ABCDEFGHIJK
1
TimestampFirst nameLast nameHow are you affiliated with PK Yonge? (Check all that apply)Comments- please share anything else you are thinking or feeling about this topic.
2
4/13/2024 16:38:04RachelChastain-GrossParent or guardian of current student, Educator
3
4/13/2024 16:47:50JenniferArcherParent or guardian of current studentI am equal parts heartbroken and furious by these possible changes to the core values that attracted us to PKY in the first place. Anyone can take the top students and excel. How about taking the average students and students who struggle and help them excel as well. How about helping the kids that lost over a year and a half of formal education to COVID and making sure that they succeed in HS. This is the wrong direction for PKY and is 100% about state ranking. This is awful.
4
4/13/2024 16:59:23CodyMillerEducatorI taught English I at PK Yonge from 2013-2019. What I learned teaching at PK informs my work as a current teacher educator in NY. PK Yonge's current structure is something that should produce pride, not something that should be reorganized. The new model is a major step back for the school and the state at-large.
5
4/13/2024 17:00:32BarbaraBuysEducator, Other (please specify in the comments)Grandparent of PKY student
6
4/13/2024 17:05:13ElizabethChazulleParent or guardian of current studentThe goal should be to make PKY a top school with the lottery to show that schools are able to help any student become a top ten student. Pky should set the example for public schools across the state by not excluding students.
7
4/13/2024 17:12:02NathalieClementParent or guardian of current studentThis decision is appealing and so against all what PK. Yonge is about, or should I say “was” about? The timing, the secrecy, the silence from PK leadership, the lack of support from the PTO organizers, all is just so so wrong. The impact on our kids who have been raised with the idea of PK being there for them to support their successful journey to college is going to be immense. What will the message be to explain them that they are now not good enough to continue being educated at PK? That smarter and probably wealthier kids will take their place? When were they going to announce it anyway? And how? Why is this implemented so quickly? Why was a survey not sent to the parents to inform them before it is already decided? So many questions, so little answers from our leadership. I hope this petition shakes things up and a honest and transparent discussion will follow. We parents, and our kids, have the right to know of any decision that will impact our choice, their education and their life.
8
4/13/2024 17:14:33Anonymouscommunity memberEducator, Other (please specify in the comments)
9
4/13/2024 17:19:47AnonymousAnonymousParent or guardian of current studentI agree with everything noted above. The lack of transparency and lack of care for the children of this community is highly concerning.
10
4/13/2024 17:24:06LindaArcherEducator, Other (please specify in the comments)Grandparent of 2 PKY students
11
4/13/2024 17:25:32KateYurkoEducatorAs a former PKY teacher, this shift would diminish what makes PK the school it is.
12
4/13/2024 17:28:37ClaireTroxelParent or guardian of current student, AlumniI believe focus can be applied to achieving excellence without elitist selective enrollment.
13
4/13/2024 17:30:28CatherineCaseResearcher, Other (please specify in the comments)I taught AP Statistics at P.K. Yonge in AY 2013-2016. Research I conducted while teaching there formed the basis for my Ph.D. dissertation. I had a wonderful experience at PK, and I would be heartbroken to see it become a “top 10 school” by no longer serving the diverse students who make the school such a special place.
14
4/13/2024 17:34:08JuanCalamaParent or guardian of current student
15
4/13/2024 17:42:33EllisCunninghamAlumniMaking PK into a selective-admissions school is the easiest possible way to become top-10. I challenge UF’s leadership to accomplish this task while still holding true to what PK is at its core - a demographic representation of our state.
16
4/13/2024 17:42:48Sarah PerryParent or guardian of current studentUF and PK promised to support our kids. All of them. Especially through and after covid. The outreach mission of PK since 1934 has been about improving educational and social-emotional outcomes for all students. This proposed plan will destroy this mission. There needs to be value placed upon UF for having good morals and putting kids first. You don't place money and ranking above children.
