tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post541312333751854174..comments2024-02-28T22:24:07.299-08:00Comments on Community Forum for HCC (APP) in Seattle Schools: Choosing a High School for Next YearAndrew Siegelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06830585083467140758noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-75915844037725916852017-02-17T14:50:40.525-08:002017-02-17T14:50:40.525-08:00My kid, who is not HCC qualified largely because h...My kid, who is not HCC qualified largely because he does not test well, but definitely needs the bar to be high, wants to go to Hale or Ingraham. Roosevelt is his neighborhood school. I feel very much in the dark about what kind of challenge is offered at Hale for those who need it. I have heard a variety of comments about this. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks!WedgwoodMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01398197529733369055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-71557097312946781832017-02-10T17:27:28.141-08:002017-02-10T17:27:28.141-08:00Regarding NM's comment about the IBX waitlist ...Regarding NM's comment about the IBX waitlist at Ingraham last year; wasn't at least some of that movement due to discrepancies about the pathway guarantee language between the SPS and Advanced Learning websites? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-28795521243567353802017-02-03T15:28:07.127-08:002017-02-03T15:28:07.127-08:00"but now there are apparently limited seats f..."but now there are apparently limited seats for Ingraham entry"<br /><br />Also, mildly worried student although last year some students were on a waitlist, thus far I was told they let all the HCC students in who chose IBX. There is a cap at 90 HCC for IBX out of reference I believe. The principal Martin Floe had mentioned he believes the district "may" increase the level due to overcrowding at Garfield. I guess it will also depend upon if Ingraham can get portables. Also, I am told that an HCC student can choose to do the IB(waiting until 11th grade to start) over IBX (starts 10th grade) as well at Ingraham after they are admitted. I suggest you and your parents go to the IB info night next week. <br />-NM Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-33764380674252168582017-02-03T15:20:26.983-08:002017-02-03T15:20:26.983-08:00Mildly worried student-- I would also add that as ...Mildly worried student-- I would also add that as you live in the north end there is also a possibility you may have to change schools (if you go to Garfield, Ballard or Roosevelt I believe) when Lincoln the new high school opens. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Lincoln will also pull some HCC students who live in the north end from Garfield as well. <br /><br />I do believe that if you choose Ingraham IBX/IB, this may be less likely as Ingraham will be adding seats in 2019 (same year Lincoln opens) when you are entering 11th grade. You should talk with your parents about this as well. <br />- NMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-42399691710676991592017-02-03T10:29:28.114-08:002017-02-03T10:29:28.114-08:00Mildly worried student: I can address a couple of ...Mildly worried student: I can address a couple of your questions. First of all, there is no "HCC program" at Roosevelt or Garfield. Anyone can sign up for any class in high school. What you do get at schools where a lot of HCC kids attend, though, are the availability of lots of AP and honors classes. Plus, presumably some of your friends will be going there, so you'll know some people. <br /><br />As far as the animosity toward HCC students at Garfield, I've experienced that on these blogs as people constantly debate advanced programs and equity, but my 9th grade son at Garfield doesn't feel it at all. He's there at Garfield with the bulk of his friends from WMS, and they mix with all sorts of other kids from other grades, and it just hasn't been a problem. He has some great teachers and some average teachers, but he hasn't felt that a teacher doesn't like him because he is an honors-level student. <br /><br />One bit of advice no matter where you go: join something your freshman year. Band, or drama, or student government. My son is in the band, and it's been wonderful to have that group to feel a part of, you know? He has his "people," which makes being a new kid in a giant school much easier. <br /><br />Good luck!SusanHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-81241177123463933342017-02-03T09:40:56.613-08:002017-02-03T09:40:56.613-08:00Agree with Ben that it's a decision to be made...Agree with Ben that it's a decision to be made with parents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-22929261239185570432017-02-03T09:25:39.745-08:002017-02-03T09:25:39.745-08:00Both Roosevelt and Ingraham had open houses last n...Both Roosevelt and Ingraham had open houses last night. Did you attend either? Ingraham still has a daytime tour Feb. 8. If you attend HIMS and Roosevelt is your neighborhood school, that may change in 2019 when Lincoln opens. Some Roosevelt and Ballard students will be part of a geo-split to Lincoln, which would be junior year for current 8th grade students. <br /><br />No one knows how enrollment will handle IHS placement, as up until now HCC students have gotten the option placement. There also has been little official communication about the continuation of IBX, though the district trajectory has been to limit advancement options, rather than expand and support them, so you can speculate as to the long term future of IBX. