Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

I want to add your kid is better off in public where they can choose their path. His public school friends didn’t work nearly as hard as he had to try to get into the higher classes. They simply signed up for them. Their GPA’s are amazing as a result. They are all going to get into amazing schools. I am sick over it. I paid for them to screw my kid over. If you care about where your non athlete non scholar program kid goes to college, this school is not it!

This is the PP with a Sophomore....I hate to hear this and it has been my concern for my kid as well. I agree with you that while some teachers are nice the really doesn't care about your kid and the rules are strict. I can't believe that even with a family death they wouldn't work with your son. That is not acceptable. My kid is a hard worker, accelerated in middle school. Now off accelerated math and English. Also a good athlete but did not make the team in his sport. He is hoping to get back to some honors/AP but math will never happen once off, right? We came from public and have considered going back also but my kid decided to stay at SJC as we don't have a good IB school. I constantly worry about this exact situation. Do you mind me asking what level colleges your kid wants? Mine is focused on state flagship level schools, which of course vary but many schools he likes need a 4.0+ from public schools and he will certainly not have that at SJC. He is thinking that he can get away with a lower GPA in private but I am not so sure.

Your kid sounds exactly like mine. Good student. Good athlete. Good kid. But not enough for SJC to allow to shine in any capacity. I felt they actively held him back. My mostly A B plus Senior does not have a 4.0 at SJC because he was blocked from higher classes. I had your same nagging concerns and it was all justified. I also begged my kid to leave SJC even this year but it was too late. He is applying to all the same pool of schools everyone else is, southern state flagships, mid sized private schools. Despite his hard work, college reps are telling him that it will be for nothing. Please sit your kid down and explain this to him. He is a Sophomore and he can still set his path right at a different school that cares about him. It will impact his college admissions.

OMG, please read my post about a positive outcome with my class of ‘20 grad who had a 2.6 sophomore year and graduated with a 3.4. I hope you both will have the courage to persevere at SJC. It will be worthwhile.

What the easy grading schools do not tell you is their college drop-out rates. If your kid graduates from SJC, he will excel in college and most likely in life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

So…my son was in a similar situation but my outlook is different. Hear me out…and don’t despair for your son. I disagree wholeheartedly with your advice.

Son came to SJC from one of the Episcopal middle schools, was in public beforehand.

It was a sophomore first semester 1.6 that tanked his GPA to a 3.4 by end junior year. Same as you, could not take calc, but he took pre calculus over the summer of junior year at St. Alban’s so he could take calculus senior year. (We had the class pre-approved; I’m so sorry you did not think to do the same. Class at St. Alban’s was “amazing,” per my son.)

Same as you, he was limited to just two APs.

Yes, college outcomes were affected despite 1440 SAT. The only top 30 school he got into was my alma mater, and we passed on that. His choices were safeties.

He chose a safety and went reluctantly. He excelled, graduating this spring magna cum laude and as a student leader (contrary to his time at SJC). The same kid who struggled to get an A in “regular English” at SJC before advancing to Honors was told by his professors that he was one of the best writers in his classes.

Decided to pursue a very competitive career field and worked his ass off. Landed a nationally competitive internship, not in his dream field, but adjacent. Networked into another spot one degree away from desired dream field and had employment in August of senior year, starting salary over $100k plus bonus. Now working, he is in a large training group alongside grads of far more prestigious schools. Top 30s and Ivy’s are the norm. He is doing extremely well.

I firmly believe he developed the grit necessary to succeed at SJC. He learned to be humble, work hard, and never give up.

Similarly, his younger brother, whom I posted about before, did some stupid things and was a hair’s breadth away from being kicked out of SJC. While I was shocked and have never been more angry with him than when he was suspended, I let him take his lumps. It was really hard to keep up with his studies and his grades tanked when he was not allowed to communicate with his teachers during suspension. But he worked hard and raised his GPA over the next semesters and will apply to colleges with a 4.3.

