I moved to Little Rock my sophomore year of high s...

I moved to Little Rock my sophomore year of high school, and had gone to public school my entire life beforehand. I was welcomed with open arms by the students there, many of whom had gone there their entire lives, and made some of the best friends I've ever had. Those three years at PA were more enjoyable--socially--than any public school I had gone to. It was like going back to the carefree days of elementary school. It was also much more challenging academically, and the AP classes are especially intense.

The small class experience, along with the community spirit that supports athletics there, gives students good opportunities to take the lead and pursue what they want to do. I would even compare one literature class to a Dead Poets Society type classroom dynamic. The arts and drama department was certainly on the backburner in my time at PA but it looks like they've expanded the campus there.

All I can say is: it may actually be better to have your kids NOT go to PA, especially their senior year, because it will outshine their college experience! I love PA and miss it often, and I was the antisocial, quiet, weird type. My friends there helped bring me out of my shell and it was a tremendous blessing.