<p>My little sister is doing a transition from going from public all her life (elementary-middle) and she got a full scholarship to a prep school near by (Moses Brown, Providence RI anyone?) for high school. She's evidently intelligent, she's the middle school valedictorian and excels in her classes. The only thing is she's only been exposed to public education- not private. An example would be that she went to shadow and visit for a day at the school, and she said she was completely lost in the math. At her school they only do up to pre-algebra (due to the size of the school) and she said the students were right in the middle of algebra, breezing through. She's normally a wiz at math so that was fairly surprising. She's worried over her head about this. She doesn't want to fall back behind and wants to retain high grades with her and high level classes, she doesn't want to take algebra whilst the others take geometry. I'm sincerely worried for her as she's completely worried and afraid of what she'll have to do. I'm no good at this- I've never went to any kind of private schooling. So I'd figured I'd ask this community what she could do. Could she possibly catch up even if she takes geometry? Would she have to self-study? Or will she have to just take algebra? I have no idea and I really want to help her. Any ideas?
Any responses will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.</p>
<p>I think she could catch up - I made the transition from public to private schooling a few years ago, and I started at a private college-prep school. The academics and homework were pretty challenging but I adjusted quickly to that and by the second marking period after that transition, my grades were pretty solid. It takes some adjusting but as long as she has an open mind to this change, I think she’ll be fine! She already sounds like a great student, so I don’t think the adjustment will be as hard as you fear it to be.</p>
<p>As for the math thing - I actually went from pre-algebra in 8th grade to geometry in 9th. It’s where my new school put me and I spaced on the fact that I should have taken algebra first. Nonetheless, I’m doing fine and I’m learning a lot of algebra skills in geometry right now. Math is actually my worst subject too! 
I’ll be taking an algebra 1 course over the summer somewhere, just to be sure I’ll have enough algebra experience to do well in algebra 2. If you’re worried about her not taking algebra and wanting to start in geometry, I recommend an algebra 1 course over the summer. I don’t know how that school places kids in their classes (whether you can say "put me in this class, whether the school decides, or whether they test into a certain class) but if the option is available for her to take geometry next year, I’d say take it and do the algebra 1 over the summer.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you for the response! Ah, yes the transition seems quite common, glad it isn’t just her. It seems like a good plan- take geometry then algebra 1 over the summer. I’ll tell my sister that initiative. Thanks so much for your thorough advice, it helped lots! 
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<p>@ithails No problem! Glad to help! ;
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<p>My mom taught at Moses brown and I believe it is very academically rigorous compared to public school, but if she studies over the summer she should be fine </p>
<p>Oh, glad to see the connection, thanks @newyokerrr.</p>
<p>One quick question: How is she supposed to study over the summer? I suppose the school offers summer programs? Or self study? Thanks for responding!</p>
<p>A quick note that in our neck of the woods, it seems like the private schools are 1 year ahead of the publics in terms of what the kids study in any given grade. I think our day school takes some pride in this.</p>
<p>So, your sis MAY want to do some brush up/Khan Academy stuff over the summer. I would consult with the new school to see what skills/knowledge she will be expected to have.</p>
<p>This is as good a time as any to mention that for some students, the transition from public to private (whether day or boarding) can be a real jump in rigor. Kids who cruised to As in public may find themselves really working for Bs in a private…important to know that this can happen and it’s okay.</p>
<p>Well, BS’s are usually ahead academically, but if the public schools were good, then it shouldn’t be as rough. But what do I know, I’m still in public waiting for a decision to send me to private. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice @SevenDad, I’ll look up Khan Academy. Hopefully she maintains her goals! Thanks.</p>
<p>Thanks @mrnephew! I feel for you, my sister was as anxious. I wish the best for you, hope you get in! 
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<p>ithails-
Was your sister visiting a class in her current school year or the year she’ll be entering? It’s a common experience for kids to be taken to a class a year ahead, and thus end up feeling a little lost. Tell your sister that these schools don’t admit kids they aren’t confident can succeed. While most every kid entering a new school goes through some adjustment I expect she’ll do just fine.</p>
<p>@Sue22 Thanks so much. She did a little half and half- first half with grade level, second half with year ahead. She said she was confused with the grade level math, but totally stumped with the year ahead stuff. Thanks for the motivation, I’ll definitely tell my sister that. </p>
<p>Thanks. Tell her not to worry. My friends in BS’s right now have had a pretty smooth transition. </p>
<p>bumpppp!</p>
<p>ithails congratulations to your sister! Realize the school wouldn’t admit her if they didn’t believe she was capable of succeeding in the academic environment. Talk to the school about her concerns - maybe the admissions office can put you in touch with the head of the math department and help devise a plan for her. </p>
<p>Also tell her to relax and not worry! She just needs to keep her eye on the goal, and it’s four years of high school, so don’t rush it out of the gate. Get a good foundation going in and plan to increase course rigor each year. </p>
<p>@Mondut, Thanks so much! That’s great advice. I will definitely get in touch with the math department to figure something out and get a happy medium here. I really appreciate these pieces of advice and suggestions, thanks so much. </p>
<p>Bump </p>
<p>Wow I’m going through the same thing your sister’s facing. I assume she’s going from middle to high school, which is what I’m doing. My school does not offer Alg. 1 for me, which came back to bite me, since I want to take geo in 9th in order to take calc in 12th.
She could do what I’m planning to do- self study. I’m self studying over the summer so that come September when I start private, I’ll be ready for geometry. It’s a hard alternative, but hey. You have to do what you have to do. 8-|
Best of luck to her.</p>
<p>(hooray for my 1st post!)</p>
<p>Self studying is difficult. But for Algebra 1, the basic concepts can be explained very well by Mr. Khan of Khanacademy.org. Great site, that’s where I go for school help.</p>
<p>@UponMoseThings, Welcome to CC! Mostly, thank you for your response. We’re tossing around the thought of self studying around, if it comes to that.</p>
<p>@mrnephew, I checked out Knanacademy and it seems great! We’ll definitely use it as a resource, Thanks.</p>