FCPS High School Honors Cohort Class/Curriculum Questions

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have kids who are students in any local FCPS high school (not TJ) that offers honors "cohort" classes?

I'm curious as to what the experiences have been for your children who take honors cohort in any of the FCPS high schools that offer this program. My understanding of this honors cohort classes for 9th grade is that English, History and Science (usually Biology) are taught by connecting the disciplines so that the students are not compartmentalizing education in the traditional sense. The benefits appear to be an emphasis on critical thinking through writing and group projects and testing seems to depart the traditional multiple choice format (although because there may be an SOL at the grade level, things are also taught accordingly). It also seems that the purpose is to help kids to connect different concepts.

I concede that my understanding of these types of classes may be (i) superficial, or (ii) even completely wrong. If I'm mistaken in my understanding or even completely off-base I'd love to get non-troll/non-flame responses from parents of students or students who take these classes to understand the pros and cons. The questions I have are the following:

What did your student find difficult or challenging about these classes?

What did your student find the most helpful about these classes?

If the program was only offered in certain years (such as 9/10th grade), did your student adjust well back to the traditional setting of classes?

How much of the curriculum is based on "group work?"

I also realize that a cohort honors class offered in one high school (say Marshall) will not necessarily be exactly the same as one offered in another (say McLean or Oakton) so a general overview is what I'm seeking. Many thanks to anyone who offers their candid thoughts and experiences.

[Anonymous]

Cohort AAP classes stop in grade 8 so you wouldn’t find them at Oakton or Marshall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cohort AAP classes stop in grade 8 so you wouldn’t find them at Oakton or Marshall.

Our ES AAP classes did this, especially in 5th and 6th grade, where the core classes were somewhat combined and interdisciplinary. Our MS AAP classes don't do that though.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of this (and I have taught in multiple FCPS high schools!) What school is offering this, OP?

[Anonymous]

Madison does this. My friend’s child did it and loved it.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of HS honors cohort classes. Seems like a scheduling nightmare for HS staff. Regardless anyone can choose to take honors classes in High school.

[Anonymous]

The majority of my HS child’s honors classes do not have just multiple choice questions on the tests. There seems to be a variety of type of questions on each test with some questions that require critical thinking though I could see a multiple choice question also requiring critical thinking. My child is not in this honors cohort HS. Interesting I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds great.

[Anonymous]

My child did it. Was terrible in the fundamentals that they did not learn, but their year was interrupted by Covid so maybe it is better now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Madison does this. My friend’s child did it and loved it.

My child chose not to do the cohort because she wanted to take AP World History instead of World History Honors. But I have several friends whose kids enjoyed the cohort. It’s supposed to be much more project based than the non-cohort classes, which really appeals to some students.