The Ponyville school system. Is there no high school? Multiple schools?

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

So I'm doing this by memory, so if I messed something up I'm sorry.

 

The first time we have a school scene is in Call of the Cutie. There are only NINE desks. Among those are palette swapped versions of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, both with Cutie Marks. Later on, at the Cutecenera, Scoots/Sweetie stand up for her and they become friends. During this, they say that one of the things they have in common is that DT and SS drive them crazy, so that makes it seem like they lived in Ponyville, however they don't go to the same school as Applebloom/DT, so then how do they know about DT/SS and how could they drive Sweets/Scoots crazy? And if they didn't know them, what were they doing at the party in the first place.

 

The next time we have a school scene, now there's SIXTEEN seats, and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's palette swapped versions are gone. Now, from a outside perspective, we as the audience know that main characters have to stand out and look unique, so it's understandable that they had to go, but all 3 of the CMC showed up in the pilot episode, which means the crew had them in mind going in, so why include their palette swapped versions to begin with? But thats a different issue.

 

So, where did they go? Did they move? Did they transfer to another school? From what we see there's only one classroom, so it's not like a real school where there's a bunch of different teachers teaching different subjects and different students at any given time. So basically, there must be more schools somewhere. After all, you want to say that in ALL of ponyville, there are only 9/16 kids to teach? (Although, again it's easy to overlook that from an outside perspective. The more kids you have to more you have to animate, so why waste time making 50 kids who all have to be doing something when its not the focus of the episode)If you look at 'The perfect stallion' song, you can see during the ''This one's too young' part that there are a few ponies there that don't show up to school, including the getting popular 'Button Mash', giving weight to that argument.

 

 

The second issue I wonder about is if there is any higher education, or is elementary school in the pony world essentially high school.  The mane 6 are said by faust to be roughly 12-18 in human years (thought I think that was in terms of maturity) My own personal guess is that elementary school is basically all that's really NEEDED. I think that by the time you're out of elemetary school in Equestria, you should have your cutie mark and know basically what job you're going to go for based on it. However, before you do that you need to know how to read/write/do math, at the least.

 

 

 

 

So I'm curious to hear people's opinions on this, because it's been nagging at me for a while.

[Endblock 4]

I never really put much thought into the whole "missing children in school" because it's much like when they need large crowds. They just probably have some kind of background pony generator that pumps out randomly (and reasonably) designed background ponies. Of course I did have an issue with the inconsistency in class size and the sheer smallness of it... I mean, even 16 is really low for a small town. I feel like your theory is correct about elementary school being the only thing that's really needed. The only real reason I could see any higher education would be for ponies who have medical or scholarly cutie marks. I'd imagine less of a college and more of a trade-school type deal for somepony who wanted further education.

[Malinter 3,064]

There is no 'higher' education in MLP because there is 3 different types of school though canterlot & cloudsdale would teach more advanced stuff.

 

Ponyville's school is mostly for earth ponies. It teaches them the skills they need to find there natural talents there.

 

Twilight was enrolled in the unicorn school as a filly so that would lead to magic and scholarly based talents.

 

Cloudsdale would teach weather manipulation and flying skills along with the usual basics of school.

[BlinkZ 1,151]

WEll there was a nice video from Bronycurious(I think) that broke apart that theory, but in Cutie pox you see more then 15 fillies and colts.

 

But as he stated it seems that they sepect that the fillies and colts will have thier cutie mark by the end of elementary and by that time they know or at least have an idea of what thier carrer should be. So they go into specilized schools, Celestias School for the gifted for example.

[Wingnut 7,018]

It seems to be a throwback to days when we had fewer grades than the K through 12 system used today.  Equestria is a more whimsical, simpler world than ours and doesn't require the vast amounts of education needed to run an information society like ours. 

