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@jmmiyk08 It depends upon your definition of a “good” school. Although I think I know what you mean.
Let’s take a look at the very ambitious graduating classes of 2013 and 2014:
- 500 / 600 AP classes completed during senior year
- 87%/84% attended first or second choice school (more on this later)
- 26/14 received merit scholarships
- 2013 class achieved the “trifecta,” of receiving three of the most distinguished merit scholarships, the Jefferson scholarship at the University of Virginia, and the Morehead and Robertson scholarships at the University of North Carolina.
Excluding Int’l students, many of the students hail from Southern states (Virginia south/southwest to Texas). Even though my son is from NH, he is not unlike many of the students who prefer to attend schools in the South/Midwest/West; UVA, UNC, Duke, WF, Sewanee, Vandi, W&L, Davidson, etc. vs the famous NE schools. Why? Perhaps it is the weather, family tradition, campus atmosphere, in-state tuition, or even just plain ole fit. My son will not even consider a school (other than West Point) north of DC. I say, but look at all of these schools you are leaving off your list!
These schools are not laggards. Have you seen the admission stats needed to get into Vandi or Duke? If you are out of state, good luck getting into UVA or UNC. EHS students not only get into these schools, but they are accepted to their more selective business schools. DS’s frosh roommate’s brother attended EHS. Was accepted to U of Chicago, Yale, and UNC’s Kenan-Flager. He choose UNC. Kids do apply to HYPSM and the more selective schools and like many other students are wait listed or declined. Some are accepted. Last year, one was admitted to Stanford (Gate-Millenium) and another to Yale. This year students were accepted EA to Harvard and ND. Acceptance to any of these schools is a lottery. But you are astute to pick up on the fact that EHS’s matriculation list is not populated with some of the more famous schools. It’s not because of EHS, it’s the student’s choice to look South and West.
One of the more amazing stats, and is undervalued, is the % of students who attend their 1st or 2nd choice school. On average 85% of the graduating class at EHS attends their 1st or 2nd choice. Let that stat sink in and then realize how hard it is to achieve this success rate. I credit the CC dept. for helping the students to focus on what type of school will encourage them to continue their passion for learning and EC’s vs. checking the “ABC” prestige school box. Students are applying to schools they want to go to and have a chance of acceptance.
One last note. I like to read the Alumni newsletter. What did they do after EHS? It’s interesting to see how folks career traversed after EHS and college. They did not wander aimlessly. There are many, many EHS alumni who are quite respected in their fields. Without fail, whenever EHS highlights an single alumni, this person credits their life/career success to their experience at “The High School” vs. college. I am sure this is a common refrain from Ms. Porter’s (and others) Alumni newsletter also.
Congratulations on your choices and whatever your decision, enjoy your time at either school.
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