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<p>Unfortunately, I work in a school like yours… fortunately, I went to a good public high school myself that routinely sent kids to top schools each year.</p>
<p>There is a difference, but it’s not in the caliber of students. We have equally as capable students here where I work as those I grew up with (both rural areas). The difference lies in the beliefs of the students/staff/locals. </p>
<p>Where I grew up they all knew certain kids were more academically talented than others and kids were sorted by ability around 7th grade. We were all encouraged to perform up to our ability and challenged accordingly with work. APs were offered and many of us did very well year in and year out. With the SAT top kids were expected to try for 7 as the first number for each section (only 2 back then).</p>
<p>Here it’s believed that no one except the rare individual can do that level of work - and the belief is that they will succeed no matter what the school does. All students are kept to approximately the same level of work (learning support excepted) and the top kids are literally never challenged. The foundation bar is set low, but kids & parents assume they are doing well since the grades are high. The goal for top kids is to get a 6 for the first number on the SAT sections - a 600 is “rocking good” according to the kids (top kids). AP was dropped when few kids could even muster a 2 on the tests. We switched to DE, but the content of the DE (here) honestly doesn’t compare with AP. It’s just easier to get college credit in when the teacher makes the decision vs a national test.</p>
<p>Our kids could do equally as well as those in my high school, but they never get the material nor the encouragement to do so. Scores are lower as the foundations are lower. Even the teachers seldom realize what could be and often “is” elsewhere.</p>
<p>It’s sad.</p>
<p>I HIGHLY suggest doing a bit outside of school if you are in one of these school districts and feel you have a capable (and willing) student. The few who truly succeed (high level academics) here do just that. I often have conversations with them. The two types of education are simply on different planes… </p>
<p>(As for me, I opted to homeschool my older two - and they both hit scores where they should - far surpassing their peers even though their peers were equally as capable.)</p>