DD is only in 7th but I’m answering anyways. Everything is winding down. She has her Algebra and Spanish final left and that’s it. Otherwise grades are in and they are just going to school for funsies I guess. Not that DD minds. Despite some horrible lows she has had a great year. Good teachers that look out for her and good friends. She is dreading saying goodbye to her band friends that are moving to 9th grade. I think she has more than friendship feelings for one boy and I think it’s returned. We will see what happens there. I’m honestly worried about summer. She’s in a great place now with a good routine. Wish we could keep it going. The academic break will be good though. She’s really earned her grades and awards this year.
I’m surprised at all the AP tests. Here they push dual enrollment had.
Our only DE option until 11th grade is a weak course catalog at a local CC. AP classes have more rigorous curriculum, and are frankly- much more likely to be accepted for credit at OOS or private schools. DS is DEing several high level math classes next year, but he's doing them with UF. ERAU is an option now, too, but most of our DEers just use the CC because they're looking for something other than rigor (some want a free AA, some want cheap GPA padding, some are running from a calculus track). DS will be the first kid in his school to DE at UF in many years, and I don't think anyone from our school has ever DE at ERAU (though we're getting an aeronautical academy next year, so it may become more popular).
Post by fancynewbeesly on May 14, 2024 21:08:33 GMT -5
DD is in 7th and I am literally counting down to the school year is over. She was on homebound until April--and probably should have done 7th grade on homebound completely--but is super stubborn and wants to be in school. However, physically she isn't super strong so she ends up missing school, and then they are on block scheduling so she doesn't get that much homework HOWEVER, there is a ton of make up work. So, she literally is just stressing out and spinning the wheels but not going anywhere. There is state testing this week which is causing her to panic.
Plus CHOP has her in an intensive physical exercise study where she has a trainer having a zoom session with her for an hour three days a week. I wish that study was taking place in the summer because between school; then the exercise program and rec softball she is either constantly tired or stressed. Last year she literally had no relaxing summer so I feel like she just needs to mentally unwind.
I’m surprised at all the AP tests. Here they push dual enrollment had.
Our only DE option until 11th grade is a weak course catalog at a local CC. AP classes have more rigorous curriculum, and are frankly- much more likely to be accepted for credit at OOS or private schools. DS is DEing several high level math classes next year, but he's doing them with UF. ERAU is an option now, too, but most of our DEers just use the CC because they're looking for something other than rigor (some want a free AA, some want cheap GPA padding, some are running from a calculus track). DS will be the first kid in his school to DE at UF in many years, and I don't think anyone from our school has ever DE at ERAU (though we're getting an aeronautical academy next year, so it may become more popular).
I work at a CC and this comes off as very condescending. Believe me, we offer rigorous classes equivalent to freshman and sophomore classes at a 4 year college- even in Calc. Shocking.
Our only DE option until 11th grade is a weak course catalog at a local CC. AP classes have more rigorous curriculum, and are frankly- much more likely to be accepted for credit at OOS or private schools. DS is DEing several high level math classes next year, but he's doing them with UF. ERAU is an option now, too, but most of our DEers just use the CC because they're looking for something other than rigor (some want a free AA, some want cheap GPA padding, some are running from a calculus track). DS will be the first kid in his school to DE at UF in many years, and I don't think anyone from our school has ever DE at ERAU (though we're getting an aeronautical academy next year, so it may become more popular).
I work at a CC and this comes off as very condescending. Believe me, we offer rigorous classes equivalent to freshman and sophomore classes at a 4 year college- even in Calc. Shocking.
I'm not commenting on your school, and I'm not commenting on our school, it's about the DE catalog at that school. It's extremely limited. They have the same classes DS is taking next year, they are not in their DE catalog.
ETA: I really, really do not want you to think this was a knock on community colleges, I have an AA from one, and I'm forever thankful it was an option.
The DE catalog/program at this particular CC doesn't offer Calc I, let alone Calc III/Diff EQ/LA. Their bread and butter (on the DE side) is English Comp 1 and 2 and College Algebra (with a smattering of history classes and personal speaking). They do have AA/AS programs for a limited number of degrees (even some 2+2) and it clearly works for them. It just isn't what all the kids at this particular school (with an IBDP program and a pretty full AP catalog) are looking for.
Post by mysteriouswife on May 14, 2024 23:37:35 GMT -5
DD was also at AP testing today. Then awards show tonight. She is super emotional seeing all her senior friends heading out. She teared up multiple times during the ceremony. Floor works once we got home. She received 11 awards tonight and 4 last week. We joked we needed a trophy case.
