<p>I'm a little bummed today because my 9th grade S just showed me his report card and it was NOT good. Just wondered if anyone out there could give me some support and maybe some encouragement with some success stories of kids with horrible freshman grades but ended up being fine by Senior year. He is a very smart kid but his grades never correlate. I am having him tested this summer, so maybe that will provide some insight, but right now I'm just worried about him.</p>
<p>Freshman grades are disregarded or discounted by many colleges (including Stanford). The conventional wisdom is that many boys bloom a little later. Good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t think reassurance is the most useful thing for you and your son right now.</p>
<p>Research seems more appropriate.</p>
<p>The low grades aren’t really the point. A student who has a bad 9th grade and then improves is as impressive as one who did well all along.</p>
<p>The point is for your son to figure out – with you and his teachers and guidance counselor – why his grades were so low. It’s hard to solve a problem (or even decide whether it can be solved) without knowing the cause. </p>
<p>Is he struggling because of inadequate preparation in the lower grades? Does he have difficulty with specific skills, such as writing? Is he neglecting to do homework? Does he have test anxiety? Does he lack study skills? Does he do his studying in an environment with too many distractions? Is he in courses too advanced for his ability? Is he so unhappy because of social problems (such as being bullied or not having friends) that he can’t concentrate on schoolwork?</p>
<p>You can’t help your son improve his grades without knowing the reason why they’re low. For example, if he got a poor grade in French 2 because he came in with a shaky knowledge of the content of French 1, imposing a parental rule of “you must spend an hour a day on French” won’t solve the problem. But tutoring or repeating a level might help. </p>
<p>On the other hand, if the problem is that he is not turning in assignments or not spending enough time on studying, then closer parental supervision of homework might very well be appropriate.</p>
<p>don’t panic just yet, it is better that your S have a bad year now then later down the road. Make sure you explain the importance of grades sophomore and junior and help her deal with and fix any mistakes she made have had freshmen year.</p>
<p>Why he got those grades is important. Was he overwhelmed? Unprepared? Fooling around? Depressed? Not interested? More importantly, is he the position to fix those whys. I do know a number of kids who did well as they progressed through high school and on to college. Also know some for whom that bad year was the first warning sign.</p>
<p>How “horrible” are these grades? Are they Bs and Cs or are they Ds and Fs. </p>
<p>Just asking because there have been parents here who felt their child had “horrible” grades because they got one B (no kidding) or their first C (no kidding).</p>
<p>Agreed with others. If this student is not working up to his potential, you want to find out why.</p>
<p>My current high schooler really struggled with math his freshman year. We did figure out why he was having those troubles and have addressed that issue, and have also decided to keep him out of the accelerated math courses. He is taking the regular math this year, and will be taking the regular precalc the year after. He will also take a calc course at a community college or on line before he takes AP Calc. He needs more time and background for math. However, his study skills in other subjects, grades, motivation, emotional state were not issues. Had there been other problems in those areas, our solution would not have worked as he is taking advanced courses in other subjects, and is being pushed to his limits in terms of studying, research, writing, reading, note taking. But he is getting the results there.</p>
<p>5boys- I can’t reassure you, but I can co-miserate with you. My middle D is graduating at the top of her class in a few weeks while her younger brother, in 9th grade, will be lucky to add up all of his grades and reach triple digits! The eldest was an overachiever too, so it’s no wonder that this one confuses me. He’s bright, very bright, but refuses to do or hand in, homework. He has chosen to live with his father because Dad tells him that “teachers only work 8 months a year and 7 hours/day, so they are all overpaid and you don’t have to listen to them”. Dad will not take away anything, in fact, he just keeps buying the boy everything he wants, but will do nothing about the homework nor will be attend teachers’ conferences.
Grrrrr. I was a teacher, so imagine my delight at all of that…
He stayed academically eligible in the fall so that he could play socccer and has now been recruited for track- the school is a major power in the East in track-and is doing great. The coaches know the problem with Dad and I’ve spoken to them and the teachers to let them know that I am backing their decisions. I am hoping that the coaches are the strong, male influences my son needs and that his delight at being singled out as a success will be just what he needs. Summer school may be on the agenda for this one, but at least he’ll keep busy!