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-24970361327849413902017-02-03T09:05:02.182-08:002017-02-03T09:05:02.182-08:00@Mildly Worried - as the moderator I'm going t...@Mildly Worried - as the moderator I'm going to take step back and say that choosing your high school is ultimately a decision for you and your parents to make together. I hope that you're including them in the process and telling them your questions and worries and not just us anonymously on this forum.<br /><br />That said none of this is secret or sensitive, you can find many of the answers to your questions already in the comments that have been made. Another great resource for specific questions about things like Spanish credits is to talk to the High Schools directly and ask what their policy is.Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-4446588934276657052017-02-02T22:17:12.344-08:002017-02-02T22:17:12.344-08:00Since open enrollment is about to start, I've ...Since open enrollment is about to start, I've been considering my options for high school and am a bit worried. I am currently enrolled in 8th grade HIMS, and (after this year) will have finished Alg II, SLA3, Biology, and the 8th grade HCC LA/SS courses.<br /><br />In 7th grade, many of the 8th grade friends I made in my math courses touted how great Ingraham was, and how IB(x) was going to be a real boost to their academic career, but now there are apparently limited seats for Ingraham entry and rumours that they'll shut down the IBx program.<br /><br />I've also been looking at the other options-Garfield is what I'm automatically assigned to, but I've heard some negative things about its treatment towards advanced students. I had never considered Roosevelt as an option until now, and I didn't even know about its existence until the end of 6th grade.<br /><br />So I have the following questions:<br />Are there limited seats in Ingraham? If yes, how are they selected? I've been told it's pure chance. Is there any way to get forward in the listing? And are the rumours about the IBx program true?<br /><br />Do Garfield and Roosevelt have good HCC programs? Are the words I've been hearing (from both students and teachers) about the poor quality of treatment at Garfield unfounded? And I would like some more general knowledge on Roosevelt's programs.<br /><br />And finally-what about my Spanish courses? Does HIMS SLA3 count as "Immersion"? And how can I continue them?<br /><br />Sorry if that's a lot of questions-I hope I'm not being too intrusive for a newcomer.<br /><br />A student answered some of your questions, I hope some of you can answer some of a students. I should also be able to answer some HIMS questions, though I think this is the wrong thread for that.<br /><br />Still, negative talk about many of the school offerings, cynical teachers and parents everywhere, and talk on the street about Seattle's dysfunctional school system have only made me<br />-Mildly Worried.<br /><br />ps. I can provide some proof if you all would like it.A Mildly Worried Studentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-56534789333840326312017-02-02T09:54:25.592-08:002017-02-02T09:54:25.592-08:00How many diploma candidates are there each year, a...How many diploma candidates are there each year, and what percent are HCC/IBX?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-50588092136452411472017-02-02T08:15:10.977-08:002017-02-02T08:15:10.977-08:00Regarding pre-IB classes at IHS. I would think th...Regarding pre-IB classes at IHS. I would think that if the current 9th & 10th grade classes adequately prepare gen ed students for IB, that HCC students would not need more than that. I think that if HCC students are not prepared for IBx after a year of pre-IB classes then it probably is just a matter of time, probably executive function development. The concerns that I hear about IBx students who don't do well are mostly around executive function. Seems unlikely that they are less than a year ahead of the gen ed students academically, but it makes sense that they are not ahead developmentally. If that is the case, then time would be the major factor in different outcomes.<br /><br />-IBx parent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-65394501030314620142017-02-01T13:41:24.404-08:002017-02-01T13:41:24.404-08:00If someone is reading with a HCC qualified child a...If someone is reading with a HCC qualified child at Ballard HS can you please also share about the pathway an HCC kid can take coming from HIMS HCC? <br /><br />-NMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-56659456147803381252017-01-31T16:47:50.761-08:002017-01-31T16:47:50.761-08:008th grade parent-
