Freshman - Right fit

Golfgr8
Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:14:46 +0000

To the OP - believe me, many of us have had similar worries and understand concerns @ if we chose the right school.
Both @UltimaCroix and
@gardenstategal know I still wonder and Golfkiddo is a Senior!

1. Did your kiddo take placement tests in the Spring? What was your kiddo’s feedback?

2. Schools will place the student in what they believe to be the appropriate level of each core course. The placement tests in Math & Foreign Language (for example), help with this. For example, your kid might be strong in math and have the right classes completed to be placed in Algebra 2- Honors. On the other hand, maybe skills are not so solid and needs to review math concepts - so the school will place your student in a less rigorous course. Ditto with your kid’s foreign language.

3. Boarding schools have a drop-add period (our school has 2 weeks), so if your kiddo is sinking there is time to change level of course rigor. TRUTH MISSILE: Many many students drop/add or change the level of their course - especially Freshman year. This policy is there for a reason. It is par for the course (a little humor).

4. I have not heard of anyone leaving my student’s school because of academic rigor. Yes - it is a fast pace and the work is challenging, but everyone is in the same boat (except for a handful of hyper-focused “pointy” kids who do not do sports).

The AO’s do a good job of selecting students who are academically strong. Don’t worry! We have heard, however, of kids leaving school because of psycho-social reasons, booze, drugs, sex after hours, harboring a college girl in their dorm room, etc

5. Schools have support systems in place for students who need peer tutoring or extra help. You will learn about this at orientation. Encourage your student to utilize the supports that are at your school. Make friends with peer tutors - they can also give you inside info re: which teachers and courses to choose next year.

6. Go to office hours! At the schools on your list, teachers have regular office hours. Unlike in middle school, in boarding school the “smart”kids go to office hours for help and to get a leg up. Take advantage of this prime opportunity to meet with the teacher. It is often where important information about subjects and about test/project prep is shared.

7. Advisors play an important role in your student’s life at BS (well, they should . Your kid’s advisor will meet with advisees usually once a week in a group (maybe more). The advisor will watch over your kiddo and provide direction for class changes, support services, tutoring, and guidance.

8. The school really wants your student to succeed.

9. TRUTH MISSILE #2: It’s understandable to feel anxious and have doubts right before drop off, but PLEASE do not let your kiddo know how anxious you are. Please be careful not to dump the doubts, fears, agita, or worry on your kiddo. Your kid needs to know that you have every confidence that they will succeed. Be positive (even if it’s acting).

You can vent it all to us….hey, and if your kid is heading to Deerfield I will even buy you one of their famous Deerfield martini’s after drop off!