Schools for Our Refugees

As I have stated earlier, I do not believe that the refugee children crossing our borders as unaccompanied minors should be sent back to the banana republic Hell holes they come from.  They have suffered enough in this life.  But, all along I have been concerned about their education.  The school year is upon us and educated people are our only chance for a future that is not dystopian. 

            Early today I read an article which pointed out that almost 3000 of these children will be entering the Virginia School system this fall.  In response to queries by the school districts, the VDOE sent out a memo referring to federal statutes that place, “Unaccompanied alien children” under the equal access provision of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  This is a good law that assures educational opportunities to all children no matter what the circumstances are with which they come to the schools.  

            Unfortunately, it also exposes the typical liberal attitude of, “I’ll be as compassionate as I can with someone else’s money and always at a safe distance.”  To tell all of the 132 school district’s in the Commonwealth of Virginia that they must immediately enroll the children does nothing to address how this impacts the education of the rest of the students.  These students will need extra attention, rooms, teachers, and facilities.  What about the health issues surrounding students with no vaccinations and no health records?  All of this should not be a barrier to these children but it must be addressed.  It all costs money! 

            The public schools are already stretched and strapped to the max.  So why not think outside the box and send these children (currently 54,000 +) to the schools that have the most to offer.  Don’t they deserve that?

             Below is a list of the 13 most expensive K-12 schools in the United States.  I propose that all of the refugee children (keeping siblings together, and excepting those who have family in the USA) be divided equally between these prestigious schools.  Each school would need to take slightly more than 7% of the children—less if other private school of equal caliber would volunteer their facilities.  I would also insist that any foreign aid we send the countries from which the children come be diverted to these schools.  It would be as easy to find sponsors for these children in these communities as in our crowded public school areas.

               We can’t just say, “enroll them” and move on to let the details take care of themselves.  Let’s be proactive and show them the best of this country. 

Canterbury School                                      St. Petersburg, FL               $17,100

U. of Chicago Laboratory Schools           Chicago. IL                              26,520

Marin Country Day School                      Corte Madera, CA                28,330

Polytechnic School                                     Pasadena, CA                        30,108

Crossroads School                                      Santa Monica, CA                31,000

Francis W. Parker School                          Chicago, IL                            31,290

Sidwell Friends School                               Bethesda, MD                       35,588

Phillips Academy Andover                         Andover, MA                                    37,000

The Branson School                                      Ross, CA                                38,225

The Spence School                                      New York, NY                       39,200

The Hewitt School                          Upper East Side, Manhattan          39,400

Trinity School                                              New York, NY                       39,625

Riverdale Country School                          Bronx, NY                             42,000

            Put your money where your mouth is and keep the faith.