<p>Both my kids go to competitive entry programs. My DH went to Bronx Science in the late 70s – that was the benchmark we sought for our kids’ education. Happily, we were able to find it in our public school system.</p>
<p>DS1 is a junior in a program within a much larger, diverse school; the school offers ~25 APs and the magnet programs offers two years of post-AP Calc (he will take Complex Analysis second semester next year). DS1 will wind up with about 10 AP exams (spread over 10th-12th) by the time he graduates. My sense is that this is around the average, though with block scheduling, it is difficult to take more without going the self-study route (i.e., AP science courses are double period, meaning 90 minutes a day, five days a week – or 25% of one’s schedule). </p>
<p>DS1 has decided not to self-study APs and instead spends considerable free time doing comp sci competitions and independent study in math and CS. His ECs are, by CC standards, are academic and narrowly focused. On the other hand, they are deep, long-standing, and he loves doing them – they broaden his mind and his social life. Who he is in real life and who he presents on college apps will be one and the same person.</p>
<p>We have talked a lot about stress and the pressure to get into college; he and I both read “The Overachievers” and that generated LOTS of fruitful conversation. He emphatically tells me he doesn’t feel the stress that the kids in that book experience, though he knows kids who do. He thrives on challenge – what’s stressful to him is boredom. He doesn’t just mumble the “right” words to me – he posts them on his Facebook to all his friends. The program he attends has given him the opportunity to learn at his level and pace, which in turn gives him the freedom to develop socially and emotionally.</p>
<p>DS2 is a freshman in a full IB Diploma program. Loves the school, has made tons of friends, is doing debate, Model UN, stage crew and football. The workload is daunting (it’s a heavier load than his brother’s), grades are decent but definitely not straight As. Friends who have graduated from this IB program tell us that college is easier – mainly because in order to survive, one must become disciplined and self-motivated. </p>
<p>I am already seeing DS2 getting more proactive in his education – doing reading assignments ahead of time, double-checking assignments with classmates, going to get help from teachers – and I am breathing a huge sigh of relief. </p>
<p>Both kids have told DH and me that one of the best parts of going to competitive programs is that they are with kids who also value school.</p>