tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907973584782999976.post9028006877867466664..comments2024-03-21T03:28:28.675-04:00Comments on Philly Bricks: Gentrification and the Future of West Philadelphia High SchoolUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907973584782999976.post-34483871574272557522014-06-30T21:28:10.480-04:002014-06-30T21:28:10.480-04:00Thanks for the comment. Despite its proximity to C...Thanks for the comment. Despite its proximity to Center City and University City, West Philadelphia seems to be more suburbanized than Northern Liberties, Point Breeze, and other gentrifying areas. That means more kids, and may add to why it's less ruthlessly gentrified. <br /><br />But yes, the schools are still largely segregated. Perhaps it's because I grew up in the South, but the way the city actively funds its private schools via vouchers has always baffled me. Ironically, in the Bible Belt, religious schools receive tax breaks but not a dime of public funding. Yet north of the Mason Dixon line, states essentially admit their schools are subpar and offer incentives for students to attend Catholic schools. <br /><br />It's created a very strange, even prejudice situation, that works its way up to parents in both established and emerging neighborhoods. <br /><br />I've always thought that ALL kids should have equal access to public education and ALL money available to fund public education. Vouchers and charter schools sidestep this and the kids - who don't choose their parents - suffer from it.Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06900938587407614521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907973584782999976.post-30056018335709803102014-06-23T14:13:38.493-04:002014-06-23T14:13:38.493-04:00Interesting article, I've been somewhat impres...Interesting article, I've been somewhat impressed that West Philly has managed to bring renewed economic growth without the flipped neighborhood effect that has happened in Northern Liberties and elsewhere. I think it's partially due to the degree of community involvement, yet as you mentioned, it's the schools where economic segregation still plays out. I used to live in the neighboring Terrace Apartments (former Wyngate), and it was a good mix of long time residents, graduate students, etc, but the one thing I never saw was a neighbor with children. Will Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728664986732016412noreply@blogger.com