Being from another country it is very difficult for me to figure out the American School system… there is Elementary, Middle and High School, some call it Junior High. Neat less to say I get confused very quickly and when people ask me what grade my Teen is in, I never say Freshman, Sophomore or Senior, cause I have no clue what these terms mean, I always try to find other ways around to tell people like “Oh, he’s in 10th grade” or he’s in High School… It’s very difficult for me to learn the school system when I know nothing about. I learn through my kids so maybe when my Toddler reaches high school I know all about it.
My Tween will start Middle School this fall, so far I’m okay with that, since my Teen went through the same school, I know a little more than when my Teen started…. and my Teen will soon need to start looking for Colleges that he would like to apply for, that’s a whole new ball game for me to learn….but before college I was told there is a Sat test, no idea what that is, so I googled, gotta love Google and I found a bunch of SAT Tutoring sites, do you have any you can recommend? Do you have any tips or ideas to give me on how to figure out the High school lingo, prom, homecoming are just as unfamiliar to me as freshman or Senior.
For now I will just learn step by step, boy it sure is difficult living in a different country and trying to fit in… one day at a time, soon I hope I will know it all, till then I will make my hubby and my Teen laugh when I use the wrong terms while talking about the American school system J…..
I just had to share this with you guys because, I’m really confused and I’m not embarrassed to admit it J
Lora says
Hi Michelle,
Freshman is 9th grade, sophomore is 10th grade, junior is 11th grade, and senior is 12th grade. Homecoming is the dance/football game where alumni come back and visit the game and dance. People dress up a little more. Prom is the BIG dance of the year. To be asked to the prom is a big deal for a girl. At least it was in my day. Let me know if you need any more help. 🙂 Welcome to America!! 🙂
mausekind says
Hi Lora… Thank you so much for giving me some heads up… all this is new to me… and very different to say the least 🙂
Mary Elderton says
Keep up good communication with your kids–they will learn the school lingo and pass the important stuff along. As for testing–the SAT is a fairly basic exam and your high schooler probably just needs a good review and brush-up. As a former teacher, I did not have a specific program to recommend for SAT study–most tutorials give a good outline of the basics and that is what most kids need.
mausekind says
Hi Mary.. Thanks so much for the tips.. and yes open communication is a BIG thing in our house, I learn through the kids and they know that.. so they help me every way they can… Great tips… 🙂