Parents of the HS Class of 2013

[Kelowna]

I would hold on on SAT Math II till she is done with pre-calc. After that it should be a non brainer if she is the kid who is fairly good in math. Why bother with SAT Math I if you can take SAT MAth II the following year? But maybe Youdon't say knows something that I am missing. So please do share.
I was asking about Geography because I have learned on CC that it is a relatively easy test to take/self study for. My son is also taking a year of Geography (it is called honors here, not pre-IB) and when I asked GC if he should take the AP test after that she was very clear that he will not be ready.
I was asking about the history, because almost all here on CC will tell you that AP US History is the same as SAT II in US History (or whatever it is called). Our school puts all sophomores that are in the pre-IB track in AP US History. So do check with your school.
About IB per say - almost all will agree that it prepares kids for college work very, very well. Like I have mentioned in previous posts, LA is giving my son the most headache at this point. And he is a good writer ! Also fast! But a lot depends on the individual schools. How succesful are kids at your school, how many of them have received full diploma percentage wise?

[mnmom62]

She's breezin' through the LA parts, both in Spanish and English BUT that's her strength.

She was overwhelmed yesterday and blew off ballet - had about 3 hours of math alone to do and a Science and Spanish paper. Once she calmed down she did indeed knock it out in about 3 1/2 hours. Wednesdays are her really bad day - middle of the week with debate practice and a scheduled 2 hours of ballet technique class. We pulled out her syllabuses and looked at her teacher's web pages to figure out how she can better anticipate the work loads for the upcoming week by finding things to do in advance over the weekends. (She also has ADHD-C.)

Here's where I get confused, if she's taking the IB Methods HL test as a Senior - is it redundant to take the SAT Subject tests for math or the AP Calc AB tests in the eyes of the adcoms? I'm trying to determine if that's just piling stress on her for no good reason (she's not afraid of these tests per se, having taken the Explore for years and then the ACT and SAT in middle school). Now the AP Geography test might make more sense. That's why I was trying to figure out if there are some other SAT Subject tests she could take along the way to lessen the test stress in May of her junior and senior years.

I feel like such a rookie here!

[PaperChaserPop]

The race for EC's is on. DS2 started his campaign for student government senate today. Took a stack of home made posters to school this morning. I'm glad he is running for it. The campaign itself should teach him quite a bit on peer interation and influence. If he gets elected, he'll learn even more.

I'm also very happy he has taken a keen interest in basketball. He plays with friends everyday after school until it gets too dark to see. Just last night he asked me how he could get around this big guy who's twice his size. Yours truly showed him a few post up moves with all the signs of a middle-aged man (why are the signs most pronounced around the waist?). Apparently my demonstration was not good enough for DS2, because he later searched through youtube for confirmation!

[mnmom62]

Reading this after a couple cups of coffee clears up something that has been confusing me, and sort of bugging me and I think is a kernel of why D is starting to question the pre-IB track. She could very well take AP US History instead in 10th grade since she is NOT MYP but the History of the Americas junior course is an HL, which I presume is required for the IB Diploma. I think where's she's heading is that she might rather just try for the IB Certificate and take more AP courses, and some possible dual enrollment, that GC can't return my call soon enough!

[Kelowna]

What is MYP?
For the diploma you need 3 HL and 3 SL.

[mnmom62]

MYP is IB Middle Years Programme, it covers 6th through 10th grade and a Certificate is granted to those that complete the programme.

I knew about the requirements for the diploma, and the GC called back. She is, as I had already ascertained not very helpful. She just kept repeating to me that my D couldn't take any SAT II tests until after she took her SAT - meaning her jr. year. I guess I'm on my own helping D through choices in 9th and 10th grade and trying to decide about pursuing the IB Diploma or not. GC was stunned that D had already taken her ACT and SAT. Not a good fit for us at all.

[Kelowna]

