Integrated or Contemporary, An Age Old Question

Earlier this week, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about New York City's City Hall Bullpen. For those unfamiliar, when Mayor Bloomberg took office, he decided to take a large room in the building's west wing and create a floor trading type of atmosphere. His hope in doing this was to create an open minded place where ideas could freely flow and cooperative planning would be front and center. The concept has had some great success even if it's style is rarely restrained. Despite the good that's come from it, City Hall challengers want the room out, suggesting that the chaos of activity stifles independent thought. After reading this, what immediately came to mind and had me running to the keyboard was something much closer to home. It brought me to consider the two learning programs in District 13. 

While we're all trying to get our kids to become independent, productive citizens, our school district offers two distinct ways to get them there. It's been an interesting ride so far. The year I came into the district, like many other parents, I toured the facilities at both Lyman and Brewster schools. They both had redeeming qualities. My first impression; the contemporary program seemed to have many of the qualities I experienced as a student; rooms looked linear and organized and your teacher was a one year deal. There was a high sense of order that came about the second you walked into the building. It seemed perfect in a way that I can never seem to achieve even if I tried. I liked it for being what I wasn't. When I looked at the integrated program, it felt more like my kitchen when I was having guest over. There were people pocketed about, while tightly squeezed into an area; some ate, some cooked while others would linger about sharing recipes of their own thoughts. The integrated classroom felt like it was a place to explore, not necessarily a place to sit and face the chalkboard.

In the end, I would choose on a hunch. We picked the cooperative integrated environment for no reason other than it just seemed to fit our profile (and I liked the kids "Hello" song at Lyman.) Once initiated into it, it became our normal. Early on, when naivety prevailed, it was easy to become indoctrinated into the idea that "Integrated" was the best. (But before you shoot the messenger, I have always sat on the fence). I always wondered what was on the other side of the fence? Was the contemporary program's grass greener. Had I chosen well? 

Now that I have a kid heading into high school next year, and another going to Strong School (7th and 8th grade), I have some insight that comes only with experience. Having two very different kids with entirely different learning styles, it's no surprise that I teeter on that proverbial fence quite often. My daughter could be a poster child for the integrated program. Putting her up on the stage every Friday at Lyman's assemblies would set her up for success, despite her shy side. There, she would become a voracious reader and determined self-motivated learner. I credit the qualities of the integrated program for the student she has become today. My son, quite possible the most exuberant person I know, has always seemed to struggle with the format that the integrated program permits. He's often like a wound-up top, spinning around the room with his own ideas stirring in his head. As he spins, he is expected to pick up on the the many integrated task simultaneous swirling around him. This bullpen style environment often proves to be a monumental challenge for him to stay focused. Yet, I still hold faith in the program for a number of reasons. Mainly, I believe in the community setting this hive of activity encourages.  

So just like city hall, the question remains which is better, the bullpen or the cubicle? It's a tough call knowing my kids could benefit from both programs for various reasons. Answering my own question, perhaps neither is better, just different. I wish I could have the best of both worlds, but life is full of choices. One of my biggest gripes is the (dare I mention) rivalry that quietly exist between the programs. Anyone who says it doesn't exist hasn't over-heard a bunch of preteen girls at a sleepover. Does a parent that drives up Way Road versus one that travels Tuttle Road's path really think that differently? I doubt it. We're all in this together, because we're all just trying to get it right. 

Feel free to comment. I encourage fair discussion on the program debate that usually arises during budget season. Be kind to each other. We all have an ideas and opinions but just remember that this is a small town and civility rules.