K
Kjs
Guest
I am not sure where to post this. I have posted prior regarding the choice High Schools.
I am terrified of sending difficult child to the district high school. He JUST turned 13 and to be sent to a school of 3000 kids scares me.
We went to the open house at one of the choice schools last night. If you graduate from there, in Automated Machine, pre-engineering, robotics, IT - micro computers, web design, networking, Aeronautics ...too many to mention, you leave High school with 22.5 transferable credits. Approx. $30000 worth of credits(one of the engineering school's figures).
difficult child seems very interested. BUT, they go through the cumulative folder for each and every application. They look at grades all the way back to 4th grade.(they understand middle school can be tough). They look at state test scores, they look at each and every comment the teacher makes on report cards. Unfortunately most of difficult child's comments are, "does not work up to ability".
He scores way in the advanced field for the state tests. But he has struggled in middle school. Blame myself because he entered middle school at age 10, and I was working out of town, second shift. I wasn't there for him. He refuses to do work. Or past tense on that. He has come a long way. But his response was always, "grades don't count until High School, I'll do it then."
He has never failed a class, but certainly doesn't do as well as he could. Depends on the teacher. He has spent two years getting blamed for everything which affected his attitude.
This school also looks highly upon letters of recommendation from principals, counselors and teachers. i am very fortunate this year. The principal has taken the time to get to know difficult child. She is wonderful with him. Thinks he would do great there.
Also a counselor from elementary school, who we keep in touch with, is willing to write a letter, with a bribe..he brings his grades up. Anyone who has taken the time to get to know him found a very different boy than his reputation. Still I am worried. This school requires hard work.
So, our application is in. Letters have been requested. I am scared out of my mind. He would walk to the district school (one block away) take a shuttle to this academie. Stay until after lunch and take the shuttle back to the district school for his French class. (no foreign languages there). And, I just found out he can speak French very very good. I was watching a movie and they were speaking in french. I asked him what they said. He told me the entire conversation. not bits and peices, or words. The entire conversation.
Well, my new question is, should I make an appointment with this principal and meet with him? Should I discuss difficult child? He did say that they also consider any family problems that may have affected a students progress. And that can remain private, just noted. And we had a life changing experience 3 years ago.
What to do. Find more answers, wait and see?
This requires hard work. He may not be able to do it. The alternatives are much scarier. 3000 kids. Too many for him to impress. to many chances to face temptation.
I am terrified of sending difficult child to the district high school. He JUST turned 13 and to be sent to a school of 3000 kids scares me.
We went to the open house at one of the choice schools last night. If you graduate from there, in Automated Machine, pre-engineering, robotics, IT - micro computers, web design, networking, Aeronautics ...too many to mention, you leave High school with 22.5 transferable credits. Approx. $30000 worth of credits(one of the engineering school's figures).
difficult child seems very interested. BUT, they go through the cumulative folder for each and every application. They look at grades all the way back to 4th grade.(they understand middle school can be tough). They look at state test scores, they look at each and every comment the teacher makes on report cards. Unfortunately most of difficult child's comments are, "does not work up to ability".
He scores way in the advanced field for the state tests. But he has struggled in middle school. Blame myself because he entered middle school at age 10, and I was working out of town, second shift. I wasn't there for him. He refuses to do work. Or past tense on that. He has come a long way. But his response was always, "grades don't count until High School, I'll do it then."
He has never failed a class, but certainly doesn't do as well as he could. Depends on the teacher. He has spent two years getting blamed for everything which affected his attitude.
This school also looks highly upon letters of recommendation from principals, counselors and teachers. i am very fortunate this year. The principal has taken the time to get to know difficult child. She is wonderful with him. Thinks he would do great there.
Also a counselor from elementary school, who we keep in touch with, is willing to write a letter, with a bribe..he brings his grades up. Anyone who has taken the time to get to know him found a very different boy than his reputation. Still I am worried. This school requires hard work.
So, our application is in. Letters have been requested. I am scared out of my mind. He would walk to the district school (one block away) take a shuttle to this academie. Stay until after lunch and take the shuttle back to the district school for his French class. (no foreign languages there). And, I just found out he can speak French very very good. I was watching a movie and they were speaking in french. I asked him what they said. He told me the entire conversation. not bits and peices, or words. The entire conversation.
Well, my new question is, should I make an appointment with this principal and meet with him? Should I discuss difficult child? He did say that they also consider any family problems that may have affected a students progress. And that can remain private, just noted. And we had a life changing experience 3 years ago.
What to do. Find more answers, wait and see?
This requires hard work. He may not be able to do it. The alternatives are much scarier. 3000 kids. Too many for him to impress. to many chances to face temptation.
