MS and HS Music/Instrument and language electives

[Anonymous]

My kid has taken Violin this year. Two more years in MS and I am wondering if this elective is worth pursuing? Does it make a difference in college applications? Our MS offers World language starting in 6th grade (Spanish or French A and B and also A/B which is a fast paced class). If my kid is interested in applying to the special programs in different high schools, which elective would be more useful - instrument or language?

Also, is it better to take Spanish or French in the slow paced class or fast paced class?
Are kids allowed to switch out their instrument choice in 7th grade? DC regrets not joining Band and going with Orchestra.
Are these electives in high school? Can someone with no prior experience join Band in high school if it is an elective? If DC completes World language 2 years in MS, do they still have to take it HS?

So many questions.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on your school. At my MS, the music program was very welcoming and a great experience for my DS. I think an interested and committed student could still switch from orchestra to band in 7th, the teacher may ask you to get private lessons to help support the switch. I don't know if it will help for college but now in HS my DS is still in band and grateful to have one non-academic class to help balance the load. Plus he's gotten to do fun trips with friends and it has expanded his social circle.

[Anonymous]

Child should take the class they are interested in learning and is a high quality class. It doesn't matter for HS admissions.

Colleges look for students filling their time with ambitious efforts, broadly across academics, arts, sports, and civic or commerical engagement.

[Anonymous]

This thread is going to devolve into chaos uickly. You should make separate threads for separate questions.

[Anonymous]

Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

Is there any benefit in taking Spanish in MS if kid is not very good with languages and just needs to fill the requirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on your school. At my MS, the music program was very welcoming and a great experience for my DS. I think an interested and committed student could still switch from orchestra to band in 7th, the teacher may ask you to get private lessons to help support the switch. I don't know if it will help for college but now in HS my DS is still in band and grateful to have one non-academic class to help balance the load. Plus he's gotten to do fun trips with friends and it has expanded his social circle.

Is orchestra just as much fun for the kids in high school? Is it offered in all 4 grades in HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

Is there any benefit in taking Spanish in MS if kid is not very good with languages and just needs to fill the requirement?

Probably not. Most people say colleges want to see 2 years of HS language regardless of MS. So just wait until HS and take a language not taught in MS.

[Anonymous]

Both are important but I’d pick music.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on your school. At my MS, the music program was very welcoming and a great experience for my DS. I think an interested and committed student could still switch from orchestra to band in 7th, the teacher may ask you to get private lessons to help support the switch. I don't know if it will help for college but now in HS my DS is still in band and grateful to have one non-academic class to help balance the load. Plus he's gotten to do fun trips with friends and it has expanded his social circle.

Is orchestra just as much fun for the kids in high school? Is it offered in all 4 grades in HS?

Depends on the school. Mine made advanced as a freshman so they are stuck in the same class all four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

Is there any benefit in taking Spanish in MS if kid is not very good with languages and just needs to fill the requirement?

No, wait. We did Spanish in 6th and Spanish 4/5 is really hard. I wish we waited till 7th or 8th.

[Anonymous]

How Playing An Instrument Benefits Your Brain (hint: more than any other subject in school):

https://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng?si=95zlVDlUuhirjnuK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

Is there any benefit in taking Spanish in MS if kid is not very good with languages and just needs to fill the requirement?

Probably not. Most people say colleges want to see 2 years of HS language regardless of MS. So just wait until HS and take a language not taught in MS.

4 years, not 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

Is there any benefit in taking Spanish in MS if kid is not very good with languages and just needs to fill the requirement?

Learning language only gets harder with age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t they take both? Mine did.
Generally I think they should take what they like and don’t worry about HS admissions.

The language 1 class moves very quickly for a 6th grader, but the Spanish 1A class moves ridiculously slowly. If your kid is good at languages and likes learning, I’d do with 1, but if you’re worried about workload with the Ms transition I’d go with 1A. One think about starting with 1 in 6th grade is that you can potentially run out in HS. Also Spanish 4 is pretty hard and so taking that as a HS freshman can be a lot as the student adjusts to HS classes.

You can retake a MS class in HS.