Midlothian HS Vs Cosby HS (Chester: rent , homes, diversity)

[Mother in Midlothian, VA]

We are new to the area and my daughter is slated to go to Midlothian High in the fall however, I am second guessing my decision because of the prices of homes in the Midlothian High School district and I am wondering if Cosby High School is just as good as Midlothian High. I have heard that the students in Midlothian are a little snobby. Can someone help me? Plus, where is a good place to rent in the Cosby high school district.

[ellieb128]

Chesterfield has a number of very good High Schools. You are probably splitting hairs to start to pick the "best" one - as best really depends on your child and where they would best fit in and succeed. If you use the Newsweek standings - James River is 1st followed by Midlothian then Clover Hill and Monacan ( I think)- all top 1000 in the US. Cosby is probably too new to be counted. At Midlothian you won't find a lot of economic diversity - so "snobby" - it may not be that so much as there aren't as many different groups to fit into. My neighborhood sends kids to Midlo and James River - they are all just normal sleep til noon teenagers. I would think James River HS has the broadest economic range and is an ESL school for the area so while very rigorous it has a diverse student body ( where my kids go). There will always be a school with scores a little higher etc but within reason that doesn't make it a better school. You have a lot of good choices so do what is best for your family as a whole.

[whynot?]

I am amazed -- and impressed -- that someone answered this post, and very well! The OP is quite intimidating. Well done!

[sls76]

I'm not implying that SOL scores are everything, but if they are important to you, then here are the data for 2007 (I'm not sure if 2008 scores are out yet):

Midlothian: 99, 96, 99, 98 (English, Math, SS, Science)
Cosby: 98, 94, 99, 98