Why do so few private schools offer accelerated math?

[Anonymous]

I am looking at private schools for my older child and I feel like most of the time choosing private decreases the quality and level of math or science DC could be taking? Why is this the case for private schools. I know there are some exceptions but it seems like privates do better as a rule with writing, sometimes foreign language at younger ages, and critical thinking. It seems like strong math and science are things parents want so why are schools not providing it?

I will also say this is a long term issue, I left a big 3 for a public as a kid in part because the math and science at the public were so much better. I am totally happy about that in retrospect although I missed having the strong writing focus private gave.

[Anonymous]

OP, you might find this article interesting: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/03/the-math-revolution/426855/

[Anonymous]

My kid entered 9th grade at a Big3 this fall from public as a super accelerated math kid--took algebra in 6th. We quickly found that despite having all As in math (Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2), she didn't really know much math.
The Big3 math was so much deeper and more difficult than what she was used to in public. After a month we dropped her down a level (from honors precalc to honors algebra 2) and she is doing really well (second year of algebra 2)

Now, some of this may be pandemic related and your mileage may vary but in *our* experience, the public school "acceleration" was a mile wide and a foot deep.

[Anonymous]

I think that culturally, a lot of private schools are run by humanities types who prize the humanities and arts over math and science. And until pretty recently, most parents either didn't care or were like that, too.

I attended a few boarding school information sessions last year, almost none of which mentioned math or science, and in answer to a question about accelerated math, an admissions rep said, "well, we aren't as concerned about kids learning a lot of calculus as we are at kids being able to participate in sports and theater and be their whole selves..." I thought it was interesting, as a parent who is actually pretty interested in her kid learning calculus.

[Anonymous]

I don't agree with your premise that lack of acceleration equals decreased quality. My private school kid is learning much more math and problem solving skills than his sister who is accelerated in public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid entered 9th grade at a Big3 this fall from public as a super accelerated math kid--took algebra in 6th. We quickly found that despite having all As in math (Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2), she didn't really know much math.
The Big3 math was so much deeper and more difficult than what she was used to in public. After a month we dropped her down a level (from honors precalc to honors algebra 2) and she is doing really well (second year of algebra 2)

Now, some of this may be pandemic related and your mileage may vary but in *our* experience, the public school "acceleration" was a mile wide and a foot deep.

Similar experience here. Kid was in most accelerated math in public middle school and could barely manage the regular level classes in private HS 9th grade. It was eye opening. I was expecting DC to be behind in writing but not math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid entered 9th grade at a Big3 this fall from public as a super accelerated math kid--took algebra in 6th. We quickly found that despite having all As in math (Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2), she didn't really know much math.
The Big3 math was so much deeper and more difficult than what she was used to in public. After a month we dropped her down a level (from honors precalc to honors algebra 2) and she is doing really well (second year of algebra 2)

Now, some of this may be pandemic related and your mileage may vary but in *our* experience, the public school "acceleration" was a mile wide and a foot deep.

What public school?

[Anonymous]

I have to say, as someone who was in accelerated/ GT public programs and is now in life sciences research, I am coming around to this idea that faster tracking is not the be all/ end all. Some of these private schools have much more integrated math studies and truly do dig deeper. I know, I know, I was skeptical before. But I’m getting more on board with it over time. And honestly, being able to write really well is an incredibly useful skill when applying for grants or in almost every single career. I see that as necessary to even math oriented careers.

[Anonymous]

^^and my child was able to do algebra in the fifth grade but still be challenged.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t necessarily buy the private math is harder. It might be it might not. My kids thought math at their private school was plenty challenging but had no way to compare.

How far and fast do you want your kid to go? I think a number of privates here go beyond multi variable as part of their normal accelerated track and some have independent study beyond that. For science it’s the usual AP classes.

Where the privates tend to lag is in the science and math competitions. I don’t think they encourage that or facilitate independent research like some of the magnets.

More kids, more classes. Public will always have the incentive to offer more. If that’s your thing then stay with public but it doesn’t seem that where the privates are is all that lacking for most students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you might find this article interesting: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/03/the-math-revolution/426855/

Great article—thx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you might find this article interesting: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/03/the-math-revolution/426855/

Great article—thx

NP - terrific article. It’s time to improve the quality of math instruction in all schools, and make sure that low income students can reap the benefits of truly in depth math studies as well. Agree that gen ed at most schools - public or private - is often filled with humanities people who aren’t so comfortable with math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you might find this article interesting: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/03/the-math-revolution/426855/

Great article—thx

NP - terrific article. It’s time to improve the quality of math instruction in all schools, and make sure that low income students can reap the benefits of truly in depth math studies as well. Agree that gen ed at most schools - public or private - is often filled with humanities people who aren’t so comfortable with math.

That will have to happen in public because there are few low income students in privates. That’s not who those schools are there for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid entered 9th grade at a Big3 this fall from public as a super accelerated math kid--took algebra in 6th. We quickly found that despite having all As in math (Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2), she didn't really know much math.
The Big3 math was so much deeper and more difficult than what she was used to in public. After a month we dropped her down a level (from honors precalc to honors algebra 2) and she is doing really well (second year of algebra 2)

Now, some of this may be pandemic related and your mileage may vary but in *our* experience, the public school "acceleration" was a mile wide and a foot deep.

What public school?

That's the latest excuse some private schools parents have been using for the lack of advanced math in private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid entered 9th grade at a Big3 this fall from public as a super accelerated math kid--took algebra in 6th. We quickly found that despite having all As in math (Algebra 1, geometry, Algebra 2), she didn't really know much math.
The Big3 math was so much deeper and more difficult than what she was used to in public. After a month we dropped her down a level (from honors precalc to honors algebra 2) and she is doing really well (second year of algebra 2)

Now, some of this may be pandemic related and your mileage may vary but in *our* experience, the public school "acceleration" was a mile wide and a foot deep.

Similar experience here. Kid was in most accelerated math in public middle school and could barely manage the regular level classes in private HS 9th grade. It was eye opening. I was expecting DC to be behind in writing but not math.

Latest myth