Parents of the HS Class of 2015

Parents Forum Class of 20xx Community
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<p>Hi all! My eldest is 13 and sooooo looking forward to high school next year. She’s already picked her classes, which just upped the excitement level. She loves drawing and writing fiction. At the moment, her favorite subject is French.</p>

<p>Right now, she wants to study architecture at Tulane. A few months ago, she surprised me by bringing it up. We’d always talked about college and careers in general ways, but I had no idea she’d come up with such a specific plan. She may change her mind before the time comes, but she tends to be pretty steady and know her own mind. We’re visiting family in New Orleans this summer, so we’ll make an informal campus visit - just to walk around campus and maybe get her at tshirt.</p>

<p>We have 2 younger kids as well - one will be hs class of 17 and the other hs class of 21(!).</p>

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<p>Hello! My D2 is class of 2015, but hard to project colleges yet as she is still waiting to receive high school admission decisions! Her older sister, D1, class of 2011 recently finished her college process, so 1 down, 1 to go :wink: </p>

<p>D2 has toured around 15 college campuses as she was along for part of the ride when her older sister and I spent part of the last 2 summers visiting over 20 college campuses (excessive, I know, but we actually had a really good time, and it was a fun experience to share). That will be helpful I think as D2 has started to think about what was appealing to her. Math/science motivated…D2 wants to be an engineer as well as being an uber-Martha Stewart - a good mix :)</p>

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<p>Welcome, mayhew!
Any gems of wisdom you’d like to share from your D1’s college search process?</p>

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<p>Kelowna</p>

<p>A little late to the dance but IMHO if it is a choice between Mandarin and French, I would take Mandarin. My DS will be taking immersion Mandarin in Beijing through his college. I told my kids that they should know either Spanish or Mandarin. I think that they will be the most useful to them, again IMHO</p>

<p>Have fun with the college search, it will be “interesting”</p>

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<p>mihcal1: That is terrific that your daughter’s class was spoken to about the relevance of GPAs, graduation & admission requirements. Really great to make them aware of the significance of all of these sooner rather than later. Too often that does not enter their conscience until 10th or 11th grade, I think!</p>

<p>Regarding my D1, her college process has been quite different than what I think D2 will experience. D1 was a recruited athlete, and is happy to be rowing for an ivy in the fall. She was really fortunate to have a lot of schools pursue her - not a typical applicant experience, and I doubt that we will ever experience that again! </p>

<p>I suppose the one thing that I have really learned, other than the obvious points, is just how valuable a “hook” is - that one thing that sets you apart from the general applicant pool, whatever the talent may be. What is the hardest challenge I think that is there are SO many great, multi-talented, bright, impressive students in the applicant pool. One ivy told us that they create “well-rounded classes”, meaning that all together, it is a well-rounded group. Individually though, each student has that one special talent, no matter what it may be, that makes them a stand-out in the eyes of the admission office. This probably holds true for many schools. </p>

<p>We are starting an exciting journey :)</p>

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<p>Is anyone else in a community that makes a big deal over 8th grade “graduation”? I am so annoyed, even though I knew it was coming. Why are we spending mega-bucks and paying lots of attention when, at least in this community we expect all of our children to graduate from high school and 97% of them to go on to college? And why am I funding this?</p>

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<p>They have a very nice 8th grade promotion ceremony here but I wouldn’t say it’s fancy, and it’s free thankfully! Each school has done a graduation of sorts - elementary, middle and then of course high school but only the high school one has all the pomp and circumstance.</p>

<p>What do they do where you are? It sounds like it must be elaborate!</p>

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<p>I’m spending more time on (more reading than posting, can’t keep up with folks in there!) the HS 2011 thread with D11’s college journey but it will be fun to poke along in here too off and on as younger D is heading to high school in the fall. </p>

<p>Mayhew–our older D is not a school athlete but the 14 yr old is quite a scholar/athlete who loves and does very well at both academics and sports so far-- so that will be a new road for us–I’ve been doing some reading in the ‘Athletic’ Forum also</p>

