Tell me about your *average* student at W-L

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child graduated from W-L in 2025. DC took regular level classes in weaker/ not areas of interest subjects and a mix of AP and IB in stronger ones. There were students in all classes who had various issues, I mean they are still high schoolers after all- such as executive functioning, impulsiveness, chattiness, or ability to comprehend material quickly, but DC reported more apathetic students in regular-level classes than the others, but also found diligent students there to partner with for projects.

Thanks! What about disruptive kids?

the point is that any kid at any level can be disruptive, yours included

Yeah … there’s disruption and then there’s disruption and then there’s kids that just got out of juvie doing the disruption. I don’t think you truly understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your kid is average but you don't want them to be with other average kids. Classic.

Fine with them being with average kids but not disruptive kids, kids with ankle bracelets, kids who can’t read.

tell us more about your kid, OP. why are they in the lower classes?

Well that’s sort of the point - he is average in certain areas, not “lower” - so my question is whether the regular classes are actually more like remedial because that is where all of the very unprepared and challenged kids are, along with the actually average (but grade level and college bound) kids.

[Anonymous]

W-L has over 2600 kids. Most are average.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you and your son research it well (ask upperclassmen mostly) there are many IB, AP and DE classes for average kids. My son put together a group that played to his strengths (AP Calc AB) and weaknesses (DE English Composition). You have to be okay with Bs, which we were for the hardest classes. IB environmental studies is a great class for boys because they go outside a lot. We did let our son take GenEd Physics, and that was not an easy class and had no disruptive kids. Your concerns are valid, but there are so very many choices at W-L, that he will be in good shape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your kid is average but you don't want them to be with other average kids. Classic.

Fine with them being with average kids but not disruptive kids, kids with ankle bracelets, kids who can’t read.

tell us more about your kid, OP. why are they in the lower classes?

Well that’s sort of the point - he is average in certain areas, not “lower” - so my question is whether the regular classes are actually more like remedial because that is where all of the very unprepared and challenged kids are, along with the actually average (but grade level and college bound) kids.

l

I am the poster above at 9:43. No, the gen-ed classes are not for average, college bound kids after 10th grade. Try to avoid unless a hard subject like physics. There are easier IB and AP and DE classes and you should make it a priority to identify them and enroll in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked a similar question last December - views were divided. I am also worried about disruptive kids in non AP/ non IB classes. But I also know that my kid struggles intensely with focusing and keeping track.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1306620.page#31346651

Thanks!! What did you end up deciding?

Still in limbo. Stressed, too. It is hard to have a kid with an LD profile at this age. I am scared to put my kid into gen ed but also when kid is in intensified and gets a C or B he feels "dumb" and we spend a lot of time at home with homework and a lot of angst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you and your son research it well (ask upperclassmen mostly) there are many IB, AP and DE classes for average kids. My son put together a group that played to his strengths (AP Calc AB) and weaknesses (DE English Composition). You have to be okay with Bs, which we were for the hardest classes. IB environmental studies is a great class for boys because they go outside a lot. We did let our son take GenEd Physics, and that was not an easy class and had no disruptive kids. Your concerns are valid, but there are so very many choices at W-L, that he will be in good shape.

Thanks so much! Tell me more about being OK with Bs - do you mean in the AP/IB classes that are his strengths or where he is average? I’m OK with Bs too but maybe not in the scenario where he has to struggle for a B in an AP/IB class. I’m more thinking about focusing on his strengths (opposite of your kid! More English than STEM).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked a similar question last December - views were divided. I am also worried about disruptive kids in non AP/ non IB classes. But I also know that my kid struggles intensely with focusing and keeping track.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1306620.page#31346651

Thanks!! What did you end up deciding?

Still in limbo. Stressed, too. It is hard to have a kid with an LD profile at this age. I am scared to put my kid into gen ed but also when kid is in intensified and gets a C or B he feels "dumb" and we spend a lot of time at home with homework and a lot of angst.

Are they going into 9th next year? if it helps at all you are not alone since I asked exactly the same question! FWIW I prioritize my kid’s mental health so I’m not going to put him in any advanced classes where he will struggle for a C (unless he insists himself I guess).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your kid is average but you don't want them to be with other average kids. Classic.

Fine with them being with average kids but not disruptive kids, kids with ankle bracelets, kids who can’t read.

tell us more about your kid, OP. why are they in the lower classes?

Well that’s sort of the point - he is average in certain areas, not “lower” - so my question is whether the regular classes are actually more like remedial because that is where all of the very unprepared and challenged kids are, along with the actually average (but grade level and college bound) kids.

l

I am the poster above at 9:43. No, the gen-ed classes are not for average, college bound kids after 10th grade. Try to avoid unless a hard subject like physics. There are easier IB and AP and DE classes and you should make it a priority to identify them and enroll in them.

