Anonymous
01/24/2026 17:30
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Exactly 3.3 or something else?
Anonymous
01/24/2026 16:00
Subject: Re:Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you think he will apply to Catholic colleges and universities? He may have a leg up there?
But yes, he is competing against the other kids in his grade for admission if you are looking at the top colleges, so it's not great if he currently has one of the lowest GPAs in his grade. It also suggests there is grade inflation at that school (which colleges would also know about and take into account. Again, not good for your DS). He does have time to adjust and raise his GPA. It's a long road from freshman year to junior and senior years. Catholic school was quite an adjustment for my son, but he switched much earlier, before high school.
Sorry, but I’m not understanding this post.
1. A 3.3 gpa is definitely not “the lowest gpa” in the class.
2. How does the original post suggest grade inflation? If anything, it suggests the prior public school was inflating grades (or was simply setting the bar low) while the catholic school is more challenging and grading more accurately.
3. Stop fear mongering. A 3.3 gpa one quarter is fine. ICYMI: even kids with a 3.0 gpa can get into college.
OP said “everyone else” around him is higher. I know that’s probably hyperbole, but she’s making it sound like the majority are in honors and AP classes and also achieving high grades. I didn’t fear monger. I said OP’s son has time to raise his GPA. And I stand by what I said - that a 3.3 GPA isn’t great if his eventual goal is not get into a top college. I didn’t say he could not “get into college.” OP’s bar seems higher than just getting into any college, but maybe I was misreading the post.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 15:51
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Yes, such a gpa for on-level courses is objectively bad. Top and second tier colleges are out. With intensive tutoring and extracurriculars that demonstrate commitment and achievement, he can claw his way to a third tier college. The problem is that since he’s not on any fast academic tracks, he will never be compared favorably to his peers. Clean up that gpa and try to do as many Honors classes as possible, even a few APs. He should really push himself in extracurriculars.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 15:48
Subject: Re:Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:Do you think he will apply to Catholic colleges and universities? He may have a leg up there?
But yes, he is competing against the other kids in his grade for admission if you are looking at the top colleges, so it's not great if he currently has one of the lowest GPAs in his grade. It also suggests there is grade inflation at that school (which colleges would also know about and take into account. Again, not good for your DS). He does have time to adjust and raise his GPA. It's a long road from freshman year to junior and senior years. Catholic school was quite an adjustment for my son, but he switched much earlier, before high school.
Sorry, but I’m not understanding this post.
1. A 3.3 gpa is definitely not “the lowest gpa” in the class.
2. How does the original post suggest grade inflation? If anything, it suggests the prior public school was inflating grades (or was simply setting the bar low) while the catholic school is more challenging and grading more accurately.
3. Stop fear mongering. A 3.3 gpa one quarter is fine. ICYMI: even kids with a 3.0 gpa can get into college.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 15:39
Subject: Re:Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Do you think he will apply to Catholic colleges and universities? He may have a leg up there?
But yes, he is competing against the other kids in his grade for admission if you are looking at the top colleges, so it's not great if he currently has one of the lowest GPAs in his grade. It also suggests there is grade inflation at that school (which colleges would also know about and take into account. Again, not good for your DS). He does have time to adjust and raise his GPA. It's a long road from freshman year to junior and senior years. Catholic school was quite an adjustment for my son, but he switched much earlier, before high school.
But yes, he is competing against the other kids in his grade for admission if you are looking at the top colleges, so it's not great if he currently has one of the lowest GPAs in his grade. It also suggests there is grade inflation at that school (which colleges would also know about and take into account. Again, not good for your DS). He does have time to adjust and raise his GPA. It's a long road from freshman year to junior and senior years. Catholic school was quite an adjustment for my son, but he switched much earlier, before high school.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 15:17
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman as well- she transferred in for 8th. Her first semester is 3.625 with no AP- everything taught at an honors level. I’m trying to unclench but she’s probably going test optional with unmedicated adhd (she can’t tolerate the adhd meds right now). I would like to have her closer to 3.7/3.8 unweighted. However, I want to win the lottery too. It may just be the change from middle to high school. He’s doing fine.
Is this for real?
Wowza.
What seems to be the problem?
Sounds like the poster is putting way too much pressure on her poor kid and has unrealistic expectations. Her kid’s gpa is very good, yet she’s not impressed.
So, wowza.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 15:14
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman as well- she transferred in for 8th. Her first semester is 3.625 with no AP- everything taught at an honors level. I’m trying to unclench but she’s probably going test optional with unmedicated adhd (she can’t tolerate the adhd meds right now). I would like to have her closer to 3.7/3.8 unweighted. However, I want to win the lottery too. It may just be the change from middle to high school. He’s doing fine.
Is this for real?
Yep, my daughter’s GPA is super important if she’s going test optional, she also needs some merit.