<p>Triplets! Wow–CC will be such a treasure of info and support for you the next few years</p>

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<p>Our JrHS does a Promotion ceremony on the morning of the last day of school. The principal gives a pablum speech where he says how proud he is and highlights kids’ accomplishments (e.g., science fair & art contest winners). Then each kids is called by name, walks across the makeshift outdoor stage, shakes hands with their advisement teacher, and the parents get to snap a quick photo. It’s all over in time for lunch. </p>

<p>That same evening there’s a semi-formal dance at the Boys and Girls Club. The girls get all dressed up, then all kick off their 3" heels to dance in groups. The boys stand around looking sheepish and intermittently play-punch one-another. It’s only for the 8th graders (can’t bring dates). There might be a minor fee for the dance that covers expenses for food and decoration. </p>

<p>It’s not a big deal, but it’s tastefully done.</p>

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<p>I also have D1 2011 and D2 2015. Hard to believe one leaves for college and the other is entering High School. D2 is going to miss her sister. </p>

<p>D1’s high school years went so fast, I wish I could freeze time…</p>

<p>Will be fun getting to know y’all over the next 4 years.</p>

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<p>No summer school plans here. D’13 leaves US on the last day of May and will not be back until
mid August. She is going to spend 6 or 7 weeks in Spain and then go to visit her grandmothers and the rest of the family in eastern Europe.
I am so excited about her going to Spain! Excited and frightened at the same time. She is going to stay in Madrid and help at the local elementary school for the first month, then hopefully travel a bit. I am planning on joining her for a few days just before her departure, so she can show me all her special places and friends she has made. I do hope it will be a HUGE learning experience for her.</p>

<p>As far as the second foreign language, after very careful research, we have decided to take French. It is said to be at a higher academic level at her chosen HS than Mandarin.
I still hope she can continue Mandarin with a private tutor. For now, I am searching for a private tutor in French, since she has decided to skip French 1 altogether and start with French 2 without prior exposure to the language…</p>

<p>Here are the classes she has chosen for her freshman year:</p>

<p>Precalculus
AP Statistics
Spanish 3 (still thinking if it is a right choice)
French 2
Honors LA 10
Honors Bio
Honors Geography
PE</p>

<p>I am so glad this thread has taken off - already 30 posts!</p>

32

<p>Hello everyone - I just stumbled across this thread & am thrilled ! I have a D15 along with a S10. He is a freshman in college. D will be a freshman in high school next fall.</p>

<p>I am impressed with all your courses and things offered to many of your kids ! We are in a small town, so one school. It doesn’t offer much to be quite honest, but live here instead of the city for many reasons. </p>

<p>D will follow the standard college prep track. She has to study twice as hard as our S did. Our expectations are somewhat different. Not necessarily lower, just different. She turned in her fall schedule last week. Typically, no foreign language offered to freshman. Our school ONLY has spanish 1 & 2 anyway. :frowning: She is taking freshman PE, which I think is rediculous because she plays basketball almost year round. I’ve never figured out why that doesn’t count, especially the time for the school team. I see it as a slot for another class !</p>

<p>She played the Clarinet very briefly. She was wonderful, picked it up quickly and can play by ear somewhat. A talent she got from my grandmother. The kids can’t stand the band teacher, so several quit, her included. (She, of course, finished the year - we’re strong believers in “Finish what you start”.)</p>

<p>Her passion has always been science. When other girls her age wanted hair straighteners for their birthday, she wanted an erupting volcano and a telescope ! Her birthday is in June and we’re sending her to Space Camp. She is going to be thrilled ! I am going to have a really hard time keeping it a secret until her birthday !</p>

<p>We’ve made sure she is well rounded. In previous years (starting about age 2) she’s had several years of dance, is an orange belt in Tae Kwon Do, received her Bronze Award in Girl Scouts, a member of FCCLA (It was FHA when I was in high school !), a cheerleader (varsity next year too! Try outs were 2 weeks ago), and an awesome basketball player.</p>