Our society needs more humble, resilient, hardworking young people. Those are the traits that bring success in life, and those are the traits Saint John’s College High School helped to instill in my kids.

I could have easily left them both in public schools where they would have graduated with vastly inflated GPAs and a superior sense of self. I could have sent them to more progressive private high schools, that frankly would have better matched my politics. My old Hillary bumper sticker was lonely in the SJC parking lot in 2020!

But I am grateful everyday for SJC’s refusal to compromise on discipline and standards. Their HS diploma means something.

Please stop despairing and don’t feed a victim mentality with your son. He can do whatever he sets out to do with the benefit of SJC’s preparation and the right attitude. I know it is hard now, and I hope my story gives you optimism. Good luck to you and your son.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, SJC and a lot of private schools seem to be reality checks for parents who think their kids are exceptional but are really not.

The school isn’t holding anyone back, they’re placing them where they need to be. They’re blocked from classes bc they’re not good enough.

Go to public school where you can harangue the school and get your kids into the classes u want them to get into. Did families really think their kid could get into any class they want in private school bc they pay tuition and their kid is a “hard worker”?

My kid can't move their GPA b/c they are required to take scripture and they are not a Scholar.
So Scripture is not an honors class year and pulls down weighted GPA each year - even though every year gets an "A" in the course

I don’t think the scripture requirement was a secret. If u wanted ur kid to get scholar treatment, why would you put them in a school where they are not a scholar?

Move them to a school where it will be easier to get good a high GPA.

I don’t think private schools are marketing themselves as places where it easy easy to get high GPAs.

The point is that is isn’t easy to get a high GPA not because you don’t have the chops but because you are blocked. APs are APs no matter where you take them…public or private. They are the great equalizer which is why colleges value them over honors chases. It is an apples to apples comparison no matter where you go to school. But if you are blocked from taking the number of APs you need the way you are at SJC, you will not stand out among public or private schools despite your hard work. My son got 5’s on both of the national AP exams that SJC allowed him to take. He’s got what it takes to succeed in the right circumstances.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, SJC and a lot of private schools seem to be reality checks for parents who think their kids are exceptional but are really not.

The school isn’t holding anyone back, they’re placing them where they need to be. They’re blocked from classes bc they’re not good enough.

Go to public school where you can harangue the school and get your kids into the classes u want them to get into. Did families really think their kid could get into any class they want in private school bc they pay tuition and their kid is a “hard worker”?

My kid can't move their GPA b/c they are required to take scripture and they are not a Scholar.
So Scripture is not an honors class year and pulls down weighted GPA each year - even though every year gets an "A" in the course

I don’t think the scripture requirement was a secret. If u wanted ur kid to get scholar treatment, why would you put them in a school where they are not a scholar?

Move them to a school where it will be easier to get good a high GPA.

I don’t think private schools are marketing themselves as places where it easy easy to get high GPAs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My experience is that the girl athletics are easier to make the team (I have friends whose kid had never played a sport and made the team). The boy sports are pretty impossible to make.

We came to SJC for academic support, but now really wish we would have chosen a school were a good player could make the team.

Has your son checked out track, crew, and/or rugby?

They had over 150 students go out for XC this year and had to make cuts.
Track has cuts

How is wrestling? I am surprised its only varsity

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My experience is that the girl athletics are easier to make the team (I have friends whose kid had never played a sport and made the team). The boy sports are pretty impossible to make.

We came to SJC for academic support, but now really wish we would have chosen a school were a good player could make the team.

Has your son checked out track, crew, and/or rugby?

They had over 150 students go out for XC this year and had to make cuts.
Track has cuts

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, SJC and a lot of private schools seem to be reality checks for parents who think their kids are exceptional but are really not.

The school isn’t holding anyone back, they’re placing them where they need to be. They’re blocked from classes bc they’re not good enough.

