I graduated from a 1A school and we all had laptops for the school year. I don't think that is all that uncommon nowadays.
Iowa prep sets national record
- Thread starter tm3308
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A typical 8-man offensive formation has three linemen, a quarterback, two running backs, a WR and TE (or two of either position). Defense usually has three linemen, two linebackers and three defensive backs. They play on an 80-yard field that's also narrower than a typical field (I can't remember how much narrower, though). It's a much more wide-open game (think of something along the lines of the difference between 5-on-5 hockey and 4-on-4 hockey), which creates more big play opportunities. There is almost always way more scoring, although there are exceptions (last year's state title game was an 18-14 classic because both teams had outstanding defenses).
It's definitely not for everyone, but if you give me the choice of watching Valley-Dowling or a good 8-man matchup, I'll watch the small schools every day of the week.
As for having nothing to do in small towns? How is it really that much different for kids who go to big schools? Kids at Valley aren't hitting the bar scene, so what do they have that small town kids don't, other than the mall/bigger theaters? Having fun in a small town isn't nearly as hard as some people make it out to be. It's what you make of it. I spent plenty of time doing stupid **** like playing car tag and running away from the cops every now and then in the process, TP'ing a few select houses that were always prime targets because the people who lived there always threw a fit about it (and chased us all over town/the country backroads a couple times), having bonfires out in a field somewhere, playing pickup baseball and football in a vacant lot, making stupid videos (piling on about 13 layers of clothes and trying to roller blade down the highway late at night, etc.), etc. There was rarely a shortage of fun things to do, and we came away with plenty of great stories/memories that'll last a lifetime.
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I have done so stupid **** as well like running around with a baseball bat and smashing pumpkins with them. I just think in a bigger town there are more opportunites and more friend groups.
It is absolutely true that there is nothing to do in small towns. And by small I mean under 1,000 people. However, the school experience isn't always tied to the town experience.
I went to two different small high schools (graduated in '95), Pomeroy-Palmer and Orient-Macksburg. PP was a really good school with some great teachers, obviously good at basketball, but also good at many other things (jazz band award winners, physics olympics, FFA, etc.) - kids were very much involved and there were quite a few opportunities. I played football, basketball, baseball and golf there. For the most part, kids were very interested in moving on to college.
OM was a complete 180 experience. Not a very good school and some pretty lousy teachers. Didn't have a football program (shared with Creston), above average baseball team, terrible basketball team. Almost no one participated in band, choir, jazz band, etc. I would say the minority of kids at this school would go on to college, as most would stay in the SW Iowa area to work or maybe go on to SWCC to get a 2 year degree.
I went to two different small high schools (graduated in '95), Pomeroy-Palmer and Orient-Macksburg. PP was a really good school with some great teachers, obviously good at basketball, but also good at many other things (jazz band award winners, physics olympics, FFA, etc.) - kids were very much involved and there were quite a few opportunities. I played football, basketball, baseball and golf there. For the most part, kids were very interested in moving on to college.
OM was a complete 180 experience. Not a very good school and some pretty lousy teachers. Didn't have a football program (shared with Creston), above average baseball team, terrible basketball team. Almost no one participated in band, choir, jazz band, etc. I would say the minority of kids at this school would go on to college, as most would stay in the SW Iowa area to work or maybe go on to SWCC to get a 2 year degree.
This pretty much his the nail on the head. Some schools are terrible, some schools aren't too bad. Depends on the type of people in the community.
My high school got this the year after I graduated and we are a small school (class A).
As stated above, small school>>>>>>>>>>>>big school. Obviously, IMO.
There are more opportunities like AP courses at bigger schools. But I'd argue there are a lot fewer opportunities in extra-curriculars at the really big schools. Sure, you can maybe be on the football team at Valley, but you might not be someone who ever actually plays. Kids at smaller schools can ACTUALLY participate in sports (and there's much more flexibility to play multiple sports) or other activities and truly be part of the group rather than just another number. As for different "friend groups", I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.
And I never meant to suggest that kids from big schools don't ever get to do similar things that we did in Corydon. But I don't think there's really that much more for a HS kid to do in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids that kids in a town like Corydon can't do. Spending a day at Jordan Creek or something like that isn't really a significant upgrade in local activities.
Dang it why do you have to live in Johnston. And she has a RAV4 btw.
edit: wait you drive all the way to ames to play some pick up bball?
I went to Des Moines Hoover. Bigger than the small schools but still on the small side of 4A. The large number of kids were bussed in from downtown and most didn't care about school in the slightest so it was just those of us from the Beaverdale neighborhood who participated in all the extra curricular activities. I was in all of the bands, wrestling, and football.
High School is what you make of it. Even at big schools you can find your niche.
Does it have a stick figure family on the back window? Are you one of the little stick figures?
There are exceptions, and the experience at a school like Hoover definitely isn't the same as the experience at Valley or Waukee (or Ankeny before the split). But I'm definitely a small town person, and if I ever won the powerball, I'd build an awesome house either back home or in a similar community.
Oh I know. Hoover was different. Unfortunately it's gone way downhill since I was there.
Valley is ridiculous. They have two separate buildings but call it all Valley so they get all the tax money. Waukee will have to split in a few years probably.
My boys are set up to go to Ankeny Centenial if their mom doesn't move again. I think that will be ok for them.
I loved graduating with 31 credits from high school and having Walmart, Hyvee, Kwik Star, and Hardees as 24-hour places within 5 minutes too much to live in a small town, especially since I'm up at all hours on various days of the week. If I want to buy a case at 1:55am on a Tuesday, I can buy a case at 1:58am on a Tuesday. Being close to a hospital in case I croak from all of the food choices during normal hours is also nice. I hate being in a car so the 15-30 minute drive to get to a real town would suck; I hate driving to Des Moines and it's only 45 minutes.
I don't hate small towns, but I don't see many people growing up in 4A moving to anything under 3A, just too many conveniences of larger town. I enjoy visiting my parents 8 man hometowns but a few times a year is enough.
I don't hate small towns, but I don't see many people growing up in 4A moving to anything under 3A, just too many conveniences of larger town. I enjoy visiting my parents 8 man hometowns but a few times a year is enough.
Put me in with the small town group. I grew up in the Cedar Valley area about 25 minutes from Cedar Falls so I had the "city life" close enough if I wanted it. Small schools are awesome though if you really want to be involved. I doubt many people in 4A schools are out for four sports, pretty much every music thing, and student government. I just think there are so many more opportunities with smaller schools. As far as education goes there are many schools (including mine) offering college credits now so I don't see that as a major advantage. I definitely see the other side of the argument but someday I hope to live in a small town
