How easy/hard are MCPS summer school classes?

[Anonymous]

My son took health last summer and while not hard, it was certainly time consuming since it is so compressed. Of course all students were taking for the first time.

My son is taking Spanish 3B and 2nd semester Chemistry for grade improvement.
Wondering how grading works? Do they just get a semester grade at the end I assume?

Do you think the tests and grading are easier or harder than during the regular school?
My son had particularly bad teachers for these classes so he’ll likely start getting ready before the class starts. I’d feel awful if I ruined his summer and he didn’t get a better grade.

[Anonymous]

I think the Spanish would be easier since he took it already and would help for Spanish 4. Chemistry may be harder because the content likely varies. What was his grade in Chemistry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the Spanish would be easier since he took it already and would help for Spanish 4. Chemistry may be harder because the content likely varies. What was his grade in Chemistry?

OP here.
He had As the first two quarters but his Chemistry teacher said she felt kids needed to understand life goes on if they fail so she gave them 1-2 tests in 3rd quarter where just about everyone failed. She thought that was funny because she failed Chemistry in high school. It wasn't close to being as funny as she thought it would be. She also misses a lot of school and won't teach at all that day if kids don't settle in fast enough when class starts. She's good when she teaches but takes a lot of breaks when she's in a bad mood.

My son got a C for 3rd quarter with a 78 or 79. Likely getting a high B for 4th Quarter (maybe an A)

I just don't want him to feel pressure junior year and if he can get these two 2nd semester from Bs to As, it alleviates a lot of stress.

He can get help at home with Chemistry but I'm just wondering if anyone had any experience with taking this over the summer and if they grade the kids more harshly or if it's not too bad.
I suppose a lot depends on the teacher. I'm hoping curriculum is similar since Chemistry is at the home school.

Spanish is through Central Office so I guess that could include a lot of variation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Spanish would be easier since he took it already and would help for Spanish 4. Chemistry may be harder because the content likely varies. What was his grade in Chemistry?

OP here.
He had As the first two quarters but his Chemistry teacher said she felt kids needed to understand life goes on if they fail so she gave them 1-2 tests in 3rd quarter where just about everyone failed. She thought that was funny because she failed Chemistry in high school. It wasn't close to being as funny as she thought it would be. She also misses a lot of school and won't teach at all that day if kids don't settle in fast enough when class starts. She's good when she teaches but takes a lot of breaks when she's in a bad mood.

My son got a C for 3rd quarter with a 78 or 79. Likely getting a high B for 4th Quarter (maybe an A)

I just don't want him to feel pressure junior year and if he can get these two 2nd semester from Bs to As, it alleviates a lot of stress.

He can get help at home with Chemistry but I'm just wondering if anyone had any experience with taking this over the summer and if they grade the kids more harshly or if it's not too bad.
I suppose a lot depends on the teacher. I'm hoping curriculum is similar since Chemistry is at the home school.

Spanish is through Central Office so I guess that could include a lot of variation.

Whoa whoa whoa. Did you follow up with the department head / principal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Spanish would be easier since he took it already and would help for Spanish 4. Chemistry may be harder because the content likely varies. What was his grade in Chemistry?

OP here.
He had As the first two quarters but his Chemistry teacher said she felt kids needed to understand life goes on if they fail so she gave them 1-2 tests in 3rd quarter where just about everyone failed. She thought that was funny because she failed Chemistry in high school. It wasn't close to being as funny as she thought it would be. She also misses a lot of school and won't teach at all that day if kids don't settle in fast enough when class starts. She's good when she teaches but takes a lot of breaks when she's in a bad mood.

My son got a C for 3rd quarter with a 78 or 79. Likely getting a high B for 4th Quarter (maybe an A)

I just don't want him to feel pressure junior year and if he can get these two 2nd semester from Bs to As, it alleviates a lot of stress.

He can get help at home with Chemistry but I'm just wondering if anyone had any experience with taking this over the summer and if they grade the kids more harshly or if it's not too bad.
I suppose a lot depends on the teacher. I'm hoping curriculum is similar since Chemistry is at the home school.

Spanish is through Central Office so I guess that could include a lot of variation.

You don’t want him to feel pressure Junior year so instead you’re adding pressure in the summer? Making him retake a class(in a compressed timeline) where his average is likely to be a “B”? Unless you feel he is lacking some skills/knowledge I don’t see the purpose. And even then a tutor would likely be better.