Go to public school where you can harangue the school and get your kids into the classes u want them to get into. Did families really think their kid could get into any class they want in private school bc they pay tuition and their kid is a “hard worker”?

My kid can't move their GPA b/c they are required to take scripture and they are not a Scholar.
So Scripture is not an honors class year and pulls down weighted GPA each year - even though every year gets an "A" in the course

Anonymous wrote:My experience is that the girl athletics are easier to make the team (I have friends whose kid had never played a sport and made the team). The boy sports are pretty impossible to make.

We came to SJC for academic support, but now really wish we would have chosen a school were a good player could make the team.

Has your son checked out track, crew, and/or rugby?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

I want to add your kid is better off in public where they can choose their path. His public school friends didn’t work nearly as hard as he had to try to get into the higher classes. They simply signed up for them. Their GPA’s are amazing as a result. They are all going to get into amazing schools. I am sick over it. I paid for them to screw my kid over. If you care about where your non athlete non scholar program kid goes to college, this school is not it!

This is the PP with a Sophomore....I hate to hear this and it has been my concern for my kid as well. I agree with you that while some teachers are nice the really doesn't care about your kid and the rules are strict. I can't believe that even with a family death they wouldn't work with your son. That is not acceptable. My kid is a hard worker, accelerated in middle school. Now off accelerated math and English. Also a good athlete but did not make the team in his sport. He is hoping to get back to some honors/AP but math will never happen once off, right? We came from public and have considered going back also but my kid decided to stay at SJC as we don't have a good IB school. I constantly worry about this exact situation. Do you mind me asking what level colleges your kid wants? Mine is focused on state flagship level schools, which of course vary but many schools he likes need a 4.0+ from public schools and he will certainly not have that at SJC. He is thinking that he can get away with a lower GPA in private but I am not so sure.

Your kid sounds exactly like mine. Good student. Good athlete. Good kid. But not enough for SJC to allow to shine in any capacity. I felt they actively held him back. My mostly A B plus Senior does not have a 4.0 at SJC because he was blocked from higher classes. I had your same nagging concerns and it was all justified. I also begged my kid to leave SJC even this year but it was too late. He is applying to all the same pool of schools everyone else is, southern state flagships, mid sized private schools. Despite his hard work, college reps are telling him that it will be for nothing. Please sit your kid down and explain this to him. He is a Sophomore and he can still set his path right at a different school that cares about him. It will impact his college admissions.

I was telling my husband this same thing. I feel like SJC has taken more than it has given. I did plenty of research ahead of time, or so I thought but clearly I was not asking the right questions, or reading the right reviews. I do hope that your son ends up with at least some of the options he wants, he does sound so similar to mine. Maybe reaching out to college reps now would be eye opening. I am not sure how to navigate that but you are right that there is still a little time to jump ship and even though it would be messy it may be worth it.

I would give anything to do this all over again and force him to leave SJC. Learn from me. I didn’t ask the right questions. I paid attention to the wrong reviews. He even tried to start clubs and was blocked. If I can save one kid at SJC from what my son has gone through, it will be worth this post. Don’t let this school hold your kid back because they will actively stand in the way of your child’s success. They will block him from being all he can be in favor of their athletes and scholars program. And your kid will compete with those exact kids for the same college spots even though they will be blocked from the classes they need to compete. SJC does not develop kids like ours. We exist to prop up their scholars program and athletes. Either pay more for an elite private school that will invest in your child or go to public for free where he can take as many AP and homors classes as he wants and maybe even play his sport. Going to SJC has no doubt hurt our good student good kid’s chances at his dream schools. I dread this entire year.

I hate hearing this! But I also know you are right. How many AP/honors classes did your son end up being able to take? I don't think my son will make the cut for any of the major AP classes next year due to B+'s in core classes freshman year. Hoping for honors in a class or 2 with APs senior year which makes my stomach hurt. I think there may be an AP elective he could take but that would be it. Its ridiculous and was not the plan!