Seriously, has anyone else ever gone through something like this with an ex-spouse and child? It’s so hard for me to sit back and watch my son ruin his life to keep on his father’s “good side” (I never saw one, so I think it’s futile…).</p>
<p>OP-- were they CC bad? Or were they “real world” bad grades? Just curious. Hang around here long enough and you’ll get the impression that a B is a tragedy. For some kids it is, but not for all. I’m glad you are getting him tested to find out if it’s something extra. But, some kids just don’t care about school. I’ve got one like that. I don’t think it’s a flawed character, just passionate interests in other places, being more physical than intellectual, and being more active than passive, as a person. I can see she’ll be a huge success in the world, but she’s never going to do a dissertation. So, yeah, I just wonder how horrible the grades were…by “normal” standards.</p>
<p>Oh…and did you have no idea until you saw the report card? If they were horrible, I would assume the school would have sent you some sort of notification at the quarter? If not, I’d be furious.</p>
<p>Poetgirl-- Thanks for the info. My S failed his math and latin final, got a B in English, an A in History and a C+ in Physics. I pretty much think that’s not just CC bad but just plain bad. They last few years I’ve seen some signs of problems but thought they were due to immaturity and laziness, but this year he has really tried to put forth effort and he is struggling even worse. I’m 99% sure he has some sort of a math learning disability or ADD that has been compensated for because of his intelligence until this year. He scores 99% in all standardized testing but he has a hard time with details… esp. math and latin. Does anyone know if he does get diagnosed with a disability or ADD, gets treated and then improves, will colleges take that into account? He is an amazing kid in every other way,250 hours community service, eagle scout,lifeguard, etc.</p>
<p>my d was tested in 5th grade and found to have inattentive add, but she was able to compensate until she hit the proverbial wall in 8th grade. we built in the supports she needed and she has done amazingly well. good idea to test if you are concerned…and build in what he needs so the rest of his hs experience is positive. good luck</p>
<p>He took physics in 9th grade. My daughter had bio/chem this year in 9th grade. Is he on a fast track?</p>
<p>Yeah, I’d go with your gut on that one. I’m glad you’re getting him tested. And, yes, when the ADD clears up with treatment/accomodations, and his grades rise, colleges will be fine with that. Also, he’ll be able to be in classes which challenge his real intellect and that will help, as well. A lot of times when kids are compensating for LDs they are in classes that are not the right level and that can lead to even more boredom and lack of interest, bad combination. Sorry about the failing grades, though. That kind of thing is really brutal. (I have a dyslexic, too, ironically NOT the one who doesn’t care about school. Go figure!)</p>
<p>Oldfort–in our town the kids ALL start with physics. It’s not fast track. I think its that way a lot of places now.</p>
<p>I guess it’s different at our school. In 9th & 10th grade bio/chemistry, 11th grade physics.</p>
<p>Physics has become the standard 9th grade science at many schools with many believing it is a foundation that should be be taught first.</p>
<p>Well, chemistry is basically applied physics, and biology is applied chemistry, so it makes sense.</p>
<p>My son’s grades were pretty bad in 9th grade. He was really trying but just had a hard time. He got his act together and this year as a junior made the high honor roll (all grades above 93) all year so far - only one of three kids out of 180 to do so. He even got a nice plaque at an awards ceremony this week. He also received the Dartmouth Book Award, a silver award for the Latin II exam, and a bronze award for Spanish IV. Oh, yeah, and was inducted into NHS. So there’s hope!</p>
<p>@litdz and others coping w/ ADD - what type of “support” is given to a child w/ ADD? We’re just beginning to deal with this, and the school doesn’t seem to be able to handle it other than advising us to private-pay for additional tutoring. Any advice would be great.</p>
<p>I would also love to know what additional “support” means. I have a 7th grade DD with mild ADD who refuses to take medication. Grades slipping this quarter from a/b’s to b/c’s. Worried that as she goes along she is eventually going to hit a wall where studying for 10-20min. isnt going to cut it anymore.</p>