Dropping down a math level in MS to increase GPA later (in HS)?

[Anonymous]

The fastest tract is Algebra in 6th, wait till 7th and get them a tutor. Don't repeat Algebra. If anything have them do a summer prep class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the best option is algebra in 7th then repeat algebra in 8th. 2 years allows a solid foundation.

The MCPS algebra is too easy. It’s a waste of time to repeat it for another year. Better repeat something else.

[Anonymous]

I would get your child a tutor in math before changing tracks. You cannot change it back. Maybe it's just a few key concepts that your kid missed over the years, that can be easily worked on by a tutor.

My kid with a math disability was able to reach AP Calc BC as a senior, with the intention of majoring in a non-STEM discipline. However, he picked a Bachelor of Science over a Bachelor of Arts in his field, is required to take 6 STEM credits, because he wants to add some data science to his studies. It makes his degree more marketable and has applications in his field. He took a required math class as a freshman and found it absurdly easy given his math background.

I want to echo some posters who say that standing out is part of the game for college admissions. A Humanities major who is also solid in math is a lot more interesting than a non-mathy one. This has implications not only for selective college entry, but also for receiving merit aid. College is outrageously expensive, OP. I'm paying 65K a year and that's after DS receives 20K merit aid a year. He was admitted to our state flagship with honors, but it didn't have his desired major, so we made that choice. Flagship is 30K a year.

So. Lots of good reasons to stick to the current track for now, WITH a tutor. Then reassess as needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

The main reason for taking calc in high school is in case it is required for whatever major in college and has to be taken there.

Business and economics and MBAs tend to require an understanding of calculus. At around the AP Calculus AB level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

The main reason for taking calc in high school is in case it is required for whatever major in college and has to be taken there.

Business and economics and MBAs tend to require an understanding of calculus. At around the AP Calculus AB level.

College is there to teach college classes. You don't need to take all your college classes in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC did compacted math in ES and is now in the top math stratum in MS. DC earns comfortable Bs in math and As in absolutely everything else. DC is not (not, not, not) a STEM kid and has never had any interest in anything even remotely resembling STEM. Do we pull back a level or two in grades 7-8 in order to enhance the chances of easier As later? Probably not particularly worried about strength of math schedule given that DC will major in something not-STEM in college anyway. Are there caveats or success stories that people can share?

Absolutely should back off a year. Algebra 2 in 9th is a terrible choice for a non-STEM kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

If kid is not grasping content of AIM, I would switch to AMP 7+ next year. Will give more time to understand the foundational skills that are necessary moving forward. I agree it will only get worse moving forward, and a strong foundation is very important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

Even if your DC drops down the AMP 7+ for 7th grade, they will be on track for Calc in 12th if they want to take it. I would not worry about this now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

So you don’t need to decide on calc now. Even if you pull back a year and do Algebra 1 in 8th instead of 7th (or repeat it in 8th), they can still do Calc as a senior, or opt for AP Stats instead. For stem and business, colleges want to see calc in high school. Some top colleges want calc for everyone while an increasing number are starting to recognize the value of Stats for non-stem and non-business majors. As long as they get through Alg 1 in 8th, the options remain open.

Plenty of kids take Calculus in college (even strong colleges) for the first time. Don't worry about that. DO make sure that your child knows everything prior to Calculus and can score well on the SAT/ACT math section. I think that shows colleges the potential for Calculus. And yes, lots of non-STEM majors now require Calculus.

But, I agree with some PPs that you are really rushing things. Don't communicate to a 6th grader, or yourself, that your DC is incapable of higher level math or STEM careers. Make the best decision for next year and then keep doing that each year as your child matures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

The main reason for taking calc in high school is in case it is required for whatever major in college and has to be taken there.

Business and economics and MBAs tend to require an understanding of calculus. At around the AP Calculus AB level.

College is there to teach college classes. You don't need to take all your college classes in high school.

Unless you prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for a calculus class in college vs getting it for free in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

The main reason for taking calc in high school is in case it is required for whatever major in college and has to be taken there.

Business and economics and MBAs tend to require an understanding of calculus. At around the AP Calculus AB level.

College is there to teach college classes. You don't need to take all your college classes in high school.

Unless you prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for a calculus class in college vs getting it for free in HS.

A lot of more selective colleges don't give credit any more, they just use APs for prerequisites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks so much for the advice thus far. DC's current math class is AIM or AMP7 (AIM, I think?). It's the fastest/highest one available during grade 6 at DC's MS. And it's definitely being taught well - it's just that DC isn't internalizing it, and it's only going to get harder. Math when I was in HS was taught essentially as a series of (increasingly complex) memorized steps, but our kids are now being walked through (without understanding it yet) how and why problems are solved in certain ways. The contextual, holistic side of all this is totally lost on DC.

I very much appreciate the things that math can do for the mind, but it seems to me that not everyone needs calculus. Do people think (or know from experience) that not taking calc significantly compromises college admissions if the rest of the schedule and grades are strong? That's the background to the "getting As" part of my initial message. I'm not in a STEM career, and the math I need daily has to do with being a literate-skeptical member of adult society: interpreting statistics, making good estimates, crunching very basic data, handling finances, checking budgets. I'd rather see DC have a sound foundation in algebra and geometry (as others have observed) and really _learn_ something in a stats course then scrape a mediocre grade in calc, but I don't want to hold back the college apps if getting DC through calc seems essential.

The main reason for taking calc in high school is in case it is required for whatever major in college and has to be taken there.

Business and economics and MBAs tend to require an understanding of calculus. At around the AP Calculus AB level.

College is there to teach college classes. You don't need to take all your college classes in high school.

Unless you prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for a calculus class in college vs getting it for free in HS.

A lot of more selective colleges don't give credit any more, they just use APs for prerequisites.

Either way, there's a good chance your kid will be better served by taking calculus in HS for a full year vs taking it in college for a semester for 3 hours a week (possibly with a large class of 100+ kids and relying on TA office hours). This happens even at many small, selective schools. And if they do get credit for it, that actually frees up their schedules to take the interesting classes that are more worth the money spent on them.

Obviously this is if they're interested in STEM. If they're not, then it's a different issue. Obviously not everyone needs to take calculus.

[Anonymous]

I am also considering pulling DD back in MS. She's in compacted math in ES. My older child thrived on the advanced track but I see how much work it is and I think it will cause a lot of stress for younger DD. She loves reading and writing and I'd rather she push herself in the more advanced HS classes that she'll enjoy more. I'd like to leave room in her HS schedule for more APs along those lines and think she'll be fine in math one step slower than she has now. By the time they get to HS it's really a lot for kids who aren't into math.