Eliot-Hine Experiences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

HIT THE NAIL IN THE HEAD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't really understand who decides what is grade level vs advanced vs remedial. People make these assertions about it but is there any sort.of policy document, statute, regulation, etc., that determines it? Or are people just stating their opinions and saying "actually" to make it sound authoritative?

Maybe remedial is another way of saying "lowest track."

It's helpful to see what the suburban districts are doing. Here is MCPS:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/k-q/poolesvillehs/uploadedfiles/departments/math/mathpathways.pdf

you can see algebra in 9th is the lowest level offered.

FCPS also has all kids doing Algebra by 8th. so when a PP said this:

"But in DCPS that track is actually the high level track which gets you to Algebra 1 by 8th. The “regular” track in DCPS which gets you to precal in 12th is actual remedial."

It's because algebra in 9th grade is remedial by the standards of most public school jurisdictions.

But "remedial" doesn't mean lowest track. It means there's something that needs to be *remedied*. Like below grade, needs to catch up. That's different from being the lowest track, because being the lowest track at a particular school doesn't tell you whether it's below grade level.

And I am very skeptical that those jurisdictions have everyone actually doing Algebra that is truly high school level in 8th, even if they say that's their curriculum.

My sisters kids are in fcps and are truly doing high school level algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th. This is not even considered advanced by the way. However dc standards are such a joke of course you should be skeptical.

That's not the point. Nobody disputes that *some* of the kids in FCPS are doing very well in math. The point is what's the minimum level in FCPS-- the actual minimum, not what they *say* is the minimum.

To earn a standard diploma in FCPS you need 3 math credits. To earn an advanced studies diploma you need 4 math credits.

FCPS outlines three different pathways for math courses:
- Career Pathway: goal to complete Algebra II and one additional upper-level course
- College Pathway: goal to complete one AP course by graduation
- STEM College Pathway: goal to complete Calc BC AP by graduation

A student taking Algebra I freshman year is not remedial, as they could easily meet standard diploma course requirements on the Career or College pathway. Likewise, a student taking Algebra I in 8th grade could still be on the STEM College Pathway.

FCPS also says this: "Math pathways are about meaningful and relevant experiences, not a race to complete courses."

DC standards are not so different.

Thank you for this informative response.

This is someone so stupid and ill informed that it makes me equally sad for you and angry.

Dcps doesn’t offer the advanced (and I would argue remedial) offerings that FCPS does. It seems like no dcps offers, for example, algebra 2 to 8th graders. Very few offer geometry to 8th graders. Very few even do tracking for 6th grade math (maybe deal?). The science curriculum in dc is a total joke.

You’re holding back an entire generation of students and your low expectations are pathetic and racist. I was really pro dcps until my kids were in the older grades and I could see the years of poor remedial curriculum holding back real promise. It makes me physically sick.

Every DCPS middle school commonly discussed on DCUM (including EH) has a pathway for kids to do algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th. Granted it is less common to push 6th graders into algebra in these schools but I’m not sure that is worth being “physically sick” over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't really understand who decides what is grade level vs advanced vs remedial. People make these assertions about it but is there any sort.of policy document, statute, regulation, etc., that determines it? Or are people just stating their opinions and saying "actually" to make it sound authoritative?

Maybe remedial is another way of saying "lowest track."

It's helpful to see what the suburban districts are doing. Here is MCPS:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/k-q/poolesvillehs/uploadedfiles/departments/math/mathpathways.pdf

you can see algebra in 9th is the lowest level offered.

FCPS also has all kids doing Algebra by 8th. so when a PP said this:

"But in DCPS that track is actually the high level track which gets you to Algebra 1 by 8th. The “regular” track in DCPS which gets you to precal in 12th is actual remedial."

It's because algebra in 9th grade is remedial by the standards of most public school jurisdictions.

But "remedial" doesn't mean lowest track. It means there's something that needs to be *remedied*. Like below grade, needs to catch up. That's different from being the lowest track, because being the lowest track at a particular school doesn't tell you whether it's below grade level.

And I am very skeptical that those jurisdictions have everyone actually doing Algebra that is truly high school level in 8th, even if they say that's their curriculum.

My sisters kids are in fcps and are truly doing high school level algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th. This is not even considered advanced by the way. However dc standards are such a joke of course you should be skeptical.

That's not the point. Nobody disputes that *some* of the kids in FCPS are doing very well in math. The point is what's the minimum level in FCPS-- the actual minimum, not what they *say* is the minimum.

To earn a standard diploma in FCPS you need 3 math credits. To earn an advanced studies diploma you need 4 math credits.

FCPS outlines three different pathways for math courses:
- Career Pathway: goal to complete Algebra II and one additional upper-level course
- College Pathway: goal to complete one AP course by graduation
- STEM College Pathway: goal to complete Calc BC AP by graduation

A student taking Algebra I freshman year is not remedial, as they could easily meet standard diploma course requirements on the Career or College pathway. Likewise, a student taking Algebra I in 8th grade could still be on the STEM College Pathway.

