School
School exists in the SimCity series, The Sims, The Sims 2, and The Sims 3.
SimCity series
Schools are placed as a civic service, preferably in the vicinity of residential zones. In the case of SimCity 4 for example, there are three types of school: elementary, high school and private school (a reward that needs to be earned), as well as other educational facilities such as libraries, museums, colleges and universities. Cities can actually function without an educational system, but will be hindered in the reduced job opportunities that can be created and rewards that can be attained, as well as a possible increase in crime.
The Sims
Children attend school every day (remember, in TS1 there is no concept of a weekend) from 9AM to 3PM, but don't bring home homework, although they can study from books and computers to boost grades if required. Since the children don't grow up, the only eventual reward of good academic results is a 100 Simoleon reward from their relatives. Children whose grades linger at F for several consecutive days are firstly given a warning then banished to military school and never seen again. Unless they behaved good.
The Sims 2
Children attend elementary school from 9AM to 3PM, and teens attend secondary school from 9AM to 1PM (the shorter hours are for the benefit of teens who may also have a job). Both children and teens get the weekend off, and both ages bring homework which needs to be done in order to maintain/improve grades. Having an older sim help the younger Sim to study will let them complete the task faster in future and they will gain the memory of learning to study.
Sims with higher grades may, like TS1, be in line for cash rewards from their relatives, as well as several other perks, since success in school fulfills wants for themselves and their parents/grandparents. Also, teen sims with A+ report cards can get additional scholarship money for University.
Sims can also be enrolled in private school by inviting the headmaster and suitably impressing him (good food, a guided tour and the right social interactions all help matters). The hours are the same, but needs are put under less strain and all students change into a default school uniform before leaving for school.
Random rewards can be dealt out while a Sim is at school, worth bonus skill points for sims at private school, or otherwise up to §250 cash.
Children whose grades linger at F for several days may be taken away by the social worker and won't return to that particular family, but may be adopted by another one. Teens would not be taken away for an F grade, but if they have a job then they will be fired. They will also not be able to attend College until their grades improve.
The Sims 3
Children and Teens go to school at either Community School for the Gifted in Sunset Valley or Truelong Community School in Riverview.
Sims can now get detention at school. If they are caught sleeping in class or copying homework (tasks you can assign your kids while they're at school), they will be kept after school for a few hours, which can interfere with any part time job. While staying late, the student cannot chose their tone and they will not see any improvement in grades or performance. When detention is over, the school bus takes the student home.
Kids may still bring home friends after school. They can also be invited over to another student's house to play. Students who go to each other's houses will live within a reasonable distance from each other. The closer the other student, the more likely the invitation is. Both teens and children can work hard, meet friends and do other interactions. If the child or teen does not have a high performance at school then the player will not be able to choose what their next trait is when they grow up.
Children attend Elementary School from 9:00am to 3:00pm, while teenagers attend High School from 9:00am to 2:00pm (the extra hour is to benefit teens who have part-time jobs).The Elementary and High School share the same building, however Elementary School classrooms are found on the ground floor, while High School classrooms are on the second floor.
Opportunities
- A Fishy Science Project
- Received: School
- Goal: Bring a fish to the Science lab
- Reward: Performance Boost
- Location: Science lab
- Text: The Science Facility has partnered with the school to conduct a fishing project. However, they are running low on the fish for the experiment. You've been asked to bring a fish to Science Facility before the experiment begins. Your school performance will increase as a reward
- Pile of Permission Slips
- Received: School
- Goal: Visit City Hall to complete the opportunity
- Reward: Performance Boost
- Location: City Hall
- Text: Your teacher needs you to drop off a massive stack of permission slips at City Hall. This needs to happen quickly, so ride over to City Hall and leave them with the paper pushers. Your school performance will improve as a result of your kind assistance.
- Work/School Learning Project
- Received: School
- Goal: Go to Work at Doo Peas Corporate Tower
- Reward: Performance Boost, 500 Simoleons
- Location: Doo Peas Corporate Tower
- Text:
- Writing Club
- Received: School
- Goal: Gain a Writing skill point
- Reward: Performance Boost
- Location: N/A
- Text:
- Painting
- Received: School
- Goal: Gain a Painting skill point
- Reward: Performance Boost
- Location: N/A
- Text:
- Young Politicians Club Induction
- Received: School
- Goal: Gain a Charisma skill point
- Reward: Performance Boost
- Location: N/A
- Text: The Young Politicians Club wants you to join, but first you must improve your Charisma skill. Take a Charisma skill class or use an appropriate object, then return to school with your new knowledge. Your school performance will increase.
- The Honor Roll
- Received: School
- Goal: Maintain good grades to get on the honor roll and earn a cash reward.
- Reward: Money
- Text: The Mayor's office is promoting a new initiative to improve the grades and school performance to appeal to families thinking about moving to town. The mayor guarantees a cash reward to every student that makes it onto the honor roll. That reward can be yours if you can maintain good grades!