Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 10:49     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
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.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 10:39     Subject: Re:Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote:You might want to consider looking at smaller private not larger public. Your son’s issues sound like he just needs more attention and support. Which you can find in a different setting. It’s not W-L though.


I would look at O’Connell High School, it's much more chill. Or if you can swing the cost, Burke sounds like a perfect fit for your son.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 10:16     Subject: Re:Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote:You might want to consider looking at smaller private not larger public. Your son’s issues sound like he just needs more attention and support. Which you can find in a different setting. It’s not W-L though.


+1
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 09:23     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


WL IB will be worse for your child. WL is a huge school. Understand, WL is a good school, just it is a bad fit for your DC.


Although if your DS really, really wants out of Gonzaga, for academic but importantly for other reasons like school culture, etc., then leaving might be a smart move. Inquire about the W-L Freshmen Connect Mentoring Program. Upperclassmen are paired with all freshmen to help adjust to the school.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 09:15     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote: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.


WL IB will be worse for your child. WL is a huge school. Understand, WL is a good school, just it is a bad fit for your DC.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 07:43     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote:So Freshman year also has 2-4 quizzes a week and several essays a semester?


OP you seem set on the path of moving your son to WL mid year. No one can tell you for sure answers to above. It will depend on teachers your child gets. Yes there will be essays and quizzes. Probably it’s less than Gonzaga freshman year and would be less “grueling” for now but that is in a scenario where you started freshman year at the school. I don’t know what it entails to come in mid 2nd quarter. It will be a lot of catch up and I wouldn’t expect individual attention from any teachers to catch him up. If you’re doing this I’d get info before winter break and do some school work over break to get him up to speed.

Other comments that I agree with:
-WL will not hand hold your child AT ALL. Less than Gonzaga. Junior year IB will ramp up like a freight train.
-The issues your son has in the area of executive functioning will not magically go away in 1.5 years at a public school. You need a plan to work on strategies.
-If it was my kid I’d drop him down in a couple classes at Gonzaga and at least finish the year there.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 22:28     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
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.


DP. That sounds amazing. APS has the sister city foreign exchange program with towns in Germany and France.

Among independent schools robust study abroad programs are still rare. I do know STA has travel and study fellowships with generous financial aid and the School Year Abroad Program.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 20:53     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
So Freshman year also has 2-4 quizzes a week and several essays a semester?
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 20:52     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
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.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 20:00     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
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.

I agree, it's time to help your son establish reasonable expectations and goals and it sounds like he is a hard worker, even in areas of challenge, which is great! Have him pick a few intensified classes and drop down on the rest.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 19:15     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
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.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 18:51     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote:Both school’s profiles are readily available on line. They show that student achievement—as measured by SAT and ACT scores—are virtually identical. W-L is one of the best public schools around.


WL provides an equally rigorous education, it’s just a huge school so if your kid has any trip up, they may be unnoticed in the mass of students and large classes. They have to advocate for themselves from day one.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 18:50     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have 2 boys at Gonzaga and can confirm there’s a HUGE difference between regular and honors courses at Gonzaga. Maybe he can bump one or two down to regular for 2nd semester? Might give him some breathing room and time to ramp up before sophomore year.


True but even a non honors class like religion is a lot more work than we expected. Every class has a lot of quizzes, honors or not.


Does your son have friends at W-L? If so it may be a very easy transition mid year or next. If he dislikes academic structure of Gonzaga this much to consider leaving mid-year, the school may not be a good fit. At least at W-L there's a couple years to decide whether or not to pursue the IB diploma program or choose a more AP oriented path, or another academic path entirely, e.g., taking a double-period Career Center course.


He definitely wants IB; he hopes to study in Europe. He’s just more math oriented so all this reading and writing, I wish it was metered out and I expected more help from teachers.


If he's certain about the IB diploma, you should get in contact with the W-L IB Coordinator asap to confirm prerequisites prior to transferring. Do this soon with xmas break around the corner.


I’m sorry but I just have to laugh. You really think there’s any possibility that the IB program at W-L is easier and less work than Gonzaga?


My understanding is that it ramps up, is easier in the non IB freshman, then in sophomore year they prep and teach how to ready for ramp up to IB. Gonzaga reading and writing is already intense, they have these rules against dead words like “is” , and the rubric for one essay was like 8 pages. Is WL really as hard core as this in freshman English, which is intensified but not IB or AP?
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 18:16     Subject: Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
Both school’s profiles are readily available on line. They show that student achievement—as measured by SAT and ACT scores—are virtually identical. W-L is one of the best public schools around.
Anonymous
Post 12/11/2025 17:56     Subject: Re:Private to APS WL IB -- Will it be less grueling??
You might want to consider looking at smaller private not larger public. Your son’s issues sound like he just needs more attention and support. Which you can find in a different setting. It’s not W-L though.