Which high school to choose?

[Anonymous]

DC was accepted to multiple high school programs and now has to choose. They are a good student and have varied interests so would likely do well at any of these. Wondering what the experience has been like in these programs for others. Communication Arts at Blair, PLTW Biomedical at Wheaton, IB at Richard Montgomery, and VAC at Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Which one do you live closest to?
Of your kid does after school activities you will be picking them up. Do what works for your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which one do you live closest to?
Of your kid does after school activities you will be picking them up. Do what works for your family.

Best advice ever!!!

[Anonymous]

I was going to say the same thing. Living close to the school is so helpful. Kid missed the bus, kid has a dentist appointment, “pick me up after the football game, it’s about to end,” back to school night, sports games, school plays, conferences, “I left my major assignment at home can you please bring it to me?”

The list goes on and on (and on!!). If your kid would be happy in any of those programs, pick the one where it will be most convenient for your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which one do you live closest to?
Of your kid does after school activities you will be picking them up. Do what works for your family.

This. Another consideration, which one does your son have friends going to (continuity, having buddies in class, carpooling)?

[Anonymous]

I don't think that you can go wrong. They are all great programs.

[Anonymous]

I think they are all great choices, but not necessarily for the same kid.

What does your kid want to do? If they are truly interested in both engineering and art, which interest are they going to be most able to keep going outside of school?

I would also figure in distance, but I don't think it would be a driving factor, at least between the 3 DCC schools which aren't that far apart.

[Anonymous]

Does your kid play sports? That’s another factor to consider. Some sports are easy to do at Wheaton and Einstein but at Blair it’s more competitive. The sheer size of the school makes it harder to make a team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which one do you live closest to?
Of your kid does after school activities you will be picking them up. Do what works for your family.

By the map apps, all schools are within a 10 to 20 minute drive from home, so not too bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your kid play sports? That’s another factor to consider. Some sports are easy to do at Wheaton and Einstein but at Blair it’s more competitive. The sheer size of the school makes it harder to make a team.

No, they do not play sports. But, definitely something important to consider for a kid who does. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was going to say the same thing. Living close to the school is so helpful. Kid missed the bus, kid has a dentist appointment, “pick me up after the football game, it’s about to end,” back to school night, sports games, school plays, conferences, “I left my major assignment at home can you please bring it to me?”

The list goes on and on (and on!!). If your kid would be happy in any of those programs, pick the one where it will be most convenient for your family.

Not only that: there are so many days in high school when some but not all of the kids have a half day. PSAT day: only 10th and 11th graders come in for the morning, 9th & 12th graders report after lunch. AP exams: if you took a morning exam, you're excused from your afternoon classes or if you are taking an afternoon exam, you're excused from your morning classes. But if you rely on a bus, you just sit around waiting for half the day unless your parent can pick you up. I am so grateful that my kids walk/bike to school so they can come and go according to whatever schedule the school is following that week.

[Anonymous]

academically speaking, there's nothing better than RMIB even though everything is changing

[Anonymous]

Just to provide an alternative to the "what's closest" narrative. One of my kids takes a bus to a high school where the program/vibe felt like it would inspire them. It was worth it. The kid uses public transportation on days with extra activities.

[Anonymous]

None. Sorry, a very DCUM answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was going to say the same thing. Living close to the school is so helpful. Kid missed the bus, kid has a dentist appointment, “pick me up after the football game, it’s about to end,” back to school night, sports games, school plays, conferences, “I left my major assignment at home can you please bring it to me?”

The list goes on and on (and on!!). If your kid would be happy in any of those programs, pick the one where it will be most convenient for your family.

Not only that: there are so many days in high school when some but not all of the kids have a half day. PSAT day: only 10th and 11th graders come in for the morning, 9th & 12th graders report after lunch. AP exams: if you took a morning exam, you're excused from your afternoon classes or if you are taking an afternoon exam, you're excused from your morning classes. But if you rely on a bus, you just sit around waiting for half the day unless your parent can pick you up. I am so grateful that my kids walk/bike to school so they can come and go according to whatever schedule the school is following that week.

Learning how to navigate things like this is one of the things that happens in high school. I can't imagine raising a kid who thinks that getting homework done for a few hours in the library, or figuring out public transportation, or going to class even if you are excused, is so horrible that you'd give up an opportunity for it.

I agree that the length of the commute is a factor. But the idea that you would choose between programs as different as PLTW, IB and VAC based on the fact that your kid might be bored or have to use public transportation for a few hours on PSAT day is so odd.