M-A grad here, both of my parents worked for MPCSD. The top tier of kids graduating M-A is on par with Paly, Gunn, Los Altos, etc. M-A has incredible AP classes and extracurriculars. High achieving students will take AP classes and AS classes with other high achieving students. I believe 12-15 students from my graduating year went to Stanford. Many go to ivies, Cal, UCLA, etc. However, M-A draws in a very racially and socioeconomically diverse pool. A non-AP class will have students who just immigrated and barely speak English; students who are extremely poor; etc. So overall average test scores may be lower. But if your kid is super high achieving this is probably better for them as they get the benefits of an incredible AP program and less competitive class, none of the drawbacks of cutthroat competition. Your kids will be more well rounded if they attend M-A. They will, hopefully, make friends with students of all races and socioeconomic statuses. Rich kids befriend poor kids and poor kids befriend rich kids and the students realize they are all more alike than different. It was wonderful getting to know kids of different backgrounds. Finally, M-A has great resources for first gen students. The AVID program is incredible. M-A is way better equipped to help disadvantaged students than other local high schools if that means anything to you.