I attended an academically rigorous magnet high school. I loved it, but I wanted something different for my daughter.

"When I was in eighth grade, I decided I wanted to follow a different path from most of my peers. While my friends were excitedly looking forward to starting ninth grade at our neighborhood high school, I started researching the many magnet school options available in my hometown of Philadelphia. My choices included a school focused on the arts and one dedicated to agricultural sciences. After careful consideration, I decided to apply to Central High School, which emphasizes academics."

"They thought there would be too much pressure and that I could get a good education at my neighborhood school without the long commute. However, I didn't listen. I knew I was up for the challenge. I absolutely loved my experience. I thrived taking classes that pushed me to constantly think more deeply. I made great friends from around the city - some of whom came from backgrounds very different from my own, which was its own kind of education."

A parent attended a rigorous magnet high school as a teen and experienced intense academic pressure while thriving intellectually and socially. The parent researched high school options for a child in Washington, D.C., comparing academic magnet programs with other public offerings. The parent wanted the child's childhood to be less pressured and valued emotional well-being alongside academic preparation. The parent encouraged the child to explore alternatives and ultimately left the decision to the child. The child chose a public International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The choice emphasizes individual fit, balance between rigor and well-being, and using available public-school options.

Read at Business Insider