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High School choices--ops please
A wee bit of length...
So the Gman is going to be a frosh in the fall (yup I'm old) and we registered him about a month ago for a new high school (Ironwood). He has always gone to school in the charter school system (think more structure, smaller schools) and there are a lot of things I appreciate about it.
His current school offers high school, but is a 2A for sports. G thinks he is the next Steve Nash (haaaaaa, but you can't kill your kids dream, right?) and wanted to play at a bigger school. So we went for Ironwood.
I like Ironwood--they have the International Baccalaureate program that he was accepted into (very prestigious degree program like for going to ivy leagues schools and such) of course he loves/hates it (he doesn't want to be a nerd-the goof).
Now he asks me if he can stay at his charter school. Ugh! Selfish part: Ironwood is right across the street from where we live. Current school is a 10 min drive.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on which school? I need a new perspective to consider. Thanks 
Re: High School choices--ops please
You know my thoughts on PUSD- since I'm a product of them
Honestly- it depends on his goal after high school. Ironwood has some special nicknames... (Ironweed)... but being 5A may prepare him more for college (larger school, more kids), and give him the opportunity to make or break his mad ballin skillz.
I'd say trying Ironwood, if he doesn't like it- he can transfer back?
I also went to a 5A IB school...and I highly recommend them.
IB programs are GREAT, but if he's not up for being the gerd (because geek/nerd should really be one word) I bet they offer AP courses as well. That's the route I went, took my first AP course my sophomore year.
I loved going to a big school. I had so many different groups of friends, and there was just something "cool" about going to one of those ginormous schools you see on TV. Sidenote - I would have gone to a large but much smaller school if we stayed in Canada.
As Jenn mentioned...going to university barely phased me after my high school experience. I was so used to the size that it didn't weird me out, and my AP courses prepped me a bit for the independent way of college.
The Life of the E Family
I went to a small high school, less than 200 kids in my graduating class. Everyone knows everyone (can be a good or bad thing). I had a terrible high school experience. However, my younger brother is graduating next Friday, and the entire class is depressed b/c they are so close and they will miss each other so much. Smaller schools seem to have more opportunities to be involved in clubs and sports, not as much competition.
That being said, it is a big transition to the university lifestyle. I went to a community college after high school, which also has small class sizes, and that was a very easy transition. I agree with Jenn, it really depends on his post-high school goals.
ETA: Fountain Hills HS is a 2A or 3A. AP courses are offered, but I'm not sure on that other program you mentioned.
Can't wait to meet my baby boy!
Honestly, I would let him choose.
If he wants the big sports experience, Ironwood is going to be the best...but if he doesn't want to switch to regular public school, let him stay there.
He's a great kid and I would hate to see him start out high school upset and uncomfortable.
That being said - tell him that not only did I go from a middle school with like 100 people in my grad class to over 700 in my high school grad class...but I did it after moving to a new COUNTRY and had a blast. New schools are only what you make of them. Actually, all school is only what you make of it
Thanks Jaye! It does seem like an exercise in letting go and letting him make his own decision. Gah! The control freak in me doesn't likey
Trust in that boy! You raised him well
Ok, so I went to a 5A school and was actually in the IB program. Let me tell you that it has it's pros and cons.
I'll start with the cons...You're schedule is pretty much decided for you. I think I was able to choose 1 elective a semester, but there were sooo many classes that I wish I'd been able to take that I never got a chance. Also, you have to take all IB classes, so even if you don't excel in one particualr subject you still have to take the harder class (in AP you can choose which classes to take or not take). You are in the same classes, with practically the same people for 4 years. This can be good and bad...the bad is that I never really made friends with anyone else at the school (I'm guessing this would be different for your son, since he'd be in sports too). That's another thing though...IB can take a lot of your time. I don't remember too many people in my classes that had time for sports too. IB required lots of community service as such.In the end, I got my IB diploma, but still went to ASU and only got to skip English 101 (due to earned credits). I was a good student, but none of the other credits I earned were good toward the field I went into (engineering).
The pros...because you are in the same classes with the same people, you get to know them really well. You become really close...we've even have our own reunions.
The tests at the end of your senior year are said to be easier that the AP tests. (My opinion is that because it's so hard throughout your years the tests are easier...whereas since AP gives you so much more freedom throughout the years, the tests are harder). Also, I think even though I didn't get a lot of credits through the tests, I felt college was easier after going through IB. It definitely prepares you a little more. It's based on a 5.0 GPA.. This is good because colleges look at GPAs based on a 4.0 scale. So 3.8 is ok out of 5.0, but pretty good on the 4.0 scale.
So, I totally know this isn't what you were looking for in this post...but thought I'd share my 2 cents.
I would say that the sports should probably be the only reason to go to Ironwood..besides the location.
You can definitely find comparable programs to IB out there.