OT- Which Ann Arbor High School is Best?

High-School is garbage all around. Just get through it. And don't look back.

Don't "peak" in college either. Get as many non-classroom experiences as possible (internships, semester abroad/experiential, clubs, arts, INTERNSHIPS, etc.--see/do AS MUCH as possible, for a more informed decision/diversity of people/attitudes/lifestyles--read: the working world is HUGE, and varies wherever you go, "college" is a terrible representation of that, and it will only become more and more varied every year).

Forget prestige. Go for the experiences and who offers what.

Previous experience is what will get you the job, or at least the interview.

That being said, you can't lose at any of the Ann Arbor schools. At Community, you'll essentially be "dual-enrolled" for any sports/music/AP classes.

But like I said, all Ann Arbor schools are adequate, where you go on from there, depends solely on you.

 

Not sure what's happened since I was there.  I was there in 80s.  Bo's son Schemy was a couple years younger than me and picked up my tee after kickoffs at football games.  I aslo played soccer and we had a pretty competitive team, great rivals with Pioneer.  Our tennis teams were always good back in the day.  Football sucked when I was there but was good a few years later.  A lot of my friends went to Michigan and a lot also went Ivy League.  One of my buddies is now the Michigan Crew coach.  Another buddy is Abby Cole's dad.  Another went on to coach the US Olympic wresting team.  Another was world champion boxer.  All the schools are decent.  Loved going to school in Ann Arbor (K thru College)  Go Huron!

Saline trumps all. Go hornets.

they will all teach you how many days are in a month

Huron, end of story, no need to consider any other option. Go River Rats!

is anyone keeping track of the responses? I'm curious which school is winning this poll

Great place to raise kids. Like all the other schools mentioned IB and AP kids get into UM ( and elite private schools). Downtown is quaint fun with DQ, Cider Mill, A&W, and a real hardware store.

My kid had a winning number (I hope it's a winning number) in the Community lottery and will start there in the fall. I've read a lot about it, talked to a couple of teachers at different schools. It's hard to say, though, what's best. Transportation will make it difficult if he wants AP classes down the road, but I'm intrigued by their integrated (whatever subject seems relevant to the topic at hand) approach to science rather than the traditional approach. I worry that they have about 30 English electives but only a handful across all of the sciences. I probably would have kept him in the area he lives (Pioneer) if it were my choice alone. But he should keep an open mind and he may end up loving Community. It's not the same place that had the more negative reputation decades ago. In the end, though, I think it's more up to us parents and the kids themselves what they get out of school. AAPS certainly has talented teachers. We have to support that by teaching our kids that they need to prepare for class and embrace learning - wherever it takes them. Saline is excellent, too. As are Dexter and Brighton. Probably South Lyon as well. They may not "look" as diverse, but true diversity is about thought and experience and a hundred less obvious things.

My neighbors son just graduated from CC Novi

You've got more than enough advice already but I'll jump in all the same.  I went to Huron a long time ago, and thought it was a great experience.  One of the math teachers was named best in the country.

That said, I think that your kid's high school experience will be based more on the teachers they draw, the friends they make and the activities they get involved in than the name on the building.  I have no doubt that each of the schools has some great teachers/counselors, and some that aren't so great.  There is a difference between the big school, Huron/Pioneer/Skyline experience versus the smaller Community High experience (and I imagine v. Greenhills or Gabriel Richard experience).  I liked going to a big school with lots of classes, activities, people and generally a lot of options, but I can understand why some kids and parents would prefer someplace where it's harder to get lost.

Basically, my advice is don't sweat the school choice, but wherever you choose encourage your kid to explore the different things the schools have to offer in whatever areas interest them -- music, sports, other excurriculars etc. -- as I think those experiences can make a big, overwhelming school a lot smaller.  

St. Thomas?

False, black bear.

Pioneer