FAQ
Questions from parents of Freshmen
Questions from parents of Sophomores
Questions from parents of Juniors
QUESTIONS FROM PARENTS OF FRESHMEN
- Q. My daughter may have a learning disability. What next? Hide
Have her tested by an educational psychologist as soon as possible (preferably in January of freshman year). The College Board may grant accommodations on standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, Subject Tests, AP) for her – giving her extended time and/or the use of a computer. It is best to apply for this by May of freshmen year in time for the sophomore PSAT’s in October. Please contact SA's learning specialist Margie Pugh for more information.
- Q. How can I get my college-related questions answered while my child is a ninth grader? Hide
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Parents seeking more information about college admissions are encouraged to:
- Read recommended books and articles (on reading list above).
- If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact SA's Director of College Counseling Jennifer Christensen
- Read recommended books and articles (on reading list above).
- Q. My child is a ninth grader. Is too early to be thinking about college? Hide
Yes and no. Choosing a college is a long-term project. The first phase of it is helping your child make a successful transition to high school, academically and socially. It’s important not to focus on any particular college at this stage. This could hurt the process later.
- Q. How important are freshmen year grades? Hide
That depends. At the UC’s and CSU's, freshman grades don’t count towards the cumulative grade point average, but they are considered. At many highly selective colleges, they matter a lot. When admission offices are forced to choose 10- 20 students from 100 candidates, they must take into account the freshmen record. Whenever a high school transcript is sent, all grades (from ninth grade onward) are shown. Students need to know it is important to do their best right from the start, but improvement over time can also be compelling. Freshman year is also a good time to take risks, find new interests and get used to being challenged.
- Q. My child is a freshmen and earned a D in Physics/Algebra first semester. His second semester grade was a C. Should he take summer school classes? Hide
It’s required in Physics and strongly recommended in Algebra. Here’s why. To fulfill UC requirements, students must earn a C or higher both semesters in physics. In Chemistry, Algebra I, Algebra II, French and Spanish, a C second semester validates the first semester and the student earns credit for both semesters. Therefore, your child must retake Physics over the summer. While he doesn’t have to retake Algebra, it strongly recommended, to be competitive at selective colleges. Summer work shows he can earn higher grades and prepares him to do better in his Sophomore year.
- Q. May we request a meeting with the college counselor during freshmen year? Hide
Even though our formal college counseling program doesn’t begin until midway in the junior year, preparing for college begins the day your child enters Sonoma Academy. Your child will receive close, personal attention – on a regular basis -- from her faculty advisor. This advisor will serve as her guidance counselor, advising her on academic matters from course registration to finding a tutor, counseling her when she is having difficulties and getting her extra help when she needs it. Your child’s faculty advisor will work with her to help her find and develop her unique academic and extra-curricular interests and talents. This is the key to not only to getting into an outstanding college, but to creating an outstanding life. As parents, you are an important part of this process and will be in regular contact with your child’s faculty advisor. So while you won’t meet individually with our college counselor until junior year, rest assured that your child is on track for college success.
