Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is very cliquey. Some kids only hang out with others because the parents are both doctors and they’re in same circles and are neighbours. But because we are not doctors, we are not in these circles

If this is your mentality, you will never be happy with your son's social life.

It’s just a reality and I don’t mean a negative tone. It’s just is.

The kids whose parents work in the same field and are in the same circles, we’ll see each other a bit more, not much though.

For example, my friend was telling me about her DD in the same school that DD likes a girl in her sports team and they talk each other during practice. But at school her DD will not talk to her, because they are in separate groups and this is not acceptable.

I wish they got over this in middle school, but this is high school.

Anyway, I blame this on parents. I have no other explanation why kids would be doing this other than copying adults.

DC’s school is very cliquey. Some kids only hang out with others because the parents are both doctors and they’re in same circles and are neighbours. But because we are not doctors, we are not in these circles

If this is your mentality, you will never be happy with your son's social life.

OP here. I guess I just don’t have a reference for what is normal. This generation is different than us growing up. They are on screens all the time.

Is it normal that a friend group only see each other outside of school for birthday parties and occasional holiday parties, but do interact at school.

Is it normal that high school friends don’t hang out outside of school even if they live 5 minutes away?

Is it normal if friends do hang out on spring break and summer break?

DC’s school is very cliquey. Some kids only hang out with others because the parents are both doctors and they’re in same circles and are neighbours. But because we are not doctors, we are not in these circles.

I would go for a better social environment. Down the road, if your kid is interested in schools that are a little different from the others in the magnet, it could be a great addition. It would be a challenge if applying to all the same schools.

My stem magnet kid wanted a school that was more collaborative for their stem field than some of the higher ranked schools for the field. It was not as much on others' radar, but is a T10 school overall. My other kid in a different stem magnet targeted schools for a mix of stem and arts. Also not interested in uber competitive stem. Got into several T15, but didn't apply for MIT, CT, CMU, Berkeley, Hopkins, Harvard, Stanford etc. which are all big with the stem set. Of course, these schools do take a few more kids from the stem magnet than most HSs, more to MIT than any DMV private, so there is still a chance. But, the way to stand out will rely more on student's interests and achievements than on parent connections, which could lead to a different kind of pressure. Still, there could be opportunities to achieve as a group in team competitions. There will also be other introverts at the magnet. If kid is truly interested in stem, he will like bond with others over interests if he joins a few clubs.

You should push your kid to try different environments especially if the one he is in is not great. Sounds like your kid should try the magnet. Parents overlook the fact that developing social skills and confidence is as important or possibly more important than developing academic skills for long term success in life

Anonymous wrote:The magnet school 100% your private is not as good.

No private in the DMV is as good as any magnet, especially for a motivated kid.

How do you know the OP is in the DMV?