HELP!!! My family is planning to move me to a CA high school. Should I go to a school with no rank?

I am a current junior from a crowded, underfunded NC public high school. We do block schedule, and I am afraid that I will have difficulties to adapt to most CA high schools that do have classes yearlong. Also, I heard that the UC offers different honors credits, and if you are out of state, they will count your AP classes as honors credits and recalculate your GPA. My current rank is 53/646. Should I go to a school in Orange County, CA with no class rank. If so, please list several names of high schools that do so. Thanks!

Lots of California schools use a block schedule.

The UCs recalculate both OOS and instate GPAs. UCs only look at 10-11 grades for the GPA calculation.

Extra point for AP and IB classes for OOS and in-state (ie A=5, B=4).

Extra point for ”honors” classes for Instate students only.

UCs calculate 3 GPAs; unweighted, weighted capped (8 bonus point max), and fully weighted.

You should also google “UC a-g” requirements which outlines required coursework needed for applicants.

At your new HS, you may or may not be ranked within the HS. Some HSs rank some don’t. The UCs don’t look at how your HS ranks.

You will also be given the opportunity to explain your academic history on your application.

Are you the only one moving? Not your parents?
Are they moving you for the academics?

Are you moving just for senior year? Or soon, in jr year?

You have the freedom to attend any high school? Your parents will move into whatever school district you pick?

I’m confused.

If your parents are planning to move, they will probably pick their home based on what they can afford and the commute to their jobs.

Or are they just planning to send you on your own, with maybe one parent accompanying you to establish CA residency for college purposes? I’ve heard of people doing this type of thing before. If that is the case you can probably find cheaper places to live than Orange County.

We plan to possibly go my next junior semester (which is in Feb.)

I live in a single parent household. My mom moves because she is seeking for a better job. We don’t have a house yet.

We move because my mom wants a better job. We haven’t pick out a house yet, but schooling is taken into consideration of buying a house.

If you are targeting the California UC’s, then HS rank is not considered except for ELC (Eligibility in the Local context). ELC which is the top 9% of your High School class is a consideration in the UC application review but not an automatic admit for any UC.

I would pick a High school that works best for you and your Mom in regards to location and curriculum if these are an option. Orange County encompasses a large area, so where you end up living will most likely dictate where you will attend High School.

Thanks for all the replies! It makes me feel a little bit more light-hearted.