@techmom99- Hurray for the success with the ACT!
It is so sad what has happened with the Education system in NY. I watched in horror as the transformation has been taking place. We moved from CA to NY to escape (in part a horrid ED system) only to fall right into the middle of a similar situation
My husband is a patent attorney (federal law) & was recently admitted to the Ohio bar. He promised me he was not doing that again, so we best stay put in Ohio. 
Pace has an excellent theater program. My daughter’s voice teacher’s children all went there. Two have worked Broadway now- her sons were in Book of Mormon & Bridges of Madison County! Her youngest was in the national tour of Elf and also swing in A Christmas Story!
Wishing you all well in this transition!