Many of us parents are used to talking about classes almost on a daily basis with our sons and daughters and meeting with teachers at conferences. We may be quite involved in our children's schools - in the PTA, or in the sports or music boosters club, or even as School Board members. At IMSA, that closeness to our teens' lives changes. That certainly does not mean that we lose all contact, but there is a delay in communications, rather than daily updates. Sometimes you will need to be more aggressive in finding out what is going on - calling an RC or a teacher to get your questions answered.
IMSA students are also under a lot of pressure for academic excellence.
Now their competition in class may be a lot keener than in their local schools. The grading standards are usually tougher. The school day is longer and the class load heavier. It is sometimes hard to be supportive when we are not fully aware of all the pressures at IMSA, but the situation demands it. Nine classes of IMSA students have successfully graduated and gone on with their lives.