17
4/13/2024 17:48:22HeidiDunhamParent or guardian of current student
18
4/13/2024 17:51:26GavinClarkParent or guardian of current studentSelective admission is a huge step in the wrong direction. We, as parents, wanted our children to learn in an innovative and diverse community where they could be challenged and see the strengths in difference. If we had cared about rankings we would have sent our kids to The Lyceum or IB programs. We chose P.K. because its mission is based on our family values of acceptance, integrity, accountability, and growth. Selective admission goes against that mission in every possible way.
19
4/13/2024 17:56:25Anonymous Anonymous Parent or guardian of current student, Current student
20
4/13/2024 17:57:00AmyClarkParent or guardian of current studentAs everyone knows, rankings mean nothing. What matters are the far-reaching impact education and teachers have on their students. The Board should rededicate themselves to the PK mission, rather than caring about statistically invalid measures: “P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School’s mission since its establishment in 1934, has been to design, test and disseminate innovations in K-12 education through serving a diverse student community. As such, P.K. Yonge impacts educators, school leaders, and other schools around the state and the nation by providing proof of concept for K-12 educational innovation.” AP tests and rankings are in opposition to innovating to educate a diverse student body. This proposal flies in the face of the basic tenets of what PK claims to be; it is a shame. Everyone should be appalled at the disservice this would do to the Alachua county community and PK’s reputation.
21
4/13/2024 17:59:05 Nicholas BlakeParent or guardian of current student
22
4/13/2024 18:01:22VinnieFiorelloParent or guardian of current student
23
4/13/2024 18:01:46Anonymous Anonymous Parent or guardian of current student, Educator
24
4/13/2024 18:10:22ShanekaYoungParent or guardian of current student
25
4/13/2024 18:14:27Stefanie BuniackParent or guardian of current student
26
4/13/2024 18:15:39Anonymous 6th GraderCurrent student As a current student at PK, I felt as if I fit in because there were so much diversity within the students. This plan will cut the diversity down to just people who have amazing grades. This change would cause me as a student to feel a lot less attached to PK and I’m sure that there are plenty of other students who feel this way. Part of why I applied to PK last year was to be with the same students for all seven years. Now that won’t be true. It makes me upset to think about.
27
4/13/2024 18:25:42AnonymousAnonymousEducator, StaffAnother point is that we can achieve nothing if our school is not funded and supported with resources to make our students succeed, and therefore achieve this status of “top 10”. We need more support staff, instructional coaches, interventionists, and more in order to ensure the students we have achieve mastery of the standards and course expectations.

It was mentioned in this plan to would add more students in elementary, but there’s currently no space and we are already over capacity in class sizes. Research shows small class sizes is what helps students succeed. Funding for specialist positions is ending next year, so teachers will now have more on their plate to support student learning. How can we add even more students on top of this? No learning will occur even for the “gifted” or high achieving students at this rate.

Our goal at P.K. is to use best practices and research new ways to help students learn and achieve mastery of standards. We cannot expect to do this with just students who are high academically achieving, because what if they need support in a subject? No student is perfect, we are teaching human beings!
28
4/13/2024 18:34:48JoeyMcGinnAlumniPK Yonge doesn’t exist to be a trophy in someone’s cabinet as a “top ten school”. It is a haven of learning, growth, and support. To change the admissions policies to be more “selective” destroys the foundations of why the school exists.

29
4/13/2024 18:36:36Anonymous7th graderCurrent student
30
4/13/2024 18:41:27VirginiaKnollParent or guardian of current studentDo not do this. It goes against everything we have loved about being a Blue Wave family. Doing this will prove the board’s greed in ranking is more important than student, faculty, and family experiences. It does not serve the mission of PKY as a DRS.
31
4/13/2024 18:47:49Stefanie ZoriloParent or guardian of current student
32
4/13/2024 18:53:47TinaFolston Parent or guardian of current student
33
4/13/2024 18:58:06Anonymous Anonymous Parent or guardian of current student
34
4/13/2024 19:00:27CarrieCostelloAlumni
35
4/13/2024 19:01:07ShelbyBoehmEducator, Researcher
36
4/13/2024 19:10:25AnonYmous EducatorIf the goal is top ten FL high school, will Pk Yonge be funded to align with the current top ten?!
