High School Kids Check-Ins

[Bad Dingo]

How's everyone holding up?  DD (11th grade) is taking her last AP exam today, phew!!  I know College Board is the biggest bullshit money grab, but I was flabbergasted when she told me that they'll allow you to send one AP score to colleges for free BEFORE you get the result, but you have to pay for it afterwards.  Bull.Shit.

She still has to take a calculus placement exam to be able to take calc at the college across the street from the HS next year, but she's pretty confident that she'll do well.

It's been weird to not have her need to spend hours every evening and all weekend doing homework.  She's like - what do I do with all of this free time? (The answer is watch Brooklyn 99 on repeat).

Good luck to everyone navigating these last few weeks before summer!!

[cmeon]

Is she taking Lang this morning? My DS is. He finished his last IB exam of the year yesterday, and has CBC later this month (it originally conflicted with an IB test, and because the IB make-up day is in November... ha, IB wins). He is excused from school on testing days, so he's had a bunch time off lately. The seniors are gone now, which shrinks half his classes to less than 5 students- the year feels done, but not quite!

[penguingrrl]

My kid has their second AP exam today (Lang), two more to go and they’ll be done with APs Friday. We still have over a month of school left, but since they have 4 APs and those functionally wrap up now it will be an easy month as far as school is concerned. I hate that APs are done so much earlier, the tests are so early in our year (and the kids have to do so much summer work the summer before to be ready for the tests a full month before school ends).

[ans1999]

My junior took his 3rd AP exam yesterday. Fingers crossed they went as well as he thinks they did. I'm not sure what he is going to be doing in school for the next three weeks though. He does have one class that isn't completed. He has a playoff baseball game tonight so he is still locked in there. All the feels as he finishes this year. 

My freshman is just bored and waiting for summer to hit. She shouldn't have to take any of her finals as she still has an A average in her classes. She is so annoyed with her brother because he keeps getting up later and later for school. 

[cmeon]

Yeah, it's frustrating, once the exams are over, the classes are just done. DS will still have Spansih, because that teacher is a force of nature- and theory of knowledge/TOK (an IBDP thing) is still going strong, but otherwise these last few weeks are just endless studyhall.

[Bad Dingo]

Yes, she's taking Lang today. Her school doesn't do much (any?) work over the summer for the exams. The exam schedule is really weighted against kids in the NE who start school at the end of August/beginning of September. They get a good month less of AP teaching than kids whose schools start in July or the beginning of August.

[gummybear]

My sophomore only had one AP this year and the test is tomorrow. Other than that just limping towards the end of the year. We got less than stellar PSAT results so we’re looking into prep classes for the summer. She’s also working FT as a camp counselor and keeping her diner job so she’s going to be one busy little beaver.

[penguingrrl]

May 14, 2024 7:58:00 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

Yes, she's taking Lang today. Her school doesn't do much (any?) work over the summer for the exams. The exam schedule is really weighted against kids in the NE who start school at the end of August/beginning of September. They get a good month less of AP teaching than kids whose schools start in July or the beginning of August.

That’s exactly it. The AP schedule is skewed towards districts that start early. I live by the Jersey shore and they’ll never start school before Labor Day. Shore businesses count on college kids who get out early for Memorial Day through the end of June and HS kids from mid August through Labor Day when the college students head back. Changing that will never succeed near me. Hell, a few years ago they had the first day the Friday before Labor Day and so few kids came the day didn’t count. Lots of people didn’t notice and expected to start the Thursday after Labor Day, which is standard.

But that means lots of summer work for AP courses since we lose a month compared to areas that start early.

[litebright]

My sophomore had CompSci last week and has world history tomorrow. I thought it was interesting that she'll do WH digitally/on a computer, but CompSci was done on paper.

Then they still have a month of school!

[eddy]

DS (soph) takes his AP test tomorrow. It is world history. He likes the topic so it hasn't been too hard to study.

Otherwise sports season is done, which is giving him a much needed break. Like he came home right after school yesterday and in my head I was like "wait, what are you doing here." lol.

I think he is going to finish this year maintaining his above 4.0 gpa. It has not been without a ton of stress trying to manage his class load, sports and music. I am pretty proud of him. We don't expect this of him, but do find him to be very impressive.

This year has been a year of a good amount of emotional angst though. I think 16 is such a big growth year. He got a car, which came with more freedom. I can tell he has been wrestling with just his general identity. What type of person he wants to become. He got more into clothes, hair etc. He has had a couple girlfriends that haven't worked out. He doesn't give us much grief, but I certainly have been trying to figure out how to adjust to parenting an older kid. When to give him space, when to be up in his business etc. Letting him fail and figure stuff out. Big growth year for all of us lol. 

