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OT - St. Benedicts

albanyknight

albanyknight

Heisman Winner
Feb 4, 2004
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Bethlehem, New York
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Thats a great story, had no idea about the school. One of the things that stood out to me is that they are succeeding and tuition is only 12K a year, most of which only pay half. School districts like Camden avg 28K per student and most never see graduation.

One of their recent alums is Ed Cheserek who is currently running for Univ of Oregon. He is only a junior and already has won 13 NCAA titles in XC and track.
 
The thing that was so impressive was the kids looking after each other. If a kid doesn't show up for school and the parent or parents don't know where the kid is, the other students go out and find him.

If i was Pikiel I would be trying to create a pipeline to places like St. Benedict's.
 
The big question is why is this sort of approach not being replicated when we know it works so well?
 
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Great story about St. Benedicts, but there is a school in New Brunswick that has the same kind of success you saw at St B's. New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology Hig School is one of the best kept secrets in New Jersey. The principal and staff do an outstanding job and are connected to NBBoE, Robert Wood University Hospital and Rutgers. 95 0/0 college bound kids work hard and strive to succeed. Look it up
 
Addyboy said:
Great story about St. Benedicts, but there is a school in New Brunswick that has the same kind of success you saw at St B's. New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology Hig School is one of the best kept secrets in New Jersey. The principal and staff do an outstanding job and are connected to NBBoE, Robert Wood University Hospital and Rutgers. 95 0/0 college bound kids work hard and strive to succeed. Look it up
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Is this a Charter School? If so that will explain why you haven't heard much about it. Lots of push against them even if they are succesful. We need to expand the program in some neighborhoods.
 
albanyknight said:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-newark-school-st-benedicts-scott-pelley/

Did anybody catch the 60 Minutes piece on St. Benedict's? What a wonderful and inspirational story. And what a great story for the City of Newark and NJ. I have rarely been so moved by a news story. There are answers and solutions out there. It just takes some money and the right leadership.
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Excellent piece but you will never have that happen in the public schools because they would consider that as harassing the students. Then DYFS cases begin.
 
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albanyknight said:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-newark-school-st-benedicts-scott-pelley/

Did anybody catch the 60 Minutes piece on St. Benedict's? What a wonderful and inspirational story. And what a great story for the City of Newark and NJ. I have rarely been so moved by a news story. There are answers and solutions out there. It just takes some money and the right leadership.
Click to expand...

I made sure I saw that - very good piece.

I grew up in the Vailsburg section of Newark and know all about the deterioration of the city back in the late 60's and 70's. St Benedicts closed when I was in 7th grade. There were quite a few from my neighborhood who went there, but not as many who went to Seton Hall Prep for 2 reasons - St Benedicts was downtown and SHP was walking distance. I would have gone to SHP even if Benedicts was open. Many of the displaced St Benedicts students, and a few teachers ended up at SHP after SB closed.

When my son was in HS we would go to SB for wresting events (SHP still wrestles SB every Martin Luther King day). The facility is nice though a bit of a fortress (needs to be - as Chris Rock said, MLK Boulevard is the most dangerous street in any city). You may have noticed the bridge between the buildings on opposite sides of the street that gets students from one building to another.
Monsignor Leahy is a great man who has been a tremendous leader for the school, It is fulfilling a much needed mission. Good to see the school get the credit it deserves. It was interesting how sports was downplayed but they have top notch programs.
 
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nirrad said:
Excellent piece but you will never have that happen in the public schools because they would consider that as harassing the students. Then DYFS cases begin.
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The beauty of the system is that it is run by the kids first and foremost. I would love to try and see DYFS try and make a case against kids looking after other kids.
 
BigLou said:
I made sure I saw that - very good piece.

I grew up in the Vailsburg section of Newark and know all about the deterioration of the city back in the late 60's and 70's. St Benedicts closed when I was in 7th grade. There were quite a few from my neighborhood who went there, but not as many who went to Seton Hall Prep for 2 reasons - St Benedicts was downtown and SHP was walking distance. I would have gone to SHP even if Benedicts was open. Many of the displaced St Benedicts students, and a few teachers ended up at SHP after SB closed.

When my son was in HS we would go to SB for wresting events (SHP still wrestles SB every Martin Luther King day). The facility is nice though a bit of a fortress (needs to be - as Chris Rock said, MLK Boulevard is the most dangerous street in any city). You may have noticed the bridge between the buildings on opposite sides of the street that gets students from one building to another.
Monsignor Leahy is a great man who has been a tremendous leader for the school, It is fulfilling a much needed mission. Good to see the school get the credit it deserves. It was interesting how sports was downplayed but they have top notch programs.
Click to expand...


"MLK Blvd is the most dangerous street in any city'. ?

