WSHS Honors

[SpeakLoud]

We’re trying, we are really trying to like WSHS. We are STILL #34 on the Sealth wait list so that’s not going to happen so we thought lets give it a go-my daughter is assigned to all honors classes and is BORED out of her brains. She is doing stuff she did in 6th and 7th grade in 9th grade HONORS…..the sophomores in her math class spend more time screwing around than working-why are they still in the class? And YES I did contact the 9th grade counsellor who admitted that the teachers had no idea how advanced the incoming class was this year. Really-why not? The saving grace is that there are some very nice kids that have connected and are commiserating together. OK WSHS-you want high achieving students-here they are-BRING IT.

Share This

[dmc]

Our daughter had the same experience-bored out of her mind and annoyed by the trouble makers. We moved her mid-year, although the low bar for honors classes wasn’t the only reason. I believe that WSHS is really working on building an awesome school. Unfortunately, many of the kids’ behavioral issues get in the way of the other children’s ability to learn. I assume that you are interested in Sealth because of the IB program. I would suggest looking into some of the choice schools as well-food for thought. You may have already though… Good luck!

Share This

[SpeakLoud]

And by choice schools you mean…..? Would love to know where you moved. Aviation is jam packed as is Sealth. Several friends at Kennedy in Burien-may be a possibility with financial assistance!

Share This

[Cait]

I’m sorry, I know I could just leave this alone but this is starting to offend me. I went to WSHS and I turned out great and I’m starting to take this kinda crap personally as an accomplished alum. I got into a great college, have a great job and got a STELLAR education because not only were my parents involved, I was involved. Stop making it sound like WSHS can’t rise to the occasion; motivated students will find ways to be motivated unless (like most teenagers) they will take the opportunity to sit on their laurels. Research the good teachers – fight for entrance into Mrs Lemcio’s class EVERY QUARTER. There are ways and means to rise and shine in that school and there still are – but you have to find them, they won’t come to you and nor should they. There are plenty of AP classes… always have been. No extra curricula that interests your kid? – they can start a club easily, did it in my day. Want them to be challenged? Find Ms. Patman and she will change your child’s life. I don’t care if they don’t like Spanish.

Also – I’m sorry, Early Enrollment is the magic formula that people use to get into the schools they want and it is, I assure you, no secret. 34+ other people knew that. Let’s not pretend that those people got ahead on the list because they were practicing complicated enrollment voodoo in their backyards 30 seconds before you made your decision. If Sealth was, as you think, the only school worthy of your child – where were you when these other people were in line? Since you seem to think that posting about the never ending saga of your child’s education is appropriate, I feel like that question is no less invasive. And no, I didn’t have to click on this, but this has been eating at me since these posts began…

Share This

[Cait]

Getting a great education, by the way, is not about signing up for all the AP classes, it’s about signing up for challenging classes. It’s not always the same, honestly. Instead of “commiserating”, tell them to band together, form a club and find a teacher whose subject interests them and do something like model UN? It’s not that difficult.

And what exactly is there to be gained from posting this here? What are you looking for? If it’s support or some sort of game plan – go to the other parents at your school.

Share This

[kootchman]

Sometimes…you just have to suck it up and recognize “it is. what it is”… and make an alternative choice. If your children are so unchallenged, and there are a few kids in the class with similar issues… hire a private tutor to advance the cause. To get a quality education in Seattle, you have to be proactive. No one with a musical prodigy would assume the PS system will get them Julliard ready… you may have to supplement the education experience. There are resources aplenty. If your daughter is truly an AP math scholar… see the attached web page… she will get all the challenge she can handle

http://www.evagramatikova.com/

Share This

[hopey]

Uh yeah, there are option High Schools.

How about Cleveland HS with the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) program?

http://sps.seattleschools.org/schools/cleveland/

Or The Center School at Seattle Center?

http://www.centerschoolseattle.org/

If your highly gifted child qualifies for APP, they can go to the IB program at Ingraham HS.

And here’s the form for enrolling your child in an option school:

http://district.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Forms/Enrollment/High_1112_Generic_App_Pkt.pdf

Share This

[kootchman]

or… demand reform

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9069323583494421392

Share This

[HSG]

Just to be clear, being 34 on the waiting list has nothing to do with enrolling late. All applications received on time are processed at the same time. After the tiebreakers are applied, remaining open spots are assigned by lottery. Also, after the school year starts, it can be extremely difficult to change schools within SPS. Does anyone remember the posts from the family trying to transfer their daughter out of WSHS because of issues even the principal agreed were valid?

I also have a problem with advice to “suck it up” and accept that the classes are unchallenging and just supplement with tutoring or clubs. Why bother spending 6 hours a day in class then? I recommend rallying the other interested students in the class(es), and their parents, and scheduling a meeting with the teacher(s) and principal. Outline exactly what the students already know and what you are expecting them to learn. If you need help determining what they should be learning, track down their teachers from last year. They should be able to give you some guidance as to the next logical topics in the curriculum. If you can’t find any former teachers who’ll help, I’m sure some time spent with Google will. Good luck!

Share This

[kootchman]

It is harsh… to say suck it up… but .. you will spend hours of wasted time..they will call in a few “specilaists” some “coordinators” maybe even hold three or four meetings. In the end.. nothing will happen. If you have the tenacity and the capacity … and the time…endless time.. I wish you great success. Remember the old Lily Tomlin “Laugh In” parody? We don’t have to care, we are the SPS system” (paraphrase) Six hours, is that ALL? Jeesh

Share This

[Cait]

HSG – I’m referring to early enrollment. Starts in November. I know this and I don’t even have a child.

Also there are a myriad of students who are still struggling in those classes that you want to demand even more from. Its the burden of having a smart child in public school – it takes more time. If you feel like you are “wasting” 6 hours of school time, talk to the parents who are spending money on tutors and lots of time every day helping their kids stay above water. It’s public school – while they can’t teach to the lowest common denominator, they also can’t lob the ball above the heads of a large percentage of students who are just as entitled to a “fair” education as the “smart kids”.

So yeah. Suck it up. It all takes work. Not to say that you aren’t putting in the work, but since there seems to be no point to these posts other than complaining about your kids education. You do realize that your PTA is the place to get this done, right? What do you want from the fine people on these forums except to complain about how gifted your children are.

Here are some resources that some of my fellow students and I used to supplement my education through public school:

1) Running Start. You’ll be thankful when your kid graduates HIGH SCHOOL with an AA.

2) Kumon. Helped me stay above water and then some in math classes.

3) http://www.tutor.com/schools/programs/advanced-placement – You can get AP tutors to help your kid where they may not be offered in your actual school. They give you everything you need to take the tests and get college credit/test out of things so you can get into Running Start even faster! Have I plugged Running Start enough?

Share This

[HSG]

Cait, sorry to bicker, but… Early enrollment only confirms a spot for students attending their attendance area school. Choice seats are not given out until Open Enrollment. I worked with SPS enrollment for two years through the transition to the new assignment plan, I know how the system works. SpeakLoud’s child tried to get a choice seat at Sealth and ended up at WSHS, which is their attendance area school. They could have submitted their paper work in September 2010 for all we know, but it wouldn’t have improved their chances of getting into Sealth.

To your second point, if the class is an honors class as the OP stated, there shouldn’t be kids struggling to stay above water. If they are they were placed in the wrong class and should not be in honors. Would anyone claim parents of a special needs kid not pursue a better education for their kid? Why shouldn’t the parents of bright, but not quite APP kids, have the same options? I don’t think it is okay to let kids coast or be bored just because they’ll turn out fine regardless.

Finally, Running Start is only open to juniors and seniors. This kid is a freshman. If I were her parent I wouldn’t just give up on classes being educational for two years because there is a good program available for juniors and seniors.

Kootchman, I’m sure you are right about the futility of trying, especially given my inside knowledge of the district. From your other posts I gather that you are not a fan of public schools in general. How are public schools ever going to get better if parents and student just throw their hands in the air and accept a subpar education because it is too hard to change things? Outsider reformers can only do so much.

