fjorgens

My son is heading into his Junior year and doing extremely well academically - it looks like he has an opportunity to be a Congressional Page for the Fall term of his Jr. year - he would thus attend the House "Page School" - the opportunity seems very interesting, but it may also jostle some of his AP track classes - looking for recomendations and suggestions - thanks.

happymomof1

If he really wants to do this, let him. It is a very rare opportunity.

As for the schoolwork, he should contact the Page School, and ask them how best to fit his home school's program and theirs together. This won't be a new question. Chances are, he won't even be the first one to ask it today!

powerbomb

My friend worked as a congressional page, and was nominated to attend Boys State. With his experience, he was again nominated for Boys Nation and now he's headed for Dartmouth.

thumper1

I think it's a wonderful thing to do. It's something that not too many kids have the opportunity to do. If he wants to go, I would let him.

midmo

A friend of my son was a Senate page several years ago, and if I remember correctly, several of the Page School courses were AP courses.

It was a very busy semester, requiring early rising, sticking to a strict schedule, working hard to keep up with course work. Several students were not able to keep up with the course work and were sent home shortly into the stint.

My son's friend would say the experience was worth it--largely because it cured her of considering a career in politics!

centraleagle

My son was a Senate page during the first semester of his junior year and it was the experience of a lifetime for him. I can't speak about the House page program, but I can certainly praise the Senate program and the Senate Page school. The program and the school are quite impressive - very well-run and organized, highly protective of the 16 year olds yet setting high expectations for work and school, and rich in new experiences. As another poster mentioned, the semester is extremely arduous, with school occurring before the Senate convenes, from around 6 or 7 a.m. until 10, then a full day of work (and often into the evening), homework until late, and then up again early. The teachers are experienced, the other students are motivated, and the classes very small - it all makes for a great learning environment. I imagine the House page school is similar, but quite a bit larger. I believe all of the classes fit right into the AP classes my son returned to in February at his home school. They schedule dates for standardized tests and visits to nearby colleges. I would look at the experience beyond just the academics however, especially if your son is interested in politics, history or law. Feel free to send me a message if you would like to talk more!

fjorgens

All - thanks very much for your thoughts - would certainly be interested in additional inputs if anyone has more to offer

fauve

Just for the sake of debate, I'll offer a view that, junior year is the most important year for the college transcript. If your son can't manage the grueling schedule described, while being away from home for the first time, or he becomes sick and gets behind, his record could suffer.

Is your son always healthy and gung-ho? He might thrive. Is his transcript already great enough for his dream schools? Can it bear some tarnish?

There are plenty of D.C. internships for his college summers. Internships are much more policy-support oriented, as well as research/writing oriented. Also- what exactly is the page's daily work- isn't there alot of door opening and messenger service hours?

In any case, congrats and good luck to your son!

jbl4891

I was a Senate Page my junior year. It was definitely a change going from taking 7 classes to 4 each day (good for me). Yes, my I ended up taking less APs. At the Senate school, none of the classes were considered AP and they weren't taught to prepare you for the test. Regardless, people still ended up taking the Eng Lang or Lit, US Hist, Govt, or Calc exams. It just requires a bit of your own preparation before hand. Also, I the Page School transcript/grades were combined with my home school's one and since I was enrolled in the AP class to begin with and since I took the AP tests at the end, they designated the classes as AP on my transcript and gave me the extra GPA boost that goes with it. The level of schoolwork isn't too challenging. As long as you stay on top of your assignments, you'll do pretty well. A lot of people would say that it is difficult but it's really manageable as long as you stay on top of your studies. Obviously, those who choose not to do their homework or study for a test won't do well. The teachers won't necessarily be coddling you, but they will be there to help you if you need it.

It's an amazing experience and one that I would recommend to anybody who get the opportunity to do it (even if it is on the House side...). I know that being a Page really helped me in building my resume as it helped me get to Boys State/Nation and an internship on a Senate campaign in the fall.

If anything, keep in mind that most colleges are looking at the same applications over and over again (i.e. John took AP classes, has a 4.0, was in tons of extracurriculars, has good SAT scores, leadership, just like Suzy, and David, and so on). Being a page is really more unique and will set your child apart from the the applicant pool. It also gives him/her life experience which is important when it comes time to write the admissions essay. Anything that your child can do to set him/herself apart from the applicant pool is a good thing.

worknprogress

He will never regret being a Congressional Page. The Senate Page School offers AP courses, but the Congressional Page School does not. DD went in the spring and it made it much easier to work out her schedule. She finished AP stats on her own and although the one history course was not considered AP at Page School, everyone sat for the AP exam and did extremely well.

Yes, there are internships, but if your son is interested in attending a highly selective college, the admissions offices are well aware of how competitive it is to be chosen and how mature a young person must be to go to school and work.

The kids are really very, very well supervised. The Mark Foley scandal may have suggested otherwise, but it is important to note that he only contacted pages by email after they had returned home.

If you have any questions, pm me. We had many of the same questions before our daughter served, but I know it was a once in a lifetime experience that my daughter will cherish forever. I also believe, that her experience, coupled with her grades and test scores are what made her stand out in the college admissions process.

I hope he takes the plunge - I can hear my daughter saying right now - He must do it!!!!!

Motherdear

My oldest was a House Page for the 109th Congress. It was a great program. Unfortunately her high school would NOT give her AP credit for the classes that she started as APs at the local hs, took the highest level offered at Page School, and scored well on the AP exams. This was quite frustrating but it didn't seem to hurt her as she ended up at one of her Reach Schools.

highhopes2013

A couple of questions: (Senate Page program)
1. I understand that foreign language is tutored on Sundays. So is that just once a week? Does the Program pay for it or is the page responsible for it?
2. Does anyone know what the spring semester schedule looks like, ie., spring and/or winter breaks? does it follow the DC public school schedule.?
3. Are pages on the floor for the State of the Union address?
4. Are books provided or do the pages need to purchase them?
5. I.ve heard mixed things about AP classes. Are classes taught at that level and is there any AP test prep involved?
Thanks, my son will be a senate page for spring semester (Jan '10) and would love to hear from anyone who has experienced this.

crescent22

Unless you're gung ho intent on a political career, it does not sound like a good idea to devote hours of every day to what is effectively a job (and an unpaid one) over studies, sports, or whatever else normal kids do at that age to sort out their goals, enrich themselves, etc.

jfoerst

I was a House Page 92-93 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It exposed me to many great things including a group of friends that I still have today. It is worth it to go. School is just fine. If your son or daughter is smart individual then they will do just fine. It is one semester that they will love and never regret. Academics is important but AP is not the end all of everything.

* For the poster that said they do not get paid that is untrue. I got paid quite nicely when I was a page and there is nothing to indicate that the practice has changed.

dmd77

From this web site: The Page Experience, U.S. House of Representatives
"Pages earn $21,134.00 annually, with a monthly gross salary of $1,761.91. Automatic deductions are made for federal and state taxes, social security, and the Residence Hall fee. Pages are paid on the last working day of the month."