Is it worth it to transfer senior year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hey all.</p>

<p>Here's the story: I go to a public high school in a suburban community outside of New York City. The school has a reputation for being strong academically and it's supposedly better socially than the other surrounding schools because it's more middle-class. </p>

<p>But. I hate it.</p>

<p>I've been in this school district since third grade and so, I know everyone and they all know me. And the thing is, my school is just the wrong size: it's too large for there to be real merging between the grades and a sense of comradery, and it's too small for there to be a way to reinvent yourself or to meet new people. I feel like such an outcast there. Even though I have friends, I'm not close with any of them, and I don't even really respect or much like the people I'm associated with.</p>

<p>In addition, I have been extremely disappointed with the quality of the academics. I feel like I am unconscious during the majority of my classes, even though I manage to come out with strong grades. Most of the academic departments as a whole are extremely weak, particuarly foreign language, and the teachers, for the most part, don't put much effort into their teaching.</p>

<p>I'm frustrated because I know that I'm capable and deserving of so much more than what I am receiving here. This is why I'm going to this school for spring semester next year, called the Mountain School. It's located on an organic farm in Vermont and has top-notch academics combined with an accepting, diversified environment. I really think that it's the right thing for me to do and I have absolutely no qualms about it whatsoever.</p>

<p>However... the question is whether I should try to find some alternative school for senior year. If the school would allow me to transfer for 12th grade, I could theoretically go to a school in Manhattan.</p>

<p>If I want to do this, I would have to start getting that together soon, since applications go out in October/November. I just don't know whether it's worth it. I know that I'll be very changed from my semester away and that maybe everything will be alright once I come back. Still, I don't know, since no matter what, the academics can never be as good as I would want them to be.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Should I just trust that it'll work out once I'm back, since I'll only have one year left? Or should I try to work something else out, like an alternate school or a semester abroad?</p>

<p>Oh, and also: do any of you know the policy of transferring in twelfth grade to a top Manhattan public school?</p>

<p>Thanks so much, guys.</p>

2

<p>Seems like you already know the answer.</p>

<p>If you hate your current HS, then i guess you should transfer. You been there for 3 years already so you know what it will be like during senior year. Its sad/hard to transfer during senior year cuz alot ppl had their groups already in a new school and you will be leaving your friends from your old school. But you said that you werent close to any of them so it will be easier. Sounds like your current school isnt the the type of environment you are looking for so moving would be a good idea IMO. You should feel like you want to go back to your school senior year.</p>

<p>I transfer during my junior year because of personal reasons (parents). It was hard at first but I meet and became friends with a great group of ppl. I later transfer back to my old school cuz i parents let me :p. It is not that i didnt like my current school is just that i miss my old school alot. It was an awesome senior year for me (parties and sports and friends) and Im gonna miss HS :(. Oh yeah i still hang out with my other friends from the other school too so its all good. </p>

<p>Just relax and have fun cuz its senior year :p. Hope i helped and GL. Yeah that was kinda long...</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your response. It's just hard to imagine adjusting to an entirely new environment--- and only for a year.</p>

<p>"Seems like you already know your answer"</p>

<p>I wish!</p>

4

<p>Anyone else? Please, I'd really appreciate it!</p>

5

<p>Um, I didn't read your whole post, but I just wanted to point out that you should make sure that you CAN transfer at all. Those top schools- I'm not from NYC but I have family there and the Maryland system is very similar...people busted their butts trying to get into those schools 8th grade...which was 3 years ago. Check and see if when you transfer you will be put into the good classes. At our school, you can easily transfer into comprehensive (i.e regular i.e stupid) classes, honors requires good previous grades, and S/T and AP require applications and all sorts of crazy stuff. Definetely have your parents talk to the guidance counselors at the school you want to transfer to as soon as possible. Also, really think this over-you're going to be the new kid. You say you've been in your school system since 3rd grade, so you really haven't been the new kid for a while. People are going to have their groups already, and hard as you may try, you probably won't have the same lifestyle (that is, if you're a go-out kind of person) that you did before. There probably won't be many other new kids to befriend. And even though the public school is a top school, it is still an inner-city public school. It's going to be a big change. If you feel like your current school is holding you back from a great future (ie colleges), then definetely change, but if it's just holding you back from being your personal best, it's only 1 more year. I know that sounds awful, but just think-in a year you will be at a great school (you seem like a very intellegent person who will go far) with cool new friends being challenged and having the time of your life. After
9 years of boredom, what's one more year in exchange for 4 years of excitement?</p>