Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no reason to think he’d be a fit for IB (even in 1.5 years from now) if he’s struggling at Gonzaga and based on your comments. Sounds like you need to think through the realistic options- a mix of honors and regular classes at Gonzaga or whatever is the step below IB at WL.

One thing I’ll say for Gonzaga is the global studies program has expanded and the study aboard options are great. My DS and his friends have been to Argentina, Italy and France. You host a student, too. It’s a cool program your DS might enjoy.

WL doesn’t have a step down. It’s two tracks IB/AP an essentially gened. It’s more of a cliff than a step.

The step down from full IB is to take a few AP or IB classes in areas of strength/interest.

My kids both went to W-L and did not do full IB. They took 1 AP class in 9th, 1 in 10th, 3 in 11th, 4-5 in 12th. This was challenging enough for them. Lots of students at W-L take some AP/IB classes without doing the IB diploma program.

I’m sure there are endless permutations. For a student aiming for a top college or ivy, they would either pursue a full AP course selection of STEM and other AP classes with a relevant IB elective like IB Design Tech, or they would take a similarly challenging college prep path through the IB Diploma program. For those students where writing is more of a challenge, IB might be the much harder path.

A step below full IB or a packed AP schedule is a smaller à la carte selection of advanced courses that may include AP electives and IB electives. Those students get into decent colleges as well, but probably not UVA, W&M, John’s Hopkins, UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill, NYU, etc., unless they are a standout athlete, or there’s something else exceptional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s no reason to think he’d be a fit for IB (even in 1.5 years from now) if he’s struggling at Gonzaga and based on your comments. Sounds like you need to think through the realistic options- a mix of honors and regular classes at Gonzaga or whatever is the step below IB at WL.

One thing I’ll say for Gonzaga is the global studies program has expanded and the study aboard options are great. My DS and his friends have been to Argentina, Italy and France. You host a student, too. It’s a cool program your DS might enjoy.

WL doesn’t have a step down. It’s two tracks IB/AP an essentially gened. It’s more of a cliff than a step.

The step down from full IB is to take a few AP or IB classes in areas of strength/interest.

My kids both went to W-L and did not do full IB. They took 1 AP class in 9th, 1 in 10th, 3 in 11th, 4-5 in 12th. This was challenging enough for them. Lots of students at W-L take some AP/IB classes without doing the IB diploma program.

OP is only a freshman, and the IB program doesn’t begin until junior year, so assessment can wait until then. The current mix of intensified courses and a few AP classes is far less demanding than the Gonzaga experience described.

[Anonymous]

Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

OP needs to contact W-L and Gonzaga, weigh all options and not make any hasty sections. It could be that academics are an excuse to leave Gonzaga for another reason. DS may not fit in socially. We don't have all the info.

[Anonymous]

typo above. should say "not make any decisions."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:typo above. should say "not make any decisions."

not make any hasty decisions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

Yes anyone who wants to try full IB classes can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

Yes anyone who wants to try full IB classes can.

Some full IB classes are limited to the students in the IB Programme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

My point is that the freshman and sophomore ramp up slowly.

[Anonymous]

For sample, in freshman history he has to write a 5 paragraph essay in class for his mid term a topic of classical antiquity and Middle Ages — topic will be revealed in exam.

Is this the same type of tests that WL freshman history would have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For sample, in freshman history he has to write a 5 paragraph essay in class for his mid term a topic of classical antiquity and Middle Ages — topic will be revealed in exam.

Is this the same type of tests that WL freshman history would have?

If 5 paragraphs is a struggle your child is not an ideal IB candidate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For sample, in freshman history he has to write a 5 paragraph essay in class for his mid term a topic of classical antiquity and Middle Ages — topic will be revealed in exam.

Is this the same type of tests that WL freshman history would have?

Some freshman at WL take AP world and yes they would need to do this on a test. At Yorktown they take AP world sophomore year and yes this was just a test they all took. Hour long in class essay on topic revealed in exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

Yes anyone who wants to try full IB classes can.

Some full IB classes are limited to the students in the IB Programme.

Sure but if you meet the requirements to do IB they let you take the classes to do full IB. There is no gatekeeping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For sample, in freshman history he has to write a 5 paragraph essay in class for his mid term a topic of classical antiquity and Middle Ages — topic will be revealed in exam.

Is this the same type of tests that WL freshman history would have?

Some freshman at WL take AP world and yes they would need to do this on a test. At Yorktown they take AP world sophomore year and yes this was just a test they all took. Hour long in class essay on topic revealed in exam.

Thanks, didn’t realize kids took AP freshman year when pursuing IB. I thought it could just be intensified.

As for IB for my child, sure I am fine with them not taking IB. At Gonzaga this is the normal non-honors course to write an essay, and I feel my DS might do better to mature a bit before reaching those levels.

So to clarify, for the intensified courses in freshman history at WL, an in class 5 paragraph essay would be not be the norm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join IB at W&L and why do you think it will be easier than Gonzaga when your kid wasn't taught how to write? Get a tutor and stay at Gonzaga if it's working socially.

Yes anyone who wants to try full IB classes can.

Some full IB classes are limited to the students in the IB Programme.

Sure but if you meet the requirements to do IB they let you take the classes to do full IB. There is no gatekeeping.

Right, the IB Program is open to all students who meet the prerequisites. Only IB transfer students (from Yorktown or Wakefield) are specifically obligated to do the IB Program. The goal for all IB Program students is the IB Diploma.