Wowza.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 14:55
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman as well- she transferred in for 8th. Her first semester is 3.625 with no AP- everything taught at an honors level. I’m trying to unclench but she’s probably going test optional with unmedicated adhd (she can’t tolerate the adhd meds right now). I would like to have her closer to 3.7/3.8 unweighted. However, I want to win the lottery too. It may just be the change from middle to high school. He’s doing fine.
Is this for real?
Wowza.
What seems to be the problem?
Anonymous
01/24/2026 13:31
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman as well- she transferred in for 8th. Her first semester is 3.625 with no AP- everything taught at an honors level. I’m trying to unclench but she’s probably going test optional with unmedicated adhd (she can’t tolerate the adhd meds right now). I would like to have her closer to 3.7/3.8 unweighted. However, I want to win the lottery too. It may just be the change from middle to high school. He’s doing fine.
Is this for real?
Wowza.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 12:25
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
I have a freshman as well- she transferred in for 8th. Her first semester is 3.625 with no AP- everything taught at an honors level. I’m trying to unclench but she’s probably going test optional with unmedicated adhd (she can’t tolerate the adhd meds right now). I would like to have her closer to 3.7/3.8 unweighted. However, I want to win the lottery too. It may just be the change from middle to high school. He’s doing fine.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 10:12
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Anonymous wrote:DP but just being really clear, that last paragraph above is great advice but the student needs to be the one reaching out, etc, not the parent.
I'm the previous poster who recommended parent reaching out. I won't argue that it SHOULD be the student... I'll just say that sometimes it is necessary it is the parent to get the inside scoop. A little bit of "trust but verify"... my cherubs aren't above exaggerating to favor their side of the story
Anonymous
01/24/2026 10:12
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
NP. My friend who is an investment advisor sent her kids to an elite Catholic high school and then to Catholic higher education (non-DMV, not Notre Dame or Georgetown).
I trust her opinion fully. She felt that the smaller size of her kids' universities offered the best chance for them to master their disciplines and be highly-ranked in their classes (one engineer, one pre-med who will need faculty recs for med school). So far it's working well. The older boy has gotten some good engineering co-ops.
I'm mentioning this because OP is worried about GPA for college. And I want OP to know that right now her kid is likely already doing well enough to have options that will definitely accomplish the goals of college. And they obviously welcome Catholic high-school grads at Catholic universities.
OP, so that you can stay calm while your kid settles in, I suggest that you look into a few relevant universities and evaluate them for fit for your kid's likely future objectives.
I trust her opinion fully. She felt that the smaller size of her kids' universities offered the best chance for them to master their disciplines and be highly-ranked in their classes (one engineer, one pre-med who will need faculty recs for med school). So far it's working well. The older boy has gotten some good engineering co-ops.
I'm mentioning this because OP is worried about GPA for college. And I want OP to know that right now her kid is likely already doing well enough to have options that will definitely accomplish the goals of college. And they obviously welcome Catholic high-school grads at Catholic universities.
OP, so that you can stay calm while your kid settles in, I suggest that you look into a few relevant universities and evaluate them for fit for your kid's likely future objectives.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 09:54
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
It’s sad that dcum makes it seem like everyone must have a 4.0 gpa or else you are doomed to a subpar life.
Anything north of a 3.0 at a catholic high school—particularly first semester freshman year coming from public school—is solid.
And anything north of a of a 3.0 will get into college. 3.4 seems to be a good benchmark to open lots of doors.
Fwiw, I have a kid who transferred from public ms to catholic hs. I understand just how big the transition is.
Anything north of a 3.0 at a catholic high school—particularly first semester freshman year coming from public school—is solid.
And anything north of a of a 3.0 will get into college. 3.4 seems to be a good benchmark to open lots of doors.
Fwiw, I have a kid who transferred from public ms to catholic hs. I understand just how big the transition is.
Anonymous
01/24/2026 09:28
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Hi OP,
I suspect it’s a normal transitional phase. I moved my children to a Catholic school and they experienced the same thing. They weren’t prepared for the expectations: no late work, increased class participation, more homework.
I transferred from public to Catholic school teaching and even I felt unprepared / behind. The expectations were much higher: lesson plans had to be approved, my gradebooks were regularly checked for frequent updates, more observations, etc.
But we all found our footing and are doing really well! Give it time and encourage your child to reach out. The school will help!
I suspect it’s a normal transitional phase. I moved my children to a Catholic school and they experienced the same thing. They weren’t prepared for the expectations: no late work, increased class participation, more homework.
I transferred from public to Catholic school teaching and even I felt unprepared / behind. The expectations were much higher: lesson plans had to be approved, my gradebooks were regularly checked for frequent updates, more observations, etc.
But we all found our footing and are doing really well! Give it time and encourage your child to reach out. The school will help!
Anonymous
01/24/2026 09:14
Subject: Worried for my DS academically, is this as bad as I think it is?
Op here, I really appreciate all the replies.