37
4/13/2024 19:10:54KatherineHudsonParent or guardian of current studentI absolutely abhor the idea of changing the admissions process for PKY to an application based process to achieve ranking based on obligatory nonsense like AP and IB test scoring. This has no bearing on the state demographic outcomes and should have no bearing in the current lottery based admission process to PKY school that currently weights student based on the overall population demographic of the state for research purposes. As a parent I love that PK is a school that serves a varied and representative population, but that also serves not only my children’s educational but also emotional needs. Too many schools in general have swapped the importance of educating stable and responsible humans in exchange for pushing our students harder and faster to achieve more, honestly to their detriment. Please don’t change the process at PKY.
38
4/13/2024 19:23:25MaryGarlandParent or guardian of current student
39
4/13/2024 19:23:53Anonymous 7 graderCurrent studentSo I will need to apply again to stay at my school next year?! That’s not fair.
40
4/13/2024 19:36:47KenGrauer, MDOther (please specify in the comments)Grandparent who is ACTIVELY participating in PKY-related activities — and — Professor Emeritus at UF College of Medicine, University of Florida
41
4/13/2024 19:40:26AnonymousAnonymousParent or guardian of current studentCherry-picking the student population to achieve Top 10 to what end? A feather in the cap of politicians. It will certainly do nothing for the community. Seems like the LAZY, easy-button for the trustees which appear to be people who have no stake in the Gainesville community at large. Elitism at its finest. What they will achieve is fabricated diversity, not true diversity. Doesn’t diversity also include those who aren’t traditionally academically “gifted”? Aren’t teachers supposed to
be prepared to employ all kinds
of different methods to help all types of learners achieve their best? How do you do that and train that with only the traditionally academically gifted? We heard the the suggestions made in this ridiculous board meeting which were clearly from individuals only interested in making a name for themselves without understanding the school that is the subject of this game. Increasing elementary numbers? Where are you putting them? A teacher and resource shortage already exists. Where are you finding support for all those additional students? If the trustees are so concerned with the “rank” of a K-12 school then find a way to do it that actually helps the students who are there! Provide more resources. Pay teachers more. Work with a diverse student population which includes students of varying ability. Get back to the drawing board.
42
4/13/2024 19:46:47Robert LeeParent or guardian of current studentI disagree with selective admissions for highschool at PK.
43
4/13/2024 19:46:50GenevieveFarnhamOther (please specify in the comments)Community member interested in sending my kids to PK some day. Also proud to have diverse education options in our community
44
4/13/2024 19:51:18Anonymous AnonymousParent or guardian of current studentEverything about this proposal goes against all things that makes PK so wonderful.
45
4/13/2024 19:52:35KallaIngleParent or guardian of current studentNot all kid’s goals are to go to UF, and that’s ok. P.K. is a Research school, diversity is what’s all about. This will completely ruin that. Doing this just to become a top 10 school is greedy and completely disregarding what makes P.K. a great school. Leaving kids ,who have grown up there, behind because they can’t score highly on a test is ridiculous.
46
4/13/2024 19:53:33Lucy4th gradeCurrent studentThis seems unfair for my friends and I's future. I DO NOT want to reapply to PKY, I am already here, and it still seems unfair, I am happy with this school and do not want it to change. Even though it is a long way away, in 8th grade and above, I want to be there!
