Irvine High Schools (Orange, Corona, Newport Beach: how much, best schools, university)

[mut0013]

Hello everyone,

My family (wife and 2 kids) will relocate to Orange County in the next few months, and we're starting to look at high schools. My wife's job will be in Orange (a little bit North of Old Towne), and mine will be in Irvine (intersection of 261 and I-5). We already knew high schools were better rated in Irvine, and we looked at reviews of several ones including Irvine HS, Beckman HS, University HS, and Northwood HS. What we read on greatschools.org was that all were very competitive schools mostly for overachieving students, and lacking balance between classes and side activities like sports and arts. We were wondering how much of it is actually true. Any experience or input would be greatly appreciated. School choice will be guiding where we choose to live. Thanks for your help.

[NewbieHere]

I know it’s not true for a University high where one of my kids went there, lots of activities to do. At Woodbridge high, my other kid did think there were less activities, but it must have been diiferent now.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Not true at all. All the Irvine schools (and you skipped Woodbridge) have excellent sports teams, music departments and drama programs. They are fairly typical American high schools. I would not put a lot of faith in great schools.com.

[1WorldTraveler]

Woodbridge High has a nationally ranked music program that won a Grammy a couple years ago, and they just completed building a brand new performing arts center. There are dozens of clubs, a good sports program, and a very active student government, like all the high schools in Irvine. Yes, all the schools are very academically competitive, but the students are very involved in extracurricular activities. The track team at WHS has over 100 kids on it!

[NewbieHere]

But they are not diverse if you are not in pot the orchestra and track team, Uni had more activities. One of my kids was into soccer and dropped out after sophomore year, the coach at the time was horrible. But this was almost 10 years ago.

[matzoman]

Irvine schools have a reputation for overachievement because asian parents stress education for their children. Irvine has a large affluent asian population. Irvine has the best schools in OC. Second is Corona Del Mar high school in Newport Beach where the student body is primarily wealthy.