We in Warren Ohio, though our School System is constantly near dead last on our states district report card, Have many great programs that those score do not account for, Such as the
international baccalaureate program, A very excellent band program -which I was also part of- that made it to Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade in 2004, and the point of this thread our Delphi E.L.I.T.E Robotics team, which over the years has gained a great deal of respect from our community, community leaders especially our board of education members(some of which started the team it's self in 1998),even our principal(ex- now) has come to our regional before, we even have a public broadcast TV show every Thursday during the season put on by our WSCN Communication Class to update the community on our doings at regional and so forth. So from the administrative side of things we are beloved, But our student body still thinks we are odd or not worth there time. They often ask me why is it that you spend so many hours after school IN school, my only answer is for them to join the team and find out. As for the teachers it's a mixed bag, some, like the band teachers and most of the science and math department love the program and understand the goals it is trying to achieve, the others accept it but dislike that 50 or so students spend more time in the shop than in the class room. also as for conflicting schedules, such as Between band and robotics, Believe me I know, over 4 years I was able to go to 12 regional and 4 national events...basically every where my team went I was there...and I had the time to keep up with the music, the marching drills and the Concert, marching and jazz band events, while also receiving many awards in the process and becoming Trumpet section Leader My senior year. It is possible, it takes loyalty the first 2 years and developing and understanding of Schedules the last 2.