What if the "best fit" is a mediocre school?
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Anonymous
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My DS has applied to four schools for 9th. He has excellent stats, sports, recommendations, etc. Everyone seems pretty confident he will get into most/all schools.
The thing is that he fell in love with the most mediocre school of the bunch and would definitely choose that over others. Now, DH and I are now questioning whether it's worth it to go to a less prestigious private school vs. our excellent local public. Will the experience be that great? Will it help with college admissions (or hurt)? We were willing to shell out a lot of money for a prestigious school, but not sure if it's worth it for a lower tier. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
| Your family is going to be unhappy wherever it lands. |
Anonymous
| For HS-let your kid drive the boat. If not, both you and he will be miserable if you force the more prestigious school and he doesn’t like it. Kids need to take ownership and be invested in their decision at this point in their educational journey. |
Anonymous
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Wait until you get acceptances. It may that your choices are narrowed down for you. I hope not, but admissions are funny. My DC got waitlisted or rejected at some of the schools we thought were less selective and got into some that were more selective. Of the ones DC was accepted to, it got narrowed down to 2, and we told DC whichever he picked we’d be on board with. frankly the one DC picked was not our (the parents) first choice going into the process, but it did grow on us the more we learned about it through the process.
The only piece of firm advice I’d offer is DO NOT pick based primarily on where you think your DS will get the best college acceptances. He’ll be able to rise to his level at any number of schools. If there is a place he truly loves, he’s more likely to do it there than some more prestigious place you choose for him. |
Anonymous
When anything goes wrong at the school you chose for him, it’ll be your fault. If you had only let me go to the school I wanted to go to (Now idealized in his eyes), this wouldn’t be happening! |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| My kid enjoying school is way more important to me than prestige. How does he feel about public? |
Anonymous
| It is hard to wrap your head around standing where you are right now, but your perceived prestige isn't what you believe it to be and should not be the driving force behind a decision about your child's life for the next four years. |
Anonymous
| Send the kid wherever they are comfortable |
Anonymous
| I totally get this post. For my older children, I got caught up with having them go to the “best” schools. I have a rising 9th grader and she fell in love with what would have been my back up choice. I’m going to let her go there, though. What I learned from my older kids - high school is so much more than prestige, academic rigor, or perceived status. Especially with what our kids have gone through - I am going for a well-rounded school where my daughter felt warmly welcomed and supported. It’s not a pressure cooker school, but it matches her values and she will be able to join in a lot of activities without stressing as much. Just some perspective from a mom who has BTDT. |
Anonymous
| What does a "mediocre" school mean? |
Anonymous
| You failed as a parent. |
Anonymous
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Kid wanted a different school but we the parents felt he was a complete personality match for a different high school. He went to parents choice high school. However we did say after one year he was welcome to move schools and his parents would fully back him.
He now loves the parent choice school and wouldn’t move. I think during college applications it will be completely his choice at that point. |
Anonymous
It means Landon |
Anonymous
Is Landon considered a mediocre school? I have daughters, but I’ve good things about the school from others in the community. |