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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general U.S. public high schools are different than the 1990s and 2000s when far fewer kids took AP classes and thus the gen ed classes were actually quite challenging. Back then there were even "lower level" classes below gen ed for students who couldn't muster the effort or were even further behind. Most of us parents had to "test in" to AP classes back then. Teacher recommendations were also often required. Right here in APS, MCPS, etc.

OP here - thanks, this was something I hadn’t realized. In math at least for the first year he will be in the “lower” class - has to repeat algebra (long story but current school made a complete mess out of math instruction for the past 3 years).

I wonder if it was actually the school at fault

What’s the point of that comment?

[Anonymous]

We're at yorktown, not W-L, but my kid has a mix of AP and non-AP classes and I didn't really notice much difference between the two at back to school night. There seems to be a fair amount of academic rigor in the non-AP classes too. There isn't a huge difference between the two schools, as far as I can tell. Both have a lot of expensive housing in-bounds, and a lot of smart, successful parents at both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I genuinely agree with you but I would also guess that the kids and parents who end up at top schools do think it was worth it, because for them, it was.

Well, our kids did end up at top schools, but that had nothing to do with any of the bullshit that we were all wrapped up in at the time. There's no connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're at yorktown, not W-L, but my kid has a mix of AP and non-AP classes and I didn't really notice much difference between the two at back to school night. There seems to be a fair amount of academic rigor in the non-AP classes too. There isn't a huge difference between the two schools, as far as I can tell. Both have a lot of expensive housing in-bounds, and a lot of smart, successful parents at both.

LOL you're not going to get a real sense of that at back to school night! C'mon.

We sent three kids to Yorktown. There's a huge difference between regular and AP classes.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the subject. Regular Chemistry or Physics can still be challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're at yorktown, not W-L, but my kid has a mix of AP and non-AP classes and I didn't really notice much difference between the two at back to school night. There seems to be a fair amount of academic rigor in the non-AP classes too. There isn't a huge difference between the two schools, as far as I can tell. Both have a lot of expensive housing in-bounds, and a lot of smart, successful parents at both.

LOL you're not going to get a real sense of that at back to school night! C'mon.

We sent three kids to Yorktown. There's a huge difference between regular and AP classes.

OP here. My concern is not so much rigor (because my kid likely is just average in those non-AP subjects) but rather whether those non-AP classes actually teach to the average kids and minimize distruption, or not. A lot of this has to do with how the administration handles discpline and the quality of the teaching staff. Also Yorktown and W-L are not really equivalent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're at yorktown, not W-L, but my kid has a mix of AP and non-AP classes and I didn't really notice much difference between the two at back to school night. There seems to be a fair amount of academic rigor in the non-AP classes too. There isn't a huge difference between the two schools, as far as I can tell. Both have a lot of expensive housing in-bounds, and a lot of smart, successful parents at both.

LOL you're not going to get a real sense of that at back to school night! C'mon.

We sent three kids to Yorktown. There's a huge difference between regular and AP classes.

OP here. My concern is not so much rigor (because my kid likely is just average in those non-AP subjects) but rather whether those non-AP classes actually teach to the average kids and minimize distruption, or not. A lot of this has to do with how the administration handles discpline and the quality of the teaching staff. Also Yorktown and W-L are not really equivalent.

explain please

[Anonymous]

I have a WL kid who is average in some subjects (math and science) and above average in others (English and history). He takes regular math and science- not AP, not intensified. And they are challenging. There is nothing remedial or disruptive about it for a kid who's average in those subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a WL kid who is average in some subjects (math and science) and above average in others (English and history). He takes regular math and science- not AP, not intensified. And they are challenging. There is nothing remedial or disruptive about it for a kid who's average in those subjects.

Thanks!!! That is my kid too

[Anonymous]

I would think any college bound kid is in the DE/AP/IB path, as retakes mean a B is easily attainable

[Anonymous]

There are good colleges for average kids who take a mix of AP and regular classes. This includes kids with Bs.