LOL, BigLou, have you been on MLK Blvd since the Newark Riots? I'm there almost every day, from Bloomfield Ave to Clinton Ave. There are RU Newark Frats on MLK Blvd. Some nice homes too. You need to get out more.
 
Accountability, responsibility, and expectations go a long way toward success
 
newell138 said:
Is this a Charter School? If so that will explain why you haven't heard much about it. Lots of push against them even if they are succesful. We need to expand the program in some neighborhoods.
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Not a charter school, has been around for decades.
 
The reason it can't be replicated eveywhere is the same reason we cannot replicate tOSU's athletic program.

The principal said on 60 minutes they get a ton of donations. The parents may not pay the 12k but someone else is, you can be sure.

It's not that easy. But that relationship is why St. Benedicts thrives and other Catholic schools have to close down.
 
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albanyknight said:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-newark-school-st-benedicts-scott-pelley/

Did anybody catch the 60 Minutes piece on St. Benedict's? What a wonderful and inspirational story. And what a great story for the City of Newark and NJ. I have rarely been so moved by a news story. There are answers and solutions out there. It just takes some money and the right leadership.
Click to expand...

Great news story and really an amazing job they do there. I like the fact that the students are given control, responsibility, and accountability for various aspects of their experience. And they are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them too.
 
NotInRHouse said:
The reason it can't be replicated eveywhere is the same reason we cannot replicate tOSU's athletic program.

The principal said on 60 minutes they get a ton of donations. The parents may not pay the 12k but someone else is, you can be sure.

It's not that easy. But that relationship is why St. Benedicts thrives and other Catholic schools have to close down.
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Simplistically saying that this specific case is an example for everything is naive, yet what could St Benedicts do with over $25k a year? That is what inner city schools are getting.

This is the promise of properly run charter schools. Some are successful some aren't but doing the same thing over and over again isn't the answer either.
 
RU82 said:
The big question is why is this sort of approach not being replicated when we know it works so well?
Click to expand...
Easy answer. Teachers Union. Educational "theorists". Excuse Makers who believe only more and more money will solve problems. And, Parenting. Somehow, someway, almost all those kids and the kids in successful charter schools have a parent or guardian who is putting their child's future first.
 
That was an inspirational story about REAL teachers and young men who risk it all to better themselves and more importantly those around them. Very proud that the nation saw a great story based in NJ. Making a donation tomorrow.
 
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newell138 said:
Is this a Charter School? If so that will explain why you haven't heard much about it. Lots of push against them even if they are succesful. We need to expand the program in some neighborhoods.
Click to expand...

...D
NorthernKnight said:
Easy answer. Teachers Union. Educational "theorists". Excuse Makers who believe only more and more money will solve problems. And, Parenting. Somehow, someway, almost all those kids and the kids in successful charter schools have a parent or guardian who is putting their child's future first.
Click to expand...

I'm not anti-Charter school but I do think that acting like they solely are 'the answer' is very much oversimplifying things. I was having a discussion like this a few months back and a parent from Newark brought up an interesting point: 'if the Charters are all so great why don't we see them in really affluent areas?' I thought it was a fair point. You don't see Charter schools in Millburn, Alpine, Rumson, Ridgewood, Paramus, Oradell, Livingston...people need to stop making public education the devil. It certainly has its flaws but for the most part it's an integral part of the backbone of this country.


Joe P.
 
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albanyknight said:
The beauty of the system is that it is run by the kids first and foremost. I would love to try and see DYFS try and make a case against kids looking after other kids.
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I agree. But knowing them that's bullying. Lol
 
JoeRU0304 said:
...D


I'm not anti-Charter school but I do think that acting like they solely are 'the answer' is very much oversimplifying things. I was having a discussion like this a few months back and a parent from Newark brought up an interesting point: 'if the Charters are all so great why don't we see them in really affluent areas?' I thought it was a fair point. You don't see Charter schools in Millburn, Alpine, Rumson, Ridgewood, Paramus, Oradell, Livingston...people need to stop making public education the devil. It certainly has its flaws but for the most part it's an integral part of the backbone of this country.


Joe P.
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You dont see them in those areas because the high schools are some of the highest rated in the state, no demand equals no supply.
 
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JoeRU0304 said:
...D


I'm not anti-Charter school but I do think that acting like they solely are 'the answer' is very much oversimplifying things. I was having a discussion like this a few months back and a parent from Newark brought up an interesting point: 'if the Charters are all so great why don't we see them in really affluent areas?' I thought it was a fair point. You don't see Charter schools in Millburn, Alpine, Rumson, Ridgewood, Paramus, Oradell, Livingston...people need to stop making public education the devil. It certainly has its flaws but for the most part it's an integral part of the backbone of this country.


Joe P.
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Charter schools generally require a contract mandating parental involvement in their children's education, forming a child, parent, teacher partnership. It's all about parenting...