Thanks
DO not get discouraged. Keep your options open and pursue everything now as if your daughter was to do a full IB Diploma. You will decide later on if it is the best option for her. We also keep it in the open for DS.
Again, I would skip SAT I Math. If your daughter will be applying to profile schools, I would take SAT MATH II at the end of her sophomore year, after she has completed pre-calc. Use the wonderful advice found on this site as to how to get ready for it/ make sure she is ready. Do not listen to your GC - you can register for SAT II yourself. It is however different with AP's, I believe.
I still do not understand the situation with your social studies is. The path most IB kids follow at our school is:
9 - Honors Geography for Life
10 - AP US History
11 - AP European or World History
12 - IB History (SL or HL)
Apparently AP US History aligns wonderfully with SAT US History thus almost no additional studying is required. Take advantage of this!
If you were to follow my advice, your daughter can take two SAT Subject Tests by the end of her sophomore year.
I am in similar shoes as you are, also with a freshman (DA!)and trying to navigate it so my kid can do as much as possible in terms of SAT II tests before the stress of the junior year arrives. He did take pre-calc in 8th grade and had no problems with SAT II Math.
I am not an expert by any means but the advice I got here was extremely valuable. Just trying to share
Our school is not as rigorous as to who can do what. If everything goes well, my kid will be able to take two AP courses this year. Inquire about the possibilities within your school. The fact that nobody does it does not mean that you can't! An example. My kid is taking Physics this year with mostly juniors. There is no rule that you can't take Physics your freshman year, but almost nobody does it here. Do not be afraid to cross some boundaries

[Kelowna]

mnmom62 - I just re-read your posts and you said that your daughter is in her 9th year of Spanish. What is she taking for Spanish then? Or did she chose another language?

[mnmom62]

It's actually her 10th year of Spanish. She was fully immersed for elementary and 75% for middle school. They are probably at a college level - they are reading and writing about literature, and discussing cultural aspects - absolutely zero English spoken - she thinks she'll be in a position to perhaps take one of the AP tests this year and the other next. She could have switched to another language and gotten four years in - but she feels strongly that she'd like to keep with the Spanish, her district is one of the few in existence that has full "immersion" through the senior year. Also, she did not want to lose the skills she's been working on for most of her life to date. She wants to take a second language in college though.

For Math, I was referring to the SAT Math I test for this year - I've been using SAT II's as a generic term for all subject tests.

Given my impression of her assigned GC, I bow down and thank heaven for this site. Though D told me today that she can go to the career center and avoid the GC for more guidance on these issues.

I don't really understand the Social Studies track for her programme either. ::sigh:: I think it is the way it is more for the MYP kids than the newly incoming "pre-IB" kids.

[reeinaz]

My son is taking the PSAT this morning. He doesn't do well on standardized tests so I emailed his counselor and asked if he could take the PSAT this year because he needs as much exposure to SAT like tests as possible. Normally, only the 10th and 11th graders take it but following my email, they have decided to open it up to all 9th graders. I *know* that this test will be no indication at all of how he will do on the actual SAT in a couple of years but still, I'm excited
On another note, he has pretty much forbidden me from checking his homework. He swears he is on top of everything and things are going fine. He keeps telling me that he wants me to be surprised when his report card comes out ~yikes!

[PaperChaserPop]

PSAT is not just pre-SAT. PSAT scores from tests taken in the penultimate year of high school -- normally junior year for high schoolers who graduate in 4 years -- are used for the annual National Merit Scholarship competition, which can lead to full-ride opportunities in many colleges. A few competitive summer programs, e.g. RSI, also use PSAT scores as part of their selection criteria.

[Kelowna]

Our school does it this coming Saturday.

[Longhaul]

Hi All!

S1 is class of 2013 & I thought I was the only crazy planning early.

Watching a co-worker recently go thru the College Ap process last year made me realize how much to do in so little time! ACT & SAT II unheard of in my day. So I thought I'd get acquainted with the entire process.

I'm thinking about starting the college tour process this spring. Not high gear, just "sneaking" in visits as family outings ("Nice little museum, let's stop at School "A" and see it" sort of thing). S1 has numerous interests & could love a city as much as the country. Afraid if I wait for him to start official touring we'll be cramming in 3 schools/day.

I am overwhelmed by the fantastic students on CC and intimidated by how advanced compared to my son. S1 has very little APs. No IB. He is taking a challenging schdeule for his school. School only has honors in Math & Science

English
Honors Bio
Dual Enrollment Sociology
Latin II
Honors Alg II
World History

[mnmom62]

Straight A's, I'm impressed, she hasn't started out this well since sixth grade. She's really impressed the debate coach and is 12-1 in her novice season so far, finishing 2nd and 4th overall in two of the tournaments. She's agreed to take the SAT again in January to see how she's improved since seventh grade.

Dance is kicking into high gear as her company prepares for Nutcracker season.

Any other dance parents around? Is it important that she continues to have solos and place with them - for any schools? We're debating this, as well as private voice lessons, she's a musical theatre geek as well.

So much to ponder.

[hippiechicken]

mnmom62-
I'm a dance parent also. Well, my daughter does ballet that is. She's not into competing anymore, just improving her technique and skills.