Class of 2026 Parents

[pookybean]

She didn't make volleyball but was offered a position as team manager, which is kind of a "best of the players who got cut" position - she'll practice and attend games with the team but won't play unless someone quits the team or is removed - and so far she's really taken that in stride. She knew it was going to be tough to make the team, coming from a middle school that barely had sports while most of the other girls either played for the very good team at the public middle or in private leagues, but since her main interest in sports is qualifying for a PE exemption rather than any true passion for the game and this counts towards that, she's content to practice and try again next year. So that's one of my first worries put to rest; I was afraid if she didn't make the team, she'd be discouraged and drop sports entirely.

My daughter did color guard all through middle school (whatever that counts for with school closing for covid etc). She LOVED it and really worked hard at it. She went to one clinic for the high school and the coach told me she "doesnt see a place for her in guard". Refused to think of any way she could practice and participate but not compete. There isnt even cuts for this team! Im sure there was something behind the scenes going on that we arent aware of but my daughter is still devastated. She said she is going to try out for something in the drama club. I hope she finds a place somewhere.

Im glad your daughters outcome was better than mine. If they want to participate they should be allowed, even if its just at practice.

 

[LilyJC]

Joining this thread! My baby is almost done with her second week of high school although it seems like it's been a lot longer with ASB trainings, bonding times, and other commitments before school started. She also is on the golf team and has been practicing since mid-July. Girls golf in So Cal is no joke - these ladies are tough! Boys get winter or spring, so way cooler practice times...

Lots of changes for the family as my oldest graduated a year early in May. She's attending a UC school, so we're kind of in limbo until the quarter starts/move in which will happen mid-late September. My youngest is on the same accelerated track as my oldest, so she could potentially graduate a year early as well. I don't think that will happen as my youngest is way more chill than my oldest thankfully. We're all kind of looking forward to this special time when it'll be the three of us, and also to see my youngest not be overwhelmed by her older sister's very strong personality. Our high school is huge with the freshman class being the largest they've had. Drop off and pick up are insanity. I'm grateful golf takes the place of PE, so I'm able to pick up after 5th period and avoid the thousands that get picked up an hour later.

 

[bcwife76]

My daughter got her schedule earlier this week. We were originally told it wouldn't be available until at least Aug 26 but they came out this past Tuesday. She got all her first choice electives so she's happy

 

[Skippy918]

First semester is done. How did everyone’s kids do and how did they adjust to high school?
My son did well this semester. I didn’t have to nag him too much about turning assignments in. He kept up with everything including the AP class. He’s enjoyed his first semester of culinary too. We’re on break till the 3rd. Course selection for next year is sometime in jan/Feb.

 

[Colleen27]

First semester is done. How did everyone’s kids do and how did they adjust to high school?
My son did well this semester. I didn’t have to nag him too much about turning assignments in. He kept up with everything including the AP class. He’s enjoyed his first semester of culinary too. We’re on break till the 3rd. Course selection for next year is sometime in jan/Feb.

Still a month left in the semester for us, but so far, so good. A few minor time management hassles, especially during tech week for the fall drama club production, and even I think her history class is a little crazy (Civil War to WWII is first semester! They're 30 years ahead, chronologically, than the other freshman US history teacher's classes), but overall she's managing well and on track for a very good report card. She's enjoying her culinary class too, and her group won their Christmas gingerbread house challenge which was a nice boost after their chili took second-to-last in the November cookoff. Break doesn't start until Thursday here so she's got a few more days of light pre-holiday workload and ugly sweater day before she can totally relax until January.

 

[bcwife76]

My daughter still has one more month to go in this first semester but so far so good. First report came out end of November and she did quite well, though I fear her mark in science is now slipping as she's having a difficult time with the chemistry section. She has science all year (as it switches off with another class) so it's a marathon this year, not a sprint lol She's busy with several clubs and tried out for both volleyball (which was a long shot and she didn't get on, not too disappointed) and basketball (felt for sure she would make the team but she just missed it apparently). Christmas break is now upon us and I'm glad as everyone is a bit burned out from a busy Fall!

 

[princesscinderella]

Joining in on this thread too. I have a 9th grader who is loving her new high school. She got a full academic scholarship to an elite private school in our area that costs as much as a small car each year. She’s required to take honors and APs throughout her 4 years as part of ther scholarship, she has been able to maintain all As this semester and was happy she’s allowed to exempt one midterm she has an a in so she chose Biology. She’s also taking AP human geography. She wants to be an actress/singer and has taken chorus and drama as her two electives. She just got cast in the freshman/sophomore play of 12 angry jurors, so she’s super excited, especially because she beat out some of the kids that are on fine arts theater scholarships there. She got a duet spot in the holiday program too. She also got to sing last Thursday at the candlelight procession at EPCOT with the chorus. It’s been a juggling act with three kids in three different schools senior son is at a different high school (he drives himself thank goodness) and daughter in 7th grade too. It seems they all pick the same days for activities and or performances. I’m looking forward to two weeks where I’m don’t feel like a shuttle driver.