Share This

[dmc]

We chose Nova for our daughter. It takes some getting used to, for sure. It is a very liberal school (I know, we live in Seattle but wow!) but it works for our daughter. It took some getting used to but we enjoy her class topics and she is on track to graduate a year early at age 16 with stellar grades.

Our daughter was assaulted on school property in October of last year. We weren’t aware of the situation until mid-January. She was also beat up by three girls in mid-February. We pulled her out of school then and there. We are still dealing with criminal trials from all of this crap. The therapy, the nightmares, the depression are all pretty fun too.

Cait-I think it is lovely that you turned out ok. Sorry you are offended by statements about WSHS. I guess perhaps you should suck it up because I feel that the school is sub-par. Do more to pursue education? We did. We do. We chose another school when I can see WSHS from the front door of my home.

We have spoken to SPD officers regarding WSHS. It has a lot of crime. We are talking drugs, gangs, and other assorted crap. We know first hand now. One officer stated to me that he would work as much over-time as he could instead of sending his children to Seattle Public Schools. Just sharing what he said.

I believe that the staff and senior administrators are doing what they can at WSHS. I don’t believe it was in time for my daughter to have the education she deserves and I pay for with my taxes. They weren’t able to keep her safe during the school day.

Another thought on schools is Vashon High School. There are a couple of other posts on here regarding Vashon and I think it is worth checking out. Our daughter wanted to start fresh with new kids so she chose to go to Nova.

Share This

[Cait]

HSG – Yes, because all the students in the AP level have the exact same learning curve? It’s not one-size-fits-all. I really had to struggle in my AP classes, which is the point. If AP isn’t cutting it, I guess we can all just finally say it – congrats on having a super smart kid. Is THAT the point here? If you’re taking AP classes as a freshman/sophomore and doing running start after that, you’re tapping the resources that public schools offer. If that isn’t cutting it, then either “work all the overtime you can to get into private school” or get creative. Or just encourage your child to go above and beyond in the classes they DO have.

And DMC – I don’t care to quibble about the enrollment process, honestly because I really don’t think Sealth is any different than WSHS. There. I said it.

Share This

[JoB]

Cait…

do think you may have felt differently about your classes if you were the bright kid bored in a regular class instead of being the kid who was challenged by the AP classes?

The reason high school students are now allowed to enter the running start program in their junior and senior years is because once upon a time there were bright kids who ran out of those advanced placement classes by their junior year..

and still had to stick it out for two more years of theatre and government and home economics and…

Unfortunately, in some schools programs aren’t available that challenge advanced freshmen and sophomores.

where you go can make a difference.

that doesn’t mean that one school is necessarily better than another.. simply that one school may meet an individual student’s needs better than another.

Share This

[kootchman]

No I am not a fan of PS. I also tutored at High Point …. sometimes, and you could tell, there were a few PS teachers who mad startling good progress and impacts… one was a math teacher from Lafeyette.I got some really impressive kids to wrok with The problems usually appeared with good math, exciting math, impressive skills.eager excited learners… only to find out that the reading levels didn;t match the math…reading didn’t keep pace with the math achivements.. the consequence was eventually math suffered with such a hugh literacy deficit. I went the Holy Rosary, Holy Name track… not an uncommon event in WS..others were as content with Hope Lutheran. WSHS is a pit…flat out. Mine has taken a mix of honors, AP, etc. It costs though. Kennedy did a great job for some cousins..all made it to Gonzaga with hefty scholarships. Some folks like to stay committed to PS.. economics mostly. It was a sacrifice..but they get one shot at a good HS… She will get all the challenge she can handle. Tuition runs from 10-14 grand.. all have good diversity programs… and the connection to colleges, while mysterious… works. Challenge is rare is SPS…common in the parochial system…maybe a Hope Lutheren parent can chime in… I had more than one friend take their kids out of Madison…it’s teeny training for WSHS… replete with wanna be gangstas and dope…WSHS? Over my dead body. Kids are accountable… weekends, weekdays, after school… for their behaviors. A couple of chagrined kids got called into the office for “hassling” a pan handling person in the Safeway lot… parent accompanied…and it was a weekend infraction. They know they are in a parental community bubble…of protection. They do get sly as teenagers…just as we did.

