Best High School? (Albuquerque, Espanola, Manzano: private schools, universities, place to live)

[Ryan Hardy]

ALL... thanks so far for your inputs... I am still felling that www.lacuevabears.com is the best HS in the area... any inputs? My Daughter is extremely bright (I know we all think that about our kids ) and as far as athletics, she is a golfer and swimmer... (perfect for ALBQ right?!) are there any other "Public" school that I should consider... what about the local Prep/private schools? I will live wherever I need to inorder to get her in the "right" school for her...

Lookign for inputs... we are arrivign the first week of Aug and plan on having a place to live by the 15th.

[karmathecat]

We have years to go before our son is ready for high school. Unless things change we aren't considering any of the public schools, and he would go to Bosque Prep, Academy or Sandia Prep with Pius being a possible third choice. They ARE expensive...I believe around 16k a year? I think there is financial aid and other ways to get reduced tuition.

I think it's odd that a high school's website and google search would stress the name of its sports team over its academics. Nothing wrong with school sports or even using those as a possible to way to get scholarships to good universities, but considering how **** poor the graduation rate from HS is in this city and state, I think it's time that they refocus on learning over playing.

[rybert]

It's all about the ability/willingness of the student and family. The school comes in a distant 3rd.

[bradly]

Academy is way more than 16k, My cousins go there, It is near 20k plus books and stuff..
Its more than college haha, just save your money.

Top 5 in Best High Schools in Albuquerque

1. La Cueva High School (Big-time sports school)
2. Manzano High School
3. Sandia High School (Sporty)
4. Cibola High School (Sporty)
5. Volcano Vista (New and Sporty)

5 Worst High Schools in Albuquerque
1. West Mesa High School (Worst for sports)
2. Rio Grande High School
3. Valley High School
4. Del Norte High School
5. Highlands High School

Best Private Schools in Albuquerque:
St. Pius X Catholic High School under 13k totally worth it, Really good for sports.
Sandia Prep, Pretty good I guess.. their sports programs are good.

Worst Private Schools in Albuquerque:
Albquerque Academy, Not worth 20k a year. Alright for sports.
Bosque School, Its tiny and new.. its a AA school.. not much attention.



Overall I vote for La Cueva! They have won over 44 State Championships in AAAAA since 2000.
They just took State for Swimming! and their golf program is top notch!

But when It comes time for me to send my son to high school I'm sending him to St. Pius, It's a tradition thing.
However, I didnt go there

[karmathecat]

For us it's not only the quality of education that is much better at the private schools but also the much smaller population ( 500 something vs 2000 plus ) and the education and experience of the faculty.
While the brilliant student who naturally excels would do well at any school, it seems to me it would be more enjoyable if they were surrounded by other students who also felt that inner drive to learn and succeed and be motivated more by highly intelligent teachers.
It's a personal choice, and there's nothing wrong with feeling that you can get a great education at one of the public high schools. I just don't think we'll be leaning that way. I'll let you know for sure in 10 years.

[karmathecat]

"They have won over 44 State Championships in AAAAA since 2000."

And what percentage of their students graduate? Go to college ? Obtain a degree higher than associate or bachelor?

[bradly]

Originally Posted by karmathecat

For us it's not only the quality of education that is much better at the private schools but also the much smaller population ( 500 something vs 2000 plus ) and the education and experience of the faculty.
While the brilliant student who naturally excels would do well at any school, it seems to me it would be more enjoyable if they were surrounded by other students who also felt that inner drive to learn and succeed and be motivated more by highly intelligent teachers.
It's a personal choice, and there's nothing wrong with feeling that you can get a great education at one of the public high schools. I just don't think we'll be leaning that way. I'll let you know for sure in 10 years.

Let me tell you somethin, I grew up in a small town 100 miles north of here, Espanola. At the time we had 1,600+ students when I went there, My class had 400 graduates. I think I would rather go to a school with more kids, to experiance a REAL high school becuase we all know thats how college is going to be. I learned the same than I did going to a smaller school in the next door town of only 300 kids. Its just what you make of it. Seriously. I also think choosing a school on its "test scores" is wrong becuase every school is unique in its own ways. Your kids have to connect into the REAL world.. If you motivate em' enough it will also work.

I'm sorry but I really disagree with you.
I went to a school with the suckiest teachers but the hardest curriclum. I graduated with a 4.2, I still to this day suck at writing if you havent noticed.

[bradly]

Originally Posted by karmathecat

"They have won over 44 State Championships in AAAAA since 2000."

And what percentage of their students graduate? Go to college ? Obtain a degree higher than associate or bachelor?

They have the highest graduate rate in the Albuquerque metro, For a public High School I think its 77% starting from freshmen year.

My high school used to be 93% now its 59%... poor ol' town. The enrollment also dropped like 600.
My high school had 34% of kids that went to college when I went there, Now its 89% so at least thats good.

[rybert]

Academy: $16,189

[bradly]

Originally Posted by rybert

Academy: $16,189

And it still isnt worth it.. I would have payed half of that going to Clemson back in the day... I should have