DD is a sophomore and has her last final today. Band awards last week, band start up day for next year was last Saturday. Feels like the summer is practically over already!
DH is an AP calc teacher and was so nervous for his kids this week. Here's hoping for good results in July!
Please tell me others are having a difficult time navigating their child's future continuing education/career plans. I'm struggling with what she wants to do (her passion) versus discussing the reality of having that as her job/career (her passion doesn't pay well). She talked about adding an associate's degree to expand her skills, which I relayed is fantastic, but said a bachelor's in that field would be stronger. She said that comment left her deflated. I apologized, and she said she was good.
There is still some time; she's finishing her sophomore year. Her grades are good, with the exception of her Spanish 2 class, which she's admitted is not clicking. I totally get that, and that's fine.
This is hard.
I need to focus on her passion as a starting point. It can grow into something bigger. It's not an endgame. She's got the opportunity to build on it.
DD is finishing her freshman year. It's been a crazy ride. She's ending the year at a really good place, and I'm so happy. She did NOT want to leave her small school to start high school and it was rough starting. She had a horrible boyfriend break-up in February and a super tough time. LUCKILY I talked her into still going to the audition for the high school musical in the middle of the break-up and somehow being in the musical is what led to her feeling like she has a "place" at the school. She made some new friends and started to come out of her shell. Still has her old group of friends but increasingly is feeling they aren't the best fit, so the new friends/old friends will be interesting over summer.
I feel like we have such a long way to go with growing up and life lessons and figuring out interests. I can't believe she graduates in 3 years!! It doesn't seem like enough time.
I'm also looking forward to this summer being somewhat low-key. I think it will get more complicated with each year now. We spend part of summer up north and part at home, so no job yet this year b/c it's too hard and she's not driving yet. But by next year, we will probably need to figure out some kind of job plan.
Please tell me others are having a difficult time navigating their child's future continuing education/career plans. I'm struggling with what she wants to do (her passion) versus discussing the reality of having that as her job/career (her passion doesn't pay well). She talked about adding an associate's degree to expand her skills, which I relayed is fantastic, but said a bachelor's in that field would be stronger. She said that comment left her deflated. I apologized, and she said she was good.
There is still some time; she's finishing her sophomore year. Her grades are good, with the exception of her Spanish 2 class, which she's admitted is not clicking. I totally get that, and that's fine.
This is hard.
I need to focus on her passion as a starting point. It can grow into something bigger. It's not an endgame. She's got the opportunity to build on it.
I'm struggling with this too, although for different reasons. My son (also a sophomore) is very on the fence about college. I am struggling with the idea of him not going. I am the only person in either my family or my H's who went to college, and sometimes I feel like he is not hearing enough about the advantages this could give him in life. And more than that... I want him to get out of our town and experience life and meet people who have different lived experiences.
He wants to either be a pilot or pursue a trade. He doesn't technically need college for either of those things, and we certainly aren't independently wealthy enough to push him into college if he doesn't have a desire. But it's hard for me to give up on the idea of him going.
I keep telling myself that he still has 2 years to think this through. And a lifetime to figure out what he wants out of life.
Please tell me others are having a difficult time navigating their child's future continuing education/career plans. I'm struggling with what she wants to do (her passion) versus discussing the reality of having that as her job/career (her passion doesn't pay well). She talked about adding an associate's degree to expand her skills, which I relayed is fantastic, but said a bachelor's in that field would be stronger. She said that comment left her deflated. I apologized, and she said she was good.
There is still some time; she's finishing her sophomore year. Her grades are good, with the exception of her Spanish 2 class, which she's admitted is not clicking. I totally get that, and that's fine.
This is hard.
I need to focus on her passion as a starting point. It can grow into something bigger. It's not an endgame. She's got the opportunity to build on it.
I'm struggling with this too, although for different reasons. My son (also a sophomore) is very on the fence about college. I am struggling with the idea of him not going. I am the only person in either my family or my H's who went to college, and sometimes I feel like he is not hearing enough about the advantages this could give him in life. And more than that... I want him to get out of our town and experience life and meet people who have different lived experiences.
He wants to either be a pilot or pursue a trade. He doesn't technically need college for either of those things, and we certainly aren't independently wealthy enough to push him into college if he doesn't have a desire. But it's hard for me to give up on the idea of him going.
I keep telling myself that he still has 2 years to think this through. And a lifetime to figure out what he wants out of life.
Google "aviation summer camp."
It may be too late for this year (truly don't know, it may not be), but there are lots of camps around the country for kids interested in aviation. Some are at colleges, and could help him experience a little taste of what it could be like to go to school for that, or just to go away for school for *something.*
Like here's one in Western Michigan. No idea where you are, but just so you get an idea of what I'm talking about.
