph is mind-boggling, so I won't comment on it except to say it's mind-boggling. Absolutely mind-boggling. [can't say it enough]

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 01:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
She's a good girl and strong-minded and doesn't believe that chiite her teachers spew!



Good for her.
There's a public school, primary I think, here in PB, and it's a good day when they can coax the teachers into the classroom. If it weren't for expat volunteers teaching the kids some English, they wouldn't learn anything, but the government will have fulfilled it's mandate to provide the kids with a school.
Being from a wealthy, educated family in Mexico is a blessing for kids.

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 01:46 PM

I know when I graduated Medical school in Ensenada, there was a TOEFL test for English that everyone had to take. I spoke English better than the English teacher!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Are you sure that English is a requirement in Baja California schools? Diane, could you be wrong about that? Or, said another way "How and where did you learn English was required in Baja California schools."

BajaLuna - 10-5-2013 at 01:51 PM

kudos to Bahia Asuncion!

And wow that's great news, BajaBoy!

I agree, Dennis, mind-boggling!

Mulegena - 10-5-2013 at 02:28 PM

Can you explain this further, lencho?
Certainly the language of science is Latin.
Are college textbooks not available in Spanish, only English?

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Additionally, she wants to study nursing in college, but her options of studying science now are limited.

If there is any possibility that she go into a science field in Mexico, it is imperative that she continue with English, as far as she can possibly go. That will give her a head start, even if science subjects are not available in her current situation.

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 04:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
It use to be German if you wanted to go into the sciences.My aunt was able to transfer high schools in the early forties because the one she went to did not offer it. .



Wonder why? :light:

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 04:09 PM

Since I am an American Citizen, and I was not taking English as a Foreign Language I was excluded. My medical director called up the English teacher and said, "What are you crazy (to her) (and he speaks good English), this lady and writes better English that you!!
Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I spoke English better than the English teacher!!

Duhh. What were your results on the TOEFL?

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 04:12 PM

Wasn't Germany the center of technology and science around World War II? Also Dennis talking about Mexican schools and English, how much Spanish did you remember from high school before you moved or traveled to Mexico? It is not required in the public school system in Mexico on a more advanced level because the native language is Spanish, just like advanced Spanish in the US is not required.
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
It use to be German if you wanted to go into the sciences.My aunt was able to transfer high schools in the early forties because the one she went to did not offer it. .



Wonder why? :light:

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 04:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Also Dennis talking about Mexican schools and English, how much Spanish did you remember from high school before you moved or traveled to Mexico?



I remember every word and concept. I remember the tests I took and the conversations with the inept teachers who'd never crossed the border.
I remember that which I taught myself, mostly.

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 04:38 PM

Most people from the U.S. cannot carry on a meaningful conversation after high school Spanish, just like most Mexicans can't speak English. I must say that the young doctors I met from Tijuana though speak a heck of a lot more English and some fluent than the doctors in Ensenada, who hardly speak English at all.
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Also Dennis talking about Mexican schools and English, how much Spanish did you remember from high school before you moved or traveled to Mexico?



I remember every word and concept. I remember the tests I took and the conversations with the inept teachers who'd never crossed the border.
I remember that which I taught myself, mostly.

DavidE - 10-5-2013 at 04:39 PM

I was cajoled, threatened, begged and browbeaten into learning at an early age. It is the PARENTS responsibility to insure their child is not "skating". Hell yes I'm mean. My two grandchildren learned at a tender age that going shopping with me means a constant exercise in mathematics. How much for this and that and "¿cuanto vale cada gramo?" Dalia makes vendors in tianguis weigh the proposed purchase, obtain a price then determines value per gramo or kg. She at age six would stand there with her hands on her hips and snort "It costs less in Soriana or la Bodega!". Hell on wheels those two kids. There's Pilar figuring out the weight of barbecued chicken in Pollo Feliz then comparing it to the price of chicken in the mercado. Of course they use calculators.

When Pilar wanted an MP3, I asked her to write me a "correct" letter, stating why she wanted one, and why the memory was so important. She wanted way too many "gigs" and was shocked when she was forced to learn how many songs could be crammed into 8 gigabytes. "By the time you even begin to start filling it up nieta you will be tired of the old music and want to erase the canciones". Allowing children to USE what they learn in a fashion that has a carrot for the right answer is to me one tool that really works. "When you want something, write it to me in CORRECT español and I will respond" month, was a hoot.

Not one freakin' CRUMB of this delicious chocolate cake I baked until your homework is finished and I review it...

Then there is Ingles. If they answer questions in Ingles week comes around, they earn recompensas. I want both of them to have an opportunity to get their mitts on gringo dinero when they go out into the world.

Heidi, a friend told me, "David you are soooo German, it is funny" (she is from Bavaria, Petr comes from the same area as my Dad's forefathers: Swabia) Well hell my great great uncle was Erwin Rommel, and the name Rommel has passed down through many generations - my middle name.

The sciences are a disclipline.

