a quick note
This section highlights what the residents that we interviewed had to say about Furness High School.
We diligently worked to identify themes and patterns in what residents had to say, without interjecting our own interpretation. Whenever a resident said something that was unclear to us, we asked for clarification. Though our assignment did not require us to obtain informed consent, we have worked hard to make sure that those who spoke to us have not been misrepresented.
We diligently worked to identify themes and patterns in what residents had to say, without interjecting our own interpretation. Whenever a resident said something that was unclear to us, we asked for clarification. Though our assignment did not require us to obtain informed consent, we have worked hard to make sure that those who spoke to us have not been misrepresented.
what residents said about furness high school
Residents were willing to talk to us extensively about their views of Furness and about how they think the broader community views Furness. Without exception, every person that we spoke to referenced the fact that students at Furness are "bussed in" to the school, or are "not from the community," because, as one resident said, "the parents who live around the school send their kids to private schools or Catholic school." One of the parents commented that "the white, black, and Hispanic students get along with each other," with another community member agreeing and adding that she thought that the Asian students were isolated "because they don't speak English well." Though this was a common theme, it was never said pejoratively. Several residents mentioned that they focused on this racial disparity because it was a source of diversity that should be highlighted as a testament to the school. They emphasized that, as one resident put it, "there is very little racial tension at Furness." The common theme from our interviews was that the diversity of Furness is one of its good qualities, and that it exposes kids to different cultural perspectives.
Despite this respect for cultural diversity, residents expressed, to varying degrees, the idea that things are "rough" at Furness. A mother of an incoming Furness freshman said that she has "heard that there are a lot of problems at the school," but that she's also heard that "it is getting better." Another resident, a local bartender, said that "students who can't get into a charter or magnet school go to Furness. Students who get kicked out of Furness to go Southern. Students who get kicked out of Southern go to jail." Another resident agreed, saying that "this is the school where the kids go if they can't get into other schools." Those who we spoke with articulated the sense that Furness kids are fairly well behaved in the community, but that "kids will be kids" and there are still problems before and after schools. A resident who lives across the street from the school referenced seeing "kids throwing rocks and bottles at each other." Several residents pointed out that there is a cop that is parked outside of the school every day.
Yet, residents were unwilling to say that Furness was inherently bad. One local shopkeeper said that she feels comfortable sending her special needs daughter to Furness, and that she was bullied more relentlessly at other schools, but not at Furness. All of the residents interviewed said that it is not the worst in the district. One resident summed it up by saying that "Furness is average. It's not the best, but it's not the worst. It's right in the middle."
Despite this respect for cultural diversity, residents expressed, to varying degrees, the idea that things are "rough" at Furness. A mother of an incoming Furness freshman said that she has "heard that there are a lot of problems at the school," but that she's also heard that "it is getting better." Another resident, a local bartender, said that "students who can't get into a charter or magnet school go to Furness. Students who get kicked out of Furness to go Southern. Students who get kicked out of Southern go to jail." Another resident agreed, saying that "this is the school where the kids go if they can't get into other schools." Those who we spoke with articulated the sense that Furness kids are fairly well behaved in the community, but that "kids will be kids" and there are still problems before and after schools. A resident who lives across the street from the school referenced seeing "kids throwing rocks and bottles at each other." Several residents pointed out that there is a cop that is parked outside of the school every day.
Yet, residents were unwilling to say that Furness was inherently bad. One local shopkeeper said that she feels comfortable sending her special needs daughter to Furness, and that she was bullied more relentlessly at other schools, but not at Furness. All of the residents interviewed said that it is not the worst in the district. One resident summed it up by saying that "Furness is average. It's not the best, but it's not the worst. It's right in the middle."