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Hi,
I recently, for middle school, went to a very small middle/high school type of school. It was an arts school so you had to major and participate in your arts area and academics. The people were cliquey, and the academics weren't great. I did very badly and transfered to my local highschool with about 3,000 or so kids. I haven't exactaly liked it. I feel lost and lonely, which is odd because I usually make fast friends. The academics are much better here and the electives and extracurriculars are extensive. I have been doing well with grades, not friends, or an activity to participate in, I am however, going to tryout for cheerleading in the winter. But now I'm faced with where I want to go next year. My choices:
1) Audition back into my arts magnet school for a major I probably will never want to excel in. And settle for probably mostly honors classes, and be with the same kids I was with since middle school who I'm not fond of.Not in a good neghiboorhood/area. Small school of 500ish, 800-middle and high.
2) Apply to an ACADEMIC high school. About 30 minutes from home, will have to take the bus, my parents won't let me drive there EVER. You are required 5 AP courses to graduate, and 90 community service hours, the lowest class you can take are honors. The cirriculum is rigirous, and its a very hard and challenging school. Not in a good neghiboorhood/area. Not too many electives to choose from, extensive work hours. Small school...500 kids or so. Have varsity sports, but may not have time due to the workload.
3) Stay at my huge highschool and hope to make some good friends through cheerleading or volleyball, challange myself with honors and AP courses, in a great area very very close to home, will be able to drive junior/senior year, great and tons of electives to chose from- over 100. I just won't know many kids, only the ones who may turn into friends or the ones from classes.

I tend to like a small school where I know everyone and I don't walk down the halls and think: "Who is she." I like to say: "Oh thats (so and so)." So I'm not sure, which do you guys think?? Any suggestions also?? And I want to get into medicine and law and a really good college!

My parents can not afford private school, here anywhere from $5,000.00-$15,000 a year, unless, my mom and dad said my mom, whos a realtor, can sell 2 $500,000 dollar houses a year, then I can attend a relitivley cheaper private school ($5,000.00) range, which to me would be fine, seeing I really want to go to private school, I'd go in a heartbeat!!

Suggestions though???

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 05:53 pm: Edit

If you have just started this year at your high school, I suggest waiting to make a decision until the spring. A lot can change over the next few months.

I think your ideas about how to make friends are good, and the experience will serve you well in life -- whether or not you choose to stay in your h.s. After all, after you graduate from college, you may end up working for a large institution, so it would help to have developed the skills to thrive in such an environment.

I also suggest that you get involved in arts ECs in your new skills. Your skills might have been mediocre when compared to students at the arts magnet, however you may be one of the top students in the arts in your current school. Using your talents would be a nice way to make friends and to find a new home.
Best of luck to you!

By Asianalto (Asianalto) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 08:44 pm: Edit

I would say with 3000 kids, there's got to be someone there that's good to be friends with. You just need to find your niche. If you have the means to go to a private school, and that's what you want, then go, but don't give up hope for your current school if that's where you have to stay. It doesn't sound half bad, given time.

By Starman (Starman) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:07 am: Edit

Just do what you feel like. If we influence your choice, you might regret that later. You probably already know what you want to do.

Don't worry, friends are cheap. You'll get many.