<p>As you might know Dmd, Reed admits students who show high potential, not necessarily students who mirror admitted students at more “competitive” schools, especially in test and GPA #'s.
Still I think it can be argued that Reed is one of the most intellectual in the country with graduates who do very well in many fields including graduate school and beyond.</p>
<p>My daughters high school Garfield does have a high number of APP students, who by their middle school program should be among the best prepared in district. However, Garfield unlike other Seattle public schools allows students to take AP courses even though their middle school classes and grades might not warrant that “tracking”.
My daughter attended an “alternative” school for 3-8th grade, and she was in special education for that time ( even though they didn’t give her appropriate program for her learning disabilty), so I can safely say that it wasn’t the middle school that is the reason she is doing so well now.
She just finished fall semester- is no longer in special education, but she is taking the same classes as those who were in APP in middle and elementary. She received straight A’s and is recommended to take an AP course in 10th grade.
The teaching is exemplary, and now I understand why students from my older daughters private prep school, are transferring into Garfield.
They are determined to prepare all students to continue their education past high school, and it shows in the dedication to the students.</p>
<p>dmd - i wholeheartedly agree with you regarding opening up programs and defining success by the ability to teach all comers. It’s incredibly easy to teach those rocket-scientists who don’t really need me. My AP courses are open enrollment, and enjoy teaching such a heterogeneous group. My standards remain high and I believe that the students who struggle benefit more from the course than their brilliant counterparts. And both learn from the other. I remind my kids that no one will be telling them in college that they can’t take a course (assuming pre-reqs are met) because they are “regular” and not “honors” kids.</p>
<p>The lottery system is self-selective. While there aren’t any entrance tests, parents and students have determined that the school has something that they value and, once admitted, they will work hard to make sure it works out.</p>
<p>Hypermom-Would I have done anything different?
Academically-no. S was able to handle the challenging curriculum, and was very well advised by his GC.
EC’s- Yes, we wouldn’t have taken the concept of “summer vacation” so literally. I have summers off, and my husband has liberal vacation time, so we did a lot of travelling every summer. S always had a job that he enjoyed (lifeguarding) but I probably would have encouraged other pursuits had I realized the competition he would be facing in admissions.
Financially-YES!! Starting with me as a 23 year old new mom who just had to have the $200 stroller that was used maybe 10 times with all 4 kids. And the thousands upon thousands of dollars we could have saved on everything from Furbies to DVD’s and video games. We needed a lot more in our college fund than we did in our toy chests. I remember when S was a baby and reading a financial prediction of what college would cost in 18 years and poo-pooing the outrageous estimate. Shouldn’t have because it was right on target.<br>
Now, we’re faced with an EFC that sends chills up my spine. We’ll be eating bologna for the next few years if S does get into his dream school. Already his brother and sisters are seeing the budgetary change in our household. There’s a lot less mall, paintball and movie money being passed around these days. We’ll stick with one computer for the 6 of us, scale back on eating out, etc. 15 year old Sister has already been motivated to get a job . We should have done this a lot sooner. You have 7 years to get financially prepared. Do it! Good luck</p>
<p>Can you tell from my previous post that I’m doing spring cleaning? LOL</p>