Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
Jun 1st 2017, 7:39 am
#16
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
This is my usual advice under circumstances like these. IMO One move during the age 12-18 is one move too many, but to plan for two at ages 14 and then at 16 is more likely than not to create a train wreck because the US system isn't geared up to provide anything like GCSEs, so will leave your daughter without the basis for A Levels.
Jun 1st 2017, 12:57 pm
#17
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
it's his "humble opinion"..... 
The 2 systems don't match perfectly but I would think that choosing a very good US school and then getting helpful teachers back in the UK would mitigate any difficulties. That, and a kid willing to work hard.
I asked my son (14 when we moved here) what he thought of moving again 2 years after arriving and he said he most definitely, definitely didn't think it was a good idea. Not necessarily from an educational standpoint but from a cultural aspect - you'd just be finding your feet in 2 years time, only to be thrown back into your old one where you may not necessarily fit anymore.
The 2 systems don't match perfectly but I would think that choosing a very good US school and then getting helpful teachers back in the UK would mitigate any difficulties. That, and a kid willing to work hard.
I asked my son (14 when we moved here) what he thought of moving again 2 years after arriving and he said he most definitely, definitely didn't think it was a good idea. Not necessarily from an educational standpoint but from a cultural aspect - you'd just be finding your feet in 2 years time, only to be thrown back into your old one where you may not necessarily fit anymore.
Jun 1st 2017, 4:08 pm
#21
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,474
Re: Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
Ok got it now.
Last edited by Shard; Jun 1st 2017 at 4:11 pm.
Jun 2nd 2017, 8:42 pm
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
Did you see this?
Seattle’s IB schools are national outliers in lack of support from district | The Seattle Times
Seattle’s IB schools are national outliers in lack of support from district | The Seattle Times
Jun 2nd 2017, 10:03 pm
#25
N99sea
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 248
Re: Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
It's too bad that we don't have more IB programs in Seattle, they are extremely well received, and very popular. The high school near where I live (Ingraham) has a huge wait list for kids who live out of the "attendance area." But if you did buy or rent within the boundaries, your kid would automatically get in.
Naomi.
Naomi.
Jun 2nd 2017, 10:06 pm
#26
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Moving 14/12 year olds to US from UK
I'm not sure that IB would be helpful at the ages of the OP's kids.
The eldest is too young to start the IB diploma which typically starts in 11th grade and is a 2 year course.
The Pre-IB courses offered aren't actually IB courses and the curriculum is set by the school/school district. They might as well just do pre-AP classes at a good local school.
The eldest is too young to start the IB diploma which typically starts in 11th grade and is a 2 year course.
The Pre-IB courses offered aren't actually IB courses and the curriculum is set by the school/school district. They might as well just do pre-AP classes at a good local school.
