SWS is tremendous yet remains unfair
This is not an “I hate hipsters” rant. This is not a revenge piece for not getting into School Within a School (I never applied). This also isn’t a gripe about mainstream English courses. This is me saying, plain and simple, that students shouldn’t be entitled to special, exclusive privileges in a public high school.
What’s so special about SWS is that it gives public school students the benefits of a small-school experience. SWS students enjoy a variety of privileges that include smaller class size, more voice in policy change, easier access to guidance counselors, and the feel of a small, connected community.
Furthermore, though I seriously doubt that I’d be kicked out of the SWS lounge if I tried to hang out there as a mainstream student, the idea that a room in the school is devoted primarily as a hang-out spot for SWS students when mainstream students don’t have an equivalent privilege bothers me. The closest thing to a lounge for mainstream students I can think of is the cafeteria. However, the cafeteria is a room that gets much louder than the lounge, and it has much less comfortable furniture. It’s built as a place to eat lunch, not a place to relax. The lack of a lounge for mainstream students means that many kids (including myself) end up hanging out in the library. It’s become a meet-up and chatting spot for students during free blocks.
At one point, the special privileges SWS provided filled a necessary niche in this school. Students who were truly incapable of flourishing in the mainstream school environment could start anew in a program that could guarantee them more attention from teachers and more control over their classroom environment. However, the introduction of the Opportunity for Change program and the removal of the dire-need portion of the application for SWS symbolizes the passing of SWS as the necessary alternative for students struggling with mainstream high school. I believe that some students do require special privileges like smaller class size and closer relations with faculty, but also that most students don’t have a need for these things, only a desire.
SWS is an extremely successful and impressive institution, but it should not exist in a public high school. No public high school should grant special rights and opportunities to students unless they absolutely need them, and in the case of SWS, an exclusive population of students is receiving special privileges for no fair reason. Almost all the benefits that SWS can provide stem from its ability to keep its student body relatively small, so the rights and opportunities SWS students have could never really be expanded to the larger mainstream population.
Paula Gustin Martinez • Apr 17, 2021 at 10:47 am
As a student in SWS 1971 it was very helpful to complete subjects thru projects, work study and independent study. It simply worked better for me than traditional study. Thank you SWS for allowing me to attend.
Natalie • Feb 16, 2020 at 5:48 pm
I think this piece is incredibly interesting…
For starters, the Lounge doesn’t exist any more. Mainstream and the administration took it away from us when they “needed space” (yet we see countless classrooms unused for multiple blocks) Now we use a space called “the Lourie room” donated to us by the family of an alum who sadly passed away. & Mainstream kids feel all too happy to take advantage of it- sometimes a little too excited and often the room becomes a mainstream space- even though it was donated to SWS students.
I’d like to remind you (even though I aware that I am reading this from your future) that SWS is a lottery system because any other system would be unfair. Furthermore (as you say often) if you’d like the “privileges” why not apply. I didn’t get in sophmore year, and tried again junior year and got in. It’s not a try once and get rejected type of thing.
I also find this interesting as it implies that mainstreamers want to be in SWS, while today we are often ridiculed by our mainstream friends and peers, for being too alternative.
I’d love any replies.
Coree Coburn • Jan 13, 2020 at 12:56 pm
I was in SWS in the 90s. I’m happy to see it has weathered the times. To say “no fair” well life is not fair and it stays that way. Don’t talk about it do something about it.
Afik • Apr 25, 2016 at 9:08 am
AYYYYYYY, SWS IS LIT THESE DAYS THIS PIECE SUCKS
SenorB • Mar 3, 2014 at 3:41 pm
wah wah wah…that’s all I read. Your writing sucks by the way.
thesagamore • Sep 29, 2013 at 12:12 pm
No, anyone can post comments. Some comments get stuck waiting for approval. Sorry for the inconvenience!
TexaFloridian • Jan 24, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Okay. I am fairly new to the school, and I know nothing much about SWS, but I want to say a few words.. It’s cool that a public school like Brookline has so many programs (OFC, METCo, SWS, BRYT, etc.) that are meant to help students (including “mainstream” students) learn in a “different” way. But at the same time I feel like many, including the SWS, are unnecessary. I’m not saying they are incompetent, but I feel like those programs are infringing on non-SWSer’s academic environment–just think about the library being overly crowded and you can’t get in/find a seat… vs. the picture in this article… (students sitting in roomful of couches and, as it appears, just hanging out…)
Dali Miriam Lilo Smolsky • Jan 23, 2013 at 9:49 pm
I agree that the SWS system is unfair. I applied, and really wanted to get in but I wasn’t able to have the opportunity. I’m a very determined student, or rather I was when I was a high schooler, and I loved the classes that I would have been able to have as a SWS member. I love the small sizes, yet OFC does not apply to me, and standard-level classes are too slow for me (no offense). So yes, I agree, and I applied. Why should a lottery determine whether or not you can become a student as SWS?
NWBL • Jan 5, 2013 at 9:29 pm
I was in one of the fledgling classes of SWS in the 70’s–anyone could get in at the time. I joined w/ a few friends, we thought it was cool. We got credit for volunteer work and seminars like “Jazz & Blues.” We analyzed Beatles lyrics in English class. We called the teachers by their first names and sat on the floor if we wanted instead of at desks. I see SWS has held up well over the years!
Sara • Nov 19, 2012 at 9:47 pm
I agree that SWS is unfair (note: I also did not apply), but I don’t know if that’s grounds for eliminating it completely. No students getting privileges > some students getting privileges?
bricksxox • Dec 5, 2012 at 8:45 pm
how is it unfair…the application process is a lottery. If you want to be a part of it, apply. if you don’t, i don’t really see why it’s unfair; especially coming from someone who didn’t apply. obviously if you didn’t apply the SWS community and learning environment doesn’t interest you/wouldn’t benefit you. so how is it unfair that students in need of a smaller, tight-knit democratic community who have an array of different learning styles apply to SWS? i don’t see what “privileges” you’re talking about. it’s the same concept as OFC or any other program inside of the high school.
Zpartac • Jan 23, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Even if the lottery is completely impartial, there are still winners and losers. Therefore, while the application process might allow for complete equality of opportunity, there is still drastic inequality of outcome. (Others might disagree, but I believe equality of outcome is a key measure of “fairness” in a society) The argument is saying that it would be fairer to invest in something that will benefit all BHS students, instead of merely a select community. Unfortunately, if one is looking for a small school environment, there are few ways to create this that wouldn’t be unfair. One alternate possibility is to have multiple SWSs (with enough room for everybody who wants to join), but I think that would seriously divide the whole school in a way very detrimental to the overall community. Unfairness will indeed arise whenever there is any desirable program that has a limited amount of slots available. The question is whether we want to sacrifice these programs in favor of things that will be available to every student, or to develop them and acknowledge that some will get exceptional opportunities, while others will be left out.
P.S. I didn’t apply either, if this gives me greater moral credibility.