My son was only allowed two AP’s his Junior year and no honors. I actively fought for more but the school refused. I fought for them to allow him into an honors class when he was barely a point off. They refused. You needed a 95 to get into the class! This Senior year he is taking four AP’s and one honors class. He is pre calc because he was demoted from his advanced path that he was on in public school. The required religion class also stops kids on the regular path from taking an Additional AP. Contrast this to my son’s girlfriend in public who started taking APs her Freshman year and as a Senior has 15 AP classes to my son’s 2. This is what colleges see. APs are standardized and count equally no matter where you go to school.

Honestly, SJC and a lot of private schools seem to be reality checks for parents who think their kids are exceptional but are really not.

The school isn’t holding anyone back, they’re placing them where they need to be. They’re blocked from classes bc they’re not good enough.

Go to public school where you can harangue the school and get your kids into the classes u want them to get into. Did families really think their kid could get into any class they want in private school bc they pay tuition and their kid is a “hard worker”?

When colleges need rigor and a kid has to have a certain grade to take higher level courses, as opposed to public where they can take what they want, it matters. Do I like the education and accountability at SJC? Yes, but its ridiculous to say that a kid with a B+ isn't capable of an honors or AP class and these kids on the cusp are definitely hurt by the policies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

I want to add your kid is better off in public where they can choose their path. His public school friends didn’t work nearly as hard as he had to try to get into the higher classes. They simply signed up for them. Their GPA’s are amazing as a result. They are all going to get into amazing schools. I am sick over it. I paid for them to screw my kid over. If you care about where your non athlete non scholar program kid goes to college, this school is not it!

This is the PP with a Sophomore....I hate to hear this and it has been my concern for my kid as well. I agree with you that while some teachers are nice the really doesn't care about your kid and the rules are strict. I can't believe that even with a family death they wouldn't work with your son. That is not acceptable. My kid is a hard worker, accelerated in middle school. Now off accelerated math and English. Also a good athlete but did not make the team in his sport. He is hoping to get back to some honors/AP but math will never happen once off, right? We came from public and have considered going back also but my kid decided to stay at SJC as we don't have a good IB school. I constantly worry about this exact situation. Do you mind me asking what level colleges your kid wants? Mine is focused on state flagship level schools, which of course vary but many schools he likes need a 4.0+ from public schools and he will certainly not have that at SJC. He is thinking that he can get away with a lower GPA in private but I am not so sure.

Your kid sounds exactly like mine. Good student. Good athlete. Good kid. But not enough for SJC to allow to shine in any capacity. I felt they actively held him back. My mostly A B plus Senior does not have a 4.0 at SJC because he was blocked from higher classes. I had your same nagging concerns and it was all justified. I also begged my kid to leave SJC even this year but it was too late. He is applying to all the same pool of schools everyone else is, southern state flagships, mid sized private schools. Despite his hard work, college reps are telling him that it will be for nothing. Please sit your kid down and explain this to him. He is a Sophomore and he can still set his path right at a different school that cares about him. It will impact his college admissions.

I was telling my husband this same thing. I feel like SJC has taken more than it has given. I did plenty of research ahead of time, or so I thought but clearly I was not asking the right questions, or reading the right reviews. I do hope that your son ends up with at least some of the options he wants, he does sound so similar to mine. Maybe reaching out to college reps now would be eye opening. I am not sure how to navigate that but you are right that there is still a little time to jump ship and even though it would be messy it may be worth it.

I would give anything to do this all over again and force him to leave SJC. Learn from me. I didn’t ask the right questions. I paid attention to the wrong reviews. He even tried to start clubs and was blocked. If I can save one kid at SJC from what my son has gone through, it will be worth this post. Don’t let this school hold your kid back because they will actively stand in the way of your child’s success. They will block him from being all he can be in favor of their athletes and scholars program. And your kid will compete with those exact kids for the same college spots even though they will be blocked from the classes they need to compete. SJC does not develop kids like ours. We exist to prop up their scholars program and athletes. Either pay more for an elite private school that will invest in your child or go to public for free where he can take as many AP and homors classes as he wants and maybe even play his sport. Going to SJC has no doubt hurt our good student good kid’s chances at his dream schools. I dread this entire year.

