I'd say no, but partly because the whole magnet thing was definitely not my idea. My kid really wanted to do it and I allowed it over strong misgivings.

I have been often irritated by it because the commute was an issue. I ended up giving up my car to them as soon as they could get their license, which was not the original plan, because there really wasn't another way that they could make their sport/extracurricular, other than me becoming their uber driver.

I think the friend thing has worked out okay, I think one of the reasons my kid really wanted to go to magnet was that the friend group from MS was rocky, and this was a fresh start. They have made some good friends -- that likely would have also happened at home school, but who knows.

The workload is a lot. They have developed a major caffeine habit that I am not crazy about. Hopefully college will now seem easy. They have developed at lot of organizational skill and self-motivation, so that's good.

I think the kid really needs to want it, and be self-motivated. If you make the decision for your reasons (rather than them making the decision for their reasons), I think there's a good chance you'll be disappointed.

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a junior and she doesn't regret it and neither do I.

Two things that may make a difference:

1. The magnet program happens to be our home school, so no commute issues.
2. He has one year-long EC that takes a lot of time and one seasonal sport, just kinds dabbles in a few clubs with low commitment. So he has time. Sometimes I think that "the grind" people talk about is because they feel the pressure to also participate in lot of time intensive/competitive ECs.

This is huge. Not just commute but also not having to leave their friends. Seems like a no brainer to give it a shot in those circumstances.

Anonymous wrote:#1 kid - enjoyed their magnet experience, but I think they would have had a better HS experience at their home school with neighborhood friends and a short commute to afterschool activities. The 45 min commute to PHS just wasn't worth it for sports games, and kid really didn't get involved in many activities.

#2 kid switched to Early College because the teachers weren't the best, the workload was more busy work than actually worthwhile, and a few of the kids were obnoxious, which is rough when you have them in class all day. They enjoy the more focused pace of the classes and less wasted time physically in the school building.

We are finding the same as this PP's kid #1 in terms of commute and after school activities. At their home school they could just casually stop by any time to meet up with people or see a game. but the long commute makes it really hard to do that and it's a big issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor quality of high school experience

Can you clarify this point?

There are always a few posts trying to get others to make room on the waitlist.

I really don't think anyone is doing this. Please stop clogging up all the magnet posts with your paranoia.

My kid is a junior and she doesn't regret it and neither do I.

Two things that may make a difference:

1. The magnet program happens to be our home school, so no commute issues.
2. He has one year-long EC that takes a lot of time and one seasonal sport, just kinds dabbles in a few clubs with low commitment. So he has time. Sometimes I think that "the grind" people talk about is because they feel the pressure to also participate in lot of time intensive/competitive ECs.

Nope. Even though DS is on the bus at 6am a 10 minute drive from our home, still worth it. His magnet is the perfect place for him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor quality of high school experience

Can you clarify this point?

There are always a few posts trying to get others to make room on the waitlist.

+1

#1 kid - enjoyed their magnet experience, but I think they would have had a better HS experience at their home school with neighborhood friends and a short commute to afterschool activities. The 45 min commute to PHS just wasn't worth it for sports games, and kid really didn't get involved in many activities.

#2 kid switched to Early College because the teachers weren't the best, the workload was more busy work than actually worthwhile, and a few of the kids were obnoxious, which is rough when you have them in class all day. They enjoy the more focused pace of the classes and less wasted time physically in the school building.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor quality of high school experience

Can you clarify this point?

There are always a few posts trying to get others to make room on the waitlist.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Peer cohort and curriculum excellent but grind of a workload and poor quality of high school experience made it not worth it in my kid's opinion.

Is the workload that bad? A few years ago the poll of magnet students showed they had on average 2.5 hours of homework a night. Now sure some who decide to take on Functions or APUSH in 9th have more but that's a choice.

Anonymous wrote:poor quality of high school experience

Can you clarify this point?

What did you do? Did your child stick it out until graduation?

Yes. Peer cohort and curriculum excellent but grind of a workload and poor quality of high school experience made it not worth it in my kid's opinion.

Yes. Long(er) commute HS start time hits you even more when you have to go further for school, less time with friends from wee lil ages, maybe had different ideas in head of what a magnet will be. Other things similar to peers' experiences at neighborhood non magnet HS.

Anyone regret sending their child to a magnet HS? If so why and did they stick it out?