Accepted into a private school, but...advice greatly appreciated (Atlanta: law school, university)
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As a mom who has kids who has kids graduate from both public and private, I will give you an it depends. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to elaborate right now as we are walking out the door, but will try to write more later today (if not, tomorrow).
Thanks for your prompt reply, buckheadmom11. Yes, we did an interview in Feb. The school looks nice and has interesting curriculum. College matriculation is good although not super impressive. We also browsed websites of Walton High, which might be an option for us. Since we know so little about public schools in Atlanta, we have to seek advice here.
There are many great public high school options in Metro Atlanta.
Can you give us any idea of the type area where you would like to live? Just describe some key attributes...
{and metro atlanta has way more to offer in the public high school arena than just walton...}
There are many great public high school options in Metro Atlanta.
Can you give us any idea of the type area where you would like to live? Just describe some key attributes...
{and metro atlanta has way more to offer in the public high school arena than just walton...}
Thanks. We want to find an area not so far from CDC/North Decatur (within 45 minutes commute, ideally less than 30 minutes). Of course, safe and convenient.
Thanks. We want to find an area not so far from CDC/North Decatur (within 45 minutes commute, ideally less than 30 minutes). Of course, safe and convenient.
We are relocating to Atlanta. My daughter has been accepted into one of the best private schools in Atlanta (which is usually ranked as number 1) (entering 9th grade), but the financial is so limited that we almost pay the full tuition ($25,000). We expected the tuition after financial aid would be below $20,000 since a private school we applied to in our origin city but we turned down because of our relocation only charges us $10,000 (it is one of the best schools in the south and probably has better endowment). We can somehow manage to pay the tuition, but the question is it worth the money? Do we have alternatives?
A little background: my daughter is very self-motivated and high-achieving (not just test scores and grades but also skilled at violin, model UN, and writing). She's interested in humanities, arts, social sciences, and probably architecture, rather than science and engineering. As for foreign languages, she likes French.
Given her interests, I'd like to have your opinions and suggestions about which private and public high schools would be the best fit for her and have strong programs in her interested areas.
Many many thanks in advance!
Quote:
Originally Posted by atlantanewp
Thanks. We want to find an area not so far from CDC/North Decatur (within 45 minutes commute, ideally less than 30 minutes). Of course, safe and convenient.
Quote:
Originally Posted by atlantanewp
Housing price will be around $300,000. No other needs.
Hello atlantanewp,
Based on your criteria, I recommend the following:
1. Parkview High in the South Lilburn and East Lilburn Area.
2. Brookwood High in the North Snellville, East Lilburn, and South Lawrenceville Area.
Why?
a. Both are top-notch, excellent schools.
b. Both schools are very popular with people that work in the CDC/Emory area--and that need/want great schools, a relatively easy commute, and a nice home in the upper-middle/middle income price range (in a very safe neighborhood).
c. Both schools offer French.
d. Both schools offer strong programs and extracurricular activities. There are choices for a wide-variety of interests.
e. Beautiful housing and neighborhood options.
f. Good educational environment--especially for someone high-achieving and self-motivated like your daughter.
*If I had to choose one, I would recommend Parkview High as first choice, only because it is slightly closer to CDC/Emory--but a both areas are still convenient commute-wise. Brookwood and Parkview are phenomenal.
I think many students can have their needs met well at good public high schools. For the most part, public high school operates very differently than k-8 schools. Ability grouping exists to its fullest with advanced and AP classes (as well as joint enrollment options). (I worry the most about the middle of the road type students, which I am betting your daughter is not.) If a child wants a relationship with a teacher in public high school, it is fairly easy to forge. Because most students (even in private school to some extent) are looking for those kinds of relationships.
I want to encourage you to look at Norcross High School (also a Gwinnett County school) -- it has an outstanding IB programme that is well established and French is an option. I was just with a graduate of NHS (now a recent college grad) and she had nothing but good things to say about her experience there. I am pretty sure French was her language.
We have children who graduated from both public and private high schools. We have (had) always believed that you meet your child's needs where you can. For the private school child, his need for structure trumped all else. But otherwise, I think their educational experiences were pretty similar (they have very different personalities so it is a bit hard to tell).
I have an acquaintance who is an Atlanta private school consultant who has been around a while. This person use to be only pro-private school but about 6-8 years ago starting changing their approach. If the costs of private school will impact your ability to allow your child to choose a college, regardless of cost, they think looking for a solid public school is a better option for most kids. (this is a simplification, but I think you understand) Keep in mind that top private colleges are now about 60K a year.
GA has the HOPE scholarship which is awesome and lots of really smart kids are staying in state because of it. But even with that, there are plenty of private school kids who end up at the same college they would have if they had attended their neighborhood public.
