Choosing the Right High School: Regis, Stuyvesant, or Bard High School Early College

When deciding which high school to attend, students often face tough decisions. Three particular options stand out: Regis High School, Stuyvesant High School, and Bard High School Early College. Each school has its unique strengths and challenges. This article aims to provide guidance to help you make an informed decision.

Regis High School

Strengths:

Strong commitment to public service: The school’s mission is to educate “Men for Others.” Significantly selective: One of the most selective tuition-free schools in New York, along with Hunter College High School. Excellent debate team, consistently ranked among the top in the country. Significant resources due to its huge endowment.

Challenges:

Primarily male student body: This could be a plus or minus depending on the student’s preference. Diverse extracurricular options, but may be overwhelming for some students.

Stuyvesant High School

Strengths:

High average SAT scores and a significant number of students admitted to top colleges. Easy access to the school for many students. Warm and intimate environment.

Challenges:

Very diverse student body (mostly Asian and white), which may be a negative if a student prefers a more homogeneous environment. Significant size and number of courses and extracurricular activities might be overwhelming for some students.

Note: Students need to take the SHSAT exam to apply to Stuyvesant, which can be a lengthy and rigorous preparation process.

Bard High School Early College

Strengths:

Unique dual-degree program, allowing students to earn an associate’s degree from Bard High School Early College, a bachelor’s degree from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, and a bachelor of science in engineering from Columbia University within seven years. Versatile career options due to the dual-degree program. A somewhat more diverse student body compared to Stuyvesant and Regis.

Challenges:

The Bard school in Long Island City can be difficult to get to, especially during peak times. Might not have the same emphasis on sports as Stuyvesant or Regis.

Personal Insights from a Tutor

From my experience tutoring students at these schools, I can share a few insights. My goddaughter attends Bard High School Early College, and my current students are enrolled in Stuyvesant and Regis. Tutors play a crucial role in helping students prepare for the SHSAT, which is required for Stuyvesant. According to my students, the Bard test is relatively easy, but the SHSAT can be quite challenging.

For my son, the decision process included several factors:

Close proximity to the school. Size of the school. Options for extracurricular activities. Diversity of the student population.

Ultimately, my son chose Regis due to its strong emphasis on public service, small class sizes, and excellent athletic facilities. However, the more difficult choice was between Regis and Bard High School Early College. Bard offered a unique dual-degree program, making it an attractive option, but my son decided to maintain his flexibility by choosing Regis.

Conclusion

Each of these schools offers unique advantages and challenges. The choice ultimately depends on your values, academic goals, extracurricular interests, and personal preferences. If you value a commitment to public service and a private school education, Regis might be the best choice. Stuyvesant offers a tremendous opportunity for students with top academic aspirations. Bard, on the other hand, offers a unique dual-degree program and a diverse student body, making it an exciting alternative.

Whichever path you choose, the most important thing is that you are excited about your education and prepared for the challenges ahead.