HS choice for kids taking Algebra II in grade 8

[Anonymous]

My DS is a rising 8th grader, and so we are starting to think about options for high school. We are in the DCC area. DS is taking Algebra II this year, though, and someone told me that not all of the DCC high schools have enough math offerings for kids in his position to have a math class available during senior year. For anyone with knowledge of the DCC high schools, is this true? And, if yes, how does this impact the school choice process? Does it mean that DS’s options are limited to certain schools? Or that does it mean that he can attend whatever school he is admitted to, and take his math class at a different school for senior year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a rising 8th grader, and so we are starting to think about options for high school. We are in the DCC area. DS is taking Algebra II this year, though, and someone told me that not all of the DCC high schools have enough math offerings for kids in his position to have a math class available during senior year. For anyone with knowledge of the DCC high schools, is this true? And, if yes, how does this impact the school choice process? Does it mean that DS’s options are limited to certain schools? Or that does it mean that he can attend whatever school he is admitted to, and take his math class at a different school for senior year?

I don't know what's offered at every high school but the DCC HS my kids go to offers plenty of math beyond Calc BC. I'd wager all have some options since state law requires 4 years of math in HS regardless of where they start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a rising 8th grader, and so we are starting to think about options for high school. We are in the DCC area. DS is taking Algebra II this year, though, and someone told me that not all of the DCC high schools have enough math offerings for kids in his position to have a math class available during senior year. For anyone with knowledge of the DCC high schools, is this true? And, if yes, how does this impact the school choice process? Does it mean that DS’s options are limited to certain schools? Or that does it mean that he can attend whatever school he is admitted to, and take his math class at a different school for senior year?

I don't know what's offered at every high school but the DCC HS my kids go to offers plenty of math beyond Calc BC. I'd wager all have some options since state law requires 4 years of math in HS regardless of where they start.

We are in the same situation but from what I saw there are choices and mcps probably offers other options by the time it’s an issue like virtual

[Anonymous]

If I were you, I'd go on the websites of the different high schools and check what they have beyond AP Calc BC. There may also be dual enrollment options, but I don't know about transport and scheduling (also colleges tend to accept APs much more easily than dual enrollment courses, just FYI).

My kid will be in that situation, but she's in bounds for BCC so we'll just have to see what's available there.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine that every school doesn't have AP stats in addition to calc bc. Our HS has a half-dozen additional courses from complex analysis, linear algebra, discrete math, and additional stats aside from AP stats.

[Anonymous]

Your DC will take Honors Precalc in 9th, and probably AP BC Calculus in 10th. What you are looking for is Multi-variable Calculus (MVC) for 11th and Linear Algebra for 12th. Or in IB the highest math pathway at the HL level covers 11th & 12th (my DS1 did this in the RM magnet). Otherwise, your kid can take math at Montgomery College in Takoma Park.

Blair has the Math/Science magnet and definitely has plenty of math. Kennedy has an IB program and the highest level IB math should productively fill 11th and 12th grade. Also, check Wheaton’s offerings. They have Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering and biomedical magnets, with plenty of mathy kids. I don’t happen to know what their top math pathway is.

[Anonymous]

Wheaton and Blair for sure have may beyond Calculus BC. I have a kid at each school. Check out the other schools’ offerings.

[Anonymous]

Einstein also has an IB program, so they’ll have high math offerings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Einstein also has an IB program, so they’ll have high math offerings.

Check the school site closely and comparenit to RMIB offerings. Not every IB program in MCPS offers the full set of classes, and it is usually the most advanced that is left out.

That said, MCPS is entertaining Virtual Academy on a course-by-course/ad hoc basis to offer access to classes not available at a particular school. This would be an option different from dual enrollment/Montgomey College. Advantages & disadvantages, to be sure, but would be great to have the flexibility best to meet diverse needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a rising 8th grader, and so we are starting to think about options for high school. We are in the DCC area. DS is taking Algebra II this year, though, and someone told me that not all of the DCC high schools have enough math offerings for kids in his position to have a math class available during senior year. For anyone with knowledge of the DCC high schools, is this true? And, if yes, how does this impact the school choice process? Does it mean that DS’s options are limited to certain schools? Or that does it mean that he can attend whatever school he is admitted to, and take his math class at a different school for senior year?

MCPS publishes a catalog of courses for each high school. You'll see that almost every school has several options after Calc BC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein also has an IB program, so they’ll have high math offerings.

Check the school site closely and comparenit to RMIB offerings. Not every IB program in MCPS offers the full set of classes, and it is usually the most advanced that is left out.

That said, MCPS is entertaining Virtual Academy on a course-by-course/ad hoc basis to offer access to classes not available at a particular school. This would be an option different from dual enrollment/Montgomey College. Advantages & disadvantages, to be sure, but would be great to have the flexibility best to meet diverse needs.

Einstein offers both AP Calc courses as well as AP Stats, but I’m not sure they consistently offer the HL math course in IB. Depending on interest, scheduling, and teacher availability, they may only offer SL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Einstein also has an IB program, so they’ll have high math offerings.

Einstein has not offered the higher levels of math beyond Calc BC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your DC will take Honors Precalc in 9th, and probably AP BC Calculus in 10th. What you are looking for is Multi-variable Calculus (MVC) for 11th and Linear Algebra for 12th. Or in IB the highest math pathway at the HL level covers 11th & 12th (my DS1 did this in the RM magnet). Otherwise, your kid can take math at Montgomery College in Takoma Park.

Blair has the Math/Science magnet and definitely has plenty of math. Kennedy has an IB program and the highest level IB math should productively fill 11th and 12th grade. Also, check Wheaton’s offerings. They have Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering and biomedical magnets, with plenty of mathy kids. I don’t happen to know what their top math pathway is.

AP Stats is another common option for kids that take Algebra in 6th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a rising 8th grader, and so we are starting to think about options for high school. We are in the DCC area. DS is taking Algebra II this year, though, and someone told me that not all of the DCC high schools have enough math offerings for kids in his position to have a math class available during senior year. For anyone with knowledge of the DCC high schools, is this true? And, if yes, how does this impact the school choice process? Does it mean that DS’s options are limited to certain schools? Or that does it mean that he can attend whatever school he is admitted to, and take his math class at a different school for senior year?

#fakenews they all do some may have more but all have enough to cover his years in HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein also has an IB program, so they’ll have high math offerings.

Einstein has not offered the higher levels of math beyond Calc BC.

As you can see on the MCPS website, that is not true, https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/a-j/einsteinhs/uploadedfiles/counseling/math20courses.pdf