American Heritage, Pine Crest or North Broward Prep - which is best? (Weston: home, transfer) - Fort Lauderdale area - Florida (FL) -Broward County - City-Data Forum

ajlevene · 03-30-2011, 09:51 PM

We are thinking of either American Heritage/Pine Crest or NBP for our son who we would like to transfer for his last 2 years of High School (moving from the UK). Can anyone give their thoughts on which is best and what the differences are?

fauve · 03-30-2011, 11:32 PM

I think they're all pretty comparable. Im partial to Heritage becoz that's where my kids went, but the best thing to do would be to visit all 3 and see which one you and your kids like the most. Also, if you know you want to live in a specific area, you could pick the school that's closest to home and work.

Momma_bear · 03-31-2011, 07:13 AM

My kids are also at Heritage and we have been really happy there. I think that all the schools you mentioned are very good schools and similar in academics.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you review SAT scores both Heritage and NBP are really 2 schools under one umbrella. Heritage has American Academy and NBP has Lighthouse Point Academy. Both academies are geared towards kids who have learning issues. Classes are smaller and academic requirements somewhat lower than the rest of the school. When you look at average SAT scores you will see slightly lower SAT scores at NBP and AHS because these students are rolled in with the other kids. It doesn't mean that the schools are necessarily worse schools.

One thing to keep in mind is that if your son is involved in lots of school activities the distance to school could be an issue. If you live far from school and you have a new driver you may not want them driving all the way to school for all their activities and you may wind up spending a fortune on gas for all those trips. It also can be a pain to go back and forth to school if your kids have lots of games or performances (my kids are in band, orchestra, sports and clubs).

The schools also have different philosophies. You may want to have your son shadow a student at each school to see which one he prefers.

Does your son have any activities that he likes? The different schools are strong in different areas. They all offer a variety of activities but each school is stronger in some areas than others. Heritage is very strong in art and music. So is Pinecrest.

All 3 schools have strong athletic departments but each school offers different sports and has some programs that are very strong with others that are not. If there is a sport your son plays you might want to check to see what kind of program there is at the school and meet with the coaches.

I would also say that if your son has particular activities that he likes you check out which schools are strong in those areas. For instance Pinecrest has a great debate team, Heritage's math team finished #1 in a national competition, etc....The three schools offer similar activities but some are stronger than others.

Dragonmam · 03-31-2011, 08:29 AM

I have talked to teachers that have taught at more than one of these schools. If you ask them if one is truly better than another, they will laugh and say no. Academically, they are very similar. They draw from the same area for teachers, they often use the same textbooks and curriculum for a subject and they are all trying to produce ivy league material graduates. The differences, as others are saying, are in what areas your child is interested in and their particular talents.

Of the three, I would choose between AHS or PC over NB. I have never heard anyone complain about either of those schools. I have heard numerous complaints over the years about a variety of issues and known of people who pulled their children out at NB. There are people who are happy there, but there are enough who have been unhappy to make you wonder why that is.

ajlevene · 03-31-2011, 06:46 PM

Thank you everyone for your input. From what I have seen on the websites and from people i've spoken to AH seems to be the front-runner. I have set up a tour for tomorrow and i'm sure i'll like it alot. My son is not particularly very sporty but he does love drama and there seems to be some other fields there that i'm sure will interest him. He's very into computers/technology and I think the daily tv programme they put out will really appeal to him too. We are moving to Weston so the journey won't be too far either which will be good.

We looked at Falcon Cove today too and that looks really lovely. Hopefully my other 2 boys will be get on well there.

christa1017 · 04-03-2011, 09:25 PM

American Heritage

ajlevene · 04-04-2011, 02:27 PM

American Heritage it is! We had the tour and its fantastic. Thanks all!

Momma_bear · 04-04-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajlevene

American Heritage it is! We had the tour and its fantastic. Thanks all!

Welcome! I hope your son loves it as much as my kids do.

fauve · 04-04-2011, 04:17 PM

Terrific! It really is a great school.

ajlevene · 04-05-2011, 03:00 PM

Momma Bear and Fauve....what grades are your kids in? My son is going into 11th in August but since we're from the UK he won't know anyone there and it would great if he could get some email chat going with some kids before he comes. I'm bringing him at the end of June to do the test and finish the registration process!