Most difficult year during HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Freshman year adjusting to a huge school, dealing with not finding an open bathroom

LOL

[Anonymous]

Have your kid do ACT/SAT prep between 10th and 11th (assuming they've taken Algebra 2), and test in the Fall of junior year. This way, when they have loaded up on APs junior year, they can focus on studying for them, and not the standardized tests.

Then, work on essays in the summer between 11th and 12th. Yes, really. The earlier the better for applications, esp if applying to competitive schools (not only top 25, but also those that receive 75,000+ applications - word to the wise, get them in early).

Then, senior year, they can focus on current school work, APs and waiting to hear, not fighting with you on getting applications in.

~been there, done that Xs two, one to go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have your kid do ACT/SAT prep between 10th and 11th (assuming they've taken Algebra 2), and test in the Fall of junior year. This way, when they have loaded up on APs junior year, they can focus on studying for them, and not the standardized tests.

Then, work on essays in the summer between 11th and 12th. Yes, really. The earlier the better for applications, esp if applying to competitive schools (not only top 25, but also those that receive 75,000+ applications - word to the wise, get them in early).

Then, senior year, they can focus on current school work, APs and waiting to hear, not fighting with you on getting applications in.

~been there, done that Xs two, one to go

No test prep before spring junior year, maybe winter if kid's spring schedule is tight. Take test prep before you take test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have your kid do ACT/SAT prep between 10th and 11th (assuming they've taken Algebra 2), and test in the Fall of junior year. This way, when they have loaded up on APs junior year, they can focus on studying for them, and not the standardized tests.

Then, work on essays in the summer between 11th and 12th. Yes, really. The earlier the better for applications, esp if applying to competitive schools (not only top 25, but also those that receive 75,000+ applications - word to the wise, get them in early).

Then, senior year, they can focus on current school work, APs and waiting to hear, not fighting with you on getting applications in.

~been there, done that Xs two, one to go

No test prep before spring junior year, maybe winter if kid's spring schedule is tight. Take test prep before you take test.

Are test prep courses offered at the HS? If they do, are classes typically on weekend, after school, during lunch?

[Anonymous]

Most difficult? The year a student is required to do 40+ mindless health assignments. Reward your kids after they are done with Health A and B, parents! And Contact the folks you elected to Annapolis to change the requirement of HS Health!

[Anonymous]

Each has its challenges. Freshman as its a new experience, everything is different, more accountability from some teachers, harder classes, especially AP. Sophmore, if you are taking multiple AP classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school is super easy, dude. If your kid is struggling during high school, it’s over

BS. My kids are now in college (one a T5 LAC and the other a T15) and they are happy as clams. High school in our UMC competitive community was a total drag emotionally and spiritually on everyone in the family.

To answer OP, Junior year and first semester of Senior year were the hardest in terms of balancing high level academics, jobs and ECs for my two.

I can relate to this. My kid has only finished his freshman year. I went to HS in an UMC competitive community too, but my experience was challenging and fun, nothing like my kid's experience.