iB from Allen High or Plano East vs AP in Plano West or Liberty Frisco (Dallas: buy, best schools)

[GerberG]

Moving to Collin county and trying to decide on a high school. I want to get out of Dallas ISD before my daughter begins high school. It is difficult to decide as Collin County has some of the best schools in the nation. Do you recommend AP or IB program and which school is THE BEST for each track. Which school has best debate program? Housing budget is $350-450K and swimming pool is a MUST have.

[GerberG]

Anyone? I found threads and threads of older posts but no one talks about GPA effect of IB vs AP? I'm not picky about the house, any decent one that appraises for asking price and passes inspection is good enough for me. Next six years are about getting both children on a professional track in decent colleges.

[biafra4life]

Plano East is stronger than Allen high school, including comparison of IB, but I would not buy in actual east Plano but instead places like Murphy, east Richardson and Parker that feed into Plano ISD. I don't recall you mentioning commute? That needs to be factored in.

[GerberG]

Is it easier to get higher GPA and rank on AP track or IB track? If one enrolls in IB but drops out then what happens?

I work in Medical district and SO commutes to Frisco.

[Big G]

Plano East and Plano Senior both have extremely strong debate programs. Surprisingly, Plano West's team isn't quite up to the level of the other two.

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If GPA is your sole motivation, it is easier to get a high GPA through careful selection of AP courses (AP Stats instead of AP Calc BC, AP Environmental Science instead of AP Physics C, etc.). IB classes are extremely challenging, making it very difficult to get high GPAs.

However, a transcript full of "AP-lite" classes will get your college app tossed out in favor of a kid with a lower GPA, but a full IB diploma program.

[GerberG]

I'm looking for a good balance between learning, scoring, EC and social activities. AP looks very flexible but not like a balanced meal, more like a buffet bar. Is it a 4 year commitment with IB or one can switch any time during 9-12? Would it be possible to continue debate and Viola with IB?

[GerberG]

Originally Posted by biafra4life

Plano East is stronger than Allen high school, including comparison of IB, but I would not buy in actual east Plano but instead places like Murphy, east Richardson and Parker that feed into Plano ISD. I don't recall you mentioning commute? That needs to be factored in.

I like Parker but I remember someone mentioning septic tanks. Is that a concern? East Richardson is a good location. How would you compare area around Bob Woodruff park to East Richardson?

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by GerberG

Moving to Collin county and trying to decide on a high school. I want to get out of Dallas ISD before my daughter begins high school. It is difficult to decide as Collin County has some of the best schools in the nation. Do you recommend AP or IB program and which school is THE BEST for each track. Which school has best debate program? Housing budget is $350-450K and swimming pool is a MUST have.

Actually, DISD has some of the best high schools in the nation, not CoCo. If your daughter is already enrolled in DISD, why not go through the application process for the TAG Magnet HS or SEM ( if she has STEM interests)?? If she doesn't get in, you can looks elsewhere but if she does, it's a free education at one of the top 5 public high schools in the US.

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by GerberG

I'm looking for a good balance between learning, scoring, EC and social activities. AP looks very flexible but not like a balanced meal, more like a buffet bar. Is it a 4 year commitment with IB or one can switch any time during 9-12? Would it be possible to continue debate and Viola with IB?

Then you're looking for AP classes, not IB. Nothing about IB is "balanced" or allows a social life or time to participate in extracurriculars. IB is a full four year commitment with a series of rigorous exams your senior year to be awarded the IB diploma; the only reason people leave is when they can't keep up or choose to have a life. If you leave in 10th grade, you're not getting back in for 11th.

AP classes have rigorous college-level curriculum but because you pick & choose which ones to sign up for, it's not as overwhelming as the full IB course load.

If you're focused strictly on GPA/ rank, AP will be easier than IB since your kids can take AP classes in subjects that interest them and regular track classes for subjects they aren't as strong in- best of both worlds.

[GerberG]

You are absolutely right about that but admission is not guaranteed and it is more like deciding a major. I'm not sure if both of them can get in magnet schools or would like to commit to STEM program.

I want high school to be about a balanced education with no worries about picking a major or a career path. Just learning and exploring subjects and off course building a resume to attract good colleges.