[VictimoNightmareMoon 38]

Um, LightWeight is a Pegasus foal/ Snips & Snail are both Unicorn foals. But DiamondTiara is a filly of a millionaire bits colt that has a business in ponyville. And Ponyville is a semi-town~ which is not the size of canterlot. Which means (there's only a elementary too... Middle School)

[Scootalove 10,692]

The school system in Ponyville in my opinion, is split into teaching pegasi how to manipulate weather and teaches  them how to fly. Earth ponies learn how to use their natural talents and abilities while the system also teaches unicorn on how to use their magic.

[Orablanco Account 3,708]

Eh, Equestria seems to be (at least in design) pretty loosey-goosey with how its citizens pursue their careers/destinies/whatever. If you want to pursue higher learning, that's your prerogative and decision.

[Zygen 6,066]

I've always thought the color swaps were just simple mistakes in the show, nothing intentional. I don't think theres a story behind it.

 

However i do think other schools exist somewheres, either outside ponyville or close by, or a ways away within ponyville.

 

Others exist i'm sure.

 

However i think their school system ends at like elementary school, and maybe then the ponies are allowed to go to different specialized schools, or just take up jobs or internships. 

 

But judging from the show i think its like elementary school, and then thats the end, no middle or highschool. Although i think some form of a college exists maybe.

 

I'd personally like it explained within the show, but it may never happen ;p.

[TheLineTrotter 100]

Now, i`ve personally always thought that the school systems in Equestria are far more open than our human counterparts. Think about it: unlike humans, ponies seem to learn thier special talent, what they`re basically destined to do, by the time they are relatively young. If you ask me, it makes sense that the schools only exist to 

 

A. Teach the basics of math, history, ect

 

and

 

B. To provide an open environment for filly`s and colts to experiment to find thier talent. (Notice in Cutie Pox, when Apple Bloom got her cutie mark, they literally took the day off to allow the other students to try thier hooves at the loopy loop) 

 

Theoretically, once you discover your special talent, school is something some students may choose to forgo, moving on to simply getting learning more about thier craft (perhaps apprenticing it, or moving to a location more suited for it if necessary.), while some (I.E, in the show a majority) May choose to stay and further thier education, ethier by choice or due to thier parents willing it (I think that Diamond Tiara would be gone if it was up to her... surpriseingly, Filthy Rich actually seems like the kind of guy that`d value her continueing her education,)

 

As for why Sweetie Belle and Scoots werent there... perhaps there is simply a 2nd school we don`t see, and they transferred? Anyway, that`s my two cents. How does that sound?

 

@@Never2muchpinkie, 

[The Prime Reaper 180]

School in Equestria is not for everypony, and educational system is really not stable and not affordable for all ponies in my perspective and research.

 

They don't have a proper educational system like we humans, because their civilization is still too primitive and the scale of civilization development is Pre-Industrial Revolution. They are still having monarchism to rule for like thousands years, no democratic progress is developed so the ideology of public system is not yet developed until they going through the Industrial Era. 

 

Canterlot is the only university in the entire Equestria, but it seems only affordable to upper classes and middle classes. While many low life ponies are still being treated like barbarians to high society ponies (See the becoming popular of Rarity). You can greatly see how undeveloped of Equestrian educational system, social inequality!

 

Equestria can continue to evolve, so will have to establish the democracy and freedom. 

They will have to revolt against Celestia and Luna in order to achieve the higher civilization development as well as morality revolution. 

Edited October 9, 2013 by The Prime Reaper

[SkyStorm 334]

I have thought before about this, about how apple bloom, scootaloo and sweetie belle never met yetthey were in the same small class, and how Apple Bloom thought she was the only blank flank. It's very confusing.

