Hello, so I am getting my high school classes back soon (I am in 8th grade) and I am worried that I will have no honors.
I already know that I will not get math (because there is no honors for students going from pre-algebra to algebra. Which sucks, because I do extremely well.) nor science (because they only accept students who are in algerbra in eighth grade, which if you are in that or not, is based on your scores in 4th grade which I think is extremely unfair), nor english (I know this because he called the students he recommended into honors into the hallway and talked to them, and he didn’t call me) nor Spanish (because a got a B+ last marking period, which is my lowest grade I’ve EVER gotten overall) but maybe history (because I meet all of the minimum requirements, but it says on the sheet that an English recommendation is required.)
I, by most teachers, am called smart, but it doesn’t look like they would put me into the honors classes.
Here are my grades for the first marking period:
History: A-
English: A-
Math: A (with possibly an A+ this marking period, since I got a 100% on my midterm)
Science: A
Spanish: B+
Band: A+
All of my friends are extremely academically competitive with each other. They, even now, tell me how stupid I am because I am in pre-algebra instead of algebra. (and no, I can’t get new friends, because I have a very small school, and apart from that, they are alright.) I do not want to be in that spot again when i am in high school. Apart than that, my parents will be livid. They expect nothing less than perfection. They can not wave me into any honors classes, because that starts sophomore year. Will this affect me in college? I dream to go to UCLA or Yale to be some type of chemist. I need to get all the scholarships I can, because my family does not have a lot of money. My mom says that I will not be able to get into college if my grades continue like this, is that true? I am so worried that i will not get any honors.
Good friends should be supportive. Small school or not I would not put up with people telling me I was “stupid”. I was in a similar boat in HS (not put into some honors classes due to 6th grade testing years and years ago) and my friends were in all honors classes. They never put me down. My D had a similar experience as well. Let your friends know that when they talk that way it is hurtful and ask them to please stop.
You can talk to your English teacher about if he/she thinks you can handle the honors class. If not ask what you should work on to possibly qualify the following year.
You are doing very well in the regular level classes. You will be able to find a fine college down the road that will be a good fit for you. There are tons of amazing non-Ivy level schools out there where you can have a great college experience, get an excellent education, and launch your career. Stop comparing yourself to others.
For goodness sake you are in middle school. Please do not start worrying about college now. Enjoy high school, enjoy your friends, get involved in things that matter to you, do the best you can in school and things will work out (even if you don’t end up at UCLA or Yale).
Whoa! Take a deep breath. Mom of an 8th grader here and I just did the college process with my oldest son last year. First, you have very good grades and if you continue with these types of grades you will be fine and get into college. It may not be UCLA or Yale, but that is fine because there are 100’s of wonderful schools out there. You have four years to prepare and do your best. That’s a long time and you can’t ride yourself so hard or you’ll burn out due to stress.
You aren’t stupid to be in pre-algebra in 8th grade, everyone has their own speed. You may not need new friends, but certainly let them know you don’t appreciate them calling you stupid.
As for honors, if you feel you need the challenge perhaps you can ask a teacher to help arrange for you to meet your 8th grade counselor at school and ask if you can have an opportunity to be in a few honors classes in 9th grade.
Why are your parents livid? If they want you in honors, they should also talk to your school counselor. Forgive me for asking, but are your parents immigrants? Sometimes parents from other countries set very high expectations for their children that are not always fair or well informed about what the college process is really like. Some parents think only all A+'s and all honors and attendance at a top ranked school are signs of success (for them as much as for you). Please understand you will be as successful as you want to be and you can attend State U to get there.
Also, don’t spend too much time on this site comparing yourself to others. You just be you, ok?
Popcornpanda - Let me reiterate what vamom said - “Whoa - Take a deep breath” - and add a little story top make you feel better!
My D has a degree in Chemical Engineering, and son is a Chemical Engineering student at the same top school. D was held back in advance math - probably because she is a girl GRRRR and D took pre-algebra in 9th grade. Son took pre-algebra in Middle School - partly because Big Sister helped him. They will both graduate from the same school with the same engineering degree.
BTW - IMHO - 9th grade is NOT too early to consider your educational track and consider what alternatives are available to you to get to where you want to be. However, it is NOT GOOD to obsess or over re-act to what’s on your immediate plate. One of the keys for you might be to commit to doing the best job possible each and every day, week, month, term in school - which will open up opportunities for you later.
One more quick lesson from my kids - Only do the Extra Curricular activities that YOU want to. Don’t sign up for an EC because you think it might look good to an AdCom later on! Good Luck!
Thank you guys! After I posted this, I went to ballet and when I came home my mom said that the mail came and my courses letter was in there. We opened it up, and the only honors I got was History. My mom was mad that I didn’t get any others, but my mom is planning to speak with my science teacher to see if I can still get into honors biology.
vamominvabeach- One of my parents is an immigrant from India:)
I hope your schedule works out for you. Your Mom being involved should help and if you feel you can handle the honors class, I hope the school will give you that opportunity.
In our HS the science and math honor courses track together (ex. you need honors math to be in honors science) but let her ask. That is probably not the rule in every high school. But if that is the case, you or your mom might want to talk to your English teacher to see if honors English is a possibility next year or down the road. What you ideally want to do is take the hardest course-load that you can be successful in. Do what is right for you, not your friends.
“My mom says that I will not be able to get into college if my grades continue like this, is that true?”
No, that is not true. At all. She is obviously unfamiliar with the US higher educational system and is over-reacting. Your grades are excellent and if you continue to get mostly As, you will be eligible to attend many excellent colleges including many that she probably doesn’t know about.
Many parents who were educated in India only have heard of schools with grad schools for engineers and business - they don’t know about the Liberal Arts Colleges or the many excellent schools that don’t have grad programs in those two fields. They have lots of time to get educated over the next few years - and so do you.
Meanwhile, if you feel ready to take more challenging classes than you have been placed in, then go for it - and it’s good that they are advocating for you with the school administration. Hopefully, that will work out for you.
and D took pre-algebra in 9th grade. Son took pre-algebra in Middle School - partly because Big Sister helped him. They will both graduate from the same school with the same engineering degree.