How do I find that out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your kid is average but you don't want them to be with other average kids. Classic.

Fine with them being with average kids but not disruptive kids, kids with ankle bracelets, kids who can’t read.

tell us more about your kid, OP. why are they in the lower classes?

Well that’s sort of the point - he is average in certain areas, not “lower” - so my question is whether the regular classes are actually more like remedial because that is where all of the very unprepared and challenged kids are, along with the actually average (but grade level and college bound) kids.

l

I am the poster above at 9:43. No, the gen-ed classes are not for average, college bound kids after 10th grade. Try to avoid unless a hard subject like physics. There are easier IB and AP and DE classes and you should make it a priority to identify them and enroll in them.

How do I find that out?

You need to find some parents of older WL kids. They will tell you since my DD says it is all very well known. My son was able to get this info from friends and teammates. Do not rely on the WL counselors. Also, get him enrolled in the hardest classes you and he think he can handle, and if it's too much, drop down before the end of September. It is so much easier than trying to move up. Always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you and your son research it well (ask upperclassmen mostly) there are many IB, AP and DE classes for average kids. My son put together a group that played to his strengths (AP Calc AB) and weaknesses (DE English Composition). You have to be okay with Bs, which we were for the hardest classes. IB environmental studies is a great class for boys because they go outside a lot. We did let our son take GenEd Physics, and that was not an easy class and had no disruptive kids. Your concerns are valid, but there are so very many choices at W-L, that he will be in good shape.

Thanks so much! Tell me more about being OK with Bs - do you mean in the AP/IB classes that are his strengths or where he is average? I’m OK with Bs too but maybe not in the scenario where he has to struggle for a B in an AP/IB class. I’m more thinking about focusing on his strengths (opposite of your kid! More English than STEM).

A's where he is strong and B's where he is not. He'll have to work harder for those B's, but it is all attainable if he is willing to turn in all assignments and retake tests where he did poorly. W-L kids are very strategic in their course selection I have found having had 2 kids there, one Stem and one not. Typically, the IB humanities are harder than AP, and AP STEM classes are harder than IB. DE is easier than both except for DE Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra. Your kid can do this, just be ready with a peer math/science tutor if needed to reinforce some concepts. Mostly, make sure he doesn't get behind in assignments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL this brings back memories of when our oldest was a junior and only taking one non-AP class in the core subjects.

On back to school night every class we went to was packed with anxious parents with lots of questions -- except that class. For that class, we were the only ones who showed up.

Umm ok, are you laughing at parents in this situation?

Yea, pretty much. And laughing at ourselves. What a waste of time. The bad parents had it right.

The “bad” parents? The ones who may have been working two (or more) jobs to support their families?

I think PP is actually making a point about the futility and self-importance of so-called “good” parents.

Yes, that was my point exactly. So much wasted time . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL this brings back memories of when our oldest was a junior and only taking one non-AP class in the core subjects.

On back to school night every class we went to was packed with anxious parents with lots of questions -- except that class. For that class, we were the only ones who showed up.

Umm ok, are you laughing at parents in this situation?

Yea, pretty much. And laughing at ourselves. What a waste of time. The bad parents had it right.

The “bad” parents? The ones who may have been working two (or more) jobs to support their families?

I think PP is actually making a point about the futility and self-importance of so-called “good” parents.

Yes, that was my point exactly. So much wasted time . . .

Why do you feel this way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LOL this brings back memories of when our oldest was a junior and only taking one non-AP class in the core subjects.

On back to school night every class we went to was packed with anxious parents with lots of questions -- except that class. For that class, we were the only ones who showed up.

Umm ok, are you laughing at parents in this situation?

Yea, pretty much. And laughing at ourselves. What a waste of time. The bad parents had it right.

The “bad” parents? The ones who may have been working two (or more) jobs to support their families?

I think PP is actually making a point about the futility and self-importance of so-called “good” parents.

Yes, that was my point exactly. So much wasted time . . .

Why do you feel this way?

I don't want to hijack OP's thread . . . but since you asked, with the benefit of hindsight everything just seems sooo important at the time but really it's all such bullshit. The PTAs, the back-to-school nights, the obsessing over which school is "better," test scores, teachers, blah blah blah. In the end none of it makes a bit of a difference. The kids end up fine regardless.

[Anonymous]

People need to stop criticizing parents for being concerned about this. It is real. My DD reports the most disruption in her one non intensified class — Spanish 3. The contrast to her AP and intensified classes is stark. It only takes one kid but is more likely lots of kids who can be that one kid are in the class.