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

Forum Index » VA Public Schools other than FCPS

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

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our DS is currently at Gonzaga, and its been a grueling and stressful start to high school.   We have at least 2-3 quizzes a week and it seems like 2 tests a week.  Then there is the essay on short stories or science reports.  Its a lot of structure writing and testing nonstop, not to mention the math and science problem sets but those are pretty straightforward.

He is struggling with the writing, feeling like they aren't even teaching him how to do these structured analysis, quotes, and references, all sorts of grammar rules to follow.

We are hoping it would be a bit more support and slower ramp up at WL -- we may transfer in the Spring.  Can anyone speak about the current assignment load for the Honors and AP classes that freshman take?  How often are quizzes and tests?  How many writing assignments have they had so far? How stressful are mid-terms for the end of this semester?

We expect by the time IB classes, the reading and writing effort will exceed even the load we have now, but we hope that there will be maturity and a more gradual ramp up in skills to ready for that point.  But anyone who can speak to the IB experience, that would be welcome as well.
[/quote]

Just a reality check.  My child is a sophomore at Yorktown (so not WL) and has quizzes in 2 classes every day they meet, many weeks has 2 tests in a week, and has regular writing assignments in both AP classes that require a lot of structure, references, etc.  It is a constant stream of testing and assignments.  He is taking 2 APs and all intensified.  Last year it was a bit less intense but he did do a good amount of writing and I helped him with the writing and he worked with the teachers on drafts to improve.

I guess my point is this is all going to be happening anywhere you go if the kid is in the highest rigor classes.  Maybe you need to really supplement at home and support and push through?  I think moving mid year will create a whole set of other issues for your kid.[/quote]

That’s sophomore year — I’m looking at Freshman year, and how it ramps up. He wants to switch in January because this pace is not sustainable. Can anyone speak to tests, quizzes, essays for Freshman?[/quote]

But in another semester it will be sustainable somehow?  I think that is the point being made.  It’s just kicking the same can down the road and I would not at all assume switching mid school year will be easy or your son will even have a normal freshman year experience at an APS school because he’ll be coming in mid stream and need to figure all that out.  It’s mid-semester in APS.  The 2nd quarter is well under way and ends at the end of January.  New content is being taught now that won’t be tested on until after Christmas break.

Can he drop down a level in classes at Gonzaga this year?  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics