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On the Nature of Taste and Whether It Can Be Learned

At some point, most people encounter someone whose sense of style, fashion, or decor feels consistently off. At first, this is easy to dismiss as a matter of preference. Taste is subjective, we tell ourselves. But when poor taste recurs across different contexts, it raises a more unsettling question. What exactly is taste? How does good taste develop? Why do some people seem unable to acquire it? Good taste is often misunderstood as trend awareness or personal expression. In reality, it is something far more restrained and disciplined. Good taste is the ability to recognize proportion, coherence, and intention within a given context. It reflects an understanding of relationships between elements rather than attachment to any single element. People with good taste notice balance, scale, rhythm, and absence. They sense when something is excessive, distracts from its purpose, or draws attention to itself unnecessarily. Most importantly, they adapt their choices to context. What works in o...
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Schools in Mecklanburg NC: Jack's Conclusions

I have schools in my district that are awesome!!! I have so lucked out. By the way I am also interested in talking to the Chantilly Montessori School particularly till 4th grade. Does anyone know about Montessori students and how well the do in higher education? I cannot find a ranking that included them.

Information about the local schools I pulled from this website: http://enterprise.star-telegram.com/ARCIms/Maps/clt/2007/cms/eo_07.asp

Pre- Kindergarden
Tryon Hills Pre-K is
1. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
2. A CMS Exemplary Performance Pre-K Center
3. Wachovia Bank "Reading First" Award Winner
4. Governor's Entrepreneurial School Award Finalist
5. Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Pre-K Program Award
It is also less than 2 minutes from where I work!!!

Elementary Schools
Villa Heights ranked 4th of 96 schools in the charlotte area and is less than 10 minutes from my house and 3 to 5 minutes from where I work. I own a house in the same zip code so I should be a shoe in. If I decide to move to Davidson then I will send My Daughter and Son to Huntersville Elemtary, ranked 2nd of 96. That is right next to our speech therapy.

These are the top 4 elementary schools:School Tests with passing scores
Providence Spring 99%
Huntersville 98%
Elizabeth Lane 97%
Villa Heights 97%

Middle Schools
The best we have is Alexander Graham which is ranked 9th of 33. It is located in the Myers Park Area. I may consider moving to Davidson to send her to Davidson IB. I already have friends there. I think it would be nice to have a house on the water. If I can stay where I am for the next 4 years, I am likely to get enough financial stability to afford it.

These are the top 9 middle schools: School Tests with passing scores
Davidson IB 98%
South Charlotte 95%
Robinson 95%
Community House 94%
Crestdale 90%
Mint Hill 89%
Bailey 86%
Carmel 85%
Alexander Graham 85%

High Schools
Cato is really close to me. Cato is ranked 1 of 51. Aria and I already go to reedy park which is right next to it. Myers Park is next to freedom park where we go 2 to 3 times a week. If I move to Davidson for middle school I am likely to send Aria to North Mecklenburg which is still ranked 6th of 51 schools.

These are the top 6 high schools: School Tests with passing scores
Cato 90%
Ardrey Kell 89%
Providence 89%
Butler 79%
Myers Park 79%
North Mecklenburg 75%

In conclusion it is best for me to stay where I am for High School, Elementary School, and Pre-K but Davidson seems to be a better choice for middle school. I want to pick one path so she knows people and doesn’t have to be the new girl.

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