<p>no i am still agonizing !! the stem program i was so excited about ? friends who are attending this year tell me it is not as rigorous as they had hoped and that the teachers don't care a lot about the students.. the charter school high school? still in the works...the private school and hour away? it is still an hour away,20K/year and does not have all the math and science he wants..
sigh!!</p>
<p>My son is a current hs freshman who is taking Spanish 3 this year and has had no problems with it. We didn't feel it was rushing the language. He had Spanish 1 and 2 (high school level) in middle school. I recommend they stick with the language unless you feel that their previous experience was not comprehensive enough. He also is taking this year; English 1 gifted/honors, Biology gifted/honors, Algebra 2 honors, World Geography gifted/honors, PE and Music Appreciation. Next year (as a sophomore) he is still not sure which electives to take since he will be done with his PE and fine arts requirements. He will take AP History, Precalculus honors, English 2 Honors, Spanish 4 and Chemistry Honors.</p>
<p>Just be glad you aren't in Texas! The state is mandating a uniform method of calculating GPA - deciding what gets extra weight and what doesn't. They've had multiple deadlines but they delay the decision every time. The only thing that is (supposedly) absolute is that the new method - whatever that is - will apply to next year's freshman class. So glad D2 is a 7th grader!</p>
<p>i hear they are struggling with the gpa issue in northern va also</p>
<p>We will have our 1st meeting with the HS gifted counselors next week about the transition and registration of the current 8th graders. Frankly, the freshman curriculum is pretty set in stone for kids who will be on the honors/AP/IB track. Since DD2 will be my 2nd going through the HS, I was hoping to just zone out through the process, but the state of TN is changing their graduation requirements starting with the class of 2013 so it's time for me to relearn everything :) The HS has a new "freshman academy" that they started this year to make sure that they all transition well and hopefully to catch problems early. They've added a few new requirements (an extra 1/2 year of phys ed (oy!) and a 1/2 year personal finance class which I actually think is a good year.) The kids also have to pick a 3-6 class "focus" which sounded ludicrous to me until I really looked at the way it is structured. If my older DD had gone that route, there were 3 focus paths that she would qualify for.</p>
<p>^^ at out HS nothing is set in stone for AP/IB kids. There are several different options the school is reccomending, depending how advanced they are at this point.
The difficult part is finding out some things at this point, so your kid does not have to take multiple summer classes just to "catch up". That is what is making me so stressed out about the whole process. I do not have a lot of insider info about the HS to feel comfortable about the choices.</p>
<p>Is there specific textbook for Spanish 2, Spanish 3???</p>
<p>Is it that time already! Child 3 is a 9th grader but she is not yet in high school. She attends a private school that has 9th grade. Next fall she needs to find a new school. She goes back and forth. She isn't really thrilled with any of them. I don't blame her. She lobbies for home school but that isn't going to happen. She has (I think) eliminated 1 of the 3 public schools. She also vetoed the college prep private (as I did due to cost).
Options-
public with a 4 X 4 block. Her siblings went here. I am not that thrilled with the school. They also do not guarantee 4 classes a semester after freshman year unless 1 is a team sport. She likes the school due to location and that she could get out at 1:30 allowing plenty of barn time. I am not sure she will be in GATE and I think the college prep track at this school is terrible. She has a couple of friends who attend this school.
Another public- 20 minute drive. Has a more academic reputation. Cons she has no female friends who attend this school.
Catholic School- we are not catholic but I would like her to look. She is opposed due to being tired of being at a private school.
A wildcard- a possible new school that will combine online learning with small discussion groups. The online learning would take place on a campus with teachers available for consultation. This is not a concrete option. I think they don't even yet know if it will happen or how it will work. pros- she could plan her school day around her EC. Cons- no sports, no history for college placement. Small peer group.
In the meantime I am reminded by this thread that I need to get on the ball. Schedule some school visits, schedule GATE testing.
She is already anticipating not liking high school. Is thinking about starting to take Community College classes this summer so she can graduate early.</p>
<p>Our Daughter is a Freshman this year, she is enjoying high school. For the Spanish, check with the middle school and see if the program is one year of high school Spanish split into two years (that's what it is here) or one full year of high school Spanish per year of middle school. Then you will be in a better place to make a decision.
