...would be structured like this:

1. K-12 are in the same building or the buildings are extremely close.

2. All classes are ability grouped. This includes music, PE, art, and anything else.

3. In aid of #2, math/PE/whatever meet at the same time every day and kids change rooms as appropriate.

4. No homework until 7th grade.

5. The cafeteria serves nutritious food.

. 5a. Deep-fried food is banned.
. 5b. Stir-fried food is allowed.
. 5c. There is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.
. 5d. Soda and sugary fruit juices are mostly banned. BUT, in the interests of not getting all extremist, fizzy drinks like IZZE (fruit juice in carbonated water) are allowed now and then.
. 5e. The school should provide sugary snacks in careful moderation. Let's face it: there's nothing wrong with handing out a few cookies (allergies excepted) during the party on the last day of school in December.

6. The lower grades get ample recess time (a.m., after lunch, and in the afternoon). The upper grades get an hour for lunch.

7. Teachers must have a solid understanding of subject matter.

8. Most gifted students can meet graduation requirements early, but not all will be ready to move away so soon. They can stay enrolled by avoiding one required class until they're ready to go. In the meantime, college-level courses are offered or students are taken to the local college for courses.

9. Sports teams practice after school on school grounds, and kids are taken to away games on school buses at 3:30 p.m., not by bleary-eyed parents at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

10. The school runs on a balanced budget with a minimum of administrators. As a result, parents are never fleeced for, say, money for band uniforms, because the school has a budget for them.

11. Vaccinations are required for enrollment. No exceptions. If you don't like polio vaccine, try having polio or passing it to someone else.

12. Bullying is not allowed.

13. Rule #12 is enforced.

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Ha! I'm always whinging about the state of education, so here are my ideas for change. Anyone else want to help design the school?

Val