Should We Aim For Less-Prestigious Private High School To Maximize Chances Of Graduating At Top of Class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

Not really. Picking a school boy because it’s the best fit for your kid but because it has the most cache or alumni network or potential college placement is all a variation of the same thing - considering some variation of “name brand” as more important than picking the right school for the individual.

[Anonymous]

^lol picking a school not a school boy. Thanks autocarrot.

[Anonymous]

Send him to public where he can shine!

[Anonymous]

omg helicopter parents to the max!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Send him to public where he can shine!

My dad went to Andover and Ivy and I went public and state flagships.

I make more than my dad ever did because I'm better adjusted socially.

I didn't go to boarding school because I liked my community and living with my family.

I also succeeded due to the research-supported effect of being top of class at a state flagship.

Why would you want your kid to go to a school you think less of, just for college placement purposes?

Send your kid to the school they want to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

Not really. Picking a school boy because it’s the best fit for your kid but because it has the most cache or alumni network or potential college placement is all a variation of the same thing - considering some variation of “name brand” as more important than picking the right school for the individual.

That makes no sense. Picking a purportedly "less prestigious" school is the opposite of wanting a name brand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

Not really. Picking a school boy because it’s the best fit for your kid but because it has the most cache or alumni network or potential college placement is all a variation of the same thing - considering some variation of “name brand” as more important than picking the right school for the individual.

That makes no sense. Picking a purportedly "less prestigious" school is the opposite of wanting a name brand.

That would be the “potential college placement” part of my post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

Not really. Picking a school boy because it’s the best fit for your kid but because it has the most cache or alumni network or potential college placement is all a variation of the same thing - considering some variation of “name brand” as more important than picking the right school for the individual.

That makes no sense. Picking a purportedly "less prestigious" school is the opposite of wanting a name brand.

You missed the point: A parent picking a school for reasons other than it is a good academic fit for a student. Reasons like prestige, connections, gaming college admissions.

Poor kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

Not really. Picking a school boy because it’s the best fit for your kid but because it has the most cache or alumni network or potential college placement is all a variation of the same thing - considering some variation of “name brand” as more important than picking the right school for the individual.

That makes no sense. Picking a purportedly "less prestigious" school is the opposite of wanting a name brand.

You missed the point: A parent picking a school for reasons other than it is a good academic fit for a student. Reasons like prestige, connections, gaming college admissions.

Poor kid.

I disagree. They are going to find a fit I am sure -- but the mom is right, she saw her bright kid not get into top school despite being around the 75th percentile at STA. Sure, 75th perctile at the best schools may not be ivy level, but even 10 years ago you were going to end up at a UVA, Michigan, Middlebury etc. Now those strong kids are hoping to get into BC, BU, UMD, and they are still top 25%! Would it be a better choice stress-wise, personality-wise to be in th etop 10% at Bullis and end up at UVA or Davidson rather than struggle to be top 30% at STA and end up at UMD or Colby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:omg helicopter parents to the max!

How is it helicoptering to be involved in the choice of high school for an eighth grader? Do you expect 12 and 13 year olds to do that entirely on their own? Whether the parents’ goal is best college placement or best fit or whatever criteria that not everyone will ever agree on, it is not helicoptering to simply be involved in where your kid goes to high school.

The helicopter parent phrase is becoming so overused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cynical approach!

Agreed. But no different than the many parents who send their kids to private schools that are not a good fit but they want for the prestige and connections.

Holy false equivalence, Batman!

Not really. Picking a school boy because it’s the best fit for your kid but because it has the most cache or alumni network or potential college placement is all a variation of the same thing - considering some variation of “name brand” as more important than picking the right school for the individual.

That makes no sense. Picking a purportedly "less prestigious" school is the opposite of wanting a name brand.

You missed the point: A parent picking a school for reasons other than it is a good academic fit for a student. Reasons like prestige, connections, gaming college admissions.

Poor kid.

I disagree. They are going to find a fit I am sure -- but the mom is right, she saw her bright kid not get into top school despite being around the 75th percentile at STA. Sure, 75th perctile at the best schools may not be ivy level, but even 10 years ago you were going to end up at a UVA, Michigan, Middlebury etc. Now those strong kids are hoping to get into BC, BU, UMD, and they are still top 25%! Would it be a better choice stress-wise, personality-wise to be in th etop 10% at Bullis and end up at UVA or Davidson rather than struggle to be top 30% at STA and end up at UMD or Colby?

No, you can’t be sure they will find a fit if they aren’t looking for one. I know a kid an expensive local private who is so miserable but their parents insist they stay there because of the college matriculation list. They aren’t the only kid in this situation. OP’s kid may end up at “less prestigious” school because their parents insist they go there for the college matriculation list even though the school is a bad fit for them and they are miserable.

[Anonymous]

Still trying to understand how OP is so sure this kid who is only 98th-%tile ls going to graduate with a 4.0 from anywhere besides DCPS or MCPS

[Anonymous]

No, he might as well go public.

[Anonymous]

I get it OP--I've often wondered the same thing. Also wondered if it would have been better to move to a rural area and to have gone public there for top in state schools. Do you or your son regret having chosen STA? What would have done instead? Also, would public like Wilson be better for college outplacement?