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

Now, i`ve personally always thought that the school systems in Equestria are far more open than our human counterparts. Think about it: unlike humans, ponies seem to learn thier special talent, what they`re basically destined to do, by the time they are relatively young. If you ask me, it makes sense that the schools only exist to 

 

A. Teach the basics of math, history, ect

 

and

 

B. To provide an open environment for filly`s and colts to experiment to find thier talent. (Notice in Cutie Pox, when Apple Bloom got her cutie mark, they literally took the day off to allow the other students to try thier hooves at the loopy loop) 

 

Theoretically, once you discover your special talent, school is something some students may choose to forgo, moving on to simply getting learning more about thier craft (perhaps apprenticing it, or moving to a location more suited for it if necessary.), while some (I.E, in the show a majority) May choose to stay and further thier education, ethier by choice or due to thier parents willing it (I think that Diamond Tiara would be gone if it was up to her... surpriseingly, Filthy Rich actually seems like the kind of guy that`d value her continueing her education,)

 

As for why Sweetie Belle and Scoots werent there... perhaps there is simply a 2nd school we don`t see, and they transferred? Anyway, that`s my two cents. How does that sound?

 

@@Never2muchpinkie, 

That about falls in line with where my thinking was going. Yeah, Filthy seems a bit like Fancy Pants, extremely rich but still with a good head on his shoulders. In my mind DT is so snobby because she probably gets everything she ever wants, but is still jealous of Applebloom because her relationship with her own family isn't as strong and it's just not something that money will buy her. I'm in the middle of a fanfic about that, showing how they're more alike than they realize, and may possibly become friends one day.

[TheLineTrotter 100]

@@Never2muchpinkie,

To the point about DT not having a good family life...

 

I think Filthy Rich does legitimently want to be a good father, but he`s likely busy with work and, in a desperate attempt to try and make up for it with his (likely only) daughter, has attempted to shower her with gifts.

 

My thinking of this is the fact that... well, look at her cutesneria (or however you spell it). Filthy seems like he`d want to be there for such an important event, and probrably feels terrible that he missed, and has likely missed other events like that throughout her life.

 

As for that fanfic, any chance I could get a link or something to that when you can? 

[Grand_Finale 529]

The school system, in my opinion, teaches young ponies about Equestria, as well as reading, writing and math. Things theyll need every day. Then its turned to focus on their special talents. Once they get their cutie mark, which is nearly always at an early age, they know what theyre meant to do, thus making any higher education useless. After what we would call elementary, the ponies are ready to go off and begin their life with their super special talent

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

@@Never2muchpinkie,

To the point about DT not having a good family life...

 

I think Filthy Rich does legitimently want to be a good father, but he`s likely busy with work and, in a desperate attempt to try and make up for it with his (likely only) daughter, has attempted to shower her with gifts.

 

My thinking of this is the fact that... well, look at her cutesneria (or however you spell it). Filthy seems like he`d want to be there for such an important event, and probrably feels terrible that he missed, and has likely missed other events like that throughout her life.

 

As for that fanfic, any chance I could get a link or something to that when you can? 

Sure, when it's finished.    In another topic I made, I noticed that there's a striking resemblance between Diamond Tiara, and one of the nurses at the hospital from Read it and Weep. Link. http://mlpforums.com/topic/73107-diamond-tiaras-mom-is-a-nurse/

 

Of course that nurse was a big Sweetheart(and according to the wikia is her fan name), but with all the things that go on she's probably on call a lot so her sweet personality doesn't get much of a chance to rub off on her daughter. The basic premise of the story is the conflict between Applebloom not having any parents but a loving family otherwise, while Diamond Tiara does have a family, but feels she doesn't get enough attention from them. So in the context of the story, DT is a bit like Babs. She bullies because she doesn't want to or know how to deal with her real feelings.

 

Oh man, I'm stuck in the middle of three fanfics. The other two are about Sunset Shimmer returning to ponyville and trying to redeem herself but things go wrong when she finds the alicorn amulet, and the CMC going to Manehatten to visit Babs, made out of my own desire to know more about her new friends and new school, and to have her confront her former bully and realize that she's not alone anymore, and it gives her strength.

 

When I get any of them done I'd be happy to share with everyone. Hopefully I can stir a few heartstrings.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

It is most likely that no one had everything firmly set in place so early in the franchise in regards to the character designs and the amount of children present. I'm surprised that Applebloom's place between DT/SS managed to stay intact. We see certain child models come and go such as Twist. I also think that the school we see is probably the one and only school. Where the other CMC members came from, no one can say.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

Well I do have this one idea on how the system might work.

