Giving up Townsend Harris?

kevin4242- Welcome to A2K!

One thing puzzles me. You had a great average in eighth grade. Then you say that Townsend Harris is both too difficult and boring. That does not make sense to me. Usually, if a school is boring, it is because it is too EASY. What is that all about?

It has been a long time since I was conversant with the high school scene in NYC. What are the differences amongst the high schools? I know that Bronx HS of science is science oriented, but what about the others? What are YOUR interests?

With some more info, we may be able to help you make a wise decision.

Well, I don't know you, but I'll take a shot anyway (by the way, for A2Kers, he's talking about NYC schools).

My husband went to Stuy, his sister went to Hunter Prep (not the same but a similar type of school) and a sorority sister of mine went to Bronx Science.

I think a lot of it depends on what you're good at and where you'd like to concentrate. I realize at your age that may sound like a lot of deciding "what to be when you grow up" but I'm not suggesting making momentous decisions - rather, which classes come easiest to you? Which do you enjoy the most?

If you love science, and are good at it and would like to continue in science in college and in your career, go to Bronx Science. My sorority sister is a Geologist and loves her career.

If you're more into English and languages and the like, something more like Hunter Prep may be more your speed. My sister-in-law teaches English, in Italy. She also likes what she does.

As for Stuy, my husband hated it there but keep in mind this was several years ago (before the new building), plus he'd gone to Bank Street before that and so Stuy was huge and impersonal to him. His career is in computer-aided design and drafting, but you wouldn't know it from his High School experience, where one of his best subjects was French.

Don't underestimate the value of a faster commute, either. If you live on Staten Island, Bronx Science is going to be quite a slog unless you can live closer (with an aunt or someone like that). Otherwise, you're talking about, what, over an hour each way? That's a lot of subway time, plus the ferry, etc. But if you live in Riverdale, Bronx Science is convenient. Of course convenience shouldn't decide your education or be a large priority, but a lot of subway time is no fun and it will eat into your study time.

So, what do you prefer? Science? Math? History? Languages? Computers? Art? That's the first step - know what you like, or at least know what you don't like. That's going to be a big help in eliminating some of these choices. Best to you.

What I mean by too hard and too boring is that the work is too hard and the school is too small, so it is too boring. I don't know my interests yet, but I can be sure that I don't like art and science. Basically, I want a school that is not as intense as Townsend and a place where I can have fun and enjoy my high school life. I live in Queens, so travelling is a little hard for me and I don't like waking up really early. I hope these informations about myself wiill help all of you come up with a good decision.

Is Townshend Harris your local school? What about Francis Lewis? That's in Queens (I think). Isn't that school a general high school? If you don't want science, certainly don't go to Bronx Science.

Check this out: http://www.nycenet.edu/OurSchools/HSDirectory/

I live in Flushing, Queens, so both Townsend and Francis are not too far fomr my residence. For the second part, do you mean by Francis Lewis as a "ok" school by saying "general school"

What I mean by "general" is that it is an academic high school, with no specialization, like science or the arts.

Another thought. If you are bright enough to get a 95, will you be bored if you are in classes with kids who may not be as bright as you?

Actually, the reason I am getting bored at Townsend is that I don't like the small size of the school and see the same people every thing, not because of the classes and people. I actually like the students because they are all kind and definetly smart.

Aha- Then would you be happier dealing with a large school, with many levels of students? What is Francis Lewis like? Are their difficulties there, like lots of drugs and fighting? Would you be happy dealing with the problems that happen in many of those schools? Think about it.

IMO, unless you would want to go to a specialized school for arts or science, you are probably better off right where you are.

Ah, then a big school it is (but don't forget - you can always hang out with folks in other schools. No law against that :-D). Signs are pointing to Francis Lewis or Cardozo. Per the link that Phoenix provided, Cardozo has 3800 students. It looks like there are a lot of language programs. One of their specialty programs is Law & Humanities. Francis Lewis is the exact same size. They also have a specialized law program, and a humanities program.

The main difference between the 2 schools appears to be the graduation rate. FL has about a 70% grad rate, whereas Cardozo is up at about 87%. I don't know if that means Cardozo is easier, or if it attracts better students. I suspect those are questions you can get answered more thoroughly by calling the schools and asking to speak to someone in admissions.

