MS and HS Music/Instrument and language electives

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I might be wrong, but if DC wants to apply for Richard Montgomery's IB program, shouldn't DC have 2 years language in MS too? And can DC take the same classes in high school - lets say DC does Spanish 1A in 7th, 1B in 8th, can DC take those same classes in high school too instead of going up to Spanish 2 in 9th and focus on other AP classes? Or would that look bad for college?

DC's weak point is language and DC is advanced in Math and English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Why didn't your kid take another elective? Was it just to take an easy elective and spend time on other classes?