Kids should take classes that are at a level they can handle. They will have choices for college.

[Anonymous]

In general, it is good to challenge your kid and get them into the classes that they will be learning the most even if getting Bs. W-L on-level classes in 9th grade are a mix of motivated but scared kids combined with tough kids with a “background” + motivated disadvantaged kids (kids who speak a different language at home or have a significant special need). In later years of HS, regular classes trend more towards the second two groups as the first group is a little bored in the regular classes and moves up to the intensified classes. There are lots of great teachers in the school and some regular classes have two teachers for special ed kids or ESOL. That means that the class can actually be better managed than a regular class packed with kids without disadvantages. At the same time, there is more to do because the teachers have to teach to different levels in one room.

Being in a class with motivated but disadvantaged kids (ESOL, special needs) will make your child a better person by developing empathy. And ask yourself seriously if your child will gravitate to the tough kids with a background or if they are a risk taker. If the answer is likely no, then you don’t need to worry about the kids with a “background”. Your kid will be scared of them and avoid. Your kid will provide a model for them of working hard through challenges. Regardless, it will all be fine if your kid talks to you and you have a sense of what is going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're at yorktown, not W-L, but my kid has a mix of AP and non-AP classes and I didn't really notice much difference between the two at back to school night. There seems to be a fair amount of academic rigor in the non-AP classes too. There isn't a huge difference between the two schools, as far as I can tell. Both have a lot of expensive housing in-bounds, and a lot of smart, successful parents at both.

LOL you're not going to get a real sense of that at back to school night! C'mon.

We sent three kids to Yorktown. There's a huge difference between regular and AP classes.

OP here. My concern is not so much rigor (because my kid likely is just average in those non-AP subjects) but rather whether those non-AP classes actually teach to the average kids and minimize distruption, or not. A lot of this has to do with how the administration handles discpline and the quality of the teaching staff. Also Yorktown and W-L are not really equivalent.

OP, please be clear - what are you actually saying here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general, it is good to challenge your kid and get them into the classes that they will be learning the most even if getting Bs. W-L on-level classes in 9th grade are a mix of motivated but scared kids combined with tough kids with a “background” + motivated disadvantaged kids (kids who speak a different language at home or have a significant special need). In later years of HS, regular classes trend more towards the second two groups as the first group is a little bored in the regular classes and moves up to the intensified classes. There are lots of great teachers in the school and some regular classes have two teachers for special ed kids or ESOL. That means that the class can actually be better managed than a regular class packed with kids without disadvantages. At the same time, there is more to do because the teachers have to teach to different levels in one room.

Being in a class with motivated but disadvantaged kids (ESOL, special needs) will make your child a better person by developing empathy. And ask yourself seriously if your child will gravitate to the tough kids with a background or if they are a risk taker. If the answer is likely no, then you don’t need to worry about the kids with a “background”. Your kid will be scared of them and avoid. Your kid will provide a model for them of working hard through challenges. Regardless, it will all be fine if your kid talks to you and you have a sense of what is going on.

So cringe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general U.S. public high schools are different than the 1990s and 2000s when far fewer kids took AP classes and thus the gen ed classes were actually quite challenging. Back then there were even "lower level" classes below gen ed for students who couldn't muster the effort or were even further behind. Most of us parents had to "test in" to AP classes back then. Teacher recommendations were also often required. Right here in APS, MCPS, etc.

OP here - thanks, this was something I hadn’t realized. In math at least for the first year he will be in the “lower” class - has to repeat algebra (long story but current school made a complete mess out of math instruction for the past 3 years).

I wonder if it was actually the school at fault

What’s the point of that comment?

It means that the parent seems to think their "average" kid is better than all the other average kids at W-L. And is looking to blame other factors - teachers, school, "disruptive" kids for holding their kid back. Maybe they should look more closely at what is going on with their own child and then support whatever needs the kid has. Instead of looking to blame external factors.