 

[WDWJDS]

She wants to be an actress/singer and has taken chorus and drama as her two electives.

Hello fellow theatre parent! My DD graduated with her theatre degree.

 

[VandVsmama]

Joining in on this thread. YDD is Class of 2026. Hard to believe that half of 9th grade is now over already! She's in a public charter school with a 9th grade class of about 40-45 students total. So far, things are going well. She's taking AP Computer Science Principles & AP US Gov't & Politics (which is the required history/social studies class @ her school for 9th graders). Kiddo is a total history nerd and LOVES her gov class. Is also really enjoying AP CSP and is thinking of taking the other computer science class (AP Comp Sci A) next year.

She's been participating in a robotics club after school, but has learned that she really doesn't like the competition part of it, so she's not going to do robotics next year. No biggie. That's what you're supposed to do at this age...try different things out to figure out what you like best.

 

[princesscinderella]

Joining in on this thread. YDD is Class of 2026. Hard to believe that half of 9th grade is now over already! She's in a public charter school with a 9th grade class of about 40-45 students total. So far, things are going well. She's taking AP Computer Science Principles & AP US Gov't & Politics (which is the required history/social studies class @ her school for 9th graders). Kiddo is a total history nerd and LOVES her gov class. Is also really enjoying AP CSP and is thinking of taking the other computer science class (AP Comp Sci A) next year.

She's been participating in a robotics club after school, but has learned that she really doesn't like the competition part of it, so she's not going to do robotics next year. No biggie. That's what you're supposed to do at this age...try different things out to figure out what you like best.

The robotics competition days are so crazy long, my son loves robotics. It’s hard as a parent spectator to know what’s going on too. He like building and competing with the big FRC 100+ lbs robot vs the FTC smaller robot, his school makes then do the small one in the fall in order to build the big one in the spring. There’s two main leagues his school participates in First Robotics, I believe VEX is the other league.

 

[Skippy918]

I was trying to convince my son to do robotics, but he was hesitant about the competing aspect. Instead, he’s helping out with the middle school lego league.
he took computer science 1 advanced this year cause he took fundamentals last year which was similar to the AP course. Next year he’s doing the computer science A AP.
for social studies he is doing AP human geography. He likes it and is doing well.

 

[princesscinderella]

I was trying to convince my son to do robotics, but he was hesitant about the competing aspect. Instead, he’s helping out with the middle school lego league.
he took computer science 1 advanced this year cause he took fundamentals last year which was similar to the AP course. Next year he’s doing the computer science A AP.
for social studies he is doing AP human geography. He likes it and is doing well.

Robotics is wonderful for kids who are interested and really teaches them how to work as a team for a common goal. My son likes to build the robots, other kids only like to code the robots. There are other roles in a robotics team that they all work together to get the robot to perform the tasks needed for the competitions. Each season the game changes which keeps them innovating and becoming better builders and coders. My son is captain of his team as a senior this year and has been frustrated with members now showing up to class (theirs is after school but still gets a grade) or build days. The competitions are fun for the kids and they stay busy the whole day tweaking the robot because they get battle damaged. There’s some amazing teams, there’s one on the treasure coast that they build at a NASA facility and all the kids have to get clearance and NASA ids.

 

[Skippy918]

I thought this thread could use a bump. Our kids are now seniors!! Lots has happened since 9th grade.
My son ended up getting involved in theater on the tech side and loves it. He’s still planning to study CS in college and has started his apps.

 

[bcwife76]

So funny I was searching for this thread the other day and couldn't find it. Thank you for bumping it! Our daughter turned 17 last week and is going for her road test for her full license this afternoon. She starts her senior year Sept 2nd. She is very much set on culinary school after graduation and she currently has a part time job at a local bakery.

 

[Skippy918]

So funny I was searching for this thread the other day and couldn't find it. Thank you for bumping it! Our daughter turned 17 last week and is going for her road test for her full license this afternoon. She starts her senior year Sept 2nd. She is very much set on culinary school after graduation and she currently has a part time job at a local bakery.

Good luck! Hope she passes. Mine has no interest in learning to drive. He’s perfectly fine biking to school.

 

[bcwife76]

She is the only one of her friend group even remotely close to wanting their license and she doesn't need a car even because work is 2 blocks away and school is an 8-10 minute walk lol