My HCC child is still a freshman...8th grade parent-<br />My HCC child is still a freshman, but I can answer with what I've heard so far. Unless your child is taking pre-calculus as an 8th grader, there are enough math offerings there. Typically for the kids who jumped 3 years, it's pre-calc for 9th, then AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, AP Stats. I only know of one kid who will enter in Calculus, but I'm sure there are a few out there. They then encourage running start as the option after the 3 years of AP classes. <br /><br />For science, yes, it is an issue to run out of classes. I'd love to see a group of 7th and 8th grade parents get together and encourage the school to take a look at either/both an AP Bio class for the kids who took it in 8th grade, or AP Chem. AP Physics is offered for those kids who have reached a certain level of calculus, I think not a problem for most HCC kids. All other areas, language, music, etc. seem to provide plenty of strong options. But, as my next kid is a science nut, these are reasonable questions to ask the principal.<br /><br />I have never heard of any kids not getting into a class this year, at any level. The only concern would be if there was a specific drama/jazz band/orchestra course that conflicted. I have heard there is a concerted effort not to have certain AP classes overlap with Symphony, for example, as there is much overlap. But of course, there will always be a kid who has a unique schedule that can't fit anything. It's only a matter of timing, though, not being full.<br /><br />Roosevelt/JAMS parent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-57908957507873285092017-01-31T11:20:03.176-08:002017-01-31T11:20:03.176-08:00If anyone following this string has an HCC student...If anyone following this string has an HCC student at Roosevelt, who participated in HCC in middle school and therefore arrived in high school ready for chemistry and Algebra II or higher, can you speak to the availability of upper level science classes and general ability to get desired classes (including AP classes)? I would mostly love to hear from families of upperclassmen (juniors and seniors), though I'm guessing there are only a few such families, as I don't think HCC kids have gone to the neighborhood high schools in significant numbers until recently. I feel like I've heard from some families of freshmen who say RHS has been great - no problem getting classes, etc - but I'm not really concerned about 9th, or even 10th, grade. I'm concerned about 11th and 12th (after my kid has finished chemistry and physics and has no more science classes to take, and when there may be only one section of upper level math classes). <br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />-8th grade parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-3039102960420778272017-01-31T11:19:49.984-08:002017-01-31T11:19:49.984-08:00My understanding of IB Internal Assessments (exten...My understanding of IB Internal Assessments (extended papers based on student created topics/questions related to the particular course) is that they do get reviewed and graded by IHS teachers prior to submission to IB. They typically get teacher approval on their chosen topic, write a near final draft, then get one and only one chance at written teacher feedback (per IB rules). Students do preliminary research to select a topic, pull together resources, and are generally left on their own to make an outline and write the paper. <br /><br />These are skills that can be practiced by assigning similar assignments in 9th grade. Are IB like assignments happening in the pre-IB 9th grade classes? I'm not sure they ever write a formal lab report in 9th grade honors/IBX chemistry. When I hear students may not be prepared for IB in 10th, I have to wonder what is being done in 9th to make the transition more seamless. If they are moving away from the IBX model, what are they doing in 9th and 10th grade classes to better prepare students, other than allowing for more time?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-87546714614682659422017-01-31T10:31:25.278-08:002017-01-31T10:31:25.278-08:00Well, though I have heard some of their comments ...Well, though I have heard some of their comments in meetings, I am not in the confidence of staff at IHS, so I really can't answer from their perspective.<br /><br />My take is,<br /><br />Writing - I don't know what happened as far as writing assignments in 9th grade IBx for the first semester this year. Probably depends on the individual teachers. My kid did not come from HCC middle school & had excellent writing instruction with no writer's workshop. So there were enough writing assignments in 9th grade to prepare for IBx. Maybe since there is a mix of those kids in the classes the teachers can't focus only on remediation.<br /><br />Risk taking- Well the some of the academic risks I see that may be impacted by maturity are about making academic choices. A lot of IB work is self-driven, original or using a personally chosen frame of reference though which to approach exploration or research. There is no right answer, or way to know when you are done, or assurance that you aren't headed toward a dead end, or method to predict the outcome or the quality of your results, or way to predict your grade. Your teacher can't always reassure you, as most large pieces of work are evaluated externally even outside the country. Your personal choices about your ideas are front & center. Do you have the courage to venture into that not knowing the outcome? Do you have the conviction to pursue work that may not turn out? Are you self-reflective enough to have a personal frame of reference from which to start your exploration & are you willing to have that personal frame evaluated by a stranger? Of course there is guidance, but it is not a matter of just checking the rubric boxes or practicing skills or memorizing material. <br /><br /><br />Sophomore year - <br />Presumably students would take pre-reqs that allow them to have more options in IB courses. But courses are always changing depending on student interest & teachers' qualifications.