Share This

[SpeakLoud]

I have been thinking about how to respond to some of these responses-but honestly I think they do not warrent me having to explain myself and my actions. I am a member of this community, of West Seattle and the blog. A forum such as this is for sharing experiences, concerns and conversing on the issues that matter to us and affect our lives and our community regardless of if you agree or disagree with them, I still have the right to share them and for that matter so do you.

Thank you to those of you that shared constructive feedback, I got some inspiration and some insight.

Share This

[kootchman]

Sister.. you have that right… rage on, comment on, advise… that is why we have a community here.

Share This

[dmc]

speakloud-if you want to discuss Nova at any point, feel free to email me: tjbuechle at gmail dot com. I am happy to chat and will try to not become too heated. :0)

Share This

[evergreen]

Wow, had no idea that WSHS had so many issues. Is it a function of our public school system (ie. budget cuts for education as a whole), or are the problems unique to that specific school? Do any WSHS teachers have input? That’s what I would like to hear!

I appreciate all of the viewpoints expressed on this thread, good conversation & lots to think about.

Share This

[cclarue]

Cait if you have graduated college you have been gone for over 4 years. Things change. At any school there are going to be kids with great experiences and kids with not so great or bad experiences. I had always been an anti sealth person and pro wshs until sealth turned IB. I still worry about the percentage of unparented kids compared to parented kids. Our ref school is sealth but we are looking at private bc of that reason and like kootch said the college factor. We all just want to give our kids the best shot. Its not fair to fault speakloud or anyone for that.

Share This

[itsjustme]

It’s been months since we heard from the original poster. I’d be interested in hearing how things are going.

Share This

[charlabob]

I missed this posting the first time and I just want to thank Cait for her comments; I was “bored to tears” in my little country Midwestern school of 49 graduates, many years ago. Even there I could have approached the better teachers and arranged private tutoring, etc. For the most part, I didn’t because it was easier and more fun to whine about being bored.

Fortunately (for me) I had one parent who supported my whine and one who encouraged me to take the best from my “school” and learn to improvise for all the other stuff I wanted to learn and, more importantly, to find things I didn’t know existed and learn them too.

I especially hope lurkers noted Cait’s recommendations for teachers.

Share This

[SpeakLoud]

…so glad you asked.

It’s not as bad as we thought it was going to be honestly. City Year has a lot to do with that because they are really present in the halls, classrooms, at lunch etc…it keeps the place cordial, safe. So there have been no safety issues at all. My daughter has made some good friends and met some very nice people. There are some very committed and really quite good teachers (a few) and the new principal runs a tight ship. The best way to improve a failing school is to help the struggling kids and I think they are doing an EXCELLENT job with that-really.

BUT….my kids not one of them and she is bored. There is little to no challenge for kids who are at or above average. The work she is doing in 9th grade honors English for example she did in 7th grade. There are juniors & seniors in her 10th grade math class. Some of the teachers are uninspired and she already notices how hard they work to ‘stay on track’ for the test. There is little to no depth. So that’s dissapointing but not a surprise.

But then again, she is safe, having a good time for the most part, experiencing new freedom, being challenged by the lack of challenge and has LOTS of free time! I wouldn’t ‘discourage’ anyone from going there if it was their neighborhood school and they had no other choice!!! And lets face it-she’s not ever going to be ‘at risk’ and will be ‘fine’. I have to be ok with that-it’s up to her now to make the choices that will take her where she wants to go, I’m just here to guide her as best I can. I feel good that I laid a pretty good foundation! Isn’t that really what it’s all about?

Share This

[Cait]

SpeakLoud – WOOHOO! :) Glad to hear things aren’t looking as bleak as they were before.

Share This

[Author]

Posts