Question for RiverOtter about Schools

[GraytonBound]

Not sure where your daughter went but I find it hard to believe it "stinks", especially if they ALL get merit scholarships. Anyway, I don't know the situation so I certainly can't argue. I just know it's almost time for us to make that decision & it's killing us trying to figure out what to do. And I thought college would be tough, heck we can't decide on a middle school

 

[Miss Kitty]

BR is correct about picking colleges. Especially when you are in a private school "bubble"....these schools are very results oriented. They like to push the "NAME" schools, since it looks fantastic in their annual reports and recruiting info. The kids hear this over and over (like...only EAST coast schools are worth it!) and many of the parents who wouldn't dare tell you THEIR OWN SAT/ACT scores spout off their kids scores like it was a contest! As my daughter always said..."Those are MY scores and if I want anyone to know them, I'LL let them know!" Wise girl! (BTW she made a 1600 on her SAT....NOT!) Junior and Senior year can be so stressful for the entire family. We were so pleased with the education our children received in their respective private schools...but NO school is perfect. My best advice when picking a middle school is to focus more on the HS they'll end up in. Then try to guide them rather than relive what you might have missed first time around in finding the "right" college! Picking a college can be so much easier in some ways....there are TONS of them out there! Unlike the choices you may have for education in your communitees.

 

[Jdarg]

I didn't realize that Louisville sends kids to Baylor/McCallie.

Oh yeah! At least back in the dinosaur days when I went to school. I don't have high schoolers yet, so I don't know of any from here that are there now. If I knew I could part with Will more than 6 weeks (summer camp), I think he would do really well at boarding school. He thinks it would be kinda like Hogwarts.

 

[Jdarg]

Not sure where your daughter went but I find it hard to believe it "stinks", especially if they ALL get merit scholarships. Anyway, I don't know the situation so I certainly can't argue. I just know it's almost time for us to make that decision & it's killing us trying to figure out what to do. And I thought college would be tough, heck we can't decide on a middle school

Middle school is the pits. We agonized and agonized. Our private school options here aren't anybetter than public school. Catholic elementary and middle schools are mediocre at best (although the Catholic HS are great). We ended up going with a public school that has a "super" advanced program where the kids are kind of in their own school within the school for 3 years. It has worked out well. His work is more advanced than his private school friends, and there are more enrichment options available due to the size of the school system vs. a small private school.

We also have "traditional" schools- who tout their high test scores. The scores are skewed because parents choose for their children to attend- i.e. no free lunch kids, who as a group test at the bottom. Of course that fact can't be addressed publicly!

The hardest part of middle school for me (and it will be for you too) is your involvement- it comes to a screeching halt. Oh yeah, there are the PTA fundraisers, etc., but it's not like elementary school where you can find a million ways to help out, be there every day, interact with kids and teachers, and know what is going on all the time and have some control over it. All of a sudden you are in a black hole, and if you ask your middle schooler about school, he/she will answer "Nuttin". So not only was it an adjustment for the kids to learn some independence, it was hard for me to let go of control.

Fortunately we have better high school options- there is a great public school that is a huge Merit Finalist and Semi-finalist producer. Here again, the privates can't compete for these uber-smart kids- they don't have the programs. And there are 2 large Catholic boys schools that we will look at even thought we are not Catholic, but they offer have impressive college prep programs. At that point, I will probably be sent to the funny farm 'cause I will have one starting high school and one starting kindergarten (or jail).

Funny, this school stuff wasn't mentioned in "What to Expect When You Are Expecting". It should have been!

 

[Miss Kitty]

jdarg....you have made another good point. Public schools can offer many more course options and extracurriculars. Even in the dreaded Dallas I.S.D., if one picks wisely, you can find a fantastic education in some H.S.'s. Our son would have been lost in the hugeness of a public H.S. Smaller classes and not being able to fly under the radar were important for him. Funny thing is...he ended up at University of Missouri for college and is doing so well we are blown away! One thing I have learned about all this is never underestimate your kiddos. My daughter (the scholar) went away to NY for her freshman year and although academically did very well, it was not the best choice she could have made for that time in her life. She hightailed it back to TX and SMU and never looked back. Now, as she looks for a graduate school, after working in her field for two years, she is ready to leave TX and broaden her horizons. Each child has his/her own timetable in maturing and one of the hardest job I experienced as a parent was to LISTEN and not pidgeon hole them.

 

[OhioBeachBum]

I get it...you were looking at colledges not colleges!!!!! Those are cheaper...no spelling skills required!