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<p>Welcome aboard CheckersMW!</p>

<p>Your D sounds like a neat kid. What is it with jr.hs girls and hair straighteners anyway? I agree with your D that volcanos are much more interesting. It’s amazing that she manages to keep up so many different activities. What is FCCLA?</p>

<p>Where does your S go to college? Is he happy there? Any lessons you can share from your college-search-process with him?</p>

<p>Your HS sounds very limiting – especially only offering two years of Spanish. You might want look beyond your HS for advancement or enrichment options to keep her challenged. Is there a college nearby where she might take classes? Or else look for online options. She sounds like the sort of kid who might end up self-studying for science APs, or going out on her own for Science Fair.</p>

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<p>Waving to Checkers from the '10 thread :)</p>

<p>I just asked S (my ‘15er) if he felt like he was almost done with MS and he said sometimes it still feels likes he just started at the school! He’s grown about 7" while he’s been there though, LOL, just hit 6’.</p>

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<p>My D2012, her best friend (girl) and other good friend (boy) were all the same height when they finished 8th grade. When they showed up at HS in the fall, the boy was >3" taller!</p>

<p>A lot of growth happens between 8th and 9th grades. Not just physical growth, either.</p>

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<p>~~waving back at shilly ~~</p>

<p>Thanks for the welcome ! My S goes to University of Missouri (Mizzou). He loves it. We didn’t do a lot of searching - it’s where he’s always wanted to go. It’s a ‘state’ school, but a step up from the regular ones like Northwest, Central, etc. They go to a lot of work to make the freshman fit in and make it home.</p>

<p>FCCLA = Future something. (college, careers, leadeship…) In the ‘old days’ it was Future Homemakers of America. It has broadened over the years and now has more to do with leadership, careers, and home. They have several regional & national competitions, both with group & individual projects. The projects usually include research, public speaking, etc.</p>

<p>We are in a unique situation…our school was left money for a girls scholarship several years ago. The fund is quite hefty, but with recent interest drops, it doesn’t pay as much. It use to be full ride, now it pays all tuition & books for 4 years. You have to be female, attend high school at our school, non smoker, non married and attend a Missouri college of your choice. That’s it. :slight_smile: We are also an A+ school - a program that if you complete the community service & other requirements then you automatically qualify. It only pays community college tuition or some schools give you a small ‘scholarship’ in it’s place. Mizzou gave S $1000 for it. Small change, but $$ all the same.</p>

<p>So, D will attend a Missouri college. We’re considering the things she is interested in and looking at each school to see what they offer, what their towns offer, special things about each, etc. She really likes Mizzou too…but not sure it is the right fit for her.</p>

<p>As far as ‘keeping up’ with all the activities…we’ve always kept the kids busy. Not overwhelmed, but busy. We think it’s important for them to be well rounded. I hate to say it…but there are more things in life than just school. (Did I say that - on CC ?!) They’ve had lots of opportunities and experiences, I think it’s help make them who they are. We went to the high school tonight to a soup supper & seniors vs. faculty basketball game. It was a fundraiser for new uniforms. We got home at 9:00 and she is outside now shooting baskets. She’s not much for sitting around. </p>

<p>This past year, she dropped Girl Scouts. Too many activities at the SAME time. :slight_smile: Also, the other girls were going in different directions. She’s continuing with football cheerleading, school and travel team basketball, FCCLA, and next year golf. She tried track last year, but we discovered she has exercise induced asthma. It only bothers her outside & mostly in the spring, so we think it must be triggered by an allergen. </p>

<p>I’ll also say that school (and the pressure of doing well) stresses her a lot. We let her have the outside, unacademic activities to balance out. </p>

<p>I look forward to meeting all of you and your 2015 kids…</p>

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<p>~~~waving to Shilly & Checkers from the Class of 2010 thread ~~~</p>