<br /><br />-Just my OpinionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-63267548266095287312017-01-31T10:17:39.475-08:002017-01-31T10:17:39.475-08:00Just a reminder of Ballard event Feb. 2, 7:30 pm (...Just a reminder of Ballard event Feb. 2, 7:30 pm (?) where high school boundaries are on the list of the topics. <br /><br /><i>...in the Theater (plenty of room, comfortable seats). This is part of the Ballard High School PTSA general meeting; all students, parents, staff, and community members invited to attend!</i><br /><br />High School and Education Funding Discussion<br />Thursday, Feb. 2nd at the Ballard High PTSA meeting. The program starts at 7:30 pm (the actual PTSA meeting starts at 7 pm.)<br /><br />Topics: budget, 24-Credit graduation requirements, longer day, Lincoln HS/boundaries and Career and Technical Education requirements.<br /><br />With:<br />Rick Burke, Board Director<br />JoLynn Berge, SPS Business and Finance<br />Dan Gallagher, Director of Career and College Readiness<br />Eden Mack, Leg Chair, SCPTSA<br />Jerry Bener, Director of Government Relations, Assn of WA School Principals<br />Keven Wynkoop, Ballard High principal<br />Moderator: Heidi Bennett, past leg VP SCPTSA<br /><br />Questions in advance can be made at the Friends of Ballard HS Facebook page or email Heidi at Heidi@Bennettdirect.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-87649748790590821972017-01-31T09:55:09.359-08:002017-01-31T09:55:09.359-08:00Anonymous@8:49-- I am hoping that Ingraham can pre...Anonymous@8:49-- I am hoping that Ingraham can present an example of pathways for HCC kids interested in IBX as well as IB. My understanding, but maybe I am wrong, have alot to learn, is that HCC kids can take honors and a few AP courses in 9th and 10th?<br /><br />"And if music is a high priority, would not Ballard or Roosevelt or Garfield offer more options? "<br /><br />Garfield is not an option for those in the north end concerned that their kid may be pulled when Lincoln opens etc. As far as Ballard and Roosevelt, they may have great music offerings. But my understanding is that they do not have multiple sections of AP classes so HCC kids end up not getting AP classes. As the reference school is not an HCC pathway, it is very uncertain that they may or may not have enough of a cohort to offer enough multiple AP classes and sections. They may or may not get into an AP class. It is chaotic for academic planning for curriculum continuity and not a planned program pathway. <br />-NT Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-64091322136443044242017-01-31T08:49:28.127-08:002017-01-31T08:49:28.127-08:00Some comments on your comments:
There also seems ...Some comments on your comments:<br /><br /><i>There also seems to be a writing deficit for many incoming HCC students that would have another year to address, before getting to the IB level written work.</i><br /><br />Perhaps, but wasn't the intent of specific pre-IB classes in 9th grade to better prepare students for IB as early as 10th grade? The writing deficit starts in middle school (or earlier). We have yet to see a coherent, skills based writing curriculum in SPS. Readers and Writers Workshop should not be extending into middle school (or high school, for that matter). What's even more concerning is what's not happening in 9th grade LA at IHS. They do not seem focused on developing advanced writing skills. Ask a current 9th grade IBX parent if students have extended writing assignments in line with IB LA expectations or if they get meaningful teacher feedback on essays (lots of self grading going). Delaying IB for a year just shifts the burden to another teacher.<br /><br /><i>IB requires...academic risk-taking...</i><br />What does that even mean?? I ask because teachers use that phrase with great frequency and I truly do not know what they mean by it. <br /><br /><i>A year later they would have more to bring to the table. Then for senior year most IBx students just take more advanced classes anyway.