If your kid can't distinguish themself at SJC do you really think an elite private is going to help? Or public school in this area with massive grade inflation? I'm sorry your kid has had a bad experience. My own experience after sending 3 kids through SJC has been that college outcomes between scholars and non-scholars are not that different. The kids at SJC who are getting into elite colleges have multiple hooks. Schools don't place your kids into college anymore. College admissions is about what you and your kid bring to the table. Sorry you missed the news flash. SJC is not holding your kid back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

I want to add your kid is better off in public where they can choose their path. His public school friends didn’t work nearly as hard as he had to try to get into the higher classes. They simply signed up for them. Their GPA’s are amazing as a result. They are all going to get into amazing schools. I am sick over it. I paid for them to screw my kid over. If you care about where your non athlete non scholar program kid goes to college, this school is not it!

This is the PP with a Sophomore....I hate to hear this and it has been my concern for my kid as well. I agree with you that while some teachers are nice the really doesn't care about your kid and the rules are strict. I can't believe that even with a family death they wouldn't work with your son. That is not acceptable. My kid is a hard worker, accelerated in middle school. Now off accelerated math and English. Also a good athlete but did not make the team in his sport. He is hoping to get back to some honors/AP but math will never happen once off, right? We came from public and have considered going back also but my kid decided to stay at SJC as we don't have a good IB school. I constantly worry about this exact situation. Do you mind me asking what level colleges your kid wants? Mine is focused on state flagship level schools, which of course vary but many schools he likes need a 4.0+ from public schools and he will certainly not have that at SJC. He is thinking that he can get away with a lower GPA in private but I am not so sure.

Your kid sounds exactly like mine. Good student. Good athlete. Good kid. But not enough for SJC to allow to shine in any capacity. I felt they actively held him back. My mostly A B plus Senior does not have a 4.0 at SJC because he was blocked from higher classes. I had your same nagging concerns and it was all justified. I also begged my kid to leave SJC even this year but it was too late. He is applying to all the same pool of schools everyone else is, southern state flagships, mid sized private schools. Despite his hard work, college reps are telling him that it will be for nothing. Please sit your kid down and explain this to him. He is a Sophomore and he can still set his path right at a different school that cares about him. It will impact his college admissions.

I was telling my husband this same thing. I feel like SJC has taken more than it has given. I did plenty of research ahead of time, or so I thought but clearly I was not asking the right questions, or reading the right reviews. I do hope that your son ends up with at least some of the options he wants, he does sound so similar to mine. Maybe reaching out to college reps now would be eye opening. I am not sure how to navigate that but you are right that there is still a little time to jump ship and even though it would be messy it may be worth it.

I would give anything to do this all over again and force him to leave SJC. Learn from me. I didn’t ask the right questions. I paid attention to the wrong reviews. He even tried to start clubs and was blocked. If I can save one kid at SJC from what my son has gone through, it will be worth this post. Don’t let this school hold your kid back because they will actively stand in the way of your child’s success. They will block him from being all he can be in favor of their athletes and scholars program. And your kid will compete with those exact kids for the same college spots even though they will be blocked from the classes they need to compete. SJC does not develop kids like ours. We exist to prop up their scholars program and athletes. Either pay more for an elite private school that will invest in your child or go to public for free where he can take as many AP and homors classes as he wants and maybe even play his sport. Going to SJC has no doubt hurt our good student good kid’s chances at his dream schools. I dread this entire year.

