<p>Question: My child has a choice between an IB magnet high school and a science and technology magnet high school. What are the pros and cons? Her goal is to join medical school. Which would be a better way to go? It sounds like you’re facing a tough choice and I empathize with that. However, [...]</p>
<p>That’s very sound advice, Sally. </p>
<p>My youngest is also entering high school next year and she has the choice of 2 IB schools within a short distance, a couple of private schools some distance away and the local public high school that my oldest currently attends. Many teachers and administrators are trying to push her toward the IB schools but she wants to attend the local HS and I support that. She’s been at the K-8 for 9 years, has many friends and most of them are going to the local public school. Plus, she has been taking math at the local HS for the last 2 years and she is comfortable there. </p>
<p>I’m a believer that a kid can achieve great success in any of these environments and attend a college of their choosing if they put in the effort. If my daughter keeps focused, she should be at or near the top of her class of 700 and that, mixed in with other things, should put her in a good position. Bottom line - you reap what you sow and that applies to kids and their high school education, regardless of where they attend. </p>
<p>That is this man’s opinion. :)</p>
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<p>Probably the only time that I would push an IB school, magnet school, or even a private school over a public one that the student wants to attend is if the public school provides a poor environment for focused, disciplined, high-achieving students … or for that student in particular, for any reason. </p>
<p>But usually I agree with CatnPhx’s “You reap what you sow” theory. There are lots of factors that have to go into school choice, and smart, dedicated kids can thrive in most high schools, although they may have markedly different experiences as the result of picking one type of school over another.</p>