HELP! What's the Best School High School for Genius Child Around Grand Rapids? (Detroit: relocation)

[Jamboree]

We've always wanted to move out of the big city, but we wanted to wait until our kid finished high school. Unfortunately, the economy is forcing our early relocation. We're considering moving out around Grand Rapids, MI and I'd really appreciate any help anyone can give us about where to find the best school for our M.I.T. bound student.

[Zamiel]

Originally Posted by Jamboree

We've always wanted to move out of the big city, but we wanted to wait until our kid finished high school. Unfortunately, the economy is forcing our early relocation. We're considering moving out around Grand Rapids, MI and I'd really appreciate any help anyone can give us about where to find the best school for our M.I.T. bound student.

I have a very similar question to this. It seems that my family may be moving to Saranac rather the GR. How is the high school there? My kids are also quite smart and way ahead of the curve here in CA. While I am DYING to come to the amazing quiet beauty of SW MI, I am uncomfortable short cutting our kids education obviously. How is Saranac HS for above average students?

[Bydand]

You will find that schools in Michigan have access to what is know as the ISD system. It is an "Independent School District" that has on staff people who design curriculum's for the non-average students weather they are ahead of the norm or behind the norm. I have seen them in action for the above the norm students when it comes to one of my own sons. The worked a curriculum designed just for him, while keeping him in with his classmates. This started in Kindergarten. An above average student in most school districts across the country will be well served in any Michigan school system from what I have seen. Pull up your home states grade requirements then compare to Michigan's grade level requirements for a quick guideline. Don't go by test scores or rankings because states all have different standards and tests, so comparing two against one another, really is comparing apples and oranges in most cases. Good Luck!

For my family we have found that Michigan offers the best schools for our kids and opportunities for their future, as well as our own. We have tried the East coast (Maine) and found the schools were not challenging enough for the boys to keep their interest.

[suydam]

Public schools in Michigan are pretty good.

There are a host of good high schools in and around Grand Rapids for your above average child.

I suggest you pick up the Grand Rapids Magazine Annual City Guide.
It ranks school districts by all sorts of factors including academic performance.

Overall you'll find pretty consistently that Forest Hills and East Grand Rapids are the top-performing districts as measured by test scores and graduation rates. I'd suggest you rent a home and check out those (Forest Hills has three high schools and EGR has one). Seriously, however, if you're primary concern is for your child's education you should get out here (before you move your family) and tour a few high schools to see if they have what you like.

[Bluefly]

I know this is off topic, but unless your child has actually been accepted to MIT, you might want to hold off loading him/her with such narrow expectations.

A lot of perfect scored people get rejected from top schools for any variety of reasons. Schools enroll classes, not individuals, and seek to build well rounded classes that provide the maximum opportunity for growth between students.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

I know this is off topic, but unless your child has actually been accepted to MIT, you might want to hold off loading him/her with such narrow expectations.

A lot of perfect scored people get rejected from top schools for any variety of reasons. Schools enroll classes, not individuals, and seek to build well rounded classes that provide the maximum opportunity for growth between students.

Agreed. In fact, one perk of moving to MIchigan will be that your child qualifies for in-state tuition at the University of Michigan.

People the world over come to Ann Arbor for the world-class institution. Perhaps your genius child will be able to take part as well.

[Jamboree]

Originally Posted by Bydand

You will find that schools in Michigan have access to what is know as the ISD system. It is an "Independent School District" that has on staff people who design curriculum's for the non-average students weather they are ahead of the norm or behind the norm. I have seen them in action for the above the norm students when it comes to one of my own sons.

Your reply is most helpful. I've never heard of the ISD. I will look it up. I like the sound of it so far. It's been a challenge here to keep my kid from getting bored. You and the other posters helped ally my fears!

Thank you all very much.
Jam

[Jamboree]

[quote=Bluefly;4360187]I know this is off topic, but unless your child has actually been accepted to MIT, you might want to hold off loading him/her with such narrow expectations.
quote]

MIT's not my idea. Personally, I agree with you, but it's up to the kid imo. Thanks for the advice.

Jam

[deslok]

If your child truly is a genius, let him decide on the best school to go. Im sure he can interterpolate data better then the rest of us.

[Bluefly]

[quote=Jamboree;4369542]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

I know this is off topic, but unless your child has actually been accepted to MIT, you might want to hold off loading him/her with such narrow expectations.
quote]

MIT's not my idea. Personally, I agree with you, but it's up to the kid imo. Thanks for the advice.

Jam

Well, then perhaps as the parent it's your responsibility to not let your child get so hyper focused on one school so that, should a thin envelope arrive, your child does not spend all of his/her time at whatever other great school s/he ends up at pining for the MIT that got away.

For what it's worth, if you're interested in the Detroit area for whatever reason I went to Country Day and found it quite humbling just how academically brilliant many of those students are. The Ivy League did not present much of a challenge thereafter.

good luck!