For DD, she choose the IB program, which does determine Social Studes (World History H)...but leaves English, Math, Science and Foriegn Language course placement up to the GC/Parent/Student. For DD, it's English 1H, Algebra2H (she did Algebra 1 and Geometry in middle school), Spanish 2 and Biology H. She took the school district required Tech class in the summer--12 days and she was done, it meets the technology and applied arts requirement.<br>
Check with the high school and see if there is a packet of information about honors/AP/IB classes. I was able to pick up a packet that includes all of the prerequistes for all the honors/AP/IB classes...which helps make some of the decisions.</p>
<p>1) Let the kid be a kid.</p>
<p>2) Let their desires guide you and them but don't be afraid to make suggestions that may stretch them. They want regulars, you think they can handle honors, maybe they take it with the option of changing midyear if it is too tough. You want them stretching, not stressing. </p>
<p>3) Stretch them other ways too - "Maybe you should try running for student council" "I think you would might be able to make the tennis team" Don't let them drift through high school. It is not nearly as much fun for them as if they are engaged and involved and it is not good for getting into college.</p>
<p>4) Pick your battles, son #2 flatly refused to take Linear Algebra even though he would have had all his college math credit done (dual enrolled) but I did insist he take AP government instead of regular so colleges wouldn't think he was just coasting through senior year. </p>
<p>5) Get all the information you can from any one with older kids. Half of it will be true, a fourth will have some value for you. But pump everyone and sort through it. Also, venues like this and other internet sources to make sure you know the pit falls.</p>
<p>Kelowna, my kids had language since K, but they never learned anything new. 7th and 8th grade together covered the material of the first year of a high school language - so everyone who'd had a language in middle school was placed into the second year. Though the last Latin teacher didn't even manage that. The school should know better than you what the appropriate language placement is. Though if you are in doubt you can see if you can find a current freshman and ask to look at their textbook. (Assuming they use it - our Latin teachers hated their official textbook and rarely used it.)</p>
<ol>
<li>If your child wants to attend a competitive college, the time to start planning is in 8th or 9th grade. That said, it should be the child's choice, not the parent's.</li>
<li>The most important factor is Academics. Grades, strength of schedule and test scores count a lot.</li>
<li>Your child needs to get to know his/her H.S. guidance counselor. Encourage your child to go to the counselor with questions, etc.</li>
<li>Likewise, your child needs to get to know his/her teachers. In addition to needing references for applications, your child will thrive in school if he/she feels comfortable going to teachers for help, asking questions, etc. It seems as if this is pretty basic, but a lot of kids don't do it.</li>
<li>Starting with your child's freshman year, write down (or create a word file) listing every activity/sport/honor/leadership position/service activity ( in and outside of school) your child does. Not only did I pull this out when my D was doing her applications, but it was also useful Junior year for NHS application and again for scholarship applications. If it's not written down, it's easy to forget!</li>
<li>If your child has a dream school and has a reasonable chance, encourage him/her to apply. No one gets in if they don't try! Don't let others discourage you or your child.
Good Luck!</li>
</ol>
<p>Received an official leter today that S has been accepted to an IB program he really wants to attend.
Took SAT today, the last time before it is for real, about three years down the road ;)
I hope when the time comes for him to write the one that really counts, he will be quite familiar with the format. His middle school is sponsoring an Explore test that he should write sometime in Feb. In all honesty, I was against him writing yet another SAT , since we already have an idea where he stands, but Talent Searches are becoming adamant that the test has to be done the year kid is applying for the program.
So, any other SAT takers today? Any magnet school/programs acceptances?
I am trying to keep this thread alive as I have learned so much from it...</p>
<p>Really? They want a new SAT every year? I know that CTY gives priority to high scorers so there are some advantages to taking it again. My kids actually enjoyed taking the SAT in middle school. My youngest came home chortling about how terrible his essay was. (He ended up scoring 7/12 - not bad for an essay that truly said NOTHING.)</p>
<p>Yep, at least RMTS. If you want to participate in the summer program you have to participate in the talent search, meaning you have to write the test.