I recommend moving to public next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

I want to add your kid is better off in public where they can choose their path. His public school friends didn’t work nearly as hard as he had to try to get into the higher classes. They simply signed up for them. Their GPA’s are amazing as a result. They are all going to get into amazing schools. I am sick over it. I paid for them to screw my kid over. If you care about where your non athlete non scholar program kid goes to college, this school is not it!

This is the PP with a Sophomore....I hate to hear this and it has been my concern for my kid as well. I agree with you that while some teachers are nice the really doesn't care about your kid and the rules are strict. I can't believe that even with a family death they wouldn't work with your son. That is not acceptable. My kid is a hard worker, accelerated in middle school. Now off accelerated math and English. Also a good athlete but did not make the team in his sport. He is hoping to get back to some honors/AP but math will never happen once off, right? We came from public and have considered going back also but my kid decided to stay at SJC as we don't have a good IB school. I constantly worry about this exact situation. Do you mind me asking what level colleges your kid wants? Mine is focused on state flagship level schools, which of course vary but many schools he likes need a 4.0+ from public schools and he will certainly not have that at SJC. He is thinking that he can get away with a lower GPA in private but I am not so sure.

Your kid sounds exactly like mine. Good student. Good athlete. Good kid. But not enough for SJC to allow to shine in any capacity. I felt they actively held him back. My mostly A B plus Senior does not have a 4.0 at SJC because he was blocked from higher classes. I had your same nagging concerns and it was all justified. I also begged my kid to leave SJC even this year but it was too late. He is applying to all the same pool of schools everyone else is, southern state flagships, mid sized private schools. Despite his hard work, college reps are telling him that it will be for nothing. Please sit your kid down and explain this to him. He is a Sophomore and he can still set his path right at a different school that cares about him. It will impact his college admissions.

I was telling my husband this same thing. I feel like SJC has taken more than it has given. I did plenty of research ahead of time, or so I thought but clearly I was not asking the right questions, or reading the right reviews. I do hope that your son ends up with at least some of the options he wants, he does sound so similar to mine. Maybe reaching out to college reps now would be eye opening. I am not sure how to navigate that but you are right that there is still a little time to jump ship and even though it would be messy it may be worth it.

I would give anything to do this all over again and force him to leave SJC. Learn from me. I didn’t ask the right questions. I paid attention to the wrong reviews. He even tried to start clubs and was blocked. If I can save one kid at SJC from what my son has gone through, it will be worth this post. Don’t let this school hold your kid back because they will actively stand in the way of your child’s success. They will block him from being all he can be in favor of their athletes and scholars program. And your kid will compete with those exact kids for the same college spots even though they will be blocked from the classes they need to compete. SJC does not develop kids like ours. We exist to prop up their scholars program and athletes. Either pay more for an elite private school that will invest in your child or go to public for free where he can take as many AP and homors classes as he wants and maybe even play his sport. Going to SJC has no doubt hurt our good student good kid’s chances at his dream schools. I dread this entire year.

I hate hearing this! But I also know you are right. How many AP/honors classes did your son end up being able to take? I don't think my son will make the cut for any of the major AP classes next year due to B+'s in core classes freshman year. Hoping for honors in a class or 2 with APs senior year which makes my stomach hurt. I think there may be an AP elective he could take but that would be it. Its ridiculous and was not the plan!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a sophomore this year and likes SJC pretty well. I wanted to comment on the requirements for honors/Ap English and also math if your 9th grader takes (or has to repeat from 8th grade) Algebra 1.

A B+ in non honors 9th grade English gets you grade level 10th grade English. You have to have an A in 9th to move into honors in 10th. (I think its a B if you start in honors) Then in 10th, you need an A to move into 11th honors, and a 95 or above, which is near impossible, to move to AP.

In math if you don't start in honors you need to be in the top 5% of all Algebra 1 students (last year that grade was about a 95) to qualify for summer Geometry and then be on track for honors Algebra II as a sophomore.

All a bit frustrating esp since teacher difficulty and grading policies vary depending on who you get.

