Math Placement

[Anonymous]

We had a similar issue coming from a public to a private. My kid was placed in a lower level math after the placement test, despite excellent grades and the recommendation from then current teacher. We met with the math department dean who assured us it was the right level and we accepted that response. Within the first few weeks of school, the new school's math teacher quickly identified that my kid should be in a higher math level and kid was switched. He has been happily and appropriately challenged in the more advanced class.

I'd reach out to the math department dean and talk about options. Maybe it is the right level. Is there room at the beginning of the year to move up if not? What does your kids' current math teacher say? It is probably easier to move up if it's not the right level, versus moving down.

[Anonymous]

Is he coming from public school? Take those As with a grain of salt. Sure, retake the exam but if he still doesn’t pass it, he probably doesn’t know the material.

[Anonymous]

I would ask if he could retake the test before June so that you’ll know his math placement before you’re on the hook for the full year’s tuition (which is June 1 at most schools). I wouldn’t leave a school I otherwise loved due to math placement. But, if you want that option, have him take the test earlier.

I also would consider if there is material on the test that he didn’t learn yet and could learn prior to the retake or material from earlier in the year that he needs to review. If he still doesn’t pass, you could talk to the math department and make an argument for a different placement. Although, they probably won’t be receptive to that, if two placement tests show he belongs in a lower class. Also, you could ask whether there is an option to take a summer class this summer or next to move up to the math he would have otherwise been in.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. Study for the June test.

[Anonymous]

I'd also ask what the impact of the lower placement has on their track. Is this a case where they are a year behind (i.e., taking Geometry rather than Algebra II), or is this a case where they are in a lower level of challenge but for the same subject? If they are new to the school - I don't hate having one class be a bit easier in the first year - especially if they can progress to the more challenging class in future years.

[Anonymous]

If you’re talking about Geometry, occasionally kids have to retake it in HS. One option may be to offer to take it over the summer—Landon and I think GDS offer a full year of geometry over the summer (students don’t have to go those schools to attend their summer programs). Other option is to take Honors Geometry as a freshman which will put your kid on a good math trajectory. Either way, your child should probably do some sort of summer math to keep on top of it (Fairfax Collegiate has a variety of in person and virtual options).

[Anonymous]

There are a few schools known for this (have heard of it happening at Georgetown Prep, Visi and Gonzaga, but others may suggest this too). I would not over-react and pull your kid. The goal is to get thru Calc in high school which should be doable starting in Geometry. If the student is starting in Alg 1 which does happen, see if they can take Geometry over the summer between 9th and 10th to get back on track.

[Anonymous]

We were faced with the same predicement -- child was placed in the mid-tier math class, not the advanced as expected based upon previous scores etc -- and they were 100% correct. While my child has found it too easy at times, relative to the overall balance of their schedule, including the advanced science class, it was a good recommendation and has led to a successful first year, in the classroom and across extracurricular activities. The academic dean and math department head also took the time to explain their rationale, which was thoughtful and sound and we agreed with. Moreover, it doesn't stop them from advancing after the first year based upon their success etc.

If you're seriously thinking about pulling your child from a school you previously selected over this, respectfully maybe it's not the right fit. High school is four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a few schools known for this (have heard of it happening at Georgetown Prep, Visi and Gonzaga, but others may suggest this too). I would not over-react and pull your kid. The goal is to get thru Calc in high school which should be doable starting in Geometry. If the student is starting in Alg 1 which does happen, see if they can take Geometry over the summer between 9th and 10th to get back on track.

Kids taking algebra 1 in 9th grade should not be trying to take an entire year of geometry over 6 weeks in the summer. Maybe a high math kid could handle that but it’s a lot for a kid who isn’t strong in math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

Then that's where he belongs.

This. Assuming you don't leave the school for this reason (which is odd, btw), some schools allow movement between levels. So if they were not placed correctly, the teacher may suggest they move up or down during the year.

[Anonymous]

I dissent from all of the advice. Get your child placed in the class you want or leave. The schools are terrible at placement and you will regret it later down the road in college admissions

[Anonymous]

How are the schools terrible at placement? The student did not answer enough questions correctly to prove content understanding. Seems pretty objective. Disagree about college admissions- now through 3 of 4 kids. If you have a kid that is going into STEM, you want them to understand the foundations well, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dissent from all of the advice. Get your child placed in the class you want or leave. The schools are terrible at placement and you will regret it later down the road in college admissions

Only if you’re hung up on top 50 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our child was placed one level below his current level in math placement for 9th grade. We are not happy about it. What can we do to address this with the school? Will they reconsider their decision? They are offering a retake of the test in June which may be too late. What if he still gets placed below level?

Are we on the hook to pay the entire year tuition if we remove him from the school at this early stage? We haven't paid all the fees, just the contract fees which but the way is also a nice chunk.

It sounds like the only way he stays in the lower level math is if he doesn't do well on the retake. Am I wrong?

If he does poorly on the placement test twice, then you should listen to the school.

+1. Your kid is not proficient in the material. If you push them they will (a) do poorly in math in 9th and (b) won’t be on the trajectory for calc that you want them to be on.

I predict this ends poorly for your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are the schools terrible at placement? The student did not answer enough questions correctly to prove content understanding. Seems pretty objective. Disagree about college admissions- now through 3 of 4 kids. If you have a kid that is going into STEM, you want them to understand the foundations well, IMO.

+1. The exam is written by people in the math department who will be teaching this student. He doesn’t know enough. They don’t want to set him up for failure.