You said it, although some school in Baltimore that are known for their sports teams (Lake Clifton-Eastern high as an ex) do have those special interest and other clubs you listed.
Some predominately black high schools will surprise you with the content of quality from the students, many just need to be challenged
I agree with your comment on the quality from the students and them needing to be challenged. Yes we also need family involvement. Parents need to stop sending their children off to be raised by someone else (solely) but that takes generations to fix that way of thinking.
I went to school in Detroit, Mi. (half pubs & half privs) the dissimilarity between the public and private schools were; in the private schools I attended, the parents or a responsible family member was required to put in time once a month; whether it was helping a teacher grade papers or participate in school functions or activities. Also the rules were strictly enforced the kids had to adhere.
The public schools on the other hand did not require parental involvement and as I recall there were no rules. A lot of kids did whatever and were very disruptive during class time to the kids that wanted to learn and did not respect the teach as authority.
Home training parental involvement and positive reinforcement could have fix this but we all know to have a well disciplined child means start early!
HM
