Good Counsel high

[Anonymous]

Son going in August again. Another thing that I love about the school is that my son started working out with the basketball team this past spring and he got cut from the summer league. He was crushed...so the coach sent him a personal email telling him what he needed to improve on and offered to have one of the coaches meet with him for a few one on one sessions. We thought that was very nice of the coach. While that was happening the music teacher sent him an email and said, "tell him to forget that spots stuff and join the marching band now!" They offered him the opportunity to start fundraising activities for next spring's trip to Disney land. We have basically decided that we need him to be surrounded by people who motivate. I could go on and on. For now I will just update this forum on everything I see good and bad. Since everyone here seems to be concerned about the same issues I have which is getting into a good college, I will welcome feedback.

Later.

[Anonymous]

GC graduate where did you go to college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is a junior and my nephew just graduated. Our experience has been a mixed bag. My DD went to a small Christian school and the change in the size dynamics was our biggest issue. She went from being a big fish to a minnow. That was the biggest challenge. As a freshman, she felt more like a number. Once she got involved and had a set of friends, it was easier. One thing that we did like was a diversity….racially and socio-economically.

Some info we got from the junior meeting….In looking at the class of 2011, here is a sample of the colleges where some of the graduates will be going – Princeton, Stanford, Duke, UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, Michigan and Emory. Pretty good selection. Plus, a lot of kids this year are going to the liberal arts schools that you see mentioned in DCUM. St Mary’s, St. Vincent, McDaniel, Middlebury, Washington and Lee, Holy Cross, Bucknell, Oberlin. One of the college counselors said that this is a new phenomena that they are pushing pretty heavy. Also, if your child is an athlete, over 65 kids in the class of 2011 will be playing sports in college at all levels. So…there is a lot of food for thought.

PP here. I quoted my prior post regarding where some 2011 grduates are going to college.

[Anonymous]

I really appreciate seeing that post again. My son played basketball on a very winning team in junior high but he pretty much rode the bench. We've always tried to develop him in a well rounded fashion. He plays music and working on his eagle scout with the boy scouts. Long story short I don't think he will survive sports much longer. I don't mean to be negative but sports may not be the right thing for him right now. I think he may be comming around to seeing this point. I do beleive he will make the freshman teams but not much more than that. The assistant principal can't think of his name right now explained that Speech and Debate will be very time consuming and it is not a good mix for sports. At the mom's breakfast when I mentioned sports they all cringed. It made me think the kids in search of getting into really good colleges like the onces mentioned in this previous post are anti sports? The topic at the table that morning was where each mom's child was applying to college. Parents of athletes did not talk about getting into good colleges as much as they did about getting a college scholarship to anywhere whatsoever. That told me a bit about the environment. Apparently there are kids who are serious about getting into college and some who are trying to establish athletic careers. Schools public and private tend to seek out the best athletes and I guess in the end you would need a school that is serious in academics to be noticed. So we will see how things are playing out for him. I just think he is a much better musician than he is athletic.

[Anonymous]

I really appreciate seeing that post again. My son played basketball on a very winning team in junior high but he pretty much rode the bench. We've always tried to develop him in a well rounded fashion. He plays music and working on his eagle scout with the boy scouts. Long story short I don't think he will survive sports much longer. I don't mean to be negative but sports may not be the right thing for him right now. I think he may be comming around to seeing this point. I do beleive he will make the freshman teams but not much more than that. The assistant principal can't think of his name right now explained that Speech and Debate will be very time consuming and it is not a good mix for sports. At the mom's breakfast when I mentioned sports they all cringed. It made me think the kids in search of getting into really good colleges like the onces mentioned in this previous post are anti sports? The topic at the table that morning was where each mom's child was applying to college. Parents of athletes did not talk about getting into good colleges as much as they did about getting a college scholarship to anywhere whatsoever. That told me a bit about the environment. Apparently there are kids who are serious about getting into college and some who are trying to establish athletic careers. Schools public and private tend to seek out the best athletes and I guess in the end you would need a school that is serious in academics to be noticed. So we will see how things are playing out for him. I just think he is a much better musician than he is athletic.

