Retaking Algebra 1 in MCPS summer school if already passed?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a rising 9th grader who is currently taking Honors Geometry. She took Algebra 1 in 7th grade and passed with all A's. However, she, like many MCPS students, suffered through the pandemic teaching, and I know her mastery isn't there with some of the foundational concepts skipped (going back to 6th grade virtual learning) and other parts were super rushed. She decided to not take Honors Algebra 2 in the fall, instead opting to take regular Algebra 2. We want her to have some rigor, but she is not mathy--humanities is more her thing and comes naturally to her.

In preparing her to take Algebra 2, I would like for her to re-take Algebra 1 over the summer. Does anyone know if MCPS allows students to re-take a class for enrichment in summer school that they already passed (space permitted, of course)? Montgomery College offers an Algebra 1 camp/class taught by Yang Academy, but it's only for 11-13 year-olds; 14-17 year-olds can only enroll in the Algebra 2 offering. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

My understanding was that summer programs at local high schools are for credit recovery only. Previously, with covid funding, there was enrichment opportunities in summer school but that is no longer the case at least a B-CC where my child attends. I would imagine this policy has to extend universally among all the high schools.

[Anonymous]

Summer school is too intensive rush schedule.

AoPS has free Algebra 1 videos and adaptive exercises by topic, so you can see exactly where there are knowledge caps.

https://artofproblemsolving.com/resources

Khan academy has a free course also.

There are other inexpensive options as well.

[Anonymous]

If you want attend Yang Academy I'd forgive you for lying about your daughter's age.

[Anonymous]

Algebra 1 is listed as being available for grade improvement/replacement in the central high school summer program (this is online):

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/extendedhours/summerschool/courses/

[Anonymous]

I would have her work with a tutor. They can tailor lessons to her weak points.

[Anonymous]

She took algebra in person so stop blaming the pandemic. Mcps has offered free tutoring for two years.

[Anonymous]

Yang Academy is intended as a preview of the coming year.

If your student got an A in Algebra and Geometry, Yang Algebra 2 is the height level for review and preview.

https://montgomerycollege.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassListing.ClassListingDisplay&int_category_id=38&int_sub_category_id=278

[Anonymous]

OP, I would consider enrolling your child in an RSM review course over the summer. IME, they are much more rigorous than what MCPS offers. Here is the Chevy Chase location schedule: https://www.mathschool.com/locations/chevy-chase/schedule

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would consider enrolling your child in an RSM review course over the summer. IME, they are much more rigorous than what MCPS offers. Here is the Chevy Chase location schedule: https://www.mathschool.com/locations/chevy-chase/schedule

This is good advice and likely would be more helpful than anything MCPS would offer. I love public schools but math tends to be slow and painful.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the helpful replies, except for you-know-who. Wouldn’t be DCurbanmom without at least one nasty, useless reply, unfortunately .

She learns math better in small groups—in person, or live. We did some tutoring with her Geometry content, but she has social anxiety, and getting her to work one-on-one with a tutor, even the option where the students don’t have to be on camera, only using a white board and chat, was like pulling teeth. She sees a therapist to work on this and improve her social skills, so she’s a work in progress.

I’ll have her take the Yang Academy’s Algebra 2 prep class and contact RSM to get her evaluated and in an appropriate level for her this summer.

Thanks, again. Appreciate the advice!

[Anonymous]

Get her anxiety treated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want attend Yang Academy I'd forgive you for lying about your daughter's age.

I though about that—she just turned 14. I’ll have her take the Algebra 2 prep and look into RSM. And maybe throw in some Khan academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get her anxiety treated.

Did you miss the part where I said she is in therapy? She had a psych evaluation last September and has been in weekly therapy since November. Did you mean medicate her? Believe me, this is important to us. I want her to be better adjusted when she starts high school, or things can go downhill fast, I know. Her therapist and pediatrician have not recommended meds, so we’re not considering that avenue now.