[livinitup]

Our 10th grader has a AP exam tomorrow and the Junior prom on Saturday. So, it’s a busy week in all the right ways.

Our foreign exchange student also got invited to the Junior prom, so there are lots of conversations about who is dating, who is not, who is in, who is out, and all that. And I get to over hear it!

[formerlyak]

If she plans on taking more APs next year, wait to send the free report to the schools she plans on attending. All exams will be on next year’s report.

DS took AP Gov last week and Calc BC yesterday. He thought they were both pretty easy. He has Physics on Friday.

Next week is a bunch of senior class celebration stuff - picnic, class photo, grad night, etc. Senior finals are the week after Memorial Day and then he’s done. I can’t believe it!

He woke up to an email this morning telling him he got a $2000 scholarship that he applied for, so that was exciting.

And one of his teachers asked him to tryout to be a graduation speaker. That is today. I saw his speech. He talks about me. I will be the extra sobbing mom at graduation if he’s chosen and talks about me.

[frlcb]

DS (10th) took AP Euro last week and thought it was okay. Now he gets to just hang out in that class for the next two weeks I guess. Otherwise he has finals starting next week and a few classes are projects but his honors chem will be a hard one.

[definitelyO]

DS is a senior - he had AP Psych and AP Eng Lit last week and just finished his physics final yesterday. no more classes/school for seniors. Grad practice on Thursday followed by a Senior BBQ. He graduates on Friday!!

and now I'm all in the "what is the timeline for all your college stuff?"

[somersault72]

This year has been a little rough. DS has been dealing with some depression on and off this year. Classes were harder. His grades dropped (mostly due to missing assignments), but his GPA should still be OK. Most of his close friends, including his best friend are graduating (DS is only in 10th). He took 1 AP exam, AP US History, which traditionally most kids in our school who take it don't pass. There were some good parts of the year--he was the only sophomore at our school selected for honor band (only 6 kids chosen total), did 2 school plays, both band and choir went to state and did well, he sang the national anthem for some school sporting events with a couple of his buddies, and I'm HOPING he's going to hear Friday he was chosen for the school's a capella group (especially since his birthday is the next day).

I'm hoping he can get through these finals and finish on a good note and have a nice birthday weekend and enjoy his summer.

[InBetweenDays]

May 14, 2024 8:16:38 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

May 14, 2024 7:58:00 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

Yes, she's taking Lang today. Her school doesn't do much (any?) work over the summer for the exams. The exam schedule is really weighted against kids in the NE who start school at the end of August/beginning of September. They get a good month less of AP teaching than kids whose schools start in July or the beginning of August.

That’s exactly it. The AP schedule is skewed towards districts that start early.

Yeah, it's pretty frustrating. We (Seattle Public Schools) always start the first Wednesday in September so kids miss a month of AP prep relative to many parts of the country. DD is a senior and took AP stats and AP Gov this year. Those tests were of course last week and we still have a month left of school.

But the end of the year is going well! DD found out last night that she made All Conference for lacrosse. She also broke our school record for single season and total assists.

As the weather turns nice she's in a serious senior slide but academically she's doing great so we're giving her leeway.

Editing because I keep forgetting my youngest is also in high school (crying eyes). He's finishing up his freshman year. He had a rough patch with classes early in the semester - he got behind and didn't ask for help, etc. But he is on the right track again and best of all he realizes how much better he feels when he stays on top of things. He's also finishing up his lacrosse season - they have their first playoff game for state this weekend. And he is SO ready for summer.

[1confused1]

Neither of my kids took AP classes so we have no tests to worry about!

My son’s baseball team won their league championship last week and we start the next round of playoffs today. This team is really special and I hope they continue to win!!

[pinkdutchtulips]

I will be glad when this year is over. 9th has been a disaster. She did Home & Hospital for 3/4 of the year but it wasn't anything like being AT school. I feel she's getting decent grades for simply checking in w her H&H teachers and not doing any of the work. She's getting farther and farther behind her peers academically (the last time she was consistently IN school attending and participating was 5th grade, she starts 10th in the fall). 

[glitzy07]

I'm just really hoping my stepson gets over the finish line and is able to graduate. He is doing online school for his senior year and his mom recently indicated that he's struggling to get all of his work done. Unfortunately he is basically never here so it's not something we have a lot of control over from our side.

I also recently found out that he decided to opt out of walking in a graduation ceremony. I'm kind of bummed not to have that milestone to celebrate in a traditional way, but he is so over school and just wants to graduate and get a full-time job. Trade school in the fall is his plan, but who knows these days with how often he changes his mind (and how little we see him lately).

[jinkies]

My 10th grader still has another month of school, but says his classes are winding down already. State testing this week, one more math test, and then basically just field trips and finals through the end of the year. He has done great, signed up for a more challenging course load for next year. We'll see how it goes.