 

First, we have elementary school. This is the basic level where they learn about history, math, etc.  Most likely a pony well get their cutie mark at this level and soon graduate.

 

After that they most likely go to a school that well help them perfect their set skill or they well go work with a family member if the cutie mark is the same as that family. Maybe like Diamond Tiara well work for her dad for a while or Rarity might have go to a school for a while to perfect that art of close making. And Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolt academy.

 

While some just know how to do their skill perfectly or don't need an more eduction.

 

Thats how I see it anyway. 

 

Also in the comics Shining Armor is in high school. Just putting that out there.

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

Also in the comics Shining Armor is in high school. Just putting that out there.

That's...really hard to picture, given that hes the captain of the royal guard, and has just gotten married and become a prince.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

That's...really hard to picture, given that hes the captain of the royal guard, and has just gotten married and become a prince.

 

And that he is also a nerd.

 

But I don't think I explained that well. The comic is a flash-back on how Shining Armor met Cadences and how they fell in love. I was just saying that high school does exist in their world. Only if you think the comic are cannon?

[Nulln 755]

Well, there is the elementary school, as we all know.  There are higher forms of education as well, as we've seen Twilight work her butt off to get into Celestia's special school.  I would assume that's either a private high school or a college equivalent. The wonderbolt academy is a specialty school.  I think maybe there is some form of high school that we just don't see in the show, since there are no characters really at that age, so it's not necessary to show it.  That, or after primary school the ponies either choose to go for a high education at a school of their choice, or go out and actually start working.

[TheLineTrotter 100]

@@Never2muchpinkie,

 

Ooh, she DOES look alot like DT. I`d actually really like if that ended up being canon... it`d be nice to give DT some depth beyond "she`s a spoiled rich kid who`s abit of a jerk".

 

Yeah, she probrably works alot of late nights too. You know, dealing with 'break ins'

 

If I had to choose which one of your fics to come out first, i`d love to see the DT one personally, but I understand that`s not really how writing works. I`d love to get a link to all three whenever ya finish  

[Nature's Spell 526]

 

I won't repeat what other ponies said except to agree that Equestria is, as we all know, a far different world and we can't always draw parallels between their world and our own.

 

It's also true that the writers aren't consistent and don't have everything planned out and the staff take short cuts with animations. But if the show was perfect what would we discuss.

 

With the above being true everypony is free to enjoy their own head canon until the writes clear it up.

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

And that he is also a nerd.

 

But I don't think I explained that well. The comic is a flash-back on how Shining Armor met Cadences and how they fell in love. I was just saying that high school does exist in their world. Only if you think the comic are cannon?

Oh, okay. Well, I haven't read any of the comics so I don't know if they're supposed to be canon or not. Yeah, I thought you meant he's in high school now.

@@Never2muchpinkie,

 

Ooh, she DOES look alot like DT. I`d actually really like if that ended up being canon... it`d be nice to give DT some depth beyond "she`s a spoiled rich kid who`s abit of a jerk".

 

Yeah, she probrably works alot of late nights too. You know, dealing with 'break ins'

 

If I had to choose which one of your fics to come out first, i`d love to see the DT one personally, but I understand that`s not really how writing works. I`d love to get a link to all three whenever ya finish

Well, I haven't even started the Sunset Shimmer return one, but I do have the whole thing plotted in my head. The one about the CMC going to Manehatten is the closest to being done, like 85%, while the DT one is about half done. So now I have two people waiting for my stories.   Better get a move on, then.

[Fenrir Galloper 8]

I Would imagine it would work like any other school system however as a side note, has anyone else noticed you never hear of or see any schools until season 3, and even then you dont see another one, you just hear about how babs is getting bullied for being a blank flank... ;n; i know that feel. *looks at the user status*