<p>Grades for 2nd quarter are finalized and all is well. S is writing physics olympiad today, for training really, as he did not prep. and this requires some prepping, as it turns out.
Went to college today to ask for his transcript (for a scholarship application) and they tell me that I need to prove that he is my dependent by showing them a tax record!
The fact that he is 15, lives under the same address, is in early college program that I had to sign for and the $, for the class comes out of my account - not enough!
Oh bureaucracy :mad:</p>
<p>Whew! S just finished a major project for his English class. Procrastinated as usual. It was a multimedia presentation about his familyâs history, folklore and stories. He forgot that he had to include a family tree until tonight - which entailed frantic emails to grandparents to find out names, dates, etc. S ended up getting a whole lesson on the Austro-Hungarian empire and the Russian occupation of Poland. Seems there was some argument over which countries his great-grandparents were actually from. Anyway, I found it all fascinating. S, not so much!</p>
<p>Hi to all! This is my first post here but I have been following CC and this thread for quite a while. I have a Dâ13 and a Dâ17; two wonderful girls with polar opposite personalities.</p>
<p>Dâ13 is highly intelligent, motivated, focused and responsible. She loves to learn and absorbs information like a sponge. She is at a large public HS with an above average student body but subpar administration. Her HS is ranked ~ 1,200th on the latest Newsweek list. She wants to attend a highly selective college for the opportunity to be surrounded by other extremely capable and motivated students.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Dâs GC is responsible for approximately 600 students and, like the rest of the school administration, is more interested in shepherding the marginal student than supporting the exceptional student. The schoolâs funding is tied to certain assesments which appear to be largely driven by the progress of underachieving students. GC and administration were completely uncooperative when we requested basic support appropriate for a high achieving student and that is provided by other schools in the district.</p>
<p>It appears that Dâ13 will receive little or no guidance or assistance from her school or GC so I am preparing myself to fill that role. I thank you all for sharing your wisdom and experience.</p>
<p>Welcome, Bappy1! Iâm sorry to hear of the challenge youâre facing. It ultimately will be helpful to you to educate yourself, but it is certainly disappointing that you probably wonât get the help youâd like from the GC.</p>
<p>One thing I have discovered is that an internet search of the GC pages of other high schools in my county yields a lot of helpful information! Our GC in a small private school gives personal attention and is well-informed, but I still want to make sure that no scholarship opportunities are missed as my older daughter is now a senior.</p>
<p>I found CC when my S13 was considering boarding school, stayed on to help my neice (like you, our public district is more focused on struggling students and think the motivated ones will find their own way) and will probably be here for the next decade until I get all my kids through.</p>
<p>Even the best GC could not provide all the info this site can!</p>
<p>Yes, we are fortunate that I found this site and realized what we are not getting from Dâs school. There is a lot of information that we need for planning and preparation that her GC is not providing. For example, D has not heard a peep about the SAT Subject Tests at school.</p>
<p>Quick update: DS had a chance to speak with the AP Physics teacher on Friday. Turns out that juniors who take that class have it for two periods every day. So he wonât have an opening for an elective. He will end up with a study hall every other day (PE on the other days - requirement every single quarter of the school year, no matter what). On the bright side, he will have extra time to get hw done which will ease his after school schedule (which will include drivers ed and sat prep in the fall). Those electives looked so good - oh wellâŠ</p>
<p>What have you heard about AP Chem? I know it probably depends on the school and teacher, etc. But Sâ13 is in honors Chem this year and his teacher is recommending AP Chem next year. He was planning on taking AP Physics as the teacher is considered one of the best in the state. However, my Dâ10 took AP Physics and, while she passed the class with about an 87-88 average, she only got a 2 on the AP test. I think the teacher, while engaging and innovative, does not really prepare the kids for the test. So, maybe S will do better in AP Chem? (and then take AP Physics or Environmental Science senior year?)</p>
<p>Megpmom, my d13 is facing same issue. She is leaning towards AP Physics B although her Chemistry Honors teacher is disappointed that she doesnât want to do AP chemistry next year. I would actually want her to take the new AP environmental science class, but she doesnât. To be honest after going through this with my now senior son, I just want her to take the easier classes in 11th to boost rank. As long as she takes the hard class as a senior she is fine. Since she is set on taking physics, I am asking her to talk to people in class and find out level of difficulty. What I have heard is that AP Physics C is the hardest class in our school.</p>
<p>Bappy, my D attends an Public/Urban Honors school ranked in the top 20 of the Newsweek listing, and we still have guidance issues. for grade 5-12 school of 800 plus students there are 4 guidance counselors. I do not even know who my Dâs assigned GC is. I figure this will be my role. Unfortunately, this is probably a fact of life in many cash strapped school districts. </p>
