My kids are in a local charter school that focuses on academics. It’s very small and all of the kids attending are very smart. They’re both straight-A students and seem to be testing well (at least on 8th and 9th grade PSAT). But I’ve been wondering if the fact they’re in such a small charter school might count against them in some college admissions (for instance, they’d have to be one of the top 3 kids in GPA to be in the top 10%. Thoughts anyone?
I know some students who went to a very small high school. The top students (the top 20% consisted of 4 students) all went to very good, very well known universities and/or LACs. One went to an Ivy League school.
From what you said in your post, my expectation is that your kids are going to do very well. Small academically focused charter schools tend to prepare students very well for university. Admissions seem to understand this.
That’s great news! Thank you very much!
I believe it will help. Colleges are looking for a diverse student profile. To have high GPA and high test scores and not go to a top performing suburban or private high school makes an applicant stand out. Good for you. This is the point of charter schools - public funding choice schools creating student success. Colleges and universities are only too happy to reward and continue that goal.
There are charter schools across the country. And small schools. Adcoms understand not everyone can be top 10% in a small class. Many hs do not rank and those kids do fine. But you need to learn as best you can how this works. You need to learn on your own and filter the “advice” or predictions you get from strangers. Learn about holistic.
The best start is what the college say on their web sites and what they show. Learn what the colleges expect. Even tippy top performers in a small school need to show in their full app and supplements what matters. The “whole” that top colleges look for. Not some one tip.
And get a Fiske Guide to colleges, decide what’s affordable. In a couple of years, come back with some info about how they’re doing. For now, it seems they’re only just beginning their hs path. See how they fare on the later standardized testing.