By Hannah Galloway Santa Monica
My blood ran cold when I read that they were talking about closing a house at SAMOHI.
Has anyone been to the SAMOHI campus lately? It is a daily exercise in organizing chaos. There are so many Santa Monica parents with children in elementary and middle schools that are fearful to send their children there — so much so that many are willing to do anything to get their kids into the assortment of private high schools available in the area to avoid losing their kids to the melee.
That said, parents who do make the leap of faith and send their 9th graders to SAMOHI are usually pleasantly surprised to learn that, below the chaotic surface, there is a very effective system of support in place for children — and their parents — through the unique and very special ‘House’ system. Suddenly, SAMOHI doesn’t feel so scary anymore, and the kids seem surprisingly happy. They may even thrive. The House system is what sets SAMOHI apart from big, warehouse-style high schools. It is a testament to Santa Monica that such a system exists, and it needs to be left intact in order to allow SAMOHI to continue to effectively manage its student body, enabling the students’ growth and success at a crucial time in their lives.
If the district is genuinely concerned about declining enrollment, they need to recognize that no parent wants to expose their teenage children to unnecessary risk. The news is filled with really unconscionable stories that scare parents, and it is a community’s challenge to keep those influences at bay. If the ‘House’ system is downsized, it will be the first step towards a warehouse-style high school here in Santa Monica, and all that comes with it.
This will virtually guarantee a continued decline in enrollment, because many Santa Monica parents will no longer feel comfortable taking that leap of faith.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 11, 2008. Read the original PDF.