I have a junior - we are in the midst of college visits and I have so many feelings about him leaving, plus my own stress about how impossible it seems to get into schools these days. He’s re taking the SAT in early June and school ends mid June. He’s lifeguarding again this summer and going away for a few weeks (running camp plus a college program at an out of state school).
It’s over a year away but i’m going to miss him so much. Even though he thinks I’m incredibly dumb most of the time and doesn’t pick up after himself. I can’t believe I only have one more year with him living with us. It goes too fast.
silva there's definitely time, I wouldn't stress over a career path now. IME she doesn't need to pick now.
My son is a Senior and he grew a lot in high school in terms of his future plans from Sophomore year to Senior year.
I'm not exaggerating when I say he started high school adamant that he was going to the NBA. I mean adamant! "I'm going!" to the point he refused to put any substances in his body even. I woild ask about vaping "mom, I'm not going to do that. I told you I'm going to the NBA" I just said "ok, but you'll never be seen in our little town so college is the way to get there so lets make sure your classes and grades can get you into college". And we did w courage him building his basketball skill. I knew that was the biggest long shot BUT maybe he could play for a D3. you know? He loved basketball.
Sophomore year, he lowered his goal to G league. Same conversation "keep your grades up, take the courses for a college path"
Junior year, he realized ok I'm not playing pro ball but I want to do Sports management. Again, same conversation regarding courses and grades.
Senior year approaches and he is a lot more grounded. He was thinking back to Senior night and all those boys whose plans were to go into sport management are now working odd jobs, left school and are struggling to find their way. He was realizing that goal is not exactly a solid plan.
He finally landed on a business degree after talking with my extended family and seeing a lot of adults who own their own businesses (even his HS basketball coach). So he applied into the business administration at the school he chose.
He still doesn't know what path of business that he'd like (there's 4) and he'd like to keep sports as a part of his life, even if that's just as a part time coach on the side.
He plans to play intramural at his college so he has a decent plan/path.
All the teachers and coaches said good choice when he said where he was going and that he was accepted in with a business administration degree path. I feel confident he can do well. And I'm thrilled he matured enough to realize his plans needed adjustments.
There is also a required internship as a junior for all business majors and many of those internships lead to FT jobs after graduation.
My oldest is a senior. She graduated with her associate's degree over the weekend from her dual credit classes. She has such insane senior-itis; it is BEYOND time for school to wrap up for her. Awards night was Monday. Prom is Saturday. HS graduation is June 1st. She is continuing at a 4 year school in the fall so we have dorm stuff to plan. And we're hosting a graduation party the evening of her graduation. So close- but it feels so far away with all the sh.t to do. She will be working two jobs this summer to save up for college. Lifeguarding for the third year and she's currently working very PT at an ice-cream sorta place.
DD2 is a sophomore. She has 2.5 weeks of school left. She finished her first dual enrollment classes with As! She's basically cruising into finals. She is taking the ACT and getting her driver's license next month! Big things for her- I was not at all sure we'd be doing those things right now. DD2 is on the autism spectrum and has pretty severe anxiety. I am SO proud of how she has handled this year. Now she has no other plans for the summer so...that needs to change. She's applying for jobs, but there's only so much I'm willing to push her. Junior year is a BEAST so I'm not horrified at her getting (some!) break this summer. But I don't want her to sit in the house all day either. So I guess we'll see how summer plays out.
Kid 1 is wrapping up sophomore year and took the AP World History test today. They think they did well, and while I'm skeptical (they've struggled with in-class tests all year) I'm proud of them for the hard work they put in with studying. Socially it's been a rough year as the friends they made as a freshman stopped taking honors-track classes and the relationships fizzled once they weren't together during the day anymore. They have a theater showcase next week that I'm bursting with pride about, though, because performing in public was probably their #1 fear going into this year, and they've hit it out of the ballpark with the help of an amazing teacher. Sadly they won't be continuing with that program next year, but I'm hoping the confidence they gained will help them feel more comfortable in front of groups going forward. They have an awards assembly next week, and then just final projects and exams in their other classes.
