Bragging Rights

See, in Philly, your kids go to one of three types of schools: public, charter, or Catholic. Public schools are broken down into "neighborhood schools" until high school, when they're broken down into "special-select," "citywide," and "neighborhood." Special-select schools are schools that are, in fact, public schools, but that hand pick their student body. Students must meet certain criteria regarding grades and behavior. Students come from all parts of the city, regardless of address. Like special-select schools, city-wide schools are public, take from all parts of the city, and have criteria that students must meet. City-wide school criteria is less rigid, their standards not quite as high as special-select schools and students who meet that criteria are selected on a lottery basis. If your kid isn't selected for one of these schools, they go to their neighborhood high school. Neighborhood schools are like most suburban school DISTRICTS. If your student lives within the district -- or, in the case of the city, the neighborhood -- your child may attend the school. Most of you wouldn't want your kid at one of these schools. Picture Dangerous Minds. With a larger police presence. Jus' sayin'.

During the 8th grade, kids go through high school selection. This is a nerve-wracking process for parents and students in which your baby applies to as many as five high schools in November. Some schools even hold interviews. For 13-year-old children. The Girl was required to interview at one of her picks. I was pretty sure one of us was going to be sick with nerves. We held out, though. And then they wait. And wait. For March to roll around to see if they've been selected to attend any of their five choices. If your kid was accepted to one of the better schools in the city (or state, 'cause, ya know, some of our kids WERE accepted to one of the top ten schools in the state *ahem*), celebration is in order. And bragging. Lots of bragging.

Factor in that, because of this system, our kids aren't just shuffling along to the same high school together, you might be able to understand why 8th grade graduation is such a HUGE deal. Some of these kids -- who've been together since Kindergarten, mind you -- will never see each other again. Some will keep in touch, but not by passing notes in the hallway.

Besties since first grade going to different schools in September.

Actually, thanks to social media, this generation will probably keep in touch far better than generations before. But we won't let that ruin our fun! Plus it's tradition. And did I mention bragging rights? You'll be asked a million times what high school your baby is going to. And answering can be as gratifying as if you'd been accepted to that school yourself. And so, windows are decorated, parties are thrown, bragging rights are extended, and tears are shed by students and parents alike.

I am straight SOBBING in this picture.