Fremont High School
“Jonathan Kozol”
Jennifer R
After reading Jonathan Kozol’s essay on Fremont High School in Los Angeles, I had to stop and rethink every detail I had just read describing the schools appearance, education offered and the overall sanitation of the school. I simply did not realize the school systems in the United States today were in such horrible conditions. While describing the school itself I learned it consist of roughly 5,000 students. The perimeter is protected by an eight foot steel fence topped by spikes. This sounds more like a prison than a high school. According to the essay the teachers stated some of the classrooms took place in converted storage closets that were windowless and nasty. Teachers stated, “ the line for kids to get their food is very long and the entire period last only 30 minutes. It takes them 15 just to walk from their classes and get through the line. They probably get 10 minutes to eat their meal.” According to the teachers most average students in ninth grade are reading at a fourth grade level. This tells you they are lacking education and their chance of a decent career is slim. The school had 15 fewer bathrooms than the law required and only one or two “working.” Not to mention they were always unclean and lacking supplies. I could not believe children were treated like this in a school system. It is so unfair. I could not believe that this school was still running and these children didn’t get the things they deserve to learn. Every child deserves the right to an education. It shouldn’t matter if the side of town is not as rich as other areas. (Pg. 708) “Rats in eleven classrooms” this was maintenance reports. “Rat droppings” are recorded “in the bins and drawers.” This would make you want to drop out of school if you had to endure these horrible conditions.
At the end of the essay when a child by the name of Mireya asked, “ Why is it, that students who do not need what we need get so much more? And we who need it so much more get so much less?” I would have answered the same as Kozol, there is no answer. It shouldn’t be allowed. Every child deserves a better education than what these are offered and to stay strong and strive to get out and into college to further her education. I would have told her to always think of her future that she deserved a college degree after getting through high school. If you strive and try you will make it, prove them wrong and make your family proud!
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