47
4/13/2024 19:56:06KenGrauer, MDOther (please specify in the comments)Grandparent who is actively involved in PKY-related matters — Professor Emeritus at UF, College of Medicine, Dept. of Community Health & Family Medicine — — I agree with the 8 items (issues & concerns) that are detailed above. Even more — I feel deceived by your mission for "name recognition" as a highly "ranked" school in which despite the "guarantee" that PKY gave, that those accepted can continue with PKY thru high school — this will no longer be the case. Since we are not supposed to use the word, "d - - - - - - - y" any more — to convert PKY to a "selective" school is paramount to excluding many children who come from less financially wealthy and more socioeconomically challenged environments. In other words — YOU will be neglecting what up until now has made PKY "special" — namely providing opportunity for so many children who otherwise would not have been able to excel. It is EASY to "become a top 10 school" when you select only the most socioeconomically privileged children (as your proposed plan would do). Gainesville does not (in my opinion) need that. What IS needed — is the tremendous opportunity that PKY has (up until now) provided children who otherwise could NEVER do what PKY makes possible. Please don't destroy that. THANK YOU for considering our collective concerns! — Ken Grauer, MD
48
4/13/2024 20:01:36AliciaWebsterParent or guardian of current student
49
4/13/2024 20:03:44JohnBuysParent or guardian of current student
50
4/13/2024 20:04:35DinaWillisOther (please specify in the comments)My two boys were PK Lifers and my grandkids attend PK Yonge
51
4/13/2024 20:05:05ClairNordenAlumniThis initiative is insulting to everything the school stands for. Being a top 10 high school should not be the priority. Any actual accomplishment towards this ridiculous top 10 goal would mean nothing through the lens of research, as their sample population for any accomplishments will not be representative of our state demographics. If instituted it will be a waste of time and resources that would be better spent elsewhere. I’m curious how the teachers and staff feel time and resources could be better allocated?
52
4/13/2024 20:14:10DarcyDugan FiorelloParent or guardian of current studentThe proposal of selective admissions is absolutely awful and a total disregard for the P.K. mission. Please keep the focus on educating the amazing diverse student population.
53
4/13/2024 20:15:07ReginaMalliniParent or guardian of current student, Other (please specify in the comments)Keep it the way it is
54
4/13/2024 20:27:47LouiseBrownOther (please specify in the comments)I am both a parent of a graduate of PKY(4th grade -12th grade) and a former part-time teacher at PKY.
55
4/13/2024 20:53:00JudMalliniOther (please specify in the comments)Concerned citizen and uncle of current student.
56
4/13/2024 20:54:28LisaScottParent or guardian of current student, Researcher
57
4/13/2024 20:59:42AnonymousAnonymousParent or guardian of current student
58
4/13/2024 21:05:58CarlosSuárezParent or guardian of current student, Educator
59
4/13/2024 21:07:36GouriRomeroParent or guardian of current studentI believe doing these changes will cause harm and leave children’s behind
60
4/13/2024 21:18:25AnonymousAnonymous Parent or guardian of current student
61
4/13/2024 21:32:26 CatherinePriceParent or guardian of current studentStudents with diversity belong together. To learn and educate each other. Training across sociodemographic ranges and abilities is what strengthens. Rankings do not belong in education. Education belongs in education.
62
4/13/2024 21:37:22SierraPlotnerOther (please specify in the comments)I’m an aunt of a student / concerned citizen from the community. I know how valuable PK Yonge is to our community, particularly in giving students the education they deserve in an era where residential segregation still exists and many schools are underfunded. I want the school to make the right decisions for my nephew, but also for other children in the district.
63
4/13/2024 21:37:47TracyMorrisParent or guardian of current student, EducatorThis will fundamentally change PK and its original mission. As both a parent of a child at PK (who is one of the 19% on a 504 plan) and a current educator for ACPS this will set a president for all public schools; that rankings and being top matter more than diversity and educating EVERYONE. We already have magnet programs for children whose end game is to go to UF. Not all children go to high school to go to college and rack up mountains of debt for a degree that won't do much in our society now. As an educator I can agree that there are fundamental issues with the kids being "behind" but let's look at the facts; covid happened and set a whole generation back, however the education system did nothing to try and close this gap, rather we increased the demand and emphasis on state testing. My 11 year old is on prescription anxiety medication because of all the educational demands and pressure. I think we are forgetting the actual purpose of education, to educate the whole child, every child, no matter what level they are at. Making every child feel welcomed. College is not the end game for all, and I feel that the "research" they are doing would show this. We applied for this school so our child be educated by the best with the best practices while also being exposed to what makes the world amazing, diversity. This process would take all that away, diversity would disappear, the arts would vanish, and all the new practices that are being developed (UFLI for example) would not be representative of education for all. As a parent this makes me so frightened for our children's future in public education, if I wanted my son to go to a private school I would put him at Oak Hall, but we wanted him to have the same educational environment that he would be around when he became an adult so he wouldn't become a racist bigot. We wanted him to be surrounded by all walks of life and still receive the best education for free with the best practices and newest methods no matter what educational level he is at. As an educator this scares the shit out of me. This would further screw up a broken system. NOT EVERY CHILD IS THE SAME AND HAS THE END GOAL OF COLLEGE. Get over trying to be first and get back to what really matters, the actual students you are educating.
