Boarding School....again

[Aneklusmos]

So I visited the two boarding schools.... for anyone who is wondering, here's (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41083) a link to the previous post on this.

Anyways, the first one I visited was really nice. The community was great. I felt as if I really "clicked" everyone there accepted me into the fold. The acedemics weren't top notch in the ways my parents were hoping but for me they were fine for what I felt I needed. They also have a good farm and said that they were hoping to incorporate it more in the next year. The teachers were very nice and seemed like the kids and teachers worked together a lot better.

The second one i visited (where my dad is an alum, so he may be a bit biased) was not as welcoming. I was treated as a bit more of...I dont know. But they set me immediately to filling out paperwork as if I was already certain and just needed the final nudge. Also it was larger and had more international students. The international students, especially the ones for korea for some reason cliqued a lot. they spoke in their own language some of the time for instance. Also there was more general "groups". Skaters, jocks, and so on. The academics were a tiny but better but the teachers were colder. Like the kids and teachers were more separate, not a full integration. And another thing too was that they had a normal bell which marked everything off. I haven't had to deal with a bell since second grade and I dont wish to go back to it.

Couple more things:
At school number one, the admissions director mentioned that they had a lot of kids that skipped eighth grade and went straight into freshman year. He also said that I might be a good candidate for that since I seemed to fit in so well! And at school number two (the two schools are actually kinda brother schools) when we mentioned that school number one had said that they kinda went like "well we might be able to do that too". Kinda seemed like they were trying to do something to make them selves looked good.

I prefer school number one but my parents, especially my dad, likes school number two.
So my questions are:
1. which one would you pick? (if you wanna see the schools sites, pm me so that the sites names aren't seen by someone like a child molester. im just paranoid, but whatever)
2. would you skip the grade? at my current school and town, i have almost 0% social life. The only social life i have is online and in brief religious interactions.
sorry if it bored you.

[INFERNO]

As I'm 19, soon to be in 3rd year university, I have skipped a grade before. I didn't really have a choice in the matter as it was around grade 2,3 or 4, not sure which one it was. I got pushed ahead because my parents and the teachers felt I had to dumb myself down to fit in academically. In grade 4, I remember paying so little attention because it was boring and easy.

Schools always want to "sell themselves", especially if you have to pay for admission, then they really want your money, so of course they sell themselves to you.

I've always had schools with a normal bell, so to me it'd be odd not having one (in university, the only bell is a fire alarm). So for that part, I really cant give an unbiased view.

If you like the first one, then go for it. If the academics are very similar but socially, you find the first one better, then go for that one. Tell your parents your choice and hopefully, they'll acknowledge it and let you go to that one.

[byee]

Caleb!

I think you've answered your own question here, you like and want #1. The issue is that your dad wants you to go to #2, perhaps as you've noted b/c he's an alum. So, the real q is how do you tell him you like #1 and get him to accept your (different) choice.

The answer to that is that you might try involving your mom. She might be more objective (not being an alum), and she might therefore be in a position to help you with your dad. I think you and she might come up with a way to talk with dad about it, be prepared to explain in detail why you prefer #2, why it's more comfortable and preferable for you. Be as articulate as you can, don't hold back, so he can clearly see how much this matters to you AND that you've given it the thought that makes your decision credible.

If your folks are going thru the effort and expense of boarding school they obviously care about you and want the best for you. That probably includes hearing what you have to say and what your opinions are about the two options. Just do it in a way that is credible. Which for you shouldn't be too hard, anyway.

As for skipping a grade, I think you might want to talk with that counselor and find out more of the particulars about that option. Right now, though, I think you need to work on getting your dad to accept your choice.

[Antares]

Umm, it appears you are pretty biased towards the 1st one :rolleyes:
So I think you already have made your decision. The way you described them, I would totally choose the 1st one.
Go where you're happy. If your parents disapprove, fight for what you want. Afterall, they won't live your life for you.
So yea, I say go to number 1 because you want to :P

The next thing is skipping the grade. I was offered to skip kindergarten :P My mom said no because she wanted me to be "normal" and develop at the level that was set for me. She didn't want me to run into the problems that some kids run into during high school. Those are basically being left behind because you can't do the same things beacuse you arent of age. So umm...yea, I say don't skip a grade for that exact reason. If I skipped a grade, i wouldnt have met the amazing people that I know right now.
So don't skip the grade :P

[Aneklusmos]

The next thing is skipping the grade. I was offered to skip kindergarten :P My mom said no because she wanted me to be "normal" and develop at the level that was set for me. She didn't want me to run into the problems that some kids run into during high school. Those are basically being left behind because you can't do the same things beacuse you arent of age. So umm...yea, I say don't skip a grade for that exact reason. If I skipped a grade, i wouldnt have met the amazing people that I know right now.
So don't skip the grade :P
thing is, I haven't met any amazing people. and I want out of my tiny little town so I can have a constant community of friends who respect me instead of the Internet and small little weekend long things

[Antares]

thing is, I haven't met any amazing people. and I want out of my tiny little town so I can have a constant community of friends who respect me instead of the Internet and small little weekend long things

You probably havent met them yet :P You will probably meet your best friend forever in the boarding school. Just let things happen how they are supposed to happen and your life will unfoil.
And trust me, skipping a grade wont matter so much in getting out of your small town. Patience :)

[Aneklusmos]

You probably havent met them yet :P You will probably meet your best friend forever in the boarding school. Just let things happen how they are supposed to happen and your life will unfoil.
And trust me, skipping a grade wont matter so much in getting out of your small town. Patience :)

But skipping a grade would put me in freshman year....and if I'm at boarding school for high school that gets me out of the town where I have no one who I can call a friend and someone who respects me. or am I just not understanding you? :)

[Aneklusmos]

Thanks everyone! My parents and I have started the application process for school number one. so we will see how it goes. Thanks again!