How is your SJC freshman doing?

[Anonymous]

Mine has always been a good student but is DROWNING with all of the tests and now finals. The tests in every class have felt non stop all school year and its a lot. Anyone else's kid feel this way? Maybe its just my child's classes or a bad academic fit to where its more of a struggle than it should be? I would love to hear other parents perspectives. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine has always been a good student but is DROWNING with all of the tests and now finals. The tests in every class have felt non stop all school year and its a lot. Anyone else's kid feel this way? Maybe its just my child's classes or a bad academic fit to where its more of a struggle than it should be? I would love to hear other parents perspectives. TIA!

Serious question, not trying to start WWII, but is your DC coming from a public, private or parish school?

Any other considerations worth noting? Are they in Benilde or Scholars? We're considering SJC next year and curious about the workload.

[Anonymous]

Then you are doing something wrong because no 9th grader should be struggling at a non academic like SJC.

9th grade is the easiest year academically.

Your kid must have come from a really crappy religious private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then you are doing something wrong because no 9th grader should be struggling at a non academic like SJC.

9th grade is the easiest year academically.

Your kid must have come from a really crappy religious private.

You're an idiot. Stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then you are doing something wrong because no 9th grader should be struggling at a non academic like SJC.

9th grade is the easiest year academically.

Your kid must have come from a really crappy religious private.

What an a$$hole. OP do you think your child mistaking more classes than average or more advanced classes?

[Anonymous]

I wonder if your child is struggling to use canvas to its potential. Also this is exam week! The schedule is published well in advance.

My child came from a parish school and was used to homework, projects and weekly tests. SJC was not a big adjustment

[Anonymous]

My SJC DC is no longer a freshman, I am appalled but not surprised by some of the responses given (based on what I see DCUM has to offer otherwise I guess it’s expected but that is really sad for those coming here to get real guidance). First, my kid struggled also and did not come from public (and even if they did so what?!). In my case, we saw there were deeper issues around Executive Functioning which were always there but never as evident as DC had always done well before. DC was evaluated towards the end of freshman year and diagnosed with ADHD and Executive Functioning challenges. We have been attempting to address all of that ever since. That may not be your situation but through this I have learned: 1) following your DC in Canvas is a good thing (so you catch things sooner than when it is in PowerSchool); 2) there are plenty of supports available regardless of whether you are in Benilde or Scholars (my DC is in neither). That said, your DC needs to take advantage of them. If this is not happening organically, I recommend you (parent) reach out to the Dean assigned to your DC’s class. That person can personally assist DC and/or connect DC to others who can help (Academic Support after school with staff; peer tutors during the day; give recommendations to parents if more things are needed). In short, your DC is not the only one. This does happen. Do not suffer in silence or wait for support from DCUM. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

This is OP and coming from public. Its the studying that is the problem. Staying on top of tasks is fine, but the amount of studying for tests is pushing my kid over the edge. I definitely think that better focus in class would be helpful and it certainly is a difference between what was expected in middle vs hs. I don't think ADHD is in play but I guess it could be executive functioning. Not sure. It does seem like a lot to me too though. And regular classes. Not scholars or benilde.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP and coming from public. Its the studying that is the problem. Staying on top of tasks is fine, but the amount of studying for tests is pushing my kid over the edge. I definitely think that better focus in class would be helpful and it certainly is a difference between what was expected in middle vs hs. I don't think ADHD is in play but I guess it could be executive functioning. Not sure. It does seem like a lot to me too though. And regular classes. Not scholars or benilde.

Regardless of whether or not ADHD/executive function is at play, if your kid is bright but coasted by in K-8 without ever learning study skills, a high school that is at their level is going to be a new challenge for them to navigate.

If they're doing fine on papers, etc and it's the studying that's killing them, maybe look into a tutor or executive function coach that specializes in teaching studying skills? Kids who are challenged in K-8 often learn how to study organically, but if high school is the first time in your life you've ever truly needed to study, it can be a steep learning curve.

[Anonymous]

Mine thought it was easier than his Catholic MS.

[Anonymous]

OP- sorry but I would agree SJC freshman (and sophomore year) were easier than MS with regards to tests, papers, and projects. The teachers have been wonderful for DC l, when they needed a little extra help in any particular subject. But now is a great time to learn study skills.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP and coming from public. Its the studying that is the problem. Staying on top of tasks is fine, but the amount of studying for tests is pushing my kid over the edge. I definitely think that better focus in class would be helpful and it certainly is a difference between what was expected in middle vs hs. I don't think ADHD is in play but I guess it could be executive functioning. Not sure. It does seem like a lot to me too though. And regular classes. Not scholars or benilde.

Regardless of whether or not ADHD/executive function is at play, if your kid is bright but coasted by in K-8 without ever learning study skills, a high school that is at their level is going to be a new challenge for them to navigate.

If they're doing fine on papers, etc and it's the studying that's killing them, maybe look into a tutor or executive function coach that specializes in teaching studying skills? Kids who are challenged in K-8 often learn how to study organically, but if high school is the first time in your life you've ever truly needed to study, it can be a steep learning curve.

I think this might best. We transferred from public to private in middle schools and learning study skills is really well incorporated into the curriculum at most private schools.I can honestly say three years later, my ADHD kid is much better prepared when it comes to outlining, note taking and studying for tests. I think if she would have gone straight into a school like SJC right after public middle school she would have really struggled. Is it possible that SJC has staff to help your DC with study skills or executive functioning? He is probably not studying and preparing efficiently because he does not have the tools, so he is exhausted from doing his version of studying but not seeing the results because he doesn't have the proper tools yet.

[Anonymous]

My DD had ups and downs academically in 9th grade. The hardest part was recovering after being out for a week with COVID as the teachers were crashing the calendar to get all of the content in before mid-terms and she missed a lot of content.
At our public middle school, due dates were optional and adopting to real dates was hard as well.
My child is happy, has nice friends, is engaged with various clubs, and is learning not only the academic content but how she needs to prioritize and what / where is the best places to study.
I would recommend in the middle of next week doing a check in for what worked / what needs to change for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP and coming from public. Its the studying that is the problem. Staying on top of tasks is fine, but the amount of studying for tests is pushing my kid over the edge. I definitely think that better focus in class would be helpful and it certainly is a difference between what was expected in middle vs hs. I don't think ADHD is in play but I guess it could be executive functioning. Not sure. It does seem like a lot to me too though. And regular classes. Not scholars or benilde.

Just a piece of information, Benilde kids take the same classes as everyone else they are even in honors and AP classes. For Freshman and Sophomore year they have a Benilde period,(which is period in which executive function and other aspects of their LD's are worked on) So they end up taking History over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- sorry but I would agree SJC freshman (and sophomore year) were easier than MS with regards to tests, papers, and projects. The teachers have been wonderful for DC l, when they needed a little extra help in any particular subject. But now is a great time to learn study skills.

Good luck.

Are you sorry? Or just smug? Doesn't seem like a very helpful post at all.