hi everyone!! starting a new post because my last one was really bad! so basically i am considering transferring high schools next year. i currently attend a pretty highly ranked and competitive suburban high school. i really hate it here for many reasons but basically i want a new start. if i were to transfer, it would be in the middle of freshman and sophomore year. do you think that would look bad in college apps? the school i would transfer to would be most likely a religious high school that is ranked very highly. i would really like to hear you’re guy’s opinions on private school and whether or not it is worth the money. if i do decide to transfer, i will find ways to pay for it but i don’t know if that will be worth it in the long run with many expensive years of college ahead of me. i just know right now i am miserable & really having a hard time enjoying my high school life.
“i currently attend a pretty highly ranked and competitive suburban high school.”
Many (probably most on CC) of us parents are very familiar with this sort of high school. I have seen a lot of very highly stressed out students at such schools. I have also seen a lot of very smart students who can do very well at a competitive suburban high school. Different students do well in different environments.
One question: Can you find a niche that works for you in your current high school? You don’t have to be “in” with the in crowd. You don’t need to be a jock. You don’t have to take AP classes. You just need to find your people and also find the academic level which works for you.
Two things to do: (i) See if you can sit in for a day at the high school that you are thinking of transferring to; (ii) Find out more about finances. Clearly you don’t want to transfer unless you will actually like the new high school significantly better, and unless you can afford to do so.
If you spend money for a private high school, then what will this do to the funds available for university? If it limits the college fund, are there still good choices available to you that you will be able to afford?
More important questions: Have you discussed this with your parents? Have you discussed this with a counselor at your current high school? A counselor at your current school might have some ideas regarding better ways to adjust to and find your niche at your current school.
College applications would not be on the top of my list of concerns at this point.
“a religious high school that is ranked very highly.”
One concern I have: a school which is “ranked very highly” is usually a competitive stressful school. It is not obvious to me that this school will be any better for you than the school that you are already attending. I think that you need to be pretty sure that it will be an improvement for you before switching.
Transfer.
Transferring won’t be looked down upon during college admissions. I changed schools between my freshman and sophomore years of high school also. Some applications will ask the reason for the change in schools. But you have a solid reason so don’t stress about it.
Just make sure the change will help your mental health overall and not be worse. 
Good Luck!