<p>Hi! Our second and last is a boy (14 yo) who will be starting hs this fall. He has an older sister who is a first year at UVa now. Like others, our two children are remarkably different. Our son eats, sleeps, breathes football. He loves very physical sports. He’s a 2nd degree black belt in one martial art and working toward his first degree in another. He is also working toward his Eagle Scout. He has a natural intelligence that is impressive; however, we have to push him constantly to get him motivated. His sister is extremely bright, but unlike her younger brother, has an uncompromising work ethic. Our hope is that maturity will rectify some of the imbalance :slight_smile: . </p>

<p>A bit more…we live down south, and I teach 8th grade at a large Christian prep. Both of my children attend(ed) a nearby K-12 secular prep. As far as our S’s hs schedule…it’s still a bit up in the air, but this is most likely what he’ll be taking:</p>

<p>English (no honors offered)
Honors Geometry
Ancient World History (no honors offered)
Honors Biology
Latin II
CAD (computer-generated art)
Football (fall); martial arts (winter); golf (spring)</p>

<p>Having gone through this before, all I can say to those first-timers is be prepared – hs will be over in the blink of an eye.</p>

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<p>I absolutely agree, HS will be over in the blink of an eye. I have a S in class’13 and I can’t believe it is almost half way through…it seems like he started just a few months ago!</p>

<p>As far as HS offerings go, please remember that your kid will be compared only to his/her HS classmates. Make them take the most difficult courses in which they can get the best grades.
My D’15 is choosing to commute to a HS that is more than 30 miles away, partially because of course offering, partially because of the quality of the kids that are choosing that IB program.</p>

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<p>We just got D’15’s course selection/registration report back from the high school, and they are going to let her register for all the courses she wants, even the ones that she doesn’t yet have the pre-reqs for! I was a little worried that there would be an initial, wrong schedule, and then we’d have to fix it in July or August, and classes would fill. She wants to take a couple of classes that are not standard for freshmen, and that requires summer school (pre-req) or certain testing. She’s testing out of/into a math class, but since she doesn’t finish learning the material she’ll be tested on until April, so she can’t take the test yet. I’m so relieved!</p>

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<p>Waving back to my '10er friends :)</p>

<p>My oldest D('10) is a happy student at our instate flagship UVA which is not an easy admit from our area. She was the hardworking dedicated student with excellent grades, well rounded ECs and good scores and I found in her college process that GPA matters, scores matter, ECs matter, it just matters differently to different schools. D’10 had the best results at schools that looked at her as a whole and not just by her scores (good but not amazing). She is an engineering major and her class selections really showcased her passion for math/science but she was an A student in all classes. She did well with merit offers from many schools and even received a full tuition offer from a top engineering school but her heart was at UVA and it ended up being the best financial offer as well so it worked well for us.</p>

<p>So my recommendation is focus first on what your student is passionate about and go from there - colleges want to see your child in their application and by focusing on what they are passionate about that becomes easy come application time. If you lurk at all on any of the current senior threads you will see the tippy top schools are a crapshoot in terms of admissions so I am thankful looking back that D pushed herself on her own terms and focused on what made her happy and I think her results worked well for her. I’m using the same approach for my 2nd D, a '13er, although she does not have the same work ethic my oldest D had/has and she’ll be aiming for different schools (not the reachy ones, that isn’t her personality at all) but especially for her it wasn’t worth the struggle over the next few years while she is home to be in a battle zone over making sure she is taking all APs or whatever and I think I’m going to use a similar approach to my S’15 who falls somewhere in between his sisters.</p>

<p>He fell in the usual MS rut of boys of slacking off last year but this year has taken much more pride in his work and I hope that is carrying over to HS. he’ll be a lot more like my D1 with a math/science focus (D2 is humanties) and I imagine he’ll be reaching somewhere above D2 but not as high as D1 although he loves UVA which is a reach even for the top students as we are in the very competitive densely populated part of our state so that in itself is a crapshoot.</p>

<p>I am very thankful though we have a lot of great public options in our state since I learned so much about the FA process last year and where we fell and in-state publics will likely always be our best option.</p>