</i><br />They take advanced coursework for both years of IB, but once finished with IB they can continue to take advanced coursework, yes? IBX allows for 3 years of advanced courses, as opposed to 2. Can 10th graders take IB classes prior to beginning the 2 yr diploma program? If not, does 10th grade put them in a holding pattern? The biggest deficit seems to be in science offerings. While 10th grade students going the traditional IB route can continue with their world language pathway, and perhaps take an AP Calculus class, what advanced science or other electives are offered? While delaying IB can help with scheduling for those in music, what about those not in music? And if music is a high priority, would not Ballard or Roosevelt or Garfield offer more options? <br /><br />All that said, I do agree that providing an <i>option</i> to delay the start of IB is a good change. The primary concern is that IBX as an option may be lost altogether, along with access to advanced classes for those who choose to accelerate. What incentive will IHS have to offer anything meaningful for senior year? I am hoping questions around course and program options are made more clear on IB info night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-90968886741774697702017-01-30T21:56:44.865-08:002017-01-30T21:56:44.865-08:00My understanding of the move away from IBx is that...My understanding of the move away from IBx is that it is not absolute but it will be less common. IBx students have less flexibility in their schedules because they have completed fewer pre-reqs. That takes some IB class options off the table. It also makes it harder to do 4 years of 2 electives, so some students end up missing a year of music. There also seems to be a writing deficit for many incoming HCC students that would have another year to address, before getting to the IB level written work. Another concern is that the attrition rate is higher than for IB students. I think staff has been shocked at the number of IBx students who get overwhelmed & drop. IB requires a lot of self-regulation, self-motivation, organization, introspection and academic risk-taking that some sophomores are not ready for developmentally. Even those who are ready seem to invest less than older students do. A year later they would have more to bring to the table. Then for senior year most IBx students just take more advanced classes anyway. So the idea is to move those classes to sophomore year while addressing all the other issues like opportunities for more pre-reqs, schedule flexibility, writing & maturity.<br /><br />-Just my OpinionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-58575848313349257752017-01-28T15:17:25.548-08:002017-01-28T15:17:25.548-08:00I didn't make it to the Carol Burris talk and ...I didn't make it to the Carol Burris talk and panel, so just looked at the helpful notes on the GHS PTA page. The comments of the GHS teacher and student don't reflect what I've heard about Honors for All at all (albeit, my sample size is small - 3 students, but in-depth conversations). The GHS teacher who spoke didn't address how things are going academically. What I've heard: classes are much less rigorous than WMS and HIMS. Ability and preparedness of students is widely variable and the teachers aren't trained to manage that. White students feel pressured not to talk about their negative observations -- fear that they will only be labelled as racist. White daughter doesn't want to talk in class because maybe she's taking up too much space with her white privilege (this is a kid who is shy and quiet and has had to learn to speak up). White students are stereotyping (black kids don't do their homework, fall asleep in class), but certainly aren't talking about it at school -- this does make for rich conversations at home (if the kids talk about it) and opportunities for parents to address stereotypes. My sample set is white and asian, so I don't know what non-asian kids of color are thinking in terms of any stereotypes. Simply concluding that students won't have stereotypes because they are in closer proximity to one another seems naive. I know that Honors for All is new, so perhaps will get better, but what I've heard is concerning.<br />Honors for all commenterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-45535432238371081402017-01-27T12:03:01.737-08:002017-01-27T12:03:01.737-08:00kitty - I think the challenge for the GHS teachers...kitty - I think the challenge for the GHS teachers is that historically they have had a pretty wide range of knowledge levels in the each class. One of the things that came out of the work done by FOWL last year is that the school needed to do a better job of leveling kids as they came in. By having all of (or nearly all of) the kids from WMS and HIMS take the STAMP placement test last June, that greatly helped, so that kids are starting at the right place at GHS, and teachers aren't trying to teach classes of students who are at such greatly varying levels. This has only been in place for this year's 9th graders, so the 10th and above are still not all appropriately leveled. As for the criticism of HIMS, I guess I found the objective results on the STAMP test (which is used by the district, not just HIMS and GHS) as evidence that the kids actually did learn a fair amount at HIMS. I have also spoken with another Spanish teacher who is currently at a private high school about what is being covered in those classes, and I would say the GHS courses compare favorably in terms of content and what kids have learned. Not that I think GHS couldn't still improve in the Spanish program, as there are definitely some frustrations we have with it. But it is improved from the past.