High School Vs. Middle School

High school registration continues to be a stressful topic at our house.  And yes, I know this will just go away eventually and we won't have to think about it for another year.  

He made a couple choices that I wasn't sure about and one that I knew was incorrect.  He really wants to be in the Engineering Academy.  I am cool with that, but a prerequisite for acceptance is Algebra.  Because he had no standardized test scores before last year, he was not put into Pre-Algebra last year and therefore could not take Algebra last year.  I should have fought it, but not knowing the ramifications of this, I didn't know to fight it.  Unfortunately, the decisions about math  in middle school (and therefore) high school, are made in 5th grade.  My child was an "unknown" so he was put in the lower class.  

I think what my sisters says about high school vs. middle school is correct.  In middle school, you are still made to fit into the box.  In high school, you can define your OWN box.  In #2s case, this means getting to do things that will set him on the right education track to one day work for LEGO.  He has said this since he was about 10 years old or maybe even younger.  He has not wavered.  I want this for him.  I really do.  But, in this case, there is no going back.  Unfortunately, I think he might be stuck with entering the Academy in the 10th grade.  This will be a big disappointment for him, but I am sure he will weather it.  But, it means not getting to define his box until 10th grade,  not really getting to do what he would like until then, and not getting to be in this little group of people who will be like himself.  This saddens me, but there is not much we can do.  I have e-mailed some people who might know of an Algebra class to take during the summer that might transfer.  We are going to do all we can...and if the answer is "No", then it is "No".  I am confident that he will become who God wants him to be with or without Engineering in 9th grade.

Here are his other course selections:

Pre-Ap English 9

Pre-Ap Biology 9

History 9 (I thought he should have taken Pre-Ap in this one, too.)

Algebra 1

Latin 1

Theatre 1 (no band - I know he will probably do better in Theatre, but I would like for him to continue in band mainly because it gives the students a strong -and for the most part positive group to identify with - however, back to him "defining his own box")

Alternates:  1. Choir and 2. Art (I thought he should have put Art first, but he put Choir first).  This only makes a difference because when we register by computer, we don't put in alternates, so in this they go by what it on your course selection sheet.  Also, since he has down Engineering as one of his choices, he WILL get an alternate.  

I will be praying before we enter his courses online.  He will be fine.  God is in control, and hopefully he will let Him continue to be in control of his life.  Again, his choice!  My prayers are with him, though.....

Gives Me Hope....

Today was the parent orientation for the high school's Freshman Center that #2 will go to next year.  Hubby went last night - was pretty overwhelmed, I couldn't go with him as someone needed to be home to oversee homework, supper, and bedtime (it was scheduled from 6-9 pm).  Since this is a significant period of time and darling husband didn't come away with any brilliant insights on course selection, I questioned whether I needed to go today or not.  However, to try to find out if #2 even needed to go there (after the struggles he has had this year with bullying, depression, stress), and to uphold the level of commitment that his dad had in going last night, I decided to go this morning.  The meeting was scheduled for 8-11, so I had to skip my ESL volunteering to go.  Long story short, I sat through the long talk with the big group of parents feeling very confused about what he should take:  regular, pre-AP, pre-IB, etc., etc., etc.....and not a little discouraged.  

After the introductory session,  all the parents go into the cafeteria to talk to the teachers and see what each class and academy (they have five different academies - Engineering, Law, Finance, Health Services, and Technology) had to offer.  Background - This school is one grade and is leading into a school with a combined attendance of about 2,400-2,600 students.  So, they offer a lot and it is very confusing.  (And just so you know, I graduated with about 98 other people.)  So as I went from table to table I was asking what I could and trying to get a feel for the expectations.  

When I finished talking to all I could, I happened upon one of the counselors that I knew had worked with my oldest when he went to this school last year.  I don't know her, but I went up, introduced myself as BK's mom.  She lit up and began to tell me how "He is a doll!" and "I love him."  Maybe I will blog more about his legacy later.  But, I believe in getting to the point and telling people what I need, so I began to ask her about bullying at the FC and how they handle it and if it gets better during high school, etc.  So, this counselor was the perfect one for me to talk to because she had been through that with her own child last year!!  It had affected him so greatly that he had to repeat his grade and was moved to a private school.  So, she definitely knew what I was talking about.  And, when I started telling her about how it had affected his motivation to do school and him wanting to give up, she had experienced this first hand.  In addition, she knew exactly what to do about it.  She had lots of ideas, such as him meeting with her after the student tour and her helping him in getting the right teachers who care and want to help kids,  those teachers who look out for their kids and will be like the "mama hen" for those kids who need it.  She also spoke of meeting with him during the summer and helping him to feel that he had an ally at the campus.  She spoke of connecting him with other kids who needed friends.  She will continue the one support that has worked for him this year (having a high school kid come  - a peer helper - to see him once a week).  Bottom line - she gave me HOPE!!!!  Hope that my child can do better next year than this year.  Hope that he can succeed and move on.  Hope that there will be someone looking out for him.  

I feel that this is a direct answer to prayer.  I have prayed for God's wisdom that He show us if we are to continue with him in public school and God has given me hope.  I thank God for this.  Also, God "dumped my mom out of her recliner" (her words) this morning at 5:00 or so and told her to tell us to read this scripture with him.  It is Isaiah 41: 11-13.  I want to weep as I think about how God is using these little things to speak His great and awesome love for us.  I tear up now, thinking of how He is reminding me that HE LOVES ME!  He loves me and He loves my child.  And He will be with him.  If you go on, verse 14 says, "Despised though you are, O Israel, don't be afraid for I will help you.  I am the Lord, your Redeemer.  I am the Holy One of Israel."  GREAT, AWESOME, WONDERFUL, LOVING GOD!!!!!