At the end of last year, we decided to make a move from Life Academy for Film and Music to any other school that would take her. Not because it's a horrible school, it just wasn't a good fit.
She went from an independent school in the West Village to an environment that almost instantly seemed like prison to her. She had to wear a pointless uniform, wasn't able to carry a cell phone or iPod, had to take part in extended day, and travel 2.5 hours round trip from Bed Stuy to Bensonhurst. It was just too drastic.
In addition, the classes were not challenging, and the principal had an idea that the students needed to be coralled like broncos. Not all of them did. Quite a few parents were in our situation - a middling student with a fair academic record so none of the more selective high schools would take her.
This year, she's averaging a 91 so far. She still can't carry a phone or iPod, which irritates me as much as it irritates her. My 12 year old son at M.S. 51 can carry his cell phone, and she can't? I think it's ridiculous.
However, we don't mind so much. It's a small inconvenience for her to be able to attend this school. Her teachers all conferred and decided to move her up a level in English so that instead of taking 10th grade English, she's taking 11th, and next year she'll move into the AP 11th grade English class. The staff is incredibly responsive to her and us, without our prodding, and all around it's a solid program.
We're incredibly happy that she's being challenged and appreciated for her unique strengths.
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