64
4/13/2024 21:43:39ChristineBennettOther (please specify in the comments)Grandparent of current student
65
4/13/2024 21:48:01JessieKelleher Parent or guardian of current studentAs a teacher in the community and a parent of a current student, I find this disturbing and worrisome. Our kids are more than a statistic. Rigorous academics are extremely important for ALL students, not just the top performers. Not all students should be on a college track- there are many ways to be successful without a traditional college degree.

My child would likely get in to the selective high school based on her academics, race, and socioeconomic level that this process favors. It would be a great disservice to her education as a global citizen to have a class full of kids just like her.

PK is more than a school on a list- it’s a home away from home for our kids. PK’s history and reputation in Gainesville are well known and envied. Making PK only known for selective admissions would be tarnishing their legacy.
66
4/13/2024 21:51:20MarkBennetyOther (please specify in the comments)Grandparent of student, who wishes to attend pl yonge through his senior year. And not be replaced by another student .
67
4/13/2024 21:59:00MathewRichardsonParent or guardian of current student
68
4/13/2024 22:02:31Anonymous Parent Parent or guardian of current student, Other (please specify in the comments)UF Employee
69
4/13/2024 22:03:10Anonymous Parent Parent or guardian of current student
70
4/13/2024 22:13:31VeronicaChandlerParent or guardian of current student
71
4/13/2024 22:30:14Katharine Boisseau Parent or guardian of current studentI deeply value the school PKY is today. The proposed changes are not what I want as a community member and parent. I am concerned and hope that UF keeps families involved in the decisions that deeply affect us.
72
4/13/2024 22:30:37anonymousStudent at PKY;; 7th.Current studentI agree with everything stated above. What they are trying to do is completely messed up and misses the whole point of PKY. This will not result in anything good. The idea that they are proposing is completely idealistic and selfish. I believe that they proposed this as an idea so that they can look better as a school, and they don't even put the kids and families in mind. PKY is supposed to represent Florida, that's their thing. Taking away from it would make PKY lose what it was originally meant to be. Also, if you think about it, the other schools that are in front of PKY on the "chart" (which is, in my opinion, completely useless, because what good does a label do?), use this selective thing for their schools. If you take those out of the equation, PKY is in the TOP THREE. Another good point is that PKY lifers would lose friendships. It's not even just them either. It's mainly everyone. I just recently came from another school and leaving them was NOT easy. Imagine how hard that would be for a PKY lifer. They would most likely be DEVESTATED. Imagine your child was in that situation, you wouldn't like it. Whoever proposed this needs to learn to be empathic and not just try and ruin something that doesn't need fixing. I love PKY and so do many others, if this goes into effect, it would be taking so much away from us.

Listen to the community and don't be selfish. Do what's right. On the behalf of all of the kids, staff members, and parents of PKY and beyond.
73
4/13/2024 22:37:11ShannonLeontiadesEducator
74
4/13/2024 22:38:08MaryBrandenburg Other (please specify in the comments)Retired Alachua County educator
75
4/13/2024 22:50:15Ezekiel YoungParent or guardian of current studentThis is not good for a family that has two or more children enrolled in both high school and middle school grade levels. The family dynamic could/would be broken up sending siblings to separate schools. Furthermore, the mental anguish and stress this will inflict on the middle school students that were expecting to graduate at PK or to be a "Lifer" will be devastating.
