Anybody Worried About High School Homework Load?

[Anonymous]

My freshman is at a selective DCPS and comes home with homework that keeps him up past 10 each night.

I am impressed that he keeps up. I don’t see all the details but it does look like he misses a couple things here and there but mostly does everything. Grades came back stellar. OK.

But in normal life and last year it didn’t seem like he could work this hard indefinitely without needing a breather.

He also does athletics so that’s the first thing to go if he ends up falling behind.

But can our kids really do three hours of homework 4-5 days a week 18(?) weeks a year and not end up in a mental health crisis due to falling behind or burning out?

This feels like a situation a 15-16 year old will not successfully navigate without a lot of risk.

[Anonymous]

He needs to work more efficiently. Read That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week and implement the distraction-free blocks of time thing.

[Anonymous]

Your concerns seem overstated. The kids don’t do this “indefinitely” “without a breather.” We just got back from Thanksgiving break and Christmas break is only two weeks away. A lot of kids fall behind a bit, from time to time, but that doesn’t need to trigger a “mental health crisis.” They might get a lower grade for the quarter. That also is not a crisis. The way DCPS computes year-end grades is very forgiving. And even a year-end B is not the end of the world, unless you are putting way too much pressure on your kid. If that’s the issue, the solution is in your hands.

[Anonymous]

High school is a crucial time in deciding what track your kid will be on for life. He's just got to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My freshman is at a selective DCPS and comes home with homework that keeps him up past 10 each night.

I am impressed that he keeps up. I don’t see all the details but it does look like he misses a couple things here and there but mostly does everything. Grades came back stellar. OK.

But in normal life and last year it didn’t seem like he could work this hard indefinitely without needing a breather.

He also does athletics so that’s the first thing to go if he ends up falling behind.

But can our kids really do three hours of homework 4-5 days a week 18(?) weeks a year and not end up in a mental health crisis due to falling behind or burning out?

This feels like a situation a 15-16 year old will not successfully navigate without a lot of risk.

Let me guess. Your kid is at Banneker.

[Anonymous]

You should spend some time in the private school forum! Those kids are really working hard. Every once in a while I peek over there, and it's illuminating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My freshman is at a selective DCPS and comes home with homework that keeps him up past 10 each night.

I am impressed that he keeps up. I don’t see all the details but it does look like he misses a couple things here and there but mostly does everything. Grades came back stellar. OK.

But in normal life and last year it didn’t seem like he could work this hard indefinitely without needing a breather.

He also does athletics so that’s the first thing to go if he ends up falling behind.

But can our kids really do three hours of homework 4-5 days a week 18(?) weeks a year and not end up in a mental health crisis due to falling behind or burning out?

This feels like a situation a 15-16 year old will not successfully navigate without a lot of risk.

3-4 hours everyday is excessive and a grind. It’s not necessary, especially if a lot of it is busy work.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like my 10th grader is in a similar setting. Last year I kept hoping they would get more efficient in their work (and keeping an eye out for due dates/times in Canvas) and I will say there are far fewer late nights of homework this year. Maybe none so far? So it might be that your student will see some improvements to come.

The thing that really got me was the big packets of work that they got in several classes before the thanksgiving break. We don't take our kids out of school for extra days off, we know doing school assignments is important. But, assigning hours of work for each class on a holiday break when many folks treasure that as family time was really crummy.

[Anonymous]

Is this Banneker? Because they are pretty clear about their academic requirements and expectations prior to enrollment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this Banneker? Because they are pretty clear about their academic requirements and expectations prior to enrollment.

What do they differently than Walls or McKinley Tech? More homework for the same classes, or different classes?

[Anonymous]

I graduated from Banneker forever ago. It definitely left all of us scarred lol. Scarred and overprepared for college.

"Wow, a whole week to write a 5 page paper? I think I'll knock that out in the next hour."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this Banneker? Because they are pretty clear about their academic requirements and expectations prior to enrollment.

What do they differently than Walls or McKinley Tech? More homework for the same classes, or different classes?

More homework for the same classes. Some schools have really leaned into less homework after the pandemic (no judgement either way, just a fact). Banneker has not.

[Anonymous]

I have a 10th grader at Walls and this year is kicking his butt. Last year was nothing and this year I frequently need to let him stay home for a catch up day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 10th grader at Walls and this year is kicking his butt. Last year was nothing and this year I frequently need to let him stay home for a catch up day.

What do you think the biggest change between freshmen and sophomore year is in terms of his workload?

[Anonymous]

DC was fine in 9th grade, but sophomore more year has been an adjustment for sure at Banneker. That said, we were forewarned.