How does changing school affect ranking in high school (Austin: middle school, colleges)

[Texastweet]

We are planning to build and move locally next year . My child will be a senior in high school and he is moving from a very competitive school where he is Not in the Top 10 percentile to an average high school . Does this mean he will have a good chance to be in the top 10 percentile as we hope he makes it to a Texas College . We did not plan this based on the school but we are looking into the merits.

[RSTX]

Possibly. We moved from a small, podunk high school where my son was ranked 2nd at the end of his junior year to a competitive 5A school where he ended up 86th out of 400-ish. So, yeah, it could happen in reverse, too.

[ashbeeigh]

Totally could. I have heard stories of VERY bright students at so-so schools opting out of the prestigious Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) to go to C ranked schools (per new TEA standards) to be top 10 percent. Thing is, will they be prepared to graduate in four years with less of a challenge, though?

[El Chingaso]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

Totally could. I have heard stories of VERY bright students at so-so schools opting out of the prestigious Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) to go to C ranked schools (per new TEA standards) to be top 10 percent. Thing is, will they be prepared to graduate in four years with less of a challenge, though?

More than likely, yes.

[UnfairPark]

Well, changing high schools is a complex interruption and there are more cons than pros. You have to rise above class rank and think of mental, academic, social and extracurricular issues. Even if you move, high schools allow students to graduate with their class. I wouldn’t move him, unless he is unhappy there.

As far as Texas colleges, they accept more on top of 10% auto-admits from academically strong high schools. As an example, Plano West has >70% acceptance rate at UTD and >40% at UT Austin.

[TXsurburbanmom]

You need to check with his counselors on this. When I went to a session about ranking my son’s high school presented for middle school parents, I thought there were restrictions on how rank was handled if you moved to a less competitive school after junior year. Since you are moving locally it might be an issue.

This comes up a lot for me because my son has over a 107 average and is ranked 72nd at his school so I’m relatively sure I remember correctly. My husband has often suggested changing schools but I feel comfortable he will be able to handle any college with the education he is getting at his current school and worried another school might not provide this.

Also, UT Austin is now only accepting top 6%.

[supfromthesite]

It's a good idea I wish I did it to be honest.

[UnfairPark]

Originally Posted by Bobcat4

UT Austin is now only accepting top 6%.

For auto-admit. Overall acceptance rate for class of 2019 was 38.55%.

[TXsurburbanmom]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

For auto-admit. Overall acceptance rate for class of 2019 was 38.55%.

You are correct. I did phrase that incorrectly. UT only automatically admits Texas graduates in the top 6% rather than top 10%. Not everyone is aware of the lower percentage so I wanted to throw it out there

[bohunak]

His ranking will be taken by the end of his junior year, not senior year. He will apply beginning of his senior year and will have to provide all his information and rank until end of his junior year. After admittance, he will have to provide official final transcript, proof that he finished his HS education. But Admission is on the base of finished junior year( not senior year ) in HS.