76
4/13/2024 23:11:11Anonymous5th GraderCurrent student
77
4/13/2024 23:17:53BrittanyBisinottoOther (please specify in the comments)I am a parent in Alachua County
78
4/13/2024 23:19:59ElianaBardiParent or guardian of current student
79
4/13/2024 23:37:47Anonymous Anonymous Other (please specify in the comments)As a grandparent of a current student, I know it would crush my grandchild’s heart to lose friends or to be excommunicated. They became a part of this community with full commitment to finish and graduate within PK’s standards.
80
4/13/2024 23:44:19KimHampton EdDEducator, Other (please specify in the comments)Parent of 4 alumni, grandparent of current students. This move is not surprising given the recent elimination of affirmative action and DEI initiatives. A “top 10 high school based on selective admissions” raises a huge red flag of inequity. Kids are way more than test scores!
81
4/14/2024 0:26:55MichaelMason SrParent or guardian of current student
82
4/14/2024 0:37:51Monica Frazier Alumni
83
4/14/2024 5:55:15RobertPowellAlumniAs a student that benefited from the rigorous courses offered by P.K., I think that turning the school into yet another selective program within the county will destroy an incredibly unique educational cohort. P.K. doesn’t receive enough privileges from the university to be turned into some selective UF feeder school. This would change the entire 100+ year mission of the school and have a negative impact on education in the county overall.
84
4/14/2024 7:35:36RachelleCurcioEducator
85
4/14/2024 7:43:07NoneNoneParent or guardian of current studentI understand the desire and aspiration to become a top tier HS in Florida. I too share the same hopes for the future.
That being said, while striving to become a top tier HS, I would throughly hope that PK and UF also focus their attentions on K-8 in terms of ensuring that the support, academics, athletics and extra curricular activities enable our younger children to meet the stringent requirements a they approach 9th grade.

I have two children at PK, 3rd and 7th. I am also a single parent. Completely single parent with no other support structure. My 7th grader is an incredible human and great student. My 3rd grader has an IEP and utilizes all of the incredible exceptional student resources at PK. My learning disabled child deserves a chance to excel later in their academic career. My greatest fear is that perhaps both, or at least my younger child, may not meet the stringent academic requirements later in their advancement with support that is focused on the younger children meeting those more stringent requirements as they approach 9th grade. PK is the only school in the county that had the services my child needed. Was the only school with administration and staff that welcomed him in with open arms. it’s heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking to know that he may not make the cut later in his academic career. Better yet, if he continues to struggle in life with his disabilities, it will be up to me, his only parent or adult family member, to find a HS that will support him somewhere in the county or north Florida.

Even worse possibly, as a single parent, I also have the fear if my smart, 7th grader not meeting the 9th grade requirements and now I am left trying to find a school where she fits in. Leaving a school that she’s known for years, both academically and socially. Having to figure out how I’m going to drive her somewhere in town and get my other child to PK. All the while needing to be at work by 8am for a very demanding leadership position at UF.

All of this said, I plead to you that the administration thoroughly think this through. As I stated before, I’m all for becoming a top tier school. But let’s start at the beginning with our younger children. Let’s find a way to support them young so they likely will meet the strict requirements. Let’s not spring this on parents and children who have been so dedicated to the mission of PK and love their school. I’m asking for time. Time to figure out what this all means, time to figure out life. Perhaps make it very clear to any new parents to PK in the future that this is the requirement but not make this so detrimental to those families that are here now.

Signed- a concerned, yet supportive parent.
86
4/14/2024 8:23:05Sarah Wolfgang Other (please specify in the comments)I am a concerned community member who believes that diversity is our strength.
87
4/14/2024 8:30:34NiallMcGintyParent or guardian of current studentPK Yonge is a research teaching school. To teach university students, you need ALL types of high school students. If an honors high school with a top 10 ranking is desired, open another school with that mission.