FCPS also says this: "Math pathways are about meaningful and relevant experiences, not a race to complete courses."

DC standards are not so different.

A student taking Algebra 1 in 9th will be unable to reach AP cal by 12th. They cannot meet the college pathway which many have said here you should at least have taken AP Cal that is basically the career or technical pathway for math or replace with remedial for those on this board.

Ok and? Every single kid in DCPS with the math ability to major in STEM in college will have access to algebra in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I was so impressed with the thoughtful way that the OP and later posters talked about Eliot. My personal experience hasn’t been great- lots of heavy pressure from sanctimonious moms informing me of “how wonderful” it is and the “importance of choosing your local dcps” and “investing in your local school” while being very light on details and specifics. I think it’s important to know the warts and all of a school.

Your personal experience at the school? Or your personal experience talking to people?
Either way, there are ‘warts’ at every school, I think for middle school the good outweighs the bad at EH, but that’s just my view.
PS, if you want a sneak peek into the school, their play is this weekend.

Why do you think the good outweighs the bad and do you have another middle school experience to compare it to?

I agree with a more recent poster who commented on how this thread has gone a little all over the place.
The experience my kids and their friends have had over multiple years in total at the school so far includes interesting projects, challenging math and engaged teachers. It includes playing multiple years in a band and having a chance to travel with your band, performing in a play, participating in debate or choir, various book, clubs, and sports. There are the sports that people think of like basketball soccer, baseball cross country, but they also have ultimate frisbee, golf, swimming, archery, and a few others. I think they have a robotics club, a creative writing club, and more I am sure I am forgetting.
As this thread has mentioned, maybe they are missing certain math classes, although they do go up to geometry in eighth grade. And any school anywhere is going to have ups and downs. Overall it sounds like it could be a good fit for OP, lots of folks like it, most dont say it’s perfect.

Thanks! I am also pleasantly surprised by the number of field trips. My kid enjoys them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

Everyone happily went to Eastern HS unless they had “specific reasons”?

ROFL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

Everyone happily went to Eastern HS unless they had “specific reasons”?

ROFL

EH = Eliot Hine in this context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

Everyone happily went to Eastern HS unless they had “specific reasons”?

ROFL

EH = Eliot Hine in this context.

EH feeds to Eastern HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

Everyone happily went to Eastern HS unless they had “specific reasons”?

ROFL

EH = Eliot Hine in this context.

EH feeds to Eastern HS.

Correct, but that’s not what this conversation is about.

[Anonymous]

I love how the boosters rationalize their kids heading to Walls, Banneker and privates and somehow they think that's ok, yet bypassing EH is not ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

No. NP here with a kid at Maury. I don’t talk middle school with other kids’ parents because the pro-EH narrative is so rabid and deciding EH isn’t for your kid is coded as racist/classist/being a bad neighbor. Our decision that it’s not right for our kid is being kept under wraps. Ridiculous it comes to this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

No. NP here with a kid at Maury. I don’t talk middle school with other kids’ parents because the pro-EH narrative is so rabid and deciding EH isn’t for your kid is coded as racist/classist/being a bad neighbor. Our decision that it’s not right for our kid is being kept under wraps. Ridiculous it comes to this.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

I live in the neighborhood, and I know plenty of people who aren't boosters. Just ask older parents at your kid's school. My kid went to Maury, and parents would openly talk about the good and bad of EH at Maury events/pickup/playground meetups, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

No. NP here with a kid at Maury. I don’t talk middle school with other kids’ parents because the pro-EH narrative is so rabid and deciding EH isn’t for your kid is coded as racist/classist/being a bad neighbor. Our decision that it’s not right for our kid is being kept under wraps. Ridiculous it comes to this.

This is so crazy to me. why would people sacrifice their child's education just because the parent (not the child!) is experiencing peer pressure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just ask people in the neighborhood OP. You’ll get better results than here.

No, the neighborhood is full of boosters. I worry people who have had bad experiences won't say a word because they are afraid of backlash.

Maybe it’s because most of the neighbors who send their kids to EH are pretty content with it? I know I am. The only kids I know of that left before 8th had very specific reasons.

No. NP here with a kid at Maury. I don’t talk middle school with other kids’ parents because the pro-EH narrative is so rabid and deciding EH isn’t for your kid is coded as racist/classist/being a bad neighbor. Our decision that it’s not right for our kid is being kept under wraps. Ridiculous it comes to this.

My kid was at Maury a few years ago. Plenty of people with older kids told us to apply to the lottery because in their experience 3/4 of the 4th grade wouldn't return for 5th. They were open about where they were applying, in which order, everything. Families wanted to stick together so they'd get together to put their choices in the same order.