Should I go to public or private high school?

Question

I live in south FL and I'm not sure which school I should go to. I'm in all gifted classes and looking to go to an Ivy League school.The public school is the biggest in the state with 5000 kids and its extremely overcrowded, so the 9th graders have to go to a different location with portables which is 20 min. away from my home. I also have to wake up at 5 am to get ready because the bus comes at 6:20. But at the private school, I'd have to leave my friends and its 30 min. away, and doesn't have transportation, which is a problem. The private school has strict uniform and less diverse student body. It's a better school, more extracirricular activities, and amazing campus but I've went to public all my life and it may be hard to adjust. It also isn't the typical high school experience because its college prep. Which should I go to?

Answer 1

I would suggest a private school in your situation. Since you plan on attending an Ivy League school, private school will prepare you for that environment. I don't think you will be challenged enough in public school. Don't get me wrong, some public schools offer wonderful education experiences; however, I truly think that you will not be challenged and you will not receive an education geared toward college prep in public school. You have to sacrifice seeing your friends, transportation, etc. in order to plan for your future. I think you will do well in whatever you do. You sound like you have your ducks in a row. Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

I had the same dilemma. I choose public school. I wanted to be with a more diverse student body. Now that I am in a private college, I hate it and miss the public school days, because most people at my school are upper class and went to private high school and are very similar, meaning very little diversity.

Yet, if you want to get into an Ivy League, private is the way to go. Schools are rated, and I couldn't get into my first choice because my 4.0 meant less than a 4.0 at a private school. It all depends what is the most important to you.

Honestly, an Ivy League college isn't everything... I'm graduating with my bachelors in May and employers don't really care where you went to school, they just care about experience. So you could go to an Ivy League, but if you don't have work experience it won't matter.

Answer 3

well, it depends what kind of a lifestyle you want to lead. In a private school environment, classes are smaller and more personalized. The work is usually a little harder, the social environment is not always great. Kids can be stuck up. Private high schools (or most of them) don't really prep you for college any better than public. Sure, the facilities are better, but in a private school there is more individual attention and "spoon feding" which is very anti-college.

the major advantage to public schooling is, as you put it diversity. This is better for you when you move onwards, to be open to all different kinds of people. THe classes will be larger and there will be less individual attention. Also you will probably be more or a "nobody" in the school versus private. Honestly, the majority of public schools are just as good, or better than private schools, which are just more expensive and say they are better.

I think your choice should really depend on what your experiences have been in the past.

Answer 4

You don't need to go to a private school to go to an ivy league school ( also ivy league is not all that anyway) plus going private drains you of your sense of diversity. Public school on the other hand is more crowded but you can make friends of different backgrounds and the competition to be the best challenges you and get you more prepared for college. I recommend talking to your parents. Maybe you just need to go to a public which has all the programs of your school just smaller. I know transportation for public is bad (i know the hell you go through everyday as i also ride the bus) but you parents probably would be more thankful for spending an extra 5 bucks on gas then an extra 10000 for a private school.

Answer 5

Entirely up to you. if you feel that you can get the education you need in public schools then go for it. Florida does have one of the worst public school systems in the country, but this will not stop you from learning the material if you apply yourself, (this is the same for any student in any school) You need grades, SAT scores and extracirricular activies for a major university. The benifit of private schooling would be the schools reputation, easier to focus on learning, and better student teacher interaction. As for your friends, well you'll make new friends, and unless all your friends get into the same college as you you'll have to break from them eventually anyway, don't let your friends get between you and a top ranked university

Answer 6

If you can't get to school, you can't get to school

College prep isn't a big deal. That's actually a good thing.

The private school will coddle you more, but you're more liable to get your butt kicked in college because of it.

I'm also uncertain how the private school could offer more extracurricular activities. It may have better facilities, but if you're talking about Cypress Bay, the school's like brand new so things can't be that bad.

You can't judge the school based on your freshman year's experience. If the main campus of the public school is equal to the private one, consider facilities a tie.

Don't worry about friends. You'll find out you change sets of friends throughout your life. Your high school friends will likely be different than your elementary school or junior high friends. Your college friends will likely be different from your high school friends.

Answer 7

Private

Answer 8

If your aim is college
Go Private.

Although I'd try to find a non-denominational Private school elsewhere than the one you mentioned. That way you can interact with a diverse international student body and get the classes and skills that will make your under-grad years at the University a virtual breeze.

Answer 9

You should go to the Private High School. It would be better for college, you should have a day that you always hang out with your friends, so you still keep in touch, but make new friends at the new school too.

Answer 10

well here's my advice.... you're obviously smart and would do great at either school. if you are looking to get into an ivy league school, i would have to suggest attending the private school as long as it is well-known, highly regarded, has good programs, and can accomadate you well. i know you will miss your friends, but just be sure to keep in contact and you will probably make friends who have even more similar interests as you at the private school. be sure to take advantage of everything this private school has to offer and keep doing your best with your grades. there is a lot more competition in private schools, but it sounds like you're ready to handle that. be sure to make this decision for YOU! go where YOU want to go, not where you THINK you should go. high school is a really important time in your life. if you're still having trouble deciding, say to yourself, 'ok, ill go to the private school (or vis-versa - the public school)' and see how you feel. do you feel disappointed that you aren't going to be with your friends and you really want to go to the public school?? then try switching it and saying 'ok, ill go to the public school' and see how that makes you feel. are you disappointed at all??
well i hope i helped you out! good luck with your decision and let me know what you choose to do!!