Would you let your child pick which high school they would like to attend even if you know it’s not the right one for them or the one you would pick?
Would you let your child pick which high school they would like to attend even if you know it’s not the right one for them or the one you would pick?
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9 Replies
Yes, we did. Our son wanted to go the high school all his friends were going too. However after one term he realised he hadn’t made the right decision and wanted to try the school we wanted him to go too. We allowed him to change schools and the rest is history. In the end the private school was where he was meant to be.
I agree they think they want to be with their friends but get a bit of a reality check in the first term anyway.
So maybe agree but make a proviso of grades and to revisit the decision at end of term.
I went to a different high school to all my friends for year 11 & 12, and it was shit. My grades tanked, I was the outsider because everyone else grew up together, and I ended up in "the wrong crowd" because I didn't fit into all the other cliques.
I went on an academic scholarship to a private school, and failed.
I wasn't bullied, I just didn't fit in. So boys and drinking and partying with my old friends took precedence over studying.
No. I was allowed to pick & chose the public school I knew nothing about because everyone else was going there.
I honestly believe I would have done much better & not got in with the wrong crowd in the smaller private school with a wider curriculum that I was also offered.
Private schooling has never been and likely won't ever be a financially doable option for us so our kids didn't get a choice. It was the local public high school or nothing!
In a way, I'm actually kind of relieved the choice was made for us because so many of my kid's friend's and their parents agonised over the decision.
Luckily, my kids are happy, thriving and it's generally a pretty good school that offers students a lot of practical skill building opportunities.
If we were in the position to actually choose, I would definitely allow my children to have an input. I think it's important they have a say when it comes to decisions that affect their future and their happiness because ultimately a miserable kid won't be productive in even the most prestigious of schools.
Depends - if they’re getting themselves there and home they can have input, cost is my choice not theirs at the end of the day they don’t do the budget, why do you choose one - reputation or does your child specialise in something.
I think having ownership and choice will definitely help them have connection and interest in success and that’s what we want in high schoolers.
Nope
I went to a year 7 - 10 high school then when it was time for year 11 &12 I picked the high school that I wanted to go to and I was happy there until we moved to the coast then I had no choice but to go to the school that my parents had picked
Yes we let our daughter choose. It wasn't our first choice, but she is the one that has to go not us. And 100% she made the right choice for her!! She is currently in year 9 and the school has been really good for her. We are very proud of her for voicing her opinion and making the right decision