My 9th grader is limping to the finish line. This year has been very hard for her -- work is tough, she's in 3 honors classes, her ADHD accommodations are just...not being met...and she just keeps dropping the ball on work. She's got 3 weeks left and I'm hoping she'll be able to pull out Bs in those honors classes but who knows. I'm exhausted.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
My oldest is finishing 9th strong. He didn’t make the very competitive baseball team and that was a hit, but he learned a lot about life from that experience. He will play travel. He only took one AP. It’s just not worth it. He’s excited for drivers Ed this summer, to apply for Career ahd tech center next year, and playing pickleball. Lately he’s been asking to ride his bike to a local park (it’s too dangerous so I drive him as much as I can) to play pickleball w friends. He also wants to do dual enrollment for his junior and senior year. He may not even step foot at school w that schedule!
Please tell me others are having a difficult time navigating their child's future continuing education/career plans. I'm struggling with what she wants to do (her passion) versus discussing the reality of having that as her job/career (her passion doesn't pay well). She talked about adding an associate's degree to expand her skills, which I relayed is fantastic, but said a bachelor's in that field would be stronger. She said that comment left her deflated. I apologized, and she said she was good.
There is still some time; she's finishing her sophomore year. Her grades are good, with the exception of her Spanish 2 class, which she's admitted is not clicking. I totally get that, and that's fine.
This is hard.
I need to focus on her passion as a starting point. It can grow into something bigger. It's not an endgame. She's got the opportunity to build on it.
I feel this. I want to live the life where I know that kids do fine no matter what and my kid will find her passion but it is so hard to watch a kid struggle in school. I have no idea how she will do college.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Please tell me others are having a difficult time navigating their child's future continuing education/career plans. I'm struggling with what she wants to do (her passion) versus discussing the reality of having that as her job/career (her passion doesn't pay well). She talked about adding an associate's degree to expand her skills, which I relayed is fantastic, but said a bachelor's in that field would be stronger. She said that comment left her deflated. I apologized, and she said she was good.
There is still some time; she's finishing her sophomore year. Her grades are good, with the exception of her Spanish 2 class, which she's admitted is not clicking. I totally get that, and that's fine.
This is hard.
I need to focus on her passion as a starting point. It can grow into something bigger. It's not an endgame. She's got the opportunity to build on it.
I'm struggling with this with ds (who is about to finish freshman year of hs). We had a meeting with his counselor to plan his classes for next year and set a general path for the rest of hs, and when she asked him if he had any ideas for career plans, he was adamant he wanted to be a pilot (which I had never heard from him before). So his counselor was talking up this duel enrollment program with a local community college for aviation, and I'm sitting there questioning 'can you be a pilot if you are on ADHD medication?'
We have since learned that you can't, but ds is still stuck on this as the only thing he wants to do, so he's considering trying going off his meds to see how that goes, or considering other things related to aviation, like being an aviation engineer. The problem is that he's struggling with his classes already, so going off meds is not going to help (but I will let him try this summer just to see what it's like, and that's a little terrifying), and while I think any kind of engineer would be a great career path for him, he doesn't have the grades to get into a good program right now. I just want him to consider other possibilities that might be more realistic for him, but it's like now that he said this out loud, he doesn't want to back down from it or consider anything else.
Post by expectantsteelerfan on May 16, 2024 7:04:28 GMT -5
It's also weird/hard seeing everyone post about AP exams when I can't imagine ds taking ANY AP's...he's in 1 honors class now and dropping down to academic for next year because he's had a C in that class all year. He did just have a 2 day Keystone exam in Bio., and that was a struggle for him (Keystones are state exams in core classes they have to pass in PA in order for that class to count towards graduation I believe...apparently if he doesn't pass the Bio keystone, he'd have to take Bio again even though he's currently passing the class with a B).
expectantsteelerfan, My son only took 1 Honors class his entire HS career otherwise he took all College prep. He was no where near AP level.
He's going to a great state university that a LOT of people in this area got degrees from (even my niece and nephew) and they are all very successful. With his anxiety, it was more important to keep him happy and confident in his appropriate levels. He had a fantastic HS experience (in fact, he'd love to reclass...lol).
He didn't get the same merit scholarships as the honors/AP kids and he didn't get the college credits like them but he's even going to the same school as our Valedictorian. She committed for basketball and got into the honors program there. I'm fine with his journey because he needs to form his own path.
expectantsteelerfan, I bet he'll pass the test, but there will be test retakes before there are class retakes, for sure.
My state is perhaps the cruelest to kids- our EOC exams are not just graduation requirements, they're worth 30% of the total course grade. They can knock As and Bs down a grade+ and fail an otherwise passing kid- it's messed up. But the exams that kids are required to pass in order to graduate (vs. the ones they just have to take) are given over and over and over and alternate pathways are made and schools will do anything to push those kids through the finish line- IOW, don't worry too much!
My oldest is a senior. Her last day was Tuesday. There is a school tradition that at the end of the day all the seniors hang their lanyards on our statue as a “sign off”.
