In addition to the regular Parents of the HS Class of 20xx threads, there is usually another one for parents who have a kid with a 3.0-3.4 GPA (or less). This is a thread to celebrate successes, commiserate with others, ask questions, answer questions, and support each other. As the class of 2026 is now entering their junior year of high school, it seems an a propos time to start the thread!
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Yay, it’s the normal kids thread! Thanks for starting this.
Well, my X26 fits in this category. They are 2E with ADHD/ASD but only diagnosed in freshman year high school (which was …not great). Tests extremely well, especially on maths and science subjects, but getting assignments done is hit and miss. There was an enormous improvement by second semester sophomore year once we had the meds and iep figured out. I’m hopeful that junior year will be similar to that but there is more onerous coursework so I’m a little nervous too. X26 also now has a target college in mind though and knows what they want to do so I’m hoping that incentive helps as well.
Hoping others join in… I followed the similar thread for my D19’s year and it was a warm, supportive and informative thread.
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Thanks for starting this!
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My kids are D22 (which fit these stats) and S23, but I stay on these threads to share information and support those going through the process.
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Thanks so much for starting this. My S26 has an unweighted 3.5 right now, but it’s been a real struggle to manage his ADHD these last 2 years of high school.
I think we got the meds sorted at the end of his sophomore year, so I’m hopeful for this next year. It’s been a tiring experience for me, trying to help him keep on top of his assignments and help him pace out long-term projects. I’d like to be able to step back a bit and let him step up, but we’ll see how it goes. Super sharp kid, but turning things in on time is a huge Achilles heel.
He also struggles with committing to ECs. He’s a talented artist, loves to build things (still adores his Legos), enjoys rock climbing, and he is passionate about helping people less fortunate… but he’s a dabbler and not a natural joiner. I think all of that is awesome and I know he’ll find a great fit for him, but as far as packaging the story for admissions, I guess you could say he marches to the beat of his own drummer 
I look forward to being on this thread—learning and supporting our kids who aren’t CC’s 4.0, 1600, award-winning superstars, but still amazing, interesting and successful young people.
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Thank you - that’s awesome and appreciated
I see you!!
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You will be surprised how fast they grow up between junior and senior year. Especially with those that are excited about the option of going away to school. It’s like they worry the heck out of you freshman/sophomore year. Junior year you get flashes of rising independence, but they still seem to find ways to make you doubt them, and then senior year…BAM. You’re like “They’ve got this!”.
These are all great things and it sounds like OAs will be able to see an authentic kid who isn’t putting on a show for admissions. Once you move away from those single digit and T20 colleges that are courting the 4/1600’s, this is the kind of kid that they value.
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Thank you for saying that! I think he’s amazing and he is certainly not interested in courting favor with admissions—he just doesn’t have it in him to care about the “game.” But he’s intrinsically motivated to learn and naturally curious, which strikes me as a better way to be than to be seeking outside validation from others.
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Your kid actually sounds a lot like mine! (Other than the rock climbing.) Does he have any idea what he wants to do yet?
Not at all—no idea what he wants to do. He’s talked about becoming a middle school or high school history or science teacher but worries about the pay. He’s interested in physics and he likes math, so working for NASA has come up. He is just finishing an art program at Oxbow in Napa, where he discovered sculpture and woodworking… he’s kind of all over the place How about yours?
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Has recently become very firm in the conviction that they want to be an architect- not surprising to us given the combination of strong math/science and art. The plan is to do a summer high school architecture program at one of the colleges next summer to see if it really feels right for them - there are a few of these around CA. It will also give a taste of dorm life.
My kid did sculpture as an unwanted second choice elective in middle school and ended up being super talented at it. Wil probably do 3D art as an elective in senior year.
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I think my S would be a great architect but it hasn’t grabbed him so far. That’s awesome that your kid has a north star now—it will make finding schools easier, but will also give motivation and direction if it sticks!
