Possibility of Changing High Schools Senior Year

<p>I am thinking about changing high schools for my senior year. My current high school I've been at since ninth grade. It's a public school and in all honesty not that great. I truly believe I made the wrong choice coming to the school. Not only does it not have any theater programs (something I was heavily involved with in middle school) but it is a huge school with thin resources and a lot of behavioral and drug problems. Many of the classes I've taken are a joke. I would say 80% of the students simply do not care about school. It's always been that way. It's really tough as someone with a lot of ambition and little sports skills to go to a school where people do not care at all, do a lot of drugs, and only focus on mediocre sports teams. I was in a lot of denial about the school, and I just assumed it would get better. However, that is definitely not the case. I have never received any college guidance from my GC (had to rely on teachers and google) and I honestly do not feel prepared for any sort of college. </p>

<p>Recently, I reached a crossroads in my life. I realized I'm suffering from depression (partly genetic, partly environmental). I truly believe the school contributed to my downward spiral. Being around people who don't care really had a negative effect on me. The only reason I stayed at the school was for an extra curricular. That's right. An EC. That fell apart this year. Most of the classes are a joke and the best teachers only teach math and science, two things I'm not the best in. The classes are so big I can't go in for help, and the behavioral problems are getting really bad.</p>

<p>I'm looking at my senior year at my current school and it looks really grim. My writing, which used to be at a high level, has gotten so much worse, and my drive has gone way down. The only classes worth taking next year are AP Calculus and AP Physics (the "best" teachers as I mentioned before) which isn't great because I'm not a math and science person. The people consistently get on my nerves, and I'm tired of being surrounded by people who only talk about drinking and smoking (I'm not exaggerating). I realized I picked up a lot of bad habits from this school (tardiness, procrastination) that I didn't have before and will hurt me in college. Most of my good friends are seniors, so they will be gone. I look around at my junior class and I've almost broken down, it makes me so sad.</p>

<p>I'm looking at going to a private school for my senior year. It's considered one of the best schools in my state. 98% of the students go to college (compared to an unknown ambiguous number at my current school) and virtually everyone is driven. I worry that transferring will throw me off of my current path, and hurt things like rec letters and my GPA. The school is definitely more rigorous. Additionally, I would probably be boarding since it is a good distance from my house. However, it's a smaller school with better college resources, and it really could help me get my life back together. </p>

<p>Should I change schools? I really do not see any chance at happiness left at this school. My favorite (and virtually only since it took so much time) EC has fallen apart, my friends are turning to drugs and alcohol, and my courses for next year are slim. I could really use a change of pace with driven students. I'm worried about how this will hurt my college chances. Any suggestions? Sorry for the long post:) Advice is greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>I say you should, I changed mine and was one of the best decision. Really 2 different environment and people.</p>

<p>i’m in the exact opposite situation: my high school is extremely difficult, and while i’m pretty sure i’m ranked in the top 3%(my school doesn’t do official rankings), it is really a LOT of pressure to maintain high in the ranks. will it reflect badly if I move to an easier school senior year?</p>

<p>but yeah answering the original question 100% move out immediately!</p>

<p>going with your description of your current school, switch to the better school!
Your current school sounds horrible</p>

<p>PLEASE do yourself a favor and switch! Do not stay at a place that depresses you.</p>

<p>divabre715: I asked the same question last year; I had some of the same questions and concerns. </p>

<p>I changed high schools for my senior year and it was the best decision that I made. The atmosphere and leadership between the schools is night and day. If I had known, it would have been this great, I would have changed in 9th grade. In addition, colleges will not think anything about. I actually used “changing high schools” with a short response for one college. </p>

<p>My advice is to change schools and do not look back!!</p>

<p>@ilovedianna:
By moving to an easier school, your GPA will end up being carried over and used to calculate your ranking. So you may be at a disadvantage against kids who have a higher GPA just because they took courses at the easier school.</p>