I am worried my kid will choose not to attend TJ.

Yes. I think they have a good chance because our base school doesn't send many kids there. The commute would be miserable and I don't think it's worth it

We discussed returning to base school if TJ was too much, but once freshman year was halfway over DC said the sense of failure returning to the base HS would be too much.

I'm not happy that my child endured a lot because it was less upsetting than showing up back at the base HS, but that's how it was.

When I spoke with DS regarding TJ, he was clear why he wanted to go and in the event it does not work out he was clear to come back to base school.
TBH .. I was impressed with the clarity of thought and I will let him decide if we are in that position

DD accepted with a very clear intention to return to base school if it did not work out. I was not crazy about her going but she went to the open and was really excited about it. It’s been the right choice for her so far.

I don’t see the total value.

I’m a high achiever by nature, and I see great value in peer pressure, but this seems like once you’re in, there is no way out. As in you have to keep up with your goals for the sake of others.

To elaborate, if you want to leave TJ, you may feel pressured to stay, because you think you’ll look defeated.