Jes- It sounds to me like TH is a very special school.

http://www.nycenet.edu/ourschoolsInfo/hsdirectory/queens.pdf

It has over 1,000 students, so it is not THAT small. It sounds like this school is geared to the humanities. The grad rate is 98.9, which is stupendous. If I were you Kevin, I would think twice about leaving this place. It sounds like this is a school where you can receive a quality education.!

Scroll to page 66. The link takes you to the top of the list!

I really appreciate all of your efforts and interests on my situation . But, I am very determined to transfer from Townsend even though it is a very good school and most of my friends say that it is not a very good decision . So, it would really appreciate it if you can choose between Stuy, Bronx sci., Brook Tech., Francis, and Cardozo.

Giving up
It still isn't making sense to me. You got fine grades last year, and now you say the work is too hard. Do you find it difficult to organize yourself in high school, as opposed to the lower grades where there is more supervision, and organization is more or less done for you?

Are the teachers dry and uninteresting in their presentations? Are you unable to choose the subjects you want? In general, as in college, I think freshman year is a year of laying down a strong base from which to make later decisions about your choice of subjects.

I just feel that there is more to your difficulty than appears from your responses. They don't quite seem to add up. I don't want to sound rude, but, to be blunt, it sounds as if you are looking for an excuse to get out of your current school, but don't want to give the real reason. Perhaps your reason is too private to discuss, but think about it.

Unless you are being bullied, or there is some other social factor, I'd say stay where you are.

In any case, if science isn't your thing, forget about Bronx HS of Science. That's pretty specialized and intense. And the travel time is definitely a factor

You say that you are not interested in science. so Bronx Sci and Brooklyn Tech are out. Your friends know you much better than I do. Why do THEY think that switching is a bad decision? What do your parents think? Have you discussed the ramifications of each school with them?

I noticed that the school is 3-1 female. Does that have anything to do with your difficulty?

One thing that I will tell you is that I would never presume to make a choice for you. If this is something that important to you, we can help you, but the decision ultimately is up to you.

No, I don't get bullied in my school cause everyone is nice. In addition to that, the fact that my schools girls to boys is 3:1 does not affect me because I am quite well with females. The reasons that I cam considering Stuy, Bronx Scie. and Brooklyn Tech is because they are the top schools in NYC and I don't want to feel smart by going to a top school. The reason I consider for Francis is because I have a lot o friends there and they all say that the school is fine and not too competitive that will wear you out. A for Cardozo, I am not quite interested in it.

oops, I mean want to feel smart by going to a top school

Kevin- That sentence makes no sense to me. Check for typos, and see if it is saying what you want it to say.

There is something that I would like you to do.

1) Make a list of the things that you like at TH. Be very specific.

2) Make a list of the things that you don't like at TH.

3) Look at both lists. Think about the things that you like at TH. Would you have that in another school?

4) Then think about the things that you don't like about TH. Would those things be better in another school? As far as friends go, you have your friends in the neighborhood after school.

It sounds to me that you are concerned about the competitiveness of TH. I went through the same thing. I was the cockeyed genius in elementary school, and then was put in a special class with very bright kids. For the first time in my life, I had to WORK. and not just get by on brain power.

Apparently, you are in a smallish school, which has very high standards. That fact may be very important when you want to go to college. What you decide now, may make a profound impact on your entire life. Think before you make a decision!

[B]good things about townsend[/B]
1. one of the top schools and ranks just below Stuy
2. nice students and love to do well in school
3. competitive school
4. makes me proud

bad things about townsend
1. school is too small and see the same people everyday
2. may sound a little contradictory, but the school is too competitive

What benefits would you have by changing to another school? What would be the downside?

I understand EXACTLY what you mean about a school being TOO competitive. I have experienced that in my life. Some of the schools that you have mentioned are just as, if not more, competetive. The other schools, which are NOT competative, might just turn out to be a bore for you. You need to figure out what is important TO YOU.

Another question. How are your grades at TH?

Benefits when switching school
1. new environement that I really want
2. new people
3. possibly high average
4. more language choices to study other than Spanish (Townsend has only Latin, Greek, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Hebrew). I am interested in learning either Korean or Chinese because Korean is cool and I am Chinese.

Downsides when switching school
1. no downsides apparently and as of right now

My average in Townsend Harris should be 84.something , but could be higher if I don't play the flute because I always fail on my flute test in which my teacher selects a song which the flute section have to play. By the way, I got a 65 for my music class because of the flute.