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I must say that the young doctors I met from Tijuana though speak a heck of a lot more English and some fluent than the doctors in Ensenada, who hardly speak English at all



They were probably raised in the states.

bajalinda - 10-5-2013 at 04:50 PM

Sadly, I have to say that the calibre of the schools in this neighborhood is not at all great either. We do not have a "prepa" close by, (have to go to either La Paz or Las Pocitas for prepa) but the secondaria is really not good, with the primarias perhaps only slightly better.

The teachers are often absent on Monday and Friday - of course with no advance notice, so our neighbors drive the 5 or 6 kms to take their their kids to school only to find out there is no school that day. Then you have the numerous meetings/in-service days, personal days off for things like doctor's appointments and that doesn't leave many days of actual instructional time in class. Our neighbor got so fed up with the frequent no-shows of one teacher that she and a couple other moms started a log tracking how often the teacher actually showed up for work and presented it to to the teacher's supervisor. The supervisor's comment: "Oh, don't worry - the teacher won't be paid for those missed days." !!!! That's the attitude these parents faced when trying to improve the situation for their kids, plus having to deal with the displeasure of the teacher afterwards.

Our neighbor's youngest kid now goes to secondaria in La Paz and English is part of the curriculum. No idea how good the teacher's English is though.

DENNIS - 10-5-2013 at 05:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalinda
Sadly, I have to say that the calibre of the schools in this neighborhood is not at all great either.



State schools are dismal. This comes to mind every time I see a post here from someone who wants to bring their family down here and rely on public schools to teach their kids.

Private schools, folks. Do your kids a favor.

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 05:39 PM

Could be, though many speak good English because of cartoons they watched as a kid as they told me. All Mexican schools have English in their curriculum, as we have Spanish in the US in the curriculum as a foreign language. A very good high school in Ensenada is Tecnica 20, but I wouldn't have considered it for my daughter because the English program is very poor.
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I must say that the young doctors I met from Tijuana though speak a heck of a lot more English and some fluent than the doctors in Ensenada, who hardly speak English at all



They were probably raised in the states.

Osprey - 10-5-2013 at 06:06 PM

Doctora, were you a good teacher for your daughter?

"This is the going rate for any parent that wants her child to get a good basis in English".

How about "..any parent WHO." "wants her child to get a good basic beginning in English?"

BajaLuna - 10-5-2013 at 06:30 PM

Private school would be great, IF you can afford it. We recently checked into sending both of our elementary school Grandsons to private school, not that I don't believe in the public school system but because I was not impressed in the district we put our own kids through, which they would go to also, we live in a rural area, it's not a high density area, hence there is not a lot of money in this district. Anyways, at almost 7 Grand a year per grandchild, it was just out of the question. The sad thing is, they are both above average but have to fit into the cookie cutter mold of what the public school teaches, and so consequently they are not challenged enough or taught on THEIR level.
Since I homeschooled my youngest Son for several years, I now am doing a lot of teaching with our Grandsons, although they are still and will continue to be in public school fulltime (unless we win the lottery), I figure whatever I can do on the side to advance them, all the better! We are now doing Spanish flash cards too and they have to learn several new words every couple of days, and at the ages of 6 and 8, they are picking it up so quickly, woohoo!

Should it be up to us as tax paying citizens to have to do this, whatever we can to educate them more than the school is?, NO....but if ya can't afford private school than whatever it takes for the kids! Many public school systems are great, we were in one we really liked in SoCal, but some are not, and that's the reality of it!

I wish they taught foreign language in like 5th and 6th grade, kids are like sponges, why wait till high school?

Bajaboy - 10-5-2013 at 06:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna
Private school would be great, IF you can afford it. We recently checked into sending both of our elementary school Grandsons to private school, not that I don't believe in the public school system but because I was not impressed in the district we put our own kids through, which they would go to also, we live in a rural area, it's not a high density area, hence there is not a lot of money in this district. Anyways, at almost 7 Grand a year per grandchild, it was just out of the question. The sad thing is, they are both above average but have to fit into the cookie cutter mold of what the public school teaches, and so consequently they are not challenged enough or taught on THEIR level.
Since I homeschooled my youngest Son for several years, I now am doing a lot of teaching with our Grandsons, although they are still and will continue to be in public school fulltime (unless we win the lottery), I figure whatever I can do on the side to advance them, all the better! We are now doing Spanish flash cards too and they have to learn several new words every couple of days, and at the ages of 6 and 8, they are picking it up so quickly, woohoo!

Should it be up to us as tax paying citizens to have to do this, whatever we can to educate them more than the school is?, NO....but if ya can't afford private school than whatever it takes for the kids! Many public school systems are great, we were in one we really liked in SoCal, but some are not, and that's the reality of it!

I wish they taught foreign language in like 5th and 6th grade, kids are like sponges, why wait till high school?


They do teach foreign language in elementary school. Our son is enrolled in a dual immersion program that now continues through high school. His day care was bilingual as well. Private school is not necessarily the answer. I firmly believe that the foundation of education begins at home. Too many people are quick to blame the system instead of themselves.

BajaLuna - 10-5-2013 at 06:46 PM

that is just awful, BajaLinda

DianaT - 10-5-2013 at 06:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Are you sure that English is a requirement in Baja California schools? Diane, could you be wrong about that? Or, said another way "How and where did you learn English was required in Baja California schools."


