Parent & Student Perspectives
An initiative of the MPPFA Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
Embedded Files
Student Perspectives Articles
Student Perspectives Articles
These articles are students' perspectives and experiences on MSJ, shared with our current FUSD superintendent and past MSJHS principal Mr. Zach Larsen (thank you!). They are written as a letter to the then graduating MSJ senior class, but the stories shared and the nuggets of wisdom are for everyone in this community.
Parent Perspectives Articles
Parent Perspectives Articles
How to share your perspective as an MSJ Parent or Student
How to share your perspective as an MSJ Parent or Student
Mission San Jose has a certain reputation. Stressful, challenging, achievement-oriented and a few other adjectives come to mind. Until we actually put our kids through it there is no way to really know what it is like. No two experiences are identical and it depends on the child and also the parent on how they react to these experiences and learn from them. We’d like to showcase some experiences for present and future Mission parents to see the Mission experience through a fellow parent’s lens and get some fresh perspectives other than what they hear and experience on a daily basis.
While any parent can choose to write this, we believe a parent who has put one or more kid(s) through four years of this school is best suited to write this essay. Things can seem like they are falling apart when in school but the same experience can be viewed in a different light when it is behind you.
Submissions should have an author and graduation year of kids. It is highly encouraged that you discuss the content with your kids and even write it together if possible.
There is no requirement to stick to a format but a few questions that keep coming up from parents that you could choose to answer in your essay.
What were some of the challenges you encountered during your time at MSJH, and how did you approach solving them?
In what ways do you feel MSJH prepared you for life beyond high school?
What did you find valuable in your experience ?
What are your thoughts on the general culture at MSJH? Did you find yourself embracing it, resisting it, or trying to create your own path within it?
Some interesting incidents and anecdotes that stay in your mind from their time at MSJH
Having met individuals from other schools in California and around the country, how do you and your family view your MSJH experience in comparison? What stands out about your high school journey?
Things to avoid
Avoid mentioning specific names when discussing experiences
Be discreet about sharing personal information. Share it to the extent you are comfortable with and discuss it with whoever is involved. Avoid sharing third-party personal information.
Avoid using this as a medium to lash out about negative experiences, rather use it as a forum to inform others of potential pitfalls.
Avoid hearsay.
Page updated
Report abuse