The soccer team had to leave early for their first play off game, which was 2 hours away, so our 8 seniors suited up and hung their lanyards before they left.
They filmed a TikTok as they did it, and I watch it multiple times a day and just cry.
She’s ready. And excited. And has all the plans. But I am definitely struggling.
expectantsteelerfan, My son only took 1 Honors class his entire HS career otherwise he took all College prep. He was no where near AP level.
He's going to a great state university that a LOT of people in this area got degrees from (even my niece and nephew) and they are all very successful. With his anxiety, it was more important to keep him happy and confident in his appropriate levels. He had a fantastic HS experience (in fact, he'd love to reclass...lol).
He didn't get the same merit scholarships as the honors/AP kids and he didn't get the college credits like them but he's even going to the same school as our Valedictorian. She committed for basketball and got into the honors program there. I'm fine with his journey because he needs to form his own path.
I feel like this is the way to go! I feel like such an outsider not loving the idea of all AP/Honors/DE/4.0+. For what? These kids can have a degree at age 20 and start their full time jobs only to lose 2 years of their childhoods. And I feel like for many, it’s for parents bragging rights. I don’t mean this as a whole to ALL. Clearly there are some kids who need and thrive at the higher level, but from what I see in my area, many do not, and it’s at a cost.
Post by DotAndBuzz on May 16, 2024 12:07:04 GMT -5
Reading these stories about state exams, I just want to pop in again to say I effing HATE those types of things, with my whole being.
Kids have enough pressure, so basing their graduation (or even term grade) on a state exam (which, by the way is likely lobbied for by the TESTING COMPANY making money off the exam/books, etc), is just absolute bullshit. Hugs to everyone who has to worry about that on top of everything else, especially this time of year.
expectantsteelerfan, My son only took 1 Honors class his entire HS career otherwise he took all College prep. He was no where near AP level.
He's going to a great state university that a LOT of people in this area got degrees from (even my niece and nephew) and they are all very successful. With his anxiety, it was more important to keep him happy and confident in his appropriate levels. He had a fantastic HS experience (in fact, he'd love to reclass...lol).
He didn't get the same merit scholarships as the honors/AP kids and he didn't get the college credits like them but he's even going to the same school as our Valedictorian. She committed for basketball and got into the honors program there. I'm fine with his journey because he needs to form his own path.
I feel like this is the way to go! I feel like such an outsider not loving the idea of all AP/Honors/DE/4.0+. For what? These kids can have a degree at age 20 and start their full time jobs only to lose 2 years of their childhoods. And I feel like for many, it’s for parents bragging rights. I don’t mean this as a whole to ALL. Clearly there are some kids who need and thrive at the higher level, but from what I see in my area, many do not, and it’s at a cost.
I agree. I am encouraging some ap/honors for the experience and to be competitive for college, but definitely people in my county are huge on dual enrollment and as someone who is going to have challenges paying for 4 year college x 3kids it is so attractive, but also I’m not sure about how I feel thrusting my kid into the world at 20 and expecting them to be a grown up when they can’t even legally consume alcohol. College is for figuring it all out and I’m impressed by so many of the of the posters here who have kids with a plan, but my freshman has absolutely zero clue what he wants to do with his life.
I feel like this is the way to go! I feel like such an outsider not loving the idea of all AP/Honors/DE/4.0+. For what? These kids can have a degree at age 20 and start their full time jobs only to lose 2 years of their childhoods. And I feel like for many, it’s for parents bragging rights. I don’t mean this as a whole to ALL. Clearly there are some kids who need and thrive at the higher level, but from what I see in my area, many do not, and it’s at a cost.
I agree. I am encouraging some ap/honors for the experience and to be competitive for college, but definitely people in my county are huge on dual enrollment and as someone who is going to have challenges paying for 4 year college x 3kids it is so attractive, but also I’m not sure about how I feel thrusting my kid into the world at 20 and expecting them to be a grown up when they can’t even legally consume alcohol. College is for figuring it all out and I’m impressed by so many of the of the posters here who have kids with a plan, but my freshman has absolutely zero clue what he wants to do with his life.
I agree and have been really strategic with what SD takes. She will have 3 college classes done when she finishes HS. She’s taken them over the summer and online so when she’s just hanging out at home. It is attractive to have her take classes as they are totally free, but I only wanted her to take some gen Ed courses she could use no matter her major. It’s just in the last few months she’s known what she wants to pursue (she’s a junior). There’s a huge push in CA for all HS to take dual enrollment and honestly I think it’s dumb.