He is interviewing this afternoon for a summer job. He has worked year-round at the same family-owned business since he turned 14 and became eligible to work. We love them, love his job, and love the experience he has gotten there. I have such mixed feelings about him leaving, but he makes $12/hour, and the interview is for a job paying $18. I just can't in good conscious tell him to stay where he is and leave that much money on the table.

The job is summer help at my H's work. We thought he was a shoe-in, but there are two previous summer help kids re-applying, plus another kid whose parents are friends with one of the higher ups. This is the first time in at least 5 years that they have had more kids apply than they have spots for (they take 2). Keeping my fingers crossed for him!

[DotAndBuzz]

10th grade. We're army crawling to the finish line over here.

Took APUSH last week, thinks it went well, but this semester has really gone down the tubes for reasons beyond her control, and I just want this year to be done.

[SusanBAnthony]

We have a other month of school but my 10th grader took his AP test yesterday (calculus). He thinks it went well but who knows. Apparently we find out in July? We aren't having scores sent anywhere. He'll take more math at a local college so it doesn't really matter what he gets I don't think.

Overall end of 10th is going fine. Now I just need him to get a job!

[eb777888]

David took his finals yesterday and today. He got his grades back from the finals yesterday and did very well and said today's were easy. I'm so relieved for him because he was so stressed. Today was his last day of school so we got celebratory fountain drinks on the way home (we usually do ice cream but he asked for a rain check on that) and in a few hours I'm dropping him off at a friend's house for an end of the year party.

He has a few summer camps he's doing- band camp for school (only a week), cross-country running, and he's mentoring with his robotics team at a Lego camp. We're also volunteering for YMSL and he/we need 30 hours this year, so we'll knock a lot of those out before school starts. I'm signing us back up for the nice gym so we can hang out at the pool and he can try out some of the fitness classes (this is also for me, lol). SO GLAD this year is over. This kid needs a break!

[calamity]

My son (15) was just hired to be a lifeguard this summer at our town pools. He is a freshman and has finals coming up for the first time so it will be interesting so see how he does.

[rootbeerfloat]

DS (11th grade) took AP Gov last week and the SAT 2 days prior. Now he's just winding down; finals start in a week. He's taking an online course this summer (to get an extra free period next year) and hopefully getting a job.

[cjcouple]

My oldest is in the home stretch...5 weeks until graduation!!!! All the fun stuff is coming up.
Prom, Awards banquets, Senior Skip Day, etc.
He's all registered for his SOAR (overnight orientation at his school for the fall) and I'm in the middle of party planning and adding stuff for his dorm next year.

My freshman is doing great. He enjoyed his first year, he selected his classes for the fall and just wrapped up track (He's a thrower). It'll be interesting to see him grow and mature over the next few years. No exams to worry about this year outside of the usual end of term ones.

[wanderlustmom]

Our oldest finished his first year of college! He lived away in a dorm and in the first semester we saw him a little more and in the second semester he only came home twice. Made the adjustment to college well, made a few friends and played intramural sports and got a job as a intramural referee. He thought chemistry was hard both semesters and he said everything else wasn't too hard. He's volunteering in hospice this summer, waiting to hear on a job as a sports camp counselor and he's taking two summer classes. He also added a Spanish minor to his biochemistry major. Right now, it's a lot of videogames, sleeping and going to the gym. Trying not to micromanage him.

Our youngest is finishing up finals, AP and IB exams. She decided to quit year round swim, she had done that since she was five. She has a lot more time now. LOL. She does water polo and she'll do the high school swim season next year. She's going to the gym a lot. She's recently having some friend problems which breaks my heart. She has a best friend and that relationship remains strong but there are some girls I think that are not being nice to her and she's having trouble with those boundaries. Her grades are strong but I know she's stressed and ready for a break.

[Roc A Bee]

I’m surprised at all the AP tests. Here they push dual enrollment had. SD is taking her 2nd dual enrollment class this summer.

She had orientation for the dental assisting program she will do during her senior year.

We gave 12 school days left over here.

Thank god!

[gretchenindisguise]

We have 2.5 more weeks of freshman year. Also army crawling. Grades are mostly ok but friendships have been rocky since pre-spring break. I just want her to find her people and we both thought she had and then it got wonky again.

She is talking about doing tennis in the fall, so hopefully that helps.

I'm looking forward to the summer, but also worried about her socially this summer. Blerg.

[katfco]

DD hasn’t been to school in months, so she’s going to repeat junior year. Right now she’s okay with it and has accepted that this is what has to happen, but I worry how she’ll feel next year when her friends are doing the graduation stuff and she still has a year.

She’s in an intensive chronic pain program right now that has real good results, so we’re plugging ahead with the hope that she CAN go full time next year.