<p>We're trying to make some decisions about S2's high school education and I was hoping for some input from other parents.</p>
<p>He is 14.5 yrs ... will be 15 on 7/1/06 and is in 8th grade this year at an independent day K-12 school. He is currently taking two upper school courses, second year French and Algebra 1, and in his <em>free time</em> auditing (middle school) Latin 8. He took Latin 7 last year and loved it but had to choose between French and Latin for credit this year. He has just taken the SSAT -- from the practice tests looks like he will score upper 600s to mid-700 in each section.</p>
<p>His current school offers a year in France or Spain. Traditionally, it's the sophomore year, but in my S's case, the headmaster has approved my son for freshman year if we want to send him (we are still thinking sophomore year). This is a total immersion year abroad -- lives with a French family in a village in the south of France with no English speaking people nearby. Attends either private or public school with French sibling. There will be 4-5 kids from his American school in this program, but they will likely be in separate villages, schools, etc.</p>
<p>As sophomores, they will be given credit by our American school for:
10th grade English, 10th grade bio, Modern World History, TWO years of French (and return to AP French as a junior followed by French seminar as a senior) and they will get a math credit, but will probably need to repeat or summer course to stay on track. Essentially, the school gives credit for the academics missed in the year abroad -- but there may be a <em>bunch</em> of content missing. I did not get into discussing the program if he goes as a freshman, but it would be similar.</p>
<p>What I'd like the Parents Forum input on is: What do you think of his college admissions chances relative to this program? Will they look at this as having missed a year of high school ... or as a wonderful added experience? He's interested in a top tier LAC -- if he continues to show us the talents we've seen to date.</p>
<p>His American school is very small -- this year's senior class is only 25 kids. There are 40 kids in the 8th grade. He will probably take all honors and APs for his coursework at home. This school has sent several kids to Ivies and other elite schools in the past 5 years.</p>
<p>It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I would suggest that he go in 9th grade. For college admissions, most American colleges discount 9th grade grades, but sophomore grades are factored in, and French grades would be difficult to translate (on top of being far lower than typical American grades--10/20 is a VERY honorable grade, not absolute failure like a 50/100).</p>
<p>Also bear in mind that English is taught in French schools as a foreign language. By 9th grade, French students have had 3 years of English, which does not mean they are fluent by any means! They will not be able to discuss books in the same way American 9th graders would be able to. History and math will probably be taught at a more advanced level than in an American school, so fully deserve credit. As well, French students study physics, biology and chemistry throughout high school, so, while your son will be exposed to science, it will not be in the American fashion in which the sciences are taught as discrete units; in other words, if he wants to proceed to do AP work in specific sciences, he will need to make up for the materials not covered; but he will know something of the other sciences. </p>
<p>If these issues can be resolved, colleges will think of this year abroad as a wonderful experience. He should certainly go for it!</p>
<p>Here's a quote from Princeton U's Dean about studying abroad:</p>
<p>In today's hothouse atmosphere, a student's decision to take part in a program like SYA signals to us just the sort of adventurous approach to life, just the sort of open and curious mind that seeks to take advantage of new opportunities and challenges, that we believe are essential to making the most of the great resources offered by Princeton. And they do this at no cost to themselves, either academically or with respect to the chances for admission to first-rate colleges. On the contrary, my experience with students who participated in SYA suggests that their experiences only enhanced their attractiveness as college applicants.
Fred Hargadon,
recently retired Dean of Admission,
Princeton University</p>
<p>a contrarian viewpoint....a private GC I know discounts these programs, and said that they are not worth the money vis a vis the value added to the app. He much prefers a summer immersion program, particularly as marite notes, since the curriculum doesn't line up well with a competitive HS's honors track.</p>
<p>My son did the program (SYA) mentioned in the Princeton quote (not that it helped him get into Princeton LOL! -- but if an Ivy education is essential to a child, I think you'll find the SYA college roster impressive) It's incredible -- an American education in a small school with American kids, so they don't lose their footing on their "American honors track" except a little in science (he ended up taking both AP physics and chem senior year); English and math classes in English but French culture, civ, history, and language all in French, living with a French family. I think he did lose some ground in the sense that as a junior abroad he was not at his home for decision-making at the end of the year about "leadership" positions" but then he isn't into leadership anyway so it probably made very little difference. My guess is that some photo and science awards escaped him, but the colleges that he was really interested in all seemed to understand the risk and independence indicated by his experience abroad (he goes to Chicago and was accepted to Davidson, Grinnell, and Carleton). The only caveat I would offer is that apparently some of the kids hang out with the other Americans way too much and then realize late in the game that they have missed much of the French cultural experience. DS had a perfect family placement which helped tremendously in that regard and really did completely immerse himself in French life outside of school and did some traveling within France.</p>
<p>This is a lot cheaper than a student exchange program but not as safe as one, either. I am acting as an American contact for a school in Guatemala and am looking for 8 high school students wanting to study Spanish in Guatemala and help me with my volunteer organization. You can learn more by going to my web site: </p>