<p>Yes, admissions officers are human, and they do consider family tragedies. Do bear in mind that in the most selective schools, there are many kids who do well DESPITE the tragedies and that is considered a boost to their app, but if your grades were terribly affected, it isn’t going to be a consideration to you.</p>
<p>If there is a blip in your record where you did not do well because of a horrible, horrible year, and then you super recovered with great grades, it could be overlooked at most schools. Many schools will give consideration for freshman grades anyways, and you don’t have to send your middle school records even with HS credit courses. That you are in the more advanced courses and doing well speaks for itself without having that transcript there.</p>