Math pathway in dcps
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Anonymous
| To add to the list, Jefferson also offers Algebra in 7th and Geometry in 8th. |
Anonymous
So Algebra 1 in 7th which is the most advanced track in the higher performing schools leads to Calculus in 12th. Are you saying DCI has an even more advance math track with Algebra 2 in 7th? |
Anonymous
It's not as simple as this track or that track. Kids can take a class over the summer, through the school (Latin) or privately. They can take two math classes in one year sometimes. Some schools do a course that's two math classes combined. If you ask about "tracks", you'll irritate the school and get a confusing answer, because they're trying to move away from the idea of kids being in one track or another with little flexibility. There's a difference between what's offered to 7th and 8th graders vs. what's are the most advanced math classes a school offers. Taking things as young as possible isn't what's important, what's important is where you end up. Obviously those things are related, but they aren't the same thing. And it's not necessarily in your kid's best interest to be in Algebra 2 in 8th if they were pushed so fast that they didn't fully grasp Algebra I and Geometry. Slow and steady wins the race sometimes. |
Anonymous
This is wrong. Algebra in 7th leads to calculus in 11th. Algebra in 8th leads to calculus in 12th. There is an even more advanced track available to a small number of of kids at Deal, where they double up on Algebra 1 and Geometry in 7th grade or Geometry and Algebra 2 in 8th grade. This group takes calculus in 10th. But a very small number of kids qualify, and some of them don’t pursue it, for various reasons. |
Anonymous
I’m the PP and yes that was a typo. I meant Algebra in 7th leads to Calculus in 11th. I’m asking about the even more advance track that the DCI poster mentioned with taking Algebra 2 in 7th. |
Anonymous
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It's also worth considering that while many middle schools offer Algebra I or Geometry, only some of those schools have a sizeable number or percent of students who test proficient. There are also big differences across schools with respect to placement of students (i.e., only a select few are offered vs the entire class takes it) and in the size of the student population prepared for Algebra I or Geometry. CAPE scores can be a helpful first pass for assessing school placement philosophy and student readiness.
Some relevant stats from the SY23-24 CAPE from a previous thread: Middle schools with 10 or more students passing the Geometry CAPE: Latin - 35 DCI - 18 Deal - data suppressed, >95% Hardy - data suppressed, >95% Middle schools with 10 or more students passing the Algebra 1 CAPE: Deal - 247 Hardy - 85 MacFarland - 33 Oyster-Adams - 32 Latin - 32 Stuart-Hobson - 30 Eliot-Hine - 27 DC Prep Edgewood - 23 ITDS - 23 DC Prep Benning - 18 Two Rivers - 18 Wells - 12 Jefferson - 12 CHEC - 12 Francis-Stevens - 11 |
Anonymous
This. My kid took algebra II and geometry in 8th grade at Deal, had to take pre-calc in 9th at JR and is now taking AP Calc BC in 10th grade at JR. she started with qualifying for 7th grade math when she entered Deal. So there are different paths. |
Anonymous
This! |
Anonymous
Exactly. What does Calc BC in 10th get you, exactly, except bragging rights? If your kid is interested in pursuing math in college, then you spend two years dealing with dual enrollment to keep them in advanced math. If your kid isn’t interested in math long-term, then calc in 11th or 12th is more than sufficient to demonstrate rigor for college admissions. One of my kids qualified for the calc BC in 10th path at Deal, but we didn’t see the point. He’s taking calc BC in 11th and will do dual enrollment next year because he wants to major in math in college. He has a friend at an Ivy majoring in math who took BC in 12th. There’s really no reason to rush this. |
Anonymous
If the kid is both interested and capable, that's enough of a reason. If they're not both of those, you wait. It's not just about college admissions, it's about what they enjoy and how they want to be challenged now. |
Anonymous
| But also, think what tradeoffs you would need to make to go really fast in math. If it creates scheduling problems and makes your kid miss out on other worthwhile things, it may not be worth it. As long as you take BC in high school at some point, it doesn't matter what year you did it. |
Anonymous
Not very helpful since schools and grades vary widely in size. |
Anonymous
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Here is the normal math pathway at BASIS DC:
7th: Algebra and Geometry I 8th: Algebra and Geometry II 9th: AP Precalc 10th: AP Calc AB 11th: AP Calc BC 12th: Multivar Calc |
Anonymous
ITDS is planning to offer Geometry in 8th starting next year. So 7th graders will take a 7th/8th grade curriculum combined into one year, and 8th graders will take Algebra I, with the option of also simultaneously taking Geometry. This also means be warned, if you don't want your child pushed too fast in math, ITDS makes everyone take Algebra I in 8th in the name of "equity". Because forcing people into math they're not ready for is so equitable! |
Anonymous
I think cohort size is valuable information. It’s not everything, of course. But if 10 or more children at a school are passing advanced math, my opinion and experience is that my child will be among them, no matter how many other children attend the school. |