Dear Bert,
Before you choose a highschool you should decide what is best for you
- not what other people, such as newspaper rankings or Google Answers
Researchers - are saying, but what is best for your own girl.
Ask yourself:
Where would she feel the best socially? academically?
You've mentioned that your daughter is gifted but lacks in motivation
- what programmes does the school have, in order to help her motivate
herself?
Does the school offers a unique subject, a major or an activity she'd
like to take?
What about matters of discipline? Of Faith/denomination?
Another factor is how comptetative the school is. Some people flourish
in a competative environment, some people are intimidated and become
paralysed. It is highly likely that there is a positive correlation
between the level of competativeness and the "academic ranking" of the
school.
After this lond introduction, here are some recommended high schools
in Twin Cities, according to Newsweek and other sources. Newsweek
regularly ranks the best 1000 schools in America. Their methodology is
to use academic achievements such as AP (advanced placement) and IB
per student. In other words, in Newsweek's book, "best" is as in "best
in preparing for college". It might be that your idea of "best" is
different. Here are the Minneapolis/St. Paul results, in a ranked
order ("best" first):
Southwest High School
<http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/>
Como Park High School
<http://www.como.stpaul.k12.mn.us/index.html>
Patrick Henry High School
<http://henry.mpls.k12.mn.us/>
Highland Park High School
<http://www.highlandsr.spps.org/>
Newsweek's full ranking is available at:
The 100 Best High Schools in America
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7761678/site/newsweek/>
Schools not ranked by Newsweek, but mentioned elsewhere:
Minneapolis South
"South is generally regarded as one of the best high schools in the
metropolitan area due to its extensive offerings in general education,
special education, athletics, and world languages (French, Spanish,
German, Latin, Chinese, Ojibwe). South also, by many estimates, has
one of the best theater programs in the state. The school is renowned
for its cultural diversity, with students from white,
African-American, indigenous African (particularly Somali, Oromo, and
West African), Asian (particularly Hmong), American Indian, and
Hispanic communities. There is an increasing number of Eastern
European students. There is also great economic diversity, and
equality amongst different classes." (Wikipedia,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_South_High_School>)
Minneapolis South
<http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/>
And indeed, Minneapolis South, next to Southwest, is the school with
the best academic record, between public schools, as could be seen
here:
Minneapolis Public Schools
<http://highschoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us/Minneapolis_High_Schools.html>
A good place to compare between schools and to read parents' reviews
about different schools in the area is "Great Schools.net"
Great Schools .Net : Minneapolis Schools
<http://www.greatschools.net/schools.page?city=Minneapolis&lc=h&state=MN>
Great Schools .Net : St. Paul Schools
<http://www.greatschools.net/schools.page?city=St.+Paul&lc=h&state=MN>
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. |