Perhaps a greater % of the parents in the affluent towns are engaged in their children's education (not all...) and they create the chemistry/learning environment that parallels a charter school.

Joe...stop over and join in the discussion on "The Battle for Room 314" on the CE Board in about 2 weeks. Eye opening book.
 
I would recommend a book entitled "The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace" by Jeff Hobbs. It tells the story of a kid from East Orange who went to St. Benedict's and then to Yale. It was written by his Yale roommate. A lot of the book deals with his experiences at St B's.
 
NorthernKnight said:
Charter schools generally require a contract mandating parental involvement in their children's education, forming a child, parent, teacher partnership. It's all about parenting...

Perhaps a greater % of the parents in the affluent towns are engaged in their children's education (not all...) and they create the chemistry/learning environment that parallels a charter school.

Joe...stop over and join in the discussion on "The Battle for Room 314" on the CE Board in about 2 weeks. Eye opening book.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info; I also think you and Newell are making fair points; I was highlighting that in those cases the public school system seems to be just fine, which would indicate that in areas where it's not working well there are likely other factors at work (some within the school's realm of control, others out of it).


Joe P.
 
RUboston said:
I would recommend a book entitled "The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace" by Jeff Hobbs. It tells the story of a kid from East Orange who went to St. Benedict's and then to Yale. It was written by his Yale roommate. A lot of the book deals with his experiences at St B's.
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I read it. It's very good.
 
JoeRU0304 said:
Thanks for the info; I also think you and Newell are making fair points; I was highlighting that in those cases the public school system seems to be just fine, which would indicate that in areas where it's not working well there are likely other factors at work (some within the school's realm of control, others out of it).


Joe P.
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It all starts at home. If the parents are involved and active in their childs education, it doesn't matter what school you go to, you can succeed. Granted it may be a lot easier if everyone in the school has the same goals/agenda but it can be done even if you live in Camden.
 
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newell138 said:
It all starts at home. If the parents are involved and active in their childs education, it doesn't matter what school you go to, you can succeed. Granted it may be a lot easier if everyone in the school has the same goals/agenda but it can be done even if you live in Camden.
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Very, very well-said.


Joe P.
 
Abro1975 said:
"MLK Blvd is the most dangerous street in any city'. ?

LOL, BigLou, have you been on MLK Blvd since the Newark Riots? I'm there almost every day, from Bloomfield Ave to Clinton Ave. There are RU Newark Frats on MLK Blvd. Some nice homes too. You need to get out more.
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Abro Im not sure what your looking at but Im doing a job now on MLK/W Kinney and beleive me anything not locked up disappears in a heartbeat. alot of wide open drug dealing and I dont think ANYBODY living around there works. Once your past the courthouse/St Bs area watch out.
Also worked in bunch of the frat houses across from the hospital- including the one where the dog got shot in the head and lived during a robbery!
 
nirrad said:
Excellent piece but you will never have that happen in the public schools because they would consider that as harassing the students. Then DYFS cases begin.
Click to expand...
You are exactly right. This model could not work in a public school. Just think about the 4 day hike that the St. Benedict's kids make on the Appalachian Trail. You would have to bring a Nurse with a full array of Eppi Pens, band aids, splints, snakebite kits, etc. The parents would insist on a staff to student ratio of not more than 1 to 5. What if it rained...parents would insist on picking up their kids. Food would have to be provided by the public school to insure a balanced diet. In-other-words it would be too costly for a public school to support, let alone the liability the district would face.

I am in awe of what St Benedict's has done with these kids. Great job! We need more of this model!
 
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JoeRU0304 said:
...D


I'm not anti-Charter school but I do think that acting like they solely are 'the answer' is very much oversimplifying things. I was having a discussion like this a few months back and a parent from Newark brought up an interesting point: 'if the Charters are all so great why don't we see them in really affluent areas?' I thought it was a fair point. You don't see Charter schools in Millburn, Alpine, Rumson, Ridgewood, Paramus, Oradell, Livingston...people need to stop making public education the devil. It certainly has its flaws but for the most part it's an integral part of the backbone of this country.


Joe P.
Click to expand...

Why don't you? To start out with, the administrators in those towns are competent. How many of those towns had to have their school administration taken over by the state? In addition, and this is where the Ohio State analogy really might fit, you are recruiting teachers to winning, nationally ranked programs. Early teacher tenure, with the potential problem down the line of not being able to replace incompetents without litigation with the NJEA, is much less an issue because you're getting top recruits.

And the one thing it isn't, at least in NJ, is money. Thought that's the NJEA go to excuse.
 
Link I'm posting is just a short trailer for a PBS documentary (The Rule) about St Benedict's
that aired in September of 2014 on PBS .
If it's ever shown again , well worth watching ( from what I was told ) though I missed seeing it on my local PBS station and can't find the documentary online .
The Rule on PBS | Preview
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365320474/
 
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