High Schools and marching band in Cedar Park/Leander (Dallas: theater, university)

[TX-NC-TX]

My family will be returning to the Cedar Park/Leander area in the summer. When we moved to NC from CP we had elementary age children - now my youngest son will be in 11th grade. I would like some information on the different high schools - Leander, Vista Ridge, Rouse and/or any others. Just info in general - any issues, if any, they might have, etc. My son is in marching band. I've heard that some of the bands are so large that they don't march all students. True/Not true? I've also been told that if I want a serious marching band school to go to Cedar Park High School. I don't necessarily want a "serious marching band school". Our current school competes in local and BOA competitions and does quite well. I'd like a middle of the road marching band school - one that competes well but still has fun with it. I know a lot of it will depend on where we move but where we move will be influenced by the high school. I will likely be working in downtown Austin/husband works in the Arboretum.

Any thoughts, opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[hoffdano]

I can't say for certain how the bands are for any specific high schools in Leander ISD. In general though marching bands are a big thing in the area. Serious participation by the student body and investment by the schools. It seems possible that the larger the school the more likely they might have a participation limit.

Perhaps you could move to an area that feeds the new high school - Vandergrift. It is just 9th and 10th grade now. I assume that means next year they will grow to have 11th.

[neddy]

My nephew is in Cedar Park band and while he loves it they are very very driven. Go go go all the time and during the summer it started in July at some point. Rouse is still new so next year will be the 1st for 11th grade and I think the rules for UIL here in Tx state that you have to be 4 yr to have band even if a new school. So if they go to Rouse the get sent Vista Ridge for band not sure if they can march. Have not heard about the band at Leander HS but I hear from a couple of parents that Leander HS, is a rough h.s (Ok so that is all relative because this is Leander so rough here is by no means the same rough as in Dallas etc) I have heard that Cedar Park is pretty cliquish from kids that go there but if you are in band you might not deal with that. Most folks seem pretty happy with Vista Ridge or Rouse and the new hs Vandergift in Steiner ranch area. (no band new school)

PM me if you want me to ask a more specific question to my nephew.

[mlassoff]

"Serious Marching Band School"?

Wow. What about academics?

I have never seen in the Connecticut forum anyone inquiring about a high schools extra curricular activities to factor in to their choice of community/high school. I see inquires about SAT scores, college admissions, safety, and academic programs.

Different world.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

"Serious Marching Band School"?

Wow. What about academics?

I have never seen in the Connecticut forum anyone inquiring about a high schools extra curricular activities to factor in to their choice of community/high school. I see inquires about SAT scores, college admissions, safety, and academic programs.

Different world.

In case you haven't experienced it yet, colleges, especially the ultra competitive ones, highly value extracurricular activities. They are flooded with 4.0+/perfect SAT applicants. To stand out, an applicant has to show passion and proficiency in something besides academics. Marching band might just be one of those things for some kids. Have you ever seen a college marching band? Where do those kids come from?

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

"Serious Marching Band School"?

Wow. What about academics?

I have never seen in the Connecticut forum anyone inquiring about a high schools extra curricular activities to factor in to their choice of community/high school. I see inquires about SAT scores, college admissions, safety, and academic programs.

Different world.

Marching band is an extracurricular activity just like sports, theater, or art. Most kids in the marching band are also in another band - like orchestra, concert, or jazz band. So they are musicians that use their music skills in a larger social setting.

So if a kid enjoys the marching band - why should they not seek out a school that satisfies this interest? The OP didn't say academics weren't important. I'm willing to bet the OP DOES in fact care a lot about it.

The article below references a study done in Illinois - but it concludes that kids involved in extracurricular activities outpeform kids who don't.

Social skills, extracurricular activities in high school pay off later in life | News Bureau | University of Illinois

Remember too in Texas that we have a "no pass no play" rule that requires students to maintain passing grades or they are ineligible for extracurricular activities.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

In case you haven't experienced it yet, colleges, especially the ultra competitive ones, highly value extracurricular activities. They are flooded with 4.0+/perfect SAT applicants. To stand out, an applicant has to show passion and proficiency in something besides academics. Marching band might just be one of those things for some kids. Have you ever seen a college marching band? Where do those kids come from?

Really? What most top colleges value MOST is the rigor of the academic schedule and the grades of the student. Sure, extra curricular activities can be a tie breaker, but, when it comes to top tier colleges, students with high levels of academic achievement from top high schools with a good reputation generally are at an advantage. A 4.0 from Cedar Park High School is not seen as valuable as a 4.0 from New Trier in Chicago or Staples in Connecticut (Both top 5 public high schools in the country) by a Yale admissions rep. Marching band or no marching band.

A real top tier college (Yale, Harvard, MIT, Columbia, CalTech) doesn't give a flip about its marching band and no one is getting in to the rigorous academic institution because of it. Yes, for other schools, it may break the tie, but not at legitimate top university. Recommendations, transcript, test scores, personal essays, leadership and activities all figure in to the mix.

Secondly, when it comes to extracurriculars do top level colleges really differentiate between students who participated in a good marching band versus a mediocre one? I doubt it.

Sad to say, this is just more evidence that Texans value their football (let's face it the marching band is basically there to 'honor' the football team) care more than academics. If the OP had asked about top tier academics + a good marching band, I would have been more impressed.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Marching band is an extracurricular activity just like sports, theater, or art. Most kids in the marching band are also in another band - like orchestra, concert, or jazz band. So they are musicians that use their music skills in a larger social setting.

So if a kid enjoys the marching band - why should they not seek out a school that satisfies this interest? The OP didn't say academics weren't important. I'm willing to bet the OP DOES in fact care a lot about it.

The article below references a study done in Illinois - but it concludes that kids involved in extracurricular activities outpeform kids who don't.

Social skills, extracurricular activities in high school pay off later in life | News Bureau | University of Illinois

Remember too in Texas that we have a "no pass no play" rule that requires students to maintain passing grades or they are ineligible for extracurricular activities.

Extra curricular activities are important... But not nearly as important as academics. Yes, kids involved in extracurricular activities tend to achieve more, however, its still back-asswords to search for a school based on non-academic factors first.

I'm sure the OP values academics as well... At least I hope so... But s/he indicated that his research is based on marching bands, not academic reputations, which I find disappointing and would be unlikely to happen in Connecticut, where believe or not, we had top academic programs and extra curricular activities too. (Many of my classmates went to top tier schools-- Yale, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Northwestern, U Chicago, Amherst-- and we had NO marching band). We probably had a much lower percentage of 4.0's too-- not cause we weren't as smart, but because of a higher level of rigor.

No pass- no play is common all over the US. So what? Passing is such a low baseline it ridiculous to even think of passing as an achievement.

[LongTimeAustinite]

mlassoff,

If you can't answer the question that was asked why are you participating in this thread?

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by LongTimeAustinite

mlassoff,

If you can't answer the question that was asked why are you participating in this thread?

Why are you? I don't see you answering the question or even adding to the discussion. Where's YOUR American flag pin? Have you met the kettle?

I think my response made it clear. I am expressing my dismay at the attitudes towards academics that are often expressed implicitly or explicitly on this forum and within Texas.