York Prep: Importance of Education Extends Beyond Job Preparation

NEW YORK, NY, August 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Huffington Post has run an article called "Why Do We Educate Kids?" In answering the very question its title puts forth, the article considers the many ways in which an education affects one's life. Glen Lineberry, the author, asserts that there are three main reasons why job preparation cannot be the sole purpose of the educational system: education does not prepare students for available jobs, younger students are not ready for job training, and public education is, at its core, about creating an educated public. York Prep, a private school in New York City, agrees that the impact of education is felt far beyond the job search.

Preparing for a job is the primary reason why people believe they are securing an education. Take, for instance, the goals of a student. They finish high school, attend college, study in their field of choice, and then apply for jobs after graduation. They see their collegiate years as preparation for their professional responsibilities. Likewise, going to school is nearly synonymous with increasing one's odds of gainful employment. But York Prep believes that the value of education is more personal than it is professional.

"This article addresses a major issue facing our schools," asserts York Prep Headmaster Ronald Stewart. "Namely, how do we give our young people the skills to have rewarding and fulfilling lives in an increasingly complex and technologically sophisticated society? We certainly can be assured that education helps. Those who do not graduate from high school clearly have a more difficult time than those who do, and the same is true of college. As you progress up the education matrix, your chances of succeeding, having a longer marriage and lifespan, and generally feeling better about yourself, increase. So we know that education is critically valuable. We know why our young people should be educated. We could argue as to how much value we can assign to science or the arts, but the value of an education is unassailable. In a democracy like ours, education is an equalizer in terms of opportunity and represents the core of our value system. If you believe in the American Dream, then you have to believe in the importance of education."

Ultimately, York Prep believes that a solid education allows an individual to not only secure employment, but to thrive within today's society. As such, it encourages its students to continue with their educational endeavors.

ABOUT:

York Prep, a private school, was founded by Ronald and Jayme Stewart. Located in New York City's Upper West Side, York Prep offers educational resources to students in grades six through 12. Currently, York Prep has 340 enrolled students, to whom it provides individualized curriculum and course offerings. To learn more, visit www.yorkprep.org.