<p>Yes all AP courses with labs in our school take 2 periods. so yes band will be a problem here as well. But D. will do community orchestra and a local community band in the summer, if she is around.</p>
<p>My daughter is making the same kind of decisions about band, but I think it’s easier for her because that’s not a main focus. She plays flute in the concert band, but rarely practices during the week. With dance (8-10 hours a week but more—sometimes much more—before performances and competitions), yearbook, literary magazine, service club, freshman class council, and homework, something had to be left behind. For her, it looks like that’s going to be flute. </p>
<p>A question for you all: How much sleep do your high school freshmen get? I can see that my daughter is not getting enough during the week, although she usually manages 6-7 hours most nights. She starts out fresh and lively on Monday but is really dragging by Friday afternoon.</p>
<p>AP Bio and AP Chem are two periods in our HS. Students take them in junior or senior year and AP Gov in senior year or take it on line.</p>
<p>My HS freshman sleeps at least 8 hours every night. He does not have any AP course this year. If he takes an AP he probably will have to go to bed later.</p>
<p>My HS D. sleeps about >8 hrs at night. She doesn’t concentrate well if she doesn’t get enough sleep. that one night she got about 6 hrs sleep because of band and AP homework, the next day she almost fell asleep in English class. </p>
<p>I think many teen problems arise from sleep deprivation. I wish I could make them understand…</p>
<p>One question for you, esp. those who have upperclassmen - do your schools do the class ranking? if so, when? (the end of the school year? or…) How?</p>
<p>At our kids’ HS class ranking is available every spring semester (Jan or Feb) for freshmen, sophomores and juniors based on weighed GPA. Seniors get ranking reports three times-Sept, Jan and end of year.</p>
<p>The College Board madates AP science courses include a lab component, e.g.:
</p>
<p>Many schools do a double-period to accomodate this. Our HS has mandatory after-school labs. That makes it very difficult for kids in music, theater, or sports to take AP science. </p>
<p>My D2012 played cello with 5 orchestras and chamber groups her sophomore year, but had to drop down to 2 (school orchestra, and one extracurricular orchestra that met on Saturdays) when the academic requirements kicked up a notch her junior year. Senior year things have loosened up a bit, so day-before-yesterday she auditioned for a chamber group which would be her 3rd musical commitment for this year.</p>
<p>My D2015 usually manages 7~8 hours sleep. My D2012 is lucky if she manages 7 hours sleep. We lean on them really hard not to stay up late doing HW. Unfortunately, my D2012 thinks that 11pm is a great time to start practicing cello!</p>
<p>If you’re concerned about teens and sleep deprivation, go see [Race</a> to Nowhere | Changing Lives One Film at a Time](<a href=“http://www.racetonowhere.com/]Race”>http://www.racetonowhere.com/).</p>
<p>sunnydayfun – I love your username!</p>
<p>Our HS doesn’t rank. I think that really helps tamp down the competitiveness among the kids. </p>
<p>Another thing our HS does, that I <em>really</em> like, is choose commencement speakers based on a speech competition. All seniors can submit speech drafts to their English teachers. The teachers choose the best 10~12. The finalists are invited to do a dry-run of their speech for the principal and a couple of other administrators, who consider theme and presentation in choosing the two graduation speakers. </p>
<p>This has a lot of advantages over the traditional method of choosing Valedictorian and Salutorian based on GPA. First, it gives all kids, not just the super-bright academic stars, a chance to have a voice. It’s also fairer. The kids aren’t as invested at gaming the system to optimize the last few thousandths of point difference in GPA. Some kids stay in art or music or theater, which they might otherwise drop because those classes don’t offer extra-point GPA boost. Best of all, we always have <em>great</em> speeches at graduation. :)</p>
<p>D. had homecoming game (with marching band) today. She had a great time. </p>
<p>Next year, there will be no time for band. 
Are there people who pause band for a year and go back? I’m sure she will want to go back if possible. But then there are other courses she wants to take, like journalism, web design…</p>
<p>MIHCal1: I laughed at the cello practice time, but then thought that perhaps it provides her with a fluid transition from homework to bed - a way to decompress?!
Your school’s way of choosing the student graduation speaker is really terrific, and sounds SO much healthier than competing for the 100th decimal point lead amongst the cluster to top students.
My D’s school does not rank, which I love - I feel that takes away a huge and unhealthy distraction.
Can’t believe we are approaching the 1st quarter of freshman year - only 15 more to go before graduation - yikes! :)</p>
<p>^^^Just so, mayhew. D2012 likes to play cello before bedtime to unwind and decompress. DH, who has to wake up early for work, wants to get her an electric cello. With headphones.</p>
<p>
Haha! Our DS2012 plays the bass and we have already done that! You can still feel a little vibration with the wood floors, but it is definitely a lot quieter. Luckily, our D2015 prefers art!</p>
<p>I think I’ve become immured to instrument practice over the years. I really mostly tune it out unless something sounds really off. Of course, violin is a lot less intrusive than cello or base.</p>
<p>I still remember two years ago when D. first started learning oboe. Can you imagine what it sounded like?! :p</p>
<p>DD is taking PSAT for practice tomorrow. Anyone else?</p>
<p>D took it on Wed. Our county mandates it for 9th and 10th graders. 11th is optional and students have to pay. Seems backward to me since that is the only year that qualifies for NMF. </p>
<p>Good luck to your DD.</p>
<p>I’d love to hear how the PSAT went…our school district doesn’t allow freshman to take it (could do it on our own, but decided not to). You can pay to take it during school hours with the juniors when you are a sophomore and are required to take it as a junior.<br>
Freshman year is starting off as a bit of a struggle for D and me, too. When oh when will she learn that turning IN homework is an essential part of the process?</p>
<p>@Gibson, it really seems backward. Our school doesn’t suggest freshman to take the PSAT. Sophoores are suggested to take it for practice. For juniors it’s required. </p>
<p>@Word, I know what you’re saying. my daughter was like that last year, drove me crazy. She often times forgot to bring back her books, forgot to turn in her work… She managed to get her As but it was quite a struggle in 8th grade. This year she suddenly decided to use a planner and has been using it well. She almost never forgets anything. 
Have your D. try planner. It might help.</p>
<p>S took psat last Wed and said it was easy. We’ll see. It is easy when it doesnt really matter. :)</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>Sorry for asking the same question again.
Any advise as to which is better for SAT : BIO - E vs BIO-M?</p>
<p>Any suggestions on good materials other than SAT books</p>
<p>murugan,
Sorry I don’t have answer for you. At our kids’ HS, students don’t take AP BIO until junior or senior year. Have you asked the teacher if s/he has any advice or you may want to post the question on CC SAT/ACT forum to get responses.</p>
<p>My freshman turned 15 today. Time flies! H and I helped out at the annual choir concert and festival last night at his school. Good turnout but not enough parent volunteers. It seems to me that there are less parents involved in school activities than the time when my oldest son was there. There are vacancies in PTA committee chairs and can’t get filled. Does this happen at your schools?</p>