Public vs. Private School

Private high schools are extremely expensive. If you're doing alright in your current public high school (getting good grades, enjoying the band program etc.) you might want to just tough it out and save your money for a private college. In the long run, going to a college you really like is a better investment than an expensive private high school.

I went to a public school that was definitely not famed for its academics and gotten into a top 20 university. On a college application, schools care about your grades, but also your extracurriculars and your recommendations. If you know that you're going to get really involved in band and be able to put a lot into it and also get great recommendations from your public school teachers, then go there. But if you feel like you might need all the help you can get getting into a good college, then maybe consider private school and check it out more. What is really important about your high school experience is that you enjoy it.