Last night, we registered Frick for high school. I’m not sure how that happened! I mean, I’m pretty sure I gave birth to him yesterday. How is it that we are parents to a 14 year old?!?!?
While we are zoned for Marjory Stoneman Douglas, we made the decision last year to pursue other options. While MSD is an amazing school, we weren’t thrilled with set up for AP classes. For college acceptance, students are rated based on the high school they attend and what the kids there do, as far as grades and classes. The average AP load at MSD is very high and the workload for those classes is intense. Conversely, at private schools like Pine Crest and North Broward, students are only allowed to take one AP class a year. Our decision had nothing to do with the shooting. If anything, the sense of community that has been fostered since then would make us want to send him there.
We looked at the Florida Atlantic University program, which would have him attend school at FAU and graduate with an AA, possibly a BA if he was willing to give up his summers. We looked at a similar program at Broward College as well. We investigated the Pompano High magnet program, but that magnet didn’t interest him.
We went to a high school night at Westglades Middle School. I bumped into my friend who runs the magnet program at Northeast High School. The programs sounded really interesting, they offer dual enrollment instead of AP classes and have a Cambridge program. If Frick completes and passes their 7 classes and tests, he will graduate with a full Bright Futures scholarship. That makes no tuition or book payments for this Mama! So, under duress, we went to the open house at the school. Because, you know, Frick is 14 and what do his parents know about anything. He walked in a sullen teenager and walked out wanting to apply that night! (Perhaps Mom and Dad DO know what they’re talking about sometimes).
We applied, he got in to the Applied Science magnet and will also be doing the Latin magnet courses. And while he’s not interested in ever playing in band again, he is interested in playing baseball for the school.
We are fortunate to live in a school district that offers choices. There are so many magnet programs to help kids prepare for their futures and explore things they are interested in. In Broward, there are magnets for things such as medical (which my sister did and loved), aviation, international affairs and performing arts.
sleeepingsara 