Selecting a High School

Hi S.,

I have a Senior and an 8th grader Erik (13) who will be attending high school next year.

My senior attends Brophy College Prep in Phoenix. It is one of the best HS in the state but it is private and it might be too late to apply for next year. It has been a GREAT experience for us. It is a Jesuit Catholic School but is not run by the Archdiocece of Phoenix.

My younger son has applied to Brophy but currently attends a wonderful charter school in the Great Hearts Academies. Tempe Prep Academy is one of Great Heart schools. The website is www.tempeprep.org. The schools are so popular the spots are lotteried off. Don't let that scare you off. Although we were 30th on the list AFTER the lottery, my son was in by mid-September. Not everyone who gets chosen in the lottery decides to attend.

These are fabulous schools. You should look into them and good luck!

T. C.
www.spaescapescottsdale.com

Tempe Prep is the best the whole valley offers. Register now because there is a waiting list. If he struggles at all academically though, this would be a real challenge. This is a high end liberal arts charter school for college prep. You can find them on line for more information.

depends if you want to send him to public or private school.
if private school is an option notre dame prep and seton catholic are options in that area. both are college prep schools. uniforms are required along with other rules, but it teaches a child how to behave correctly in a work world. very good for college prep.

Have you considered homeschooling? There's a great college prep, home based school and they have lots of sports and other activities as well for the students. Here's their website. http://www.k12.com/ Check it out,and see what you think.Oh by the way... it's totally free, even the computer they send you is totally free!

S.,

I am a teacher in the Kyrene District and my the school I teach at is in Tempe. I am an elementary teacher, but across the way from my school is a great high school called Carona Del Sol. They are well known for great academics and sports programs. It is a great area and many kids (and their parents) want to go there. If you live outside of the school's boundaries, it might be difficult to enroll your son there.

Best of luck,

A.

Hello S.,

Welcome to Tempe. I dont have any feedback about the schools as my kids are both grown(24 and 28) and still living in NC. I moved here about two years ago so i am still relatively new to the area myself. However, on the topic of reading christian written books, have you ever read any of Dee Henderson's fiction? They are wonderful reading.

My husband went to Corona Del Sol and liked it. That is, if you're looking for a public school. Whatever you do, don't send him to Tempe High!

It depends on what area of tempe you are in. I would suggest keeping him out of Tempe High. If you are Kyrene district, Corona is good. There is also a couple private schools, Valley Christian and Seton in that area.

Valley Chrisian in Chandler is an outstanding private Christian school. Tempe Prep Academy is another outstanding school - it is a Charter school & always ranks in the top 3 AZ schools. If you want to stay in the public system - Tempe Union High Schools have a nice reputation - Desert Vista, Mountain Point, Corona etc.

Good luck! I'm going to be in the same boat next year! My son is in 7th grade right now! He is in the public schools (Kyrene) but we are leaning towards Valley Christian for high school! Take care!

Whatever school you decide, you should take your child to shadow for the day. He will then get a feel if it is a fit. The school then usually hooks you up with an older student to help with your questions. If he does not feel comfortable, then the school is not the right one. You are past the deadline for some schools and variances, but it is good to check it out now still (and transfer as a sophomore for his top choice). As you know some schools are better for different sports, different specialty courses, speech and debate, arts,...
Good luck