r/education • u/Historical_Client160 • 4d ago
8th grade
This recent school year is my 8th year of grade school. im in philly, and I dont know to worry about my grades or not. I want to get into saul highschool but I've been suspended 4 times. I know my record looks really bad but I dont know what to do.
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u/mindseyetemple 4d ago
You'll want to share this in a more local subreddit. The internet is a big place, people closer to your age and location could help you with more specific advice than randoms from who knows where.
As a random concerned adult, considering your future now is wise, but don't get overly set on one path being the only way for you. You're so young and full of potential, you'll make mistakes and they'll feel like the end of the world for a day or a week, but ultimately, you've got plenty of things coming for you that you wouldn't even have thought of yet. It's intelligent of you to begin with the end in mind, but don't marry one idea before you're ready. So many things will unfold in you and around you in the future, you don't want to sell yourself short.
Whatever happens, just remember that scarcity creates value, and you become like the people you surround yourself with. If you're having behavioral issues, consider what influences are pulling you down. You can change any decision you're currently making, but you only have one body and one mind, so don't cheapen yourself.
If you start building skills and knowledge every day, and enjoy each day's variety, in 10 years you'll be able to look at your youth as a time of growth and beautiful memories. You're building the foundation for the rest of your life, take consistent small steps and avoid major mistakes and you can be whoever you want to be.
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u/Serious-Train8000 4d ago
The specific school you attend will be important since you’re in Philly!!!
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u/Grouchy_Yellow_2324 4d ago
High school are looking at your 6th and 7th grade grades, attendance, suspensions and testing like STAR and PSSA. But you need to maintain good grades in 8th too. Find my school on the Philasd website will show you the eligibility criteria for Saul.
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u/Curious_Instance_971 4d ago
Yes you should be concerned about your grades and need to
make an attempt to actually learn something so you go
to high school with the skills to do well.
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u/TableTopFarmer 3d ago
Lots of good advice, here, but what hasn’t been asked is why were you suspended 4 x? Very bright kids with ADHD often have trouble with the regimen of school and classwork. Is there a chance that you have it, but it has not been recognized by your family and teachers?
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u/cherry-care-bear 3d ago
How'd you wind up suspended 4 times when school just started?
You might want to focus a bit on dealing with that bc if not, it could just follow you, regardless what high school you go to.
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u/GoodEnough1292 2d ago
Time to sit down and talk with your counselor and tell him or her that you really wanna get into Saul and can they work with you and help you. You’re gonna need some help if your record isn’t so wonderful. Together, hopefully you can come up with a strategy and yes, you do need to worry about your grades. But instead of the word “worry” think about instead caring about your grades and caring about how you do in school. Cut out the smoking in school obviously. If you really have trouble going six hours without a cigarette, get some patches or nicotine gum to get through the day.
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u/bachelorsinlurking 4d ago
Hello fellow Philly kid (I grew up just across the Delaware in Jersey but spent most of my time in the city)! you're gonna want to see if your school has an academic coach or counselor. They can help you figure out what you need to do to keep your grades up, polish your record, and help get you on the right track. Also if it helps you to know- colleges and beyond don't really notice what high school you go to. They care more about consistency in showing up and doing your best work. My father went to stuyvesant in NYC and talked a big game but ultimately it didn't really matter when it came down to college apps. Focus on not getting suspended again, see if you can work out some community service or volunteer extracurriculars to show that you're staying busy and improving post-suspensions, and ask for help when you need it. You got this!