2002

At Whitefish Bay High School on Milwaukee’s North Shore, students aren’t modest about their academic fortune. “A 3.0 here is worth a 4.0 at other schools,” asserts Whitefish Bay senior David Brown. A few miles away at Nicolet High School, students offer a similar appraisal of their institution. “Parents want a high-powered environment,” a Nicolet senior concludes. The adjective is no accident. High school may be where power starts in modern life today. The quality of our schools drives politics. Education helped George W. Bush reach the White House. It’s also a linchpin in many a family’s decision on where…