Our daughter now attends a public high school with 4,200 students. One of 7 in our district all with about the same number of students. She is happy. Had another daughter graduate from there, went on to UC Berkeley, just graduated with honors.
We will move next year to TX. Where in comparing the state standards for coursework has me confused!
Our 11th Gr. D's univ. GPA is 4.0. Will have completed 5 AP classes by end of this year (geography in 9th, WH 10th, this year USH, Art, English). She is more attuned to liberal arts studies, english and fine arts than STEM. (she is enrolled in a rigorous college prep coursework path/ sub section of her school along with about another 1/5th of the students) They don't have an IB path at our school. Just the general AP/Honors, which she's in.
Her Math path has been:
8th Gr.: Algebra 1 (Grades: A, A), 9th: Geometry (A, A), 10th: Algebra II (A,B). Decided this year 11th Gr. she'd take a course called Functions/Statistics/Trigonometry instead of Pre-Calc. to prep for SAT and strengthen overall Math. Her counselor told her that with her strong GPA, involvement and other rigorous classwork, since she wasn't interested in a STEM path to college, that taking this class would be fine on transcript. She was thinking that in 12th for Math she'd take one of: Statistics, Pre-Calc or Stats & Risk Management.
?? Question: Looking at TX paths in Dallas metroplex high schools specifically, will this place her into a path her senior year that will remain competitive for college apps? TX seems to have a math path that goes:
9th: Alegrbra 1, 10th: Geometry, 11th Algebra II, 12th: Choice of: PreCalculus, Statistics, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science, College Prep Math, Stats & Risk Management, Engineering Math
[That sample of options for 12th Gr. Math coursework was at one of the high schools we're looking at (Prosper High) near McKinney.]
Also:
??? Question 2: Is there really a significant difference between "Distinguished Level of Achievement' path vs. "Advanced Course Option"?? in TX high schools?
??? Question 3: Top 10% and the related needs of coursework rigor by school vs.Social/Life issues because of move:we think that it might be a challenge to chase that 'top 10%' tier due to her transfer transcript and any issues of difference. For example, our CA is on a 4 pt scale, and the TX schools seem to be on a 6 pt (??) scale? So should she go with a 'good' school and hope for placement in rigorous path at that school (and, how do I convince counselors to do that) so she has a good shot at top 10% of class (as she is now)? or go to school that has 'more rigorous' coursework, and not even worry about that 10%? (we ask because we don't have such a thing in CA that 'guarantees' acceptance to a spot in TX univ/college - I do know about the 'with limits' exception at UT Austin)
I'm so confused. She obviously won't be able to continue her leadership roles (ASB, Student Club officer roles, etc.) in TX, as those roles will be full and frankly, it will take her a bit of time to figure out her 'place' in the school. We want her to be able to enjoy her Sr. year a bit, and not be bogged down academically, but maybe that will be her connection point? HELP!
My husband is being transferred to Plano, TX and we are looking at the following ISD's: Lovejoy, Colleyville, McKinney, Propser. (just not sure I can live in Plano. I need a little less Orange County feel, as I don't even like it here in CA!) I live in Los Angeles county in a beach city now. We are hoping for a little 'space' and breathing room - 1+ acre, i.e. Fairview? Any suggestions would be great!. We don't want a 'new build' community, but realize that we will rent for 1 year for our daughter's high school year, and build/remodel during that year.
Thanks!
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