paxson vs. stanton prep? (Jacksonville: transfer, magnet school, college)

[wininger]

Hi, we are considering moving to the Jacksonville area and we have heard amazing things about these 2 schools. Could someone fill me in on what is the difference between them. Is admission based solely on where you live or is there some kind of testing? We are coming from California with 4 kids so we are very interested in the school system. thanks.

[agreatlife]

It's my understanding that Stanton Prep is a magnet school and you have to apply to it and get on a waiting list. For Paxon, it sounds that they must have changed it, because I was not aware that it was considered to be a great school. I'm sure others on the board will chime in here.

[riveree]

Here's a link for the Magnet program.

Yes, Stanton, Paxon and Douglas Anderson are 3 of our high schools that consistently receive A-ratings, even in 2007 when they were the only 3 high schools to receive the rating in the entire NEFL region (this is including Duval, Clay, St. Johns & Nassau).

[FLPL75]

In Newsweeks top of the class list of the top 1300 schools
Stanton was #3 Paxon was # 17

http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380

[seteiwane]

Ok, I'm a Stanton student so watch for bias. Both schools have minimum admissions requirements. I'm not sure how it works for out of state transfers, but I can tell you that incoming freshmen must have completed Algebra I. Stanton is slightly smaller than Paxon, but both take roughly 300-450 freshmen. It is extremely difficult to transfer in as a sophomore, junior, or senior. There is not residential zoning requirement for either. As long as you live in Duval County, you can apply for any magnet school, including Stanton and Paxon.

There are 2 ways to get into either as a freshman. The more common is the magnet lottery. If you meet the requirements, you submit an application to the school district, marking your top three school choices. Your name goes through the lottery. If they pick you, you're in (though not necessarily for your first choice). Otherwise, you go to the waiting lists.

The other way is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. It is extremely difficult to get in this way. First, you must be invited by both of the schools. They look at FCAT (Florida's standardized test) scores and academic performance in middle school. I don't know how or if they look at people who have never been in a Florida school (public or private). The schools have a pool of 500 potential canidates and each can pick 150. The remaining 200 are relegated to the lottery. It is possible for honors students to transfer into IB between freshman and sophomore year.

Stanton is traditionally better than Paxon academically (and otherwise), but either choice would be good (*extreme sarcasm*). I would suggest however, that if a high school football career is one of your kids' interests, that you look elsewhere. Both schools have atrocious football teams; I don't think either has won more than 3 games in a 10-game season.

On a more serious note, do not be like almost everyone and be fooled into thinking that sending your child to Stanton or Paxon will automatically guarantee their getting into any college they want. While the schools' names do carry some weight with undergrad admissions, it lies mostly in the Southeast (meaning Florida).

I hope this helped some. Again, I'm not sure how either school handles out of state applicants. Either school would be a fine choice for your children (Stanton is better ).

Oh, and I should add that while Douglas Anderson (mentioned in another post) is nationally ranked, it is merely a school of the arts with a decent academic program.

[apanda]

Paxon got a magnet in an attempt to make it more racially diverse a few years back. You do have to get accepted in to this program, the program is ok for kids to be taken to a few times a week, but the school is still not that great and in a bad area of town.

[seteiwane]

Originally Posted by apanda

the school is still not that great and in a bad area of town.

Are you talking about Paxon School for the Advanced Studies or Paxon Middle School?

[Rileyroo802]

ASDFJKL;. Paxon is way better! I'm a Pre-IB freshman and all of the teachers and students are extremely welcoming. It was hard to get in, however. Stanton actually accepted me, but after I toured the school I decided to go to Paxon instead. At Stanton, it seems like the students are just trying to beat each other grade-wise. At Paxon, all of the students help each other, and I'm really glad I chose Paxon over Stanton. And I must add that just because Stanton's kids make better grades doesn't mean the overall atmosphere of the school is very good. Overall, Paxon > Stanton. End of story. C:

[Jax Fam]

Can I ask any of the Stanton and Paxon grads if they went through the magnet system from elementary on up? I'm curious about the magnet program continuity and if kids are essentially with the same group of kids as they move to middle and high school?

[projectmaximus]

I did JWJ and Stanton and there was a fair amount of continuity. But this was over a decade ago and JWJ isn't even there anymore.