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Fremont is a top-notch school

After reading the cover article in the Sept. 9 Sun entitled "Record high SAT scores may bolster home prices" with an inside heading of "Fremont's scores lag behind," I felt more than a little compelled to write. Mr. Berton, the author of the article, has visited Fremont High School. He wrote a wonderful article about the MOSAIC program. but this article has offended me on so many levels I don't know where to begin.

As a homeowner for over 15 years in the Fremont High School attendance area, I find your devaluation of our property based on SAT scores irresponsible. As a parent of a recent Fremont High School graduate who had no trouble getting into the school of her choice, I find your comments personally offensive. It was as if you were putting down my choice as a parent to send my daughter to Fremont High School. As the secretary to the principal of Fremont High School, I am angry at the insult you just gave to over 1,700 students and their parents.

During a recent block party, I spent several hours convincing parents that they really didn't have to sell their houses and move because their children were about to enter junior high and would soon be attending Fremont. I had explained to them the school reform going on, our intensive schedule, and the philosophy of the staff that everything we do here at Fremont should be for the benefit of all students, not just the top kids or at-risk students. I clarified why Fremont's standardized test scores can't be compared with Homestead's or Monta Vista's. I told them about our recognition as a California Distinguished school and Washington, D.C.'s recognition of our leadership program as one of the top 100 in the nation. And, of course, I had to assure them that I did not wear a bulletproof vest to work, nor was my daughter ever mugged or raped on campus.

Your article four days later undid all my efforts. You put fuel to the fire when it comes to rumors about Fremont and our ability to prepare students for college and life.

If any parent of a prospective Fremont student has been scared by the article, I invite them to visit the campus, make an appointment with Mr. Tuana; find out what the best-kept secret in Silicon Valley is all about.

Julia Ziegler
Sunnyvale

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, September 30, 1998.
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