Reply to HB Woodlawn HS questions

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am one poster on an anonymous board who thinks HB has some advantages and disadvantages.  It does make sense that 1) the less rigorous AP classes and 2) your school offering fewer AP classes so therefore a top student can carry a lower AP course load overall to be seen as taking the schools most rigorous path could be a potential advantage for college admissions in a test optional environment.

People who are denying this, it seems weird to me.

Overall though, most parents want their kids in a strong academic environment with good options.  So I see what’s being described in this thread as a disadvantage more than an advantage.[/quote]

As an HB parent, I agree that HB has advantages and disadvantages. I can't say though that the less rigorous classes and fewer AP classes are some sort of benefit in college admissions. First, I'm not a college admissions professional (but I do have some experience in this area both as a parent of multiple kids who applied to elite schools and as an interviewer for my own elite college). It doesn't strike me that the type of kid who applies successfully to top colleges is looking fro some easier hack to get in. the types of kids who get into Ivies, etc. take every opportunity available to them and then go find/make opportunities.

I'm not denying that HB has advantages and disadvantages. I find it reallly weird that some person (or more) is trying to spin HB as having only advantages. That's just not the case. [/quote]

Every college admissions professional and even most parents who have just had to become an amateur admissions person will tell you kids are competing against kids at their own high school in college admissions.  Do the math on what that means at an overall less rigorous high school.  A kid does not need to do as much to excel and stand out as at a more rigorous high school.  That is the "benefit" people are identifying, if they are inclined to view this as a benefit.  It's basically saying it's an advantage to be able to do less and get the same result.  I agree most normal people are not looking for some easier hack to get in and that is not why their children are at HB.[/quote]

I don't think your logic holds up though in terms of outcomes. There are still enough very rigorous classes at HB for kids to differentiate themselves. A very small number take multivariable calculus for example. And the top kids who get into differentiate themselves in other ways by doing things outside of school such as academic summer programs, research, governor's school, etc. They still have to differentiate themselves to get into the top schools. But at HB, you may have to do it yourself outside of school because the school just doesn't have the same opportunities.

[/quote]

You think kids at the regular high schools don't have to do anything outside of school to get into top schools?  Wrong.[/quote]

Where did I say that?

Sure, they may do things too.

You just seem to be assuming that tons of kids at HB get into top colleges, just because there are fewer AP classes available. That's just not how it works. 
[/quote]

I'm wondering if any of you would even admit there is a difference for UVA.

UVA is going to let in some percentage of the class every year from all the APS high schools.  That is the holy grail for many VA families.  A great school at a good price.  The kids who get into UVA from the comprehensive high schools - it's all APs in all core subjects (including an AP language) for all the years offered and not the easier AP options either.  Nearly all (but not all) the W-L kids will have been full IB.  And these kids will have gotten all As in HARD classes.   And yes, they are doing things outside of school too.  The above is not enough for these kids.  It is known how hard an admit UVA is from these top publics in NoVa.

HB has a lot of UVA admits.  I believe the kids who got into UVA from HB had to do less in high school academically then a kid at one of the comprehensive high schools to get into UVA.  [/quote]

Thank you so much for posting this. I understand now. HB got a spot you think your kid would have gotten so the school is easier. Finally, I understand the hate. If your kid us UVA Special, they should devote themselves to getting every little thing they can out of the school the are at.[/quote]

Yep, it's double hate, first bitter their kid didn't get into HB, then double bitter that this cheated them out of their god given right to UVA! And their kid was BETTER than those lazy HB kids! [/quote]

Assuming in every discussion that people who disagree with you are bitter and/or jealous shows you have no argument.  Or are just delusional?

I have a kid at a regular high school who did not want to go to HB.  Not a good fit.  And as I already said when I posted previously, kid is not interested in UVA.  I’m just saying what I think about this as an observer and person who lives here and has kids in APS.  To me I can see how the kids who get into UVA from HB have had to do less academically.  No one has come on here so far with an actual counter to this that isn’t just insults.[/quote]

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