Location advice for good high school

[UnfairPark]

Imho pressure to do better and to compete comes from high expectations of parents and admission policies of colleges. If a family understands limits of their child and availability of alternate routes and decides to avoid it all, it can be done.

[calgirlinnc]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

Imho pressure to do better and to compete comes from high expectations of parents and admission policies of colleges. If a family understands limits of their child and availability of alternate routes and decides to avoid it all, it can be done.

Every situation is really unique and much more complicated than that.

I would be happy for my son to take an easier math class; the state doesn't allow it.

My son puts pressure on himself regarding his passion and hopefully future career. We are not putting pressure on him to perfect his art; he sets those expectations for himself.

Meanwhile, my daughter can do way more than she thinks she can and I have to encourage her to take more challenging courses, read more difficult books, etc.

[Pintea]

Synchronicity hit the nail on the head. I would like a school that offers good AP choices, maybe IB. More than that, a school where she would fit in.
That is what I didn't like about our old schools in Plano, and I'm hesitant now.

[calgirlinnc]

What is her sport?

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Maybe look at the excellent to very good schools: Keller HS, Byron Nelson, Grapevine, Colleyville/Heritage, Marcus, Hebron, Allen, McKinney, Lovejoy, etc. Maybe avoid "the cream of the crop."

I know you said an urban setting, but most of the major suburbs are fairly dense--maybe that is one of the criteria you should reevaluate.

[Pintea]

Mainly running. Also tennis and basketball.

To be honest Plano didn't seem that great academically. Sure, we had some fantastic teachers there. The bad ones were really bad though! I think many of the kids do well because of the extra work they do at home. Chinese School on the weekends was popular, as well as a Math Circle at UTD.

[UnfairPark]

You’ll be even more disappointed with other public districts in the area. Some of our friends who moved to neighboring districts are facing this situation.

Once again, If you can swing it then I would recommend contacting academically strong private schools to see if there are any spots available for her grade.

[debtex]

Originally Posted by Pintea

I would like a school that offers good AP choices, maybe IB.

Pretty sure you need to start IB as a freshman. It's a while 4 year program. I could be mistaken...

[Pintea]

Originally Posted by debtex

Pretty sure you need to start IB as a freshman. It's a while 4 year program. I could be mistaken...

It's two years.