I will agree that college counseling is generally far superior in private school than public. That said, you can hire, for a few thousand dollars, a private college counselor for your public school child to provide very similar (sometimes better) services.
All this said, private school costs really start with tution. Often books, lunch and uniforms are extra. And sometimes extracurricular costs exceed that of the public school. Additionally, things like class trips and extra trips are routinely offered. If these things are going to be a burden for your family, it is something else to consider. (public school has lots of extra costs, but you aren't paying tuition on top of it.)
I think many students can have their needs met well at good public high schools. For the most part, public high school operates very differently than k-8 schools. Ability grouping exists to its fullest with advanced and AP classes (as well as joint enrollment options). (I worry the most about the middle of the road type students, which I am betting your daughter is not.) If a child wants a relationship with a teacher in public high school, it is fairly easy to forge. Because most students (even in private school to some extent) are looking for those kinds of relationships.
I want to encourage you to look at Norcross High School (also a Gwinnett County school) -- it has an outstanding IB programme that is well established and French is an option. I was just with a graduate of NHS (now a recent college grad) and she had nothing but good things to say about her experience there. I am pretty sure French was her language.
We have children who graduated from both public and private high schools. We have (had) always believed that you meet your child's needs where you can. For the private school child, his need for structure trumped all else. But otherwise, I think their educational experiences were pretty similar (they have very different personalities so it is a bit hard to tell).
I have an acquaintance who is an Atlanta private school consultant who has been around a while. This person use to be only pro-private school but about 6-8 years ago starting changing their approach. If the costs of private school will impact your ability to allow your child to choose a college, regardless of cost, they think looking for a solid public school is a better option for most kids. (this is a simplification, but I think you understand) Keep in mind that top private colleges are now about 60K a year.
GA has the HOPE scholarship which is awesome and lots of really smart kids are staying in state because of it. But even with that, there are plenty of private school kids who end up at the same college they would have if they had attended their neighborhood public.
I will agree that college counseling is generally far superior in private school than public. That said, you can hire, for a few thousand dollars, a private college counselor for your public school child to provide very similar (sometimes better) services.
All this said, private school costs really start with tution. Often books, lunch and uniforms are extra. And sometimes extracurricular costs exceed that of the public school. Additionally, things like class trips and extra trips are routinely offered. If these things are going to be a burden for your family, it is something else to consider. (public school has lots of extra costs, but you aren't paying tuition on top of it.)
Nice, thorough post from LMM. Read it. Read it again. Then bookmark it.
In addition to Parkview and Brookwood, Norcross High would be a great option for your daughter (like LMM said). All three high schools are in the Gwinnett County system which is overall excellent.
Moreover, the Norcross High Cluster has superb housing/neighborhood options like Parkview and Brookwood.
Your list of choice continue to grow and expand...
I think many students can have their needs met well at good public high schools. For the most part, public high school operates very differently than k-8 schools. Ability grouping exists to its fullest with advanced and AP classes (as well as joint enrollment options). (I worry the most about the middle of the road type students, which I am betting your daughter is not.) If a child wants a relationship with a teacher in public high school, it is fairly easy to forge. Because most students (even in private school to some extent) are looking for those kinds of relationships.
I want to encourage you to look at Norcross High School (also a Gwinnett County school) -- it has an outstanding IB programme that is well established and French is an option. I was just with a graduate of NHS (now a recent college grad) and she had nothing but good things to say about her experience there. I am pretty sure French was her language.
We have children who graduated from both public and private high schools. We have (had) always believed that you meet your child's needs where you can. For the private school child, his need for structure trumped all else. But otherwise, I think their educational experiences were pretty similar (they have very different personalities so it is a bit hard to tell).
I have an acquaintance who is an Atlanta private school consultant who has been around a while. This person use to be only pro-private school but about 6-8 years ago starting changing their approach. If the costs of private school will impact your ability to allow your child to choose a college, regardless of cost, they think looking for a solid public school is a better option for most kids. (this is a simplification, but I think you understand) Keep in mind that top private colleges are now about 60K a year.
GA has the HOPE scholarship which is awesome and lots of really smart kids are staying in state because of it. But even with that, there are plenty of private school kids who end up at the same college they would have if they had attended their neighborhood public.
I will agree that college counseling is generally far superior in private school than public. That said, you can hire, for a few thousand dollars, a private college counselor for your public school child to provide very similar (sometimes better) services.
All this said, private school costs really start with tution. Often books, lunch and uniforms are extra. And sometimes extracurricular costs exceed that of the public school. Additionally, things like class trips and extra trips are routinely offered. If these things are going to be a burden for your family, it is something else to consider. (public school has lots of extra costs, but you aren't paying tuition on top of it.)
thank you very much! I'll reply your message soon since there's a restriction on the number of messages I can send every day.
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