Of Hogwarts, Smeltings and Harrison Preparatory

In the world of Harry Potter, potential wizards and witches receive an "owl" (letter) stating that they have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To receive that letter the child must have demonstrated, either on-purpose or by mistake, a propensity for the art. I could not imagine any student turning down the opportunity. Harry Potter was destined to attend — in spite of those, in particular his adopted family —who stood in his way.

Harry Potter's cousin is Dudley Dursley. Dudley was bound to attend Smeltings as did his father Vernon. I really wish that there had been more written about Smeltings as a school. We did learn that the students built "character" by whacking each other with sticks when the teachers' backs were turned. Possibly Smeltings prepared young people for careers in the dog-eat-dog world of business.

In Lakewood, we have the Harrison Preparatory School. At Harrison Prep. young people, beginning at sixth grade are prepared for college. Kids don't receive a magic letter of acceptance but, like Hogwarts, it can be a great place to call home for seven years. A kid of 11 or 12 coming into Harrison Prep. must look at the 11th and 12th graders and say to themselves — "Someday I'll be one of them." To me, this is a great idea but ideally I would love to see our school choices in Lakewood go even further.

Wouldn't it be great if a kid received a letter at the end of their fifth grade year stating that they had been accepted into the School of Mathemetics, or the School of Astronomy, or the School of Engineering, or the School of History, or the School of Service, or the School of Languages, or the School of Business? Go ahead — dream up other schools — there are so many possibilities.

But more notably, it would be wonderful noting that the acceptance letter was the fruit of observation by teachers, parents, and other caring adults who noticed the child's interests and potential. The letter would be an affirmation that the child has the basic skills of reading, match, scientific inquiry, and behavior to allow them to succeed.

The British "public" school system is etched with history, competition and tradition. I am sure that it has changed with time but mainly I can only write about what I can perceive from reading books from the turn of the last century (Magnets, Billy Bunter, etc.) as well as Harry Potter. Pretty much, the youth attending, came prepared to learn what they needed to know to be a witch, wizard, lady, or gentleman — already knowing how to read, perform math, and conduct themselves around adults. Now wouldn't that be nice. 

At each of these schools, subjects would be taught to prepare these young people to be successful at whatever they hoped to be while preparing them to be ladies and gentleman — able to cope effectively in a civilized world. The themes at each school would be intertwined in the lessons of reality that we know each student needs. Astronomy taught with history in mind. Business taught with compassion in mind. Engineering taught with a smattering of philosophy. Schools could collaborate together. Students could gain understanding of each other as they share their crafts and perspectives.

Maybe this is putting kids in a box. I don't think so. I think it is giving kids a chance to focus early-on. Go ahead and keep the present system of middle and high-schools for those who don't want to specialize, and especially for those who are not ready to learn in this environment. It means throwing out much of what schools have evolved into but isn't innovation what we are supposed to be teaching?

Regardless, I think the most important part, whether coming by owl, post or e-mail, will be "the acceptance letter."