<p>It is a pain, but I personally have some unpleasant memories of my HS guidance counselor at a private school. Sr. Whatchamacallher was not exactly a wealth of knowledge. My parents had to play that role for me as well.</p>
<p>The flood of e-mails from the PSAT started this morning. For some reason, they are coming to my e-mail address; not sure how that happened!</p>
<p>My D was also considering AP Chem vs AP Physics for next year, and has settled on Chem for junior year. I think she may take AP Bio senior year and forego the second year of physics. The way our curriculum is set up, it is hard to take all 3 of those APâs.</p>
<p>Welcome new posters! DD13 has picked her courses for next year. In our HS we have AP Bio, AP Chem and Honors Physics (no AP). Next year her schedule will be:</p>
<p>AP Chem
AP USH
AP Lang
Honors Physics
Honors Pre-Calc
Chorus
Gym
Drawing</p>
<p>She will take AP Bio and/or AP Environmental Science in senior year. She does have to try out for chorus and she hasnât sung in the past, so we shall see how that works out. She is a math and science girl who really likes drama, singing and dancing, although her skill level is not on par with her level of passion. Thatâs ok, because she really has fun with it and that is a good thing!</p>
<p>Our HS has several specialty chorus groups, which are by audition also. D did not make the special one this year and was put in the large general chorus, which she is not liking because some of the kids donât really want to be there to sing, they are just filling a schedule hole or fulfilling the arts requirement. She is not sure if she will try out next year, or drop chorus altogether. Like yours, her talent is not up to the level of many of the kids, although she loves to sing. She could probably use the study hall instead, as her schedule is looking like -</p>
<p>Honors French 4
AP Stat
AP Lang
AP Chem
AP Euro
AP Psych</p>
<p>Out of all those classes, the only one which will be a challenge for her is Euro, because of the teacher. I have had one or 2 kids go through all the others without much trouble.</p>
<p>Good luck D of mamabear! Looks like a tough schedule. DD decided not to go forward to Spanish 4. She is very frustrated with the teacher. She has strong grades in Spanish, except the teacher didnât remind the class that test corrections were due the next day after the test was handed back and DD got a 0/100 on the assignment. No late HWâs accepted. She also missed one HW assignment earlier on in the quarter (her fault). I think by Jan the kids should know the drill and I donât really fault the teacher. However, my DD is beyond frustrated with it (she now has a 90 in the class rather than a 95ish) and just doesnât think it is âfairâ. So, no Spanish 4 for DD13. DS12 took Spanish 4 and he is not going on to Spanish 201 (college level) either. Iâm not too worried since I think DD13 is going to be looking at science or engineering schools. Having 3 years of a language should be fine.</p>
<p>geogirl - my Dâ10 did just fine in the app process as a future e-schooler with only 3 years of language so I wouldnât worry about it.</p>
<p>Now my Dâ13 may have a problem since she only did 3 years too but it was not worth the fight!</p>
<p>Sheâs taking next year:</p>
<p>AP English 11
AP Psych
AP Calc AB
US/VA History
Literary Magazine (has to submit writing samples but we think she has a good shot)
Photography 3
Earth/Space Science</p>
<p>It should be the right balance for her - weâll see!</p>
<p>We are not making schedules yet, but we have started talking about it. Not a lot of options at our school. He will take:
AP English Lang
AP US
AP Biology
Spanish 3
Honors Precalculus
Athletics
And for his elective I think he will either take Journalism or maybe French 1. They are thinking about offering AP Chem (they havenât the last several years). If they do we will have to decide if he should take AP Chem or AP Biology. I hear college board is changing the AP BIology exam starting with the 2012/2013 year (narrowing the focus) so if they offer AP CHem we might wait for AP Bio for senior year. <a href=âhttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/education/edlife/09ap-t.html[/url]â>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/education/edlife/09ap-t.html</a></p>
<p>The conversation in my house this weekend was about scheduling too The IB family meeting is tomorrow but D has decided itâs a no; Iâm still going to the meeting just to make sure I have all info, but I canât see her changing her mind again. She is at peace. So next year will be:</p>
<p>AP Chemistry
AP US History
AP English Language
Spanish IV Honors Pre-IB/AP
Pre-Calc Honors
Journalism I (Newspaper)
Study Hall</p>
<p>She really wants to take Psychology AP also, but is enjoying having a study hall this semester so sheâs decided to push it to Senior year.</p>
<p>Once again, I feel like a slacker on this thread. We havenât talked about scheduling in any detail. A lot of things are up in the air where his schedule/the school are concerned.</p>
<p>Well, the juniors and freshmen have already had their registration presentations. The sophomore GT kids had a meeting on Friday; their GCs visit English classes this week & I think they have to submit their requests by February 9th. </p>
<p>So youâre not a slacker YDS; your school just hasnât gotten you the materials yet!</p>
Thatâs ok, because she really has fun with it and that is a good thing!</p>
The IB family meeting is tomorrow but D has decided itâs a no; Iâm still going to the meeting just to make sure I have all info, but I canât see her changing her mind again. She is at peace. So next year will be:</p>