[Anonymous]

Sorry all... I posted the same damn thing twice. What a waste of space.

[Anonymous]

athletics might be their way into a school plus they will probably get a free education. It is a tough choice when you are looking at a better school at 30k vs. a free ride at a good school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really appreciate seeing that post again. My son played basketball on a very winning team in junior high but he pretty much rode the bench. We've always tried to develop him in a well rounded fashion. He plays music and working on his eagle scout with the boy scouts. Long story short I don't think he will survive sports much longer. I don't mean to be negative but sports may not be the right thing for him right now. I think he may be comming around to seeing this point. I do beleive he will make the freshman teams but not much more than that. The assistant principal can't think of his name right now explained that Speech and Debate will be very time consuming and it is not a good mix for sports. At the mom's breakfast when I mentioned sports they all cringed. It made me think the kids in search of getting into really good colleges like the onces mentioned in this previous post are anti sports? The topic at the table that morning was where each mom's child was applying to college. Parents of athletes did not talk about getting into good colleges as much as they did about getting a college scholarship to anywhere whatsoever. That told me a bit about the environment. Apparently there are kids who are serious about getting into college and some who are trying to establish athletic careers. Schools public and private tend to seek out the best athletes and I guess in the end you would need a school that is serious in academics to be noticed. So we will see how things are playing out for him. I just think he is a much better musician than he is athletic.

PP here. I would urge you not to stress about it too much. One good thing about GC is that there is a place (and activities) for everyone. My nephew was a athlete and is he is going to a NCAA Division 3 (no athletic scholarship) SLAC on an academic scholarship. My DD is not an athlete but is very active in student goverment and community service. She gets good grades and there is no shortage of great colleges looking at her. As far as the impression you got at the table, I am not sure. Some of those mom's breakfasts become whine fests to me, which is why I rarely go. Heck, the class president was an athlete all four years and she is going Ivy League for academics. Don't get me wrong, athletics is a big deal at GC and it had raised the school's profile. But the non-athletes that I know have been able to have great experiences there also.

[Anonymous]

^ two of the kids that conducted my tour last year - the boy was going on to college for football, and the girl was going on med school and was not an athlete. Both were very articulate and rounded, and btw were AA. I also met kids from the speech club, some nerdy ones from the newspaper, and some girls who ran track. They all were fine, and were having a blast at school whether they were athletes or not. So I think there's a place for everyone......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:athletics might be their way into a school plus they will probably get a free education. It is a tough choice when you are looking at a better school at 30k vs. a free ride at a good school.

I know $30,000.00 schools set the stage for getting into great colleges but I just think GC is the best of all worlds for a bargain. I agree with the other posters there is room for everyone at GC. I think the St. Mary's scholars is great comptetition for the big 3. At least it places them in the same ball park.

[Anonymous]

To the one that said not to stress about it too much. We are on the same page. I would really like for him to accept the fact that sports should be a hobby for him. We are getting there. I think he'll be fine once he learns that he can have fun in other activities like government, debate and etc.

