Spinach,

I didn't send my 13-year-old on a bus to 17th and
Spring Garden; I sent my 10-year-old son on a bus to
17th and Spring Garden. I never regretted it for a
minute. Not only did he get a great education but he
made friends with kids from all over the city, from
all races, all creeds, and all economic levels. Before
that he went to a school in which he was the racial
minority by a great degree. These experiences made him
the adult he is today-a young man with a open-minded
perspective who still takes public transportation
everywhere (no driver's license, yet!), and gets along
with people from all walks of life.

Right now I am sending another 10-year-old to 17th and
Spring Garden and I'll send her to Olney and Ogontz or
Broad and Christian or back to 17th and Spring Garden
for high school, whichever is best for her.

In response to your question "Who wants to put their
ninth grader on multiple Septa buses..." I refer you
to the thousands of parents who apply to Central,
Masterman, and other magnets for their kids every year
and jump for joy if they are accepted.