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X26 starts junior year tomorrow and picked up their schedule today. As we are still figuring out how to handle the ADHD they are not doing a hectic schedule. They have precalc honors, physics, English 3, US history, stagecraft and chamber singing (aiming for an arts distinction award which requires 6 VPA courses during high school).
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So glad to see this thread. My son fits in this category. I think he has around a 2.9. No AP’s but is taking Honors history this year. He tries hard, does all of his homework, but just doesn’t do great. We try to offer to help him study but he refuses. Also doesn’t really go to his teachers for help unless they request that he come see them. He’s extremely quiet. Plays a couple sports but no other EC’s except a job since 8th grade. Loves to ski and dirt bike and he’s just overall a really nice kid. Got a 25 on his pre-ACT which I thought was pretty good and will take the pre-SAT in October. Had a D in math one semester this year and the teacher offered a peer tutor. He went from a D to a B after 2 tutoring sessions. His math class was small but almost all rambunctious boys. He has ADHD (although not at all hyper) and I think he has trouble following what is going on in the classroom when there are distractions. He’s on a 504 and I may ask for him to be put in the front of his classes for those that have assigned seating. He is my third to go to college. My other 2 were not high achievers but they both graduated with 3.8’s without working too hard so this will be a bit of a different college journey. We were chasing merit with them though so most of their schools were targets or safeties so he may apply to few of the same schools.
Is anyone starting college tours yet? Thinking I may do a couple in the fall just to start getting him interested and hopefully spark him to try a little harder this year.
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Hi. My kid has - I think it’s called inattentive adhd, but sounds similar to your son. Part of their accommodation was being put in the front of the class for certain subjects, which they hated but which worked.
We have not started college tours yet, but kid is not super interested in a bunch. We plan to visit cal poly Pomona at some stage when we are in socal (we live in NorCal) as at the moment that seems to be my kid’s “very likely” backup school; the current top choice is CU Boulder which we plan to visit in spring break. If they like both those we would probably only visit others if Boulder doesn’t happen and they need to consider a school other than CPP, but those would probably be during admitted student days.
I spent a hectic spring break week with D19 visiting 1-2 schools per day! It was useful to her to help see what she wanted, but she got into her top school ED so, other than an EA to one of the others we visited, she didn’t even apply to any of the others she had liked!
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I did lots of college tours with my older ones so I don’t want him to feel short changed by not taking him on any. He’s such an easy going kid though that I think they may not have much impact. I asked which of his sibling’s schools he preferred and he said “I don’t know, they’re both just a lot of brick”. Both schools have really nice campuses but other than that are not really alike. My other son goes to Univ of Denver so I definitely see the appeal of CO!
This is huge. He’s building the habits he’s going to need for life.
That is amazing longevity in his job and playing multiple sports PLUS working a job while going to high school full time? That’s really amazing.
It definitely sounds like it’s the environment that’s causing difficulties rather than the subject matter. If sitting in the front row doesn’t work, then perhaps suggest that he get time with an interventionist (whether an actual interventionist or a paraeducator). That way he could get the information that he needs as he needs it. They could either push-in to the classroom or pull him out, as it works best for him.
Are there any potential majors of interest? Or size of school? Athletic spirit? Greek life? Budget? Distance from home?
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If you are visiting CU Bolder I highly suggest you add on a visit to Colorado State in Fort Collins. Unlike CU, they are part of WUE. Both the school and Fort Collins have a different feel than Boulder that really clicks with some kids. Also a bit less expensive tuition. Off campus housing is much less expensive and easier to get. S23 is living in a very nice complex just off campus for around $700 including parking. My niece in Boulder is paying more than double for less in Boulder without parking.
The Student Disabilities Center has been incredibly easy to work with, but truthfully, while S23’s teachers have been amazing when he’s met with them about his accommodations, he really hasn’t needed to use them as the teachers tend to use universal accommodations.
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