Now here is an issue that I just thought about. My son had a diagnosis of ADHD in like 2nd through 5th grade. I would say that it is in remission in my opinion. His teachers from 5th -8th said they know nothing of it. Actually I never could get any teacher or school system to take this seriously because he is extremely intelligent. He can totally slay a standardized test however, he is still very disorganized. I emailed the Ryken coordinator about getting an extra set of books at home for him just in case he gets overwhelmed with changing classes and bringing things home. Know what I mean? I did not apply for Ryken because we really don't have grounds for it but I was wondering if the slight accommodation would be addressed. I have not gotten a response from the Ryken coordinator. Now, my son says "mom don't worry about it, I will take care of myself". I just want all barriers for his getting the St.MSchol to be removed. More importantly I would like to know that this woman read my email. I sent it a week ago no response. Also, I read in one of the newspapers that you need a doctor's recommendation for any accommodations. My husband says no! He doesn't need anything but to be better organized. My point is that he's got one shot at St.MSchol and I just want him to make it because he can do the work no doubt but if he gets a 3.9 instead of a 4.0gpa then all is lost with that. If he starts frgetting books at school if will quickly bring his average down. That is the food for today.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should call to see if she knows about the email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the one that said not to stress about it too much. We are on the same page. I would really like for him to accept the fact that sports should be a hobby for him. We are getting there. I think he'll be fine once he learns that he can have fun in other activities like government, debate and etc.

Now here is an issue that I just thought about. My son had a diagnosis of ADHD in like 2nd through 5th grade. I would say that it is in remission in my opinion. His teachers from 5th -8th said they know nothing of it. Actually I never could get any teacher or school system to take this seriously because he is extremely intelligent. He can totally slay a standardized test however, he is still very disorganized. I emailed the Ryken coordinator about getting an extra set of books at home for him just in case he gets overwhelmed with changing classes and bringing things home. Know what I mean? I did not apply for Ryken because we really don't have grounds for it but I was wondering if the slight accommodation would be addressed. I have not gotten a response from the Ryken coordinator. Now, my son says "mom don't worry about it, I will take care of myself". I just want all barriers for his getting the St.MSchol to be removed. More importantly I would like to know that this woman read my email. I sent it a week ago no response. Also, I read in one of the newspapers that you need a doctor's recommendation for any accommodations. My husband says no! He doesn't need anything but to be better organized. My point is that he's got one shot at St.MSchol and I just want him to make it because he can do the work no doubt but if he gets a 3.9 instead of a 4.0gpa then all is lost with that. If he starts frgetting books at school if will quickly bring his average down. That is the food for today.

You should call because a lot the teachers/administrators are still on summer break. She may not have gotten the email. My son is in the Ryken program and she is normally very responsive.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I called today and her voice mail came on and said that the counselors are still on break and will be back in the office on August 16. It is pretty good to know that they are negligent or non repsonsive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the one that said not to stress about it too much. We are on the same page. I would really like for him to accept the fact that sports should be a hobby for him. We are getting there. I think he'll be fine once he learns that he can have fun in other activities like government, debate and etc.

Now here is an issue that I just thought about. My son had a diagnosis of ADHD in like 2nd through 5th grade. I would say that it is in remission in my opinion. His teachers from 5th -8th said they know nothing of it. Actually I never could get any teacher or school system to take this seriously because he is extremely intelligent. He can totally slay a standardized test however, he is still very disorganized. I emailed the Ryken coordinator about getting an extra set of books at home for him just in case he gets overwhelmed with changing classes and bringing things home. Know what I mean? I did not apply for Ryken because we really don't have grounds for it but I was wondering if the slight accommodation would be addressed. I have not gotten a response from the Ryken coordinator. Now, my son says "mom don't worry about it, I will take care of myself". I just want all barriers for his getting the St.MSchol to be removed. More importantly I would like to know that this woman read my email. I sent it a week ago no response. Also, I read in one of the newspapers that you need a doctor's recommendation for any accommodations. My husband says no! He doesn't need anything but to be better organized. My point is that he's got one shot at St.MSchol and I just want him to make it because he can do the work no doubt but if he gets a 3.9 instead of a 4.0gpa then all is lost with that. If he starts frgetting books at school if will quickly bring his average down. That is the food for today.

You should call because a lot the teachers/administrators are still on summer break. She may not have gotten the email. My son is in the Ryken program and she is normally very responsive.

I can tell you are pretty pleased with the school. Im sure we will chat as the year unfolds. How do you like the Ryken program? Do you feel that it has addressed his needs?