My S took the preACT yesterday. Seems this is new. In the past he’s taken the ACT Aspire or ACT Explore, but I guess this is the ACT’s new counterpart to the PSAT. S feels really good about his performance. I think I’m going to sign him up to take the real ACT in Sept. I know it’s early, but he’s motivated to study over the summer and he wants to match (beat) his big sister’s score. ;))
D took part of the ACT Aspire and actually finished! This is a big improvement for her because we usually get “I knew how to do everything but didn’t have time to finish it.” She said she did feel a bit rushed, but we have some time to work out the kinks. I’m not rushing into anything yet other than letting her work through a prep book.
@ShrimpBurrito I have a friend with two kids who would re-take and re-take all the tests trying to one-up each other. The younger one did, indeed, beat the eldest’s PSAT score and became a NMF.
@tutumom2001 These two have the same birthday, two years apart. They got the same ACT score in 7th grade (taken through the Duke TIP program), so since then it’s been game on! It’s all in fun, and D18 helps S20 study for the tests.
This would not work or be encouraged in our house. D20 would outscore D17 without studying one bit, then quit.
Wow, @VickiSoCal, sounds like our kids are similar. No competition here since D’s two older siblings are out of the house. But older sis does put in her two cents when she comes to visit. We are fortunate that D’20 is receptive to suggestions and advice. While she isn’t outwardly competitive with her peers, she seems to quietly put pressure on herself and is doing well. I feel my job is to keep up with the PSATs and SATs, etc. That’s why this thread is so beneficial!
@MaineLonghorn This is exactly what happened in my family growing up. All the attention had gone to me and my bipolar disorder and my younger sister was forgotten. She eventually attempted suicide and failed. My parents didn’t see it. I did, because I knew exactly what I was looking at. Her hospitalization was significantly longer than mine but I got her there.
So yes. Those younger siblings can slip through your hands. We were very very lucky. We are now both adults and alive.
@LKnomad, thanks for sharing, wow. It just happens so easily! Parents are distraught over one child and don’t have the time or energy to focus on the others. 
I’m glad you’re both OK.
Well after reading everyone’s future plans, I am just really glad our schedule does not look anything like everyone else’s. I think these schedules would suck the life out of my kid.
We are switching our homeschool charter school to one with more flexibility. This is our new tentative schedule now that I know that we have freedom.
- Literature and comp - one semester comedy/ one semester horror. (Writing lab - college prep writing exercises with a small coop group and a professional writer. Literature book club - with a small coop group for literature discussion.)
- Creative writing - He wants to write a book. No idea how that will go! Maybe one semester or maybe two. Playing it by ear. I will probably use a mentor.
- Chemistry - honors - local science learning center 12 students.
- Algebra 2 from Stanford's online program - honors . 5 Macro with the coop (taught online by my older son) divided into two semesters (2.5 credits each) - aiming for the AP test. Honors 6 US Govt - divided into two semesters (2.5 credits each) aiming for the AP test Honors, project based. 7 PE - figure skating
I was surprised to learn I could split the econ and gov into two semesters because they are normally each one very very quick semester. Now he can take some time to actually soak in the material and also have time to prep for the AP test. My S16 promised S20 would get a 5 by the time he was done with him. We shall see.
Just signed DS20 up for a 3 week cyber security camp at UTD he’ll be staying in the dorms. This is the first thing he’s really ever done on his own, in the past he’s always done activities with his older brother. My baby’s growing up…
So, here we go! DD got her learner’s permit yesterday. Some high quality Daddy-Daughter time is in their future. School won’t be out for a month yet so she will not really have time for the classroom part of it all until mid-June when we return from vacation. Actual license will not follow until late fall at earliest so weather will determine if my taxi duties end before or after this winter. 
Anyone else’s kid getting up early tomorrow for a test? S is doing the Biology SAT Subject test. Don’t know if he’ll need it for any of his colleges, but his Sis18 is taking it, and they are having fun studying together.
No, School doesn’t end here until mid June, so she’s taking the June test for Bio. She took the practice a couple of weeks ago and scored zero on the evolution section.l She says they haven’t done that chapter yet!
Not home from Swim league finals yet, but they won. Athletically it’s been quite a year for her. Made varsity in cross country and swim and the teams both won league. Not many freshman will have quite as much swag on their letter jackets as she will.
Now she’s got a month to really get her grades in order. These last couple of weeks have been rough.
No - D has a couple of borderline grades she’s working to bring up to a safe zone. Also, she’s in the middle of ballet rehearsals for her spring show, so that’s eating up her free time. And, she’s looking for a summer job. Our kids have two weeks before final exams, which are required in all subjects (even PE) regardless of quarter grades.
No jobs really available here for 15 year olds.
Finals in all classes mid June except PE and APHUG as that final is scheduled before the AP exam
@VickiSoCal Established swimmers can coach for SwimAmerica at age 14, around here anyway. You may have to be registered with USASwimming–not sure. My S is set to make a boatload of money this summer, coaching in between swim practices.
Our team offers the USA Swim Instructor class at age 15, but practically speaking wants 16 year olds with both the Swim Instructor class and life-guard cert. They don’t want to track who has life-guarding and who doesn’t.
My 18 year old has been working 40+ hours a week for them since summer after sophomore year, and I’m sure D20 will too.
Wow, I didn’t realize it varied so much by state! Or maybe by swim club? Swimming is not that popular here in OK, sadly. Coaching has been a fantastic learning experience for both of my swimmers.
My kids swim (and the older one works) for a very large, professionally managed team that runs 4 pools. Lots of insurance and other regs I am sure.
I have a dancer. She is looking to be an assistant teacher for summer classes. It’s not that regulated.