<p>Our family is at a bit of a crossroad, with husband wishing to retire and write full time. Absent kids, we'd move somewhere less expensive and pursue a more relaxed lifestyle. However, being the best parents we can be is a top priority. We'd be most grateful for any thoughts about our connundrum.</p>
<p>Our daughter is a rising junior, happy at her independent day school, although she is young for her grade and we wish she had an extra year of H.S. or something before college. She's most interested in east coast schools, thus far liking Brown, Wellesley and Amherst. She may or may not be competitive for that caliber of school - this year will tell (although of course we will look seriously for ones that are easier to get into). Ideally, she'd like us to stay put for two years so she can graduate.</p>
<p>Our son is a rising 8th grader. We figured he'd apply to local CA private high schools, among which he will likely have some choices as his grades at a rigorous school are among the top two boys and his SSAT as a 7th grader was 96th percentile (on the 8th grade version of the test). He's also a great kid, passionate about learning and a strong athlete and musician. </p>
<p>We're trying to figure out if there is any way we can realize my husband's dreams without hurting the kids. One idea is to have our son apply to and start school at a local HS, then transfer as a 10th grader to a prep school as a day student. We'd move and live wherever the school is (Choate and Exeter are in areas with some appeal to us). That way our daughter could graduate, but our son would have to change schools mid-stream.</p>
<p>But we wonder - are the prep schools impossibly stressful and difficult? We worry if it is just too much for kids, no matter how bright and motivated they may be. To complicate matters, our son has dyslexia and mild ADD. It takes him longer than some kids to get through HW, but he's smart enough to still pull off good grades. However, it doesn't come easily to him, like it does for some kids. </p>
<p>Would we actually be hurting his chances for admission at top colleges if we moved him to such a school? The % of kids accepted to Ivy's from the local school he'd probably end up at is actually higher than the prep schools. But the SAT scores of the local school are higher too. The course offerings and facilites locally are nothing in comparison to the preps. In terms of education, the preps would likely be superior. </p>
<p>We're thoroughly confused, juggling all these balls. I find this forum so helpful, I hoped maybe someone would have an opinion or insight.</p>