THIS!!!! My kid is a Senior. We made a massive mistake choosing SJC and it is going to impact his options for college. I have an A student who struggled as a Freshman due to two back to back death the first month of his freshman year at SJC. SJC never allowed him to recover academically. Please parents realize that it they gate keep their classes for honors kids and it WILL impact your child’s future! My son was in accelerated math going into SJC. SJC forced (and I mean forced) him off of it. He wasn’t allowed into Honors classes with a B plus (about .7 point away from an A). He was not allowed to take more than two APs his Junior year. He is now is pre calc because he was forced out of the accelerated program. The college he wants so badly’s rep told him he didn’t have a shot and they won’t even look at him even though he is an A student because of his APs and Math over which he had no control because he had no control. The school is rigid, too big and doesn’t care about each kid wholelistically. They care about sports. Period. The resentment I have towards what this school has done to my kids future is deep. If they take your kid off the honors/college math path, get out!!!!! I have so much regret for my hard working good kid. It is devastating!!!!

I want to add your kid is better off in public where they can choose their path. His public school friends didn’t work nearly as hard as he had to try to get into the higher classes. They simply signed up for them. Their GPA’s are amazing as a result. They are all going to get into amazing schools. I am sick over it. I paid for them to screw my kid over. If you care about where your non athlete non scholar program kid goes to college, this school is not it!

This is the PP with a Sophomore....I hate to hear this and it has been my concern for my kid as well. I agree with you that while some teachers are nice the really doesn't care about your kid and the rules are strict. I can't believe that even with a family death they wouldn't work with your son. That is not acceptable. My kid is a hard worker, accelerated in middle school. Now off accelerated math and English. Also a good athlete but did not make the team in his sport. He is hoping to get back to some honors/AP but math will never happen once off, right? We came from public and have considered going back also but my kid decided to stay at SJC as we don't have a good IB school. I constantly worry about this exact situation. Do you mind me asking what level colleges your kid wants? Mine is focused on state flagship level schools, which of course vary but many schools he likes need a 4.0+ from public schools and he will certainly not have that at SJC. He is thinking that he can get away with a lower GPA in private but I am not so sure.

Your kid sounds exactly like mine. Good student. Good athlete. Good kid. But not enough for SJC to allow to shine in any capacity. I felt they actively held him back. My mostly A B plus Senior does not have a 4.0 at SJC because he was blocked from higher classes. I had your same nagging concerns and it was all justified. I also begged my kid to leave SJC even this year but it was too late. He is applying to all the same pool of schools everyone else is, southern state flagships, mid sized private schools. Despite his hard work, college reps are telling him that it will be for nothing. Please sit your kid down and explain this to him. He is a Sophomore and he can still set his path right at a different school that cares about him. It will impact his college admissions.

I was telling my husband this same thing. I feel like SJC has taken more than it has given. I did plenty of research ahead of time, or so I thought but clearly I was not asking the right questions, or reading the right reviews. I do hope that your son ends up with at least some of the options he wants, he does sound so similar to mine. Maybe reaching out to college reps now would be eye opening. I am not sure how to navigate that but you are right that there is still a little time to jump ship and even though it would be messy it may be worth it.

I would give anything to do this all over again and force him to leave SJC. Learn from me. I didn’t ask the right questions. I paid attention to the wrong reviews. He even tried to start clubs and was blocked. If I can save one kid at SJC from what my son has gone through, it will be worth this post. Don’t let this school hold your kid back because they will actively stand in the way of your child’s success. They will block him from being all he can be in favor of their athletes and scholars program. And your kid will compete with those exact kids for the same college spots even though they will be blocked from the classes they need to compete. SJC does not develop kids like ours. We exist to prop up their scholars program and athletes. Either pay more for an elite private school that will invest in your child or go to public for free where he can take as many AP and homors classes as he wants and maybe even play his sport. Going to SJC has no doubt hurt our good student good kid’s chances at his dream schools. I dread this entire year.