We have been told by local parents that English is a requirement at the secondary level. Have I checked the official Mexican Department of Education? No. My information is strictly from the local parents in Bahia Asuncion.

And, a while back they were in the process of requiring the teaching of English in all Mexican schools beginning at the elementary level, but there was some opposition to that so I do not if it is being done or not. Again, it was a topic of conversation with local parents after I read it somewhere--- sorry, I don't remember where. The locals were the ones who explained from where some of the opposition was coming. Again, did I go out and poll the country to verify? No.

And have I personally checked out the science textbooks at the university in Ensenada? NO --- again, it is just what local parents have told us.

Do I know that the students were not being taught English worth a darn in Bahia Asuncion? Well, I did not work with every student in Bahia Asuncion, just some very bright ones. They were very good students with very good grades.







[Edited on 10-5-2013 by DianaT]


Things have changed....they are teaching English at the secondary level...we just had this conversation last week with some friends.


They have been "teaching" English at the secondary level in Bahia Asuncion at least since 2007 when we were first there.

The thing that I hope has changed is that they have hired a teacher who speaks at least some English.

I guess it is too expensive to have many of the books, especially science books that are used in college translated into Spanish, so English is very important unless their goal is to stay in BA and work in either the family business or for the co-op.

BajaLuna - 10-5-2013 at 06:57 PM

I wish that were true up here BajaBoy, no offering of foreign language in elementary school here.

I agree with you that education begins at home, absolutely. and that was one of my points, that if you are not happy with what your school is doing and think it is not enough, then don't leave it up to JUST the teachers. One shouldn't just leave it up to them anyways, even if your kids are doing great, it takes a village and everyone working together! yes, I blamed the system, because of our own experiences with it...but not the teachers, there is a difference there. Teachers do the best they can!

DianaT - 10-5-2013 at 07:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna
I wish that were true up here BajaBoy, no offering of foreign language in elementary school here.

I agree with you that education begins at home, absolutely. and that was one of my points, that if you are not happy with what your school is doing and think it is not enough, then don't leave it up to JUST the teachers. One shouldn't just leave it up to them anyways, even if your kids are doing great, it takes a village and everyone working together! yes, I blamed the system, because of our own experiences with it...but not the teachers, there is a difference there. Teachers do the best they can!


If it was not so important for the students to learn English if it was not that the colleges use so many English textbooks. And English is now the universal language; the language of business, politics, computers, etc. Back in the dinosaur age when I was young, the international language was French, but that has changed.

There are a lot of political reasons behind English not being taught in Mexican schools, but that is a different subject.

The Mexican school systems are quite different than the ones in the US as are the hiring practices. Knowing the right person is very important.

When we were teaching in the International system, the schools in Mexico, in contrast to almost every other country, were required to have fewer foreign teachers.

Yes, it would be good to have more languages taught in our elementary schools.

On edit --- Lencho, I agree

[Edited on 10-6-2013 by DianaT]

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 08:20 PM

Oh really? So I guess I am not an expert of grammar, so that is why I sent her to a good school. I am not claiming I am a grammar expert.
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Doctora, were you a good teacher for your daughter?

"This is the going rate for any parent that wants her child to get a good basis in English".

How about "..any parent WHO." "wants her child to get a good basic beginning in English?"


[Edited on 10-6-2013 by EnsenadaDr]

[Edited on 10-6-2013 by EnsenadaDr]

EnsenadaDr - 10-5-2013 at 08:28 PM

I also want to respond to this in another manner. My son was living in Rosarito when he was 11 years old, before that we lived in the US. I put him in Colegio Reina Isabel. I was very spoiled with my son. He was a human sponge and after 2 months he received the Math award at this school, which is considered one of the best primary and secondary schools in Tijuana with an excellent program called the AMCO program. He is constantly working and learning. My son is an over achiever, and is brilliant. My daughter is very sweet, and timid. She loves to watch Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus videos. She likes to do anything else but study. I spend most of my time telling her to study, and she likes me to do her homework. Math and Science are not her forte. So, I was the same mother to both of my kids but both definitely have different temperaments. I will help my daughter but then again she needs to cut out wasting her time and I simply will not do all of her homework so she can go back to watching the latest makeup videos.
Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Doctora, were you a good teacher for your daughter?

"This is the going rate for any parent that wants her child to get a good basis in English".

How about "..any parent WHO." "wants her child to get a good basic beginning in English?"

BajaBlanca - 10-9-2013 at 10:26 AM

I wasnt sure why La Bocana wasn't on the list of good schools since i had heard they did pretty well on the standardized testing...today I was told that this list included secundarias and not telesundarias. Oh well....

None of the teachers for middle schools whom I have met, speak any English. Thank goodness, two of the La Bocana teachers did classes with me last year and this year they are teaching their own grade levels! The 9th grade teacher who just arrived is now learning as well, so that he can teach English to his grade level next year.

I am shocked at how little time is spent in school, short hours, many holidays, Dec. is a waste of time, as is June. Teachers are often NOT in the classroom and no one cares. Different than in the US for sure!