@CavsFan2003 If I were you I would take the Spanish placement test for choate first and see if you would place into Spanish 4 at Choate (assuming that you are currently in Spanish 3). Considering that you stated earlier that your current Spanish class is not taught fully in Spanish (which I have found in to be the norm in most private schools by level 3, and some times even level 2) it might be that your curriculum is not rigorous enough to be placed into Spanish 4 or 3 at Choate. Of course, I’m just speculating here, but If you end up being placed in Spanish 2 or 3, I would then see if you really want to continue with Spanish or pick a different language since technically you would only be 1 year ahead of starting a new language instead of being 3 years ahead.
Hi all, not sure if anyone here even remembers me, but I posted a while back about our daughter applying to kindergarten at private schools in Westchester County and Greenwich, and she was waitlisted at all 3 schools. We need financial aid so I didn’t have my hopes up but it turns out we were just offered a spot at Hackley today with aid! My question to all of you is about financial aid- we were offered less than we need so the director of admissions told us to make an appeal for more aid. Apparently this is common. This is all very new to me and I would love advice- any tips or advice about the appeal process? We have no family that can help us out and truly can’t afford tuition without more aid than they offered. I think we definitely stand a chance of getting more aid because the DA suggested submitting an appeal right away and said we should move forward as if she is going to attend and that we will “sort out the aid”… any advice or feedback about this is appreciated. Thanks! Also to put things in perspective- they had nearly 400 applicants for 32 spots but could only offer aid to 3, including my daughter. They save the bulk of FA for middle and high school. We are grateful and feel very fortunate to say the least but sadly she can’t go unless we get more aid. We are mostly very excited though and remain hopeful!!
@CavsFan2003 What are your goals beyond meeting the foreign language requirement? Do you want to be able to chat with cab drivers while traveling in Spanish-speaking countries? Or do you want strong enough language skills to consider living there or perhaps studying or doing business in Spanish? If the latter, it will take more than 4 years if study. (Getting to that level in Chinese would take even longer.)
@CaliMex Probably just chat with cab drivers, honestly. It’d be nice to be conversational but I want to pursue STEM a little more in its absence.
OOF looks like I’m going to be back in Spanish 2/3. I got a 42/75 on my placement test multiple choice questions. Big L.
@CavsFan2003 oh god now i’m worried too lmao
@marcellasne Don’t be. My Spanish class is taught almost entirely in English, so I’m naturally awful at it.
@CavsFan2003 don’t stress it…you don’t want to have gaps in knowledge going up to Level 3! Just settle in and most likely other students will be like your level in 2
CF3, was there any guideline/suggestions for placement in relation to your score?
@Golfgr8 I guess, just disheartening because I was going into Spanish 4!
@GGNewton Sadly no, I wish there was.
Don’t be bummed, @CavsFan2003 - this is why you sought out BS. What’s the point of completing a higher level class if you have less knowledge? This is just another way you come out the winner for your choice of Choate.
You’ve got this!
@CavsFan2003 don’t sweat it. What you are seeing is the disparity in the quality of education and approach to learning that exists in our country. The school wants you in the right class. Clearly your current school is not giving you the best that is available.
As an aside, my eight grader’s Spanish classes have been taught almost entirely in Spanish for years. The foreign language teachers have to grade some students new to the district on a different scale because they walk into a middle school classroom with little to no English being spoken and they don’t have the knowledge to keep up.
With you already being in high school and in a Spanish class being taught with a significant English component, life might be quite missable in a higher level Spanish class at BS or even at very good public schools. Your BS wants you to thrive, they are placing you in a good spot.
I went to revisit a day school and they put us in a “mock” freshman Spanish class…yikes. Most of the admitted students could handle the teacher speaking entirely in Spanish but I was thinking that “most” students are not in immersion programs so how could they deal. The teacher was asking questions and even looking to parents to answer at times. I was stressed and wishing I paid more attention in Spanish I and II in high school.
@gardenstategal You’re completely right! It’s a little disheartening because I had gotten so far but it just isn’t as good of an education. I am so excited to learn so much more!
@TheSwami I agree. I am at a huge disadvantage because of the gaps in my schooling, so BS will be challenging (especially foreign language lol) but it is 100% worth it!
Do you guys know if there’s any required summer readings for any school? And are you guys gonna try to do any summer programs or get ahead in any classes?
@livelaughxc I’m pretty sure most private and boarding schools assign summer reading–especially if you are entering after 9th grade. It’s usually available through the student portal for new students, but it does really depend on the school you are attending
Andover doesn’t, and based on past posts, I believe that @livelaughxc is headed there.
@livelaughxc I have a couple of required readings plus a BUNCH of recommended stuff (I’m headin’ to Choate). I am required to go to the summer academic enrichment program and I’m studying for Calc.
DS always had summer reading, including headed into freshman year. This varies by school and by course.
Yep, I have summer reading for Milton.
Hi @CavsFan2003! I’m probably going to finish 8th grade with a 102 in Spanish. Like you, it’s taught mostly in English. I would ask someone if there are opportunities to move up if you feel Spanish 2 is not rigorous enough. I’m probably starting there since my class will not be taught in English at all. For me, I know BS will be an adjustment, there’s so many other new factors and a new level of rigor throughout the curriculum. Just ask that if you begin the semester in a lower Spanish class and if you find that you’re crushing it, see if you can move up during the year.