88
4/14/2024 8:33:02AnneWinefordner Parent or guardian of current student, Alumni
89
4/14/2024 8:49:45Justin BroilesAlumni
90
4/14/2024 9:03:30MirandaClarkAlumni
91
4/14/2024 9:03:39CamParkerEducatorThe diversity is the beauty of the school! It allows students to understand what other students experience outside of their bubble.
92
4/14/2024 9:32:33JemielaMasangaAlumni
93
4/14/2024 9:46:52TamaraBrown-MulhearnAlumni, Other (please specify in the comments)The deep traditions of this school are going to be lost by folks at UF who haven’t even been there to observe or get to know the PKY history or family. They should research the history first to see that PK has never been about “grooming” kids for UF, my class only sent a couple there. How about instead we teach these kids how to manage life and give them a decent education and help them learn to be good humans.
94
4/14/2024 9:53:36EryBlakeOther (please specify in the comments)Parent of prospective student and Gainesville resident
95
4/14/2024 9:58:07AnonymousAnonymousOther (please specify in the comments)Concerned community member. Seems like she is trying to make it an exclusive private school for personal gain.
96
4/14/2024 9:58:46Patrick MoranParent or guardian of current studentOur strongest arguments in opposing this move lie in points 2 and 3. However, it's disheartening to acknowledge that the underlying issues prompting the push for selective admissions may never come to light. Behind-the-scenes conversations regarding the rationale for this decision are likely to remain obscure, making it challenging to effectively counter their reasoning. From what we've gathered, the decision seems to be primarily driven by optics, with a focus on improving rankings rather than addressing substantive educational concerns.Examining the current situation, it's clear that making the school selective based on a model that all other Florida schools can follow isn't grounded in reality. The statistics speak volumes: In 2022 alone, a staggering 67,000 applicants vied for admission to UF, yet only 15,600 were accepted. These figures demonstrate that UF isn't struggling to attract applicants; rather, it's grappling with the challenge of accommodating the immense demand.Moreover, the essence of PK lies in its vibrant and diverse community. This diversity fosters enriched learning experiences and cultivates empathy and understanding among students. The value of inclusivity cannot be overstated, as it exposes students to a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds, ultimately preparing them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.In light of these considerations, it's imperative to emphasize the importance of holistic student development. Beyond academic achievement, fostering qualities such as emotional intelligence, perseverance, discipline, wisdom, and compassion is essential. While schools certainly play a role in nurturing these attributes, the primary responsibility lies with parents, who serve as the foundational pillars of their children's moral and emotional development.Anecdotal evidence further underscores the significance of a well-rounded education. Take, for instance, the success story of my oldest child, who attended PK and is now thriving in a trade school program, poised for a lucrative career. His trajectory highlights the diverse pathways to success beyond traditional academia, underscoring the need for a more nuanced approach to measuring educational outcomes.In evaluating the efficacy of educational institutions, metrics such as happiness should be given due consideration. If the goal is to truly gauge the impact of education on students' lives, then factors beyond mere academic performance must be taken into account. It's conceivable that if such metrics were incorporated into school rankings, the landscape of higher education would be reshaped, with institutions that prioritize holistic student well-being rising to the top.In conclusion, while the prospect of PK becoming a selective institution may seem daunting, it's crucial to remember the core values that underpin its identity. By advocating for inclusivity, holistic student development, and a broader definition of educational success, we can ensure that PK remains a beacon of excellence in education, enriching the lives of students and the broader community alike.
97
4/14/2024 9:59:51NicoleKragielParent or guardian of current student
98
4/14/2024 10:03:49AbigailAustinAlumni
99
4/14/2024 10:12:16MerrikNeanoverParent or guardian of current studentI am truly disappointed with these potential changes. My son is going to be going into 3rd grade this upcoming school year and LOVES his school. The possibility that he could be denied the chance to complete all 12 grades at this school is heartbreaking. I truly hope this change does not pass into fruition, as it would be devastating to all involved.
100
4/14/2024 10:12:30Marley FaulknerResearcher