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Thanks for that validation. I seem to be among the �only� here who thinks a (distant) 9th grade campus sounds like a nightmare for the gifted 9th graders, but there is very little that I find agreement with our multitude of school administrators.
I do agree that the area kids are impressive socially, athletically and intellectually, however, I think the students may carry the schools rather than the other way around.

Current legislation proposed in my state:

schools receiving state capital funding for construction will not exceed 225/class for high school, 120/grade for middle, and 60/grade elementary.

those schools receiving at-risk money from the state must establish smaller learning communities within their schools.

I have to say I am very excited about this proposed legislation. My kids had smaller elementary and middle school environments which were great, and the big high school is really depressing. DS12 just "shadowed" yesterday at the high school and said there was nothing "fun" about it. I told him I wasn't sure high school was supposed to be fun and he countered that I've always lectured that "learning is fun"...

One of the pluses I've read about the larger high schools is that there are more bodies to have a variety of AP courses and specialty courses. Smaller schools don't have enough kids to have all the specialty courses.

the idea is to use technology (ITV, online courses, etc.) so bigger population isn't necessary.

My DD12 shadowed at our local high school (class size 19, total school 1200). She said the kids were friendly enough but seemed dis-engaged in the classroom. No one showed any enthusiasm for what the teacher was explaining.

We are considering a private schoolif funds permit, where class size will be limited to 12, and teaching (at least the humanities) occurs around a table, where the students are face to face with each other, instead of sitting in rows and columns, kicking the backs of chairs.

I wish I could say her interest in academics will rise above the lethargy of the public school classrooms, but I can't be sure.

I know what you mean, tangent line. The choices here are limited. I keep coming back to homeschool for high school option--though it makes me nervous. I really wish you could enroll in high school for half the day, homeschool for half.

Some areas allow that, Cym. Are you sure yours doesn't?

Cym,

Half day was one of the options that were discussed for my DS. I think it is a choice of your district rather than any sort of state thing. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I feel like I talk to a giant puppet and the only word the puppet says is "No". I'll ask at the next opportunity, but it's like going through the motions because I already know the answer--NO. Oldest DS will be a jr and he's ok. It's my rising freshman and the other ones I worry about.