<br /><br />- Bulldog ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-87501986434319035322017-01-27T11:19:07.696-08:002017-01-27T11:19:07.696-08:00Bulldog Parent said: As for incoming level, our ex...Bulldog Parent said: <i>As for incoming level, our experience is that one year at HIMS in Spanish is worth more than one year at GHS, almost the reverse of what they told us. Kids who took two years at HIMS and went into Spanish 2 at GHS found it way too easy (see survey linked above) and now are still way ahead in Spanish 3 (the UW in HS class). Kids who took three years of Spanish at HIMS are now in AP Spanish or Spanish 4 and cruising through with no issues. It's a real credit to the Spanish teachers at HIMS. </i><br /><br />I suppose it's one interpretation that it's "a real credit to the Spanish teachers at HIMS" (and presumably JAMS, too, based on the survey results you presented). <br /><br />Another interpretation is that the Garfield Spanish teachers are really doing kids a disservice. One year of middle school Spanish is worth MORE than a year of high school Spanish at Garfield? Seriously? That's pretty pathetic. It's even more pathetic when you consider that many parents and students who have experience with HIMS Spanish do NOT have a similarly positive perception of the program, and actually find it to be pretty weak. I honestly can't say I've ever heard a single person at HIMS say how great they think the Spanish program is. All the kids and parents I know have found it very disappointing.<br /><br />Clearly Garfield needs to step up the challenge of it's Spanish classes. When high school classes can't even keep up with middle school classes, that's a real problem. (It's also interesting to note that this is consistent with some of the comments about the new GHS honors for all LA and SS, which some HCC students have said is easier than their middle school classes.)<br /><br />kittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-26703964519888906552017-01-26T23:39:40.474-08:002017-01-26T23:39:40.474-08:00In response to Language questions - I don't kn...In response to Language questions - I don't know specifically what happened to the 9 kids who wanted to take French but couldn't get in, but assuming they didn't get in later, they would just have to take another class. It happens more in 9th and 10th grade because typically advanced grades get higher priority on class selection. But if they have 9 kids left over after filling the class(es) (in any subject), that isn't enough to offer another class in that subject, and it stinks but the kid just has to take some other class. This can happen at any public HS. It was just really bad for the class of 2019 kids who wanted world language because GHS was short on staff. 2020 class was much better off this year. <br /><br />As for incoming level, our experience is that one year at HIMS in Spanish is worth more than one year at GHS, almost the reverse of what they told us. Kids who took two years at HIMS and went into Spanish 2 at GHS found it way too easy (see survey linked above) and now are still way ahead in Spanish 3 (the UW in HS class). Kids who took three years of Spanish at HIMS are now in AP Spanish or Spanish 4 and cruising through with no issues. It's a real credit to the Spanish teachers at HIMS. <br /><br />Anonymous at 9:15 (pick a nickname!) - My understanding is that FOWL doesn't fund anything, as I don't think they have funds, but they did work with the PTSA for some funding for an Americorps volunteer who helps in one classroom, and they advocated successfully for one additional FTE to be budgeted by the school. They also got the district to offer some staff professional development time and got authorization for the school to hire language teachers much earlier in the year (in the past the position was posted in the summer, after most teachers already had jobs for the following year). They also made other recommendations based on information from their research, including the survey. According to FOWL, the decision not to offer French 1 was to allow them to offer AP French, and they also reduced the number of Spanish 1 classes so they could offer more higher-level Spanish classes. While it is true that some kids don't take language in middle school, there was overall a greater balance of needs for advanced classes based on what they were seeing. <br /><br />SusanH - As you can see from the survey linked above, Japanese 2 seems more appropriately leveled for kids who had two years in MS than Spanish 2 was. Interesting that you had different placement test info than what was shared by FOWL.<br /><br />¡Buena suerte!<br /><br />-Bulldog ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-29022584440198125662017-01-26T19:29:38.248-08:002017-01-26T19:29:38.248-08:00The Seattle Public School's Highly Capable Ser...The Seattle Public School's Highly Capable Services Advisory Committee (SPS-HCS-AC) is a group of volunteer parents and teachers charged to make recommendations regarding the organization and service delivery model of the Highly Capable Services, which serves Seattle Public Schools' academically highly capable learners.<br /><br />Future meeting dates (all Tuesdays at 6:30 pm) include: <br />February 7, Washington Middle School Library<br />March 7, Cascadia (Lincoln) Library<br />April 4, Garfield High School Library<br />May 2, Hamilton International Middle School Library<br />June 6, Madison Middle School Library<br /><br />All are welcome to attend the HCS AC meetings.<br /><br />-DanielleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com