The essay - there are ways to beat the system, of course, but middle schoolers seem to be so innocent when approaching this test :)
On a different note - you really do not have to have HUGE numbers to qualify. I was actully shocked several years ago at how low the qualifying numbers were. The most selective was THINK, but they have lowered the treshold ever since.</p>
<p>Here's the link to the Texas Higher Education Coord Board's actions on the new mandantory GPA and rankings:</p>
<p>THECB</a> > Uniform GPA</p>
<p>My D took the SAT for the first time today to qualify for TIP. Generally she's a good test taker, but I don't really have an idea how she did here. It was funny to see her in line with all of those juniors.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the IB acceptance! This time next year we'll be waiting on that envelope...</p>
<p>Here's our experience with middle school honors and freshman Pre-AP classes, ymmv: </p>
<p>We put D in honors classes in middle school because 1) she could easily handle the work, and 2) because we didn't want her in regular classes with the slackers and troublemakers. Through elem, there were far too many kids who were out of control and distruptive in class. Overall, we have a great school district and great kids so we would never have moved. D resisted a wee bit in 8th grade about not being in the regular classes with some of her friends but she still had many friends in honors. It was about the middle of 9th that she came to me one day and thanked me for directing her to honors because she could then see how nothing gets learned with so many disruptions. There's a lot to be said about the environment one is expected to learn in. </p>
<p>Another perk of taking honors in middle school is that they can get a head start on certain classes so they are able to have room in their schedules to take more electives (aka fun!) in high school. Know too, there are very few electives for freshmen. If there is a rule about freshmen not taking certain classes and your child has an opening in their schedule, go ahead and see if he can take a 10th grade class. D has done that twice. </p>
<p>Many times kids can't get the classes they need/want in hs because of scheduling problems, so already having taken some classes early, it's not such a disaster. Because of problems, D was able to take 2 computer classes last year which she enjoyed and is now managing the hs website (see, fun!). </p>
<p>Because she got the jump in middle school, by the time she graduates she could have around 60 hours of college credit through AP and dual credits. And no, she doesn't study 24/7 and has no dreams of 800s on the SAT. She's a band nerd who spends every odd hour hanging out in the band hall, every even hour on her cell, and somehow gets her homework turned in.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Don't push a kid to play sports because you did. Don't push a kid to be in band because you were. Don't push a kid to be in drama because you were. Every kid will find something that they gravitate to. Let them figure that out. Just encourage them to find "that thing." They need "that thing." Help them figure out what it is. But it isn't your thing. You went to high school already . You had your thing. Its their turn.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't worry if your kids says "I don't really know what I want to major in" or "be when I grow up." Who cares? There is still time. As long as they can articulate something interesting about them to the admissions counselors, who cares?</p></li>
<li><p>consider the absence of grades. This is a bold initiative. I have not done it for one child, but am considering it for my second, whom I know will work hard whether or not we discuss her grades. We are considering a policy of non-discussion of grades. I know her grades because I can access them on the computer. She knows her grades because she can access them on the computer. She knows I know her grades. But we won't ever discuss her grades. Ever. Why do this? Because as she put it, she is under enough pressure from herself to get A's, she doesn't need any more from me. Constantly discussing grades with me makes it worse. I'm okay with this. I'd rather know what she did in class, not what she got anyway. I have friends who are using this approach with other high achiever children. I would only recommend this with high achievers. They are hard enough on themselves, so maybe they don't need us around anyway.</p></li>
<li><p>Senior year is intended to make you and your child sick of each other so that leaving the nest will be easier. Try to remember this as you are snapping at each other for the umpteenth time over college application deadlines. Then take a deep breath and remember the following: Your child is scared and unsure because he/she has no idea where he/she will be in a year and the uncertainty is frightening..... and you are scared because you have to let your baby go into the cold, cruel world. After you remember this, take a deep breath and exhale. Then try to guide your child to getting the work done so the uncertainty will go away, and in its place will just be some longing which will ease in time......</p></li>
</ol>
<p>This is a great thread. The best advice here is to let the kid be a kid. I mean at 13 or 14 years old, life should be more than about colleges and APs. However, the inherent starting of this thread shows that parents care - which is good. Its never too early to start thinking about this stuff. I was on a thread on a similar topic - college applications is singularly tracked on your accomplishments in HS. That means, my S or D will really have 3 years to accomplish what he or she needs to accomplish (obviously certain years count more). It only makes sense to make those years count!</p>
<p>That said, its about balance - some of the details and planning can fall on the parents while others can be valuable lessons for your S or D! Best of luck!</p>
<p>I like the idea of not discussing the grades with certain kids. In our house we actually talk about grades very rarely, they are always As, both kids and us have access to them on the computer. If you know that your kids are working their little butt off there is no point in discussing grades per say. However, it is very important for them to realize that the 95% A can quickly become a 94% B (or whatever the grading scale).
Also, it is very, very important to check on those grades frequently and teaching the kids to do so as well - techers do make mistakes!</p>