Taking Calculus over the summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid. What's the point? Surely your kid would benefit more from an in depth study of calculus for an entire school year instead of 8 week cram session.

The 8-week head start will give them the foundation necessary to succeed in advanced level math. It's also a mistake to assume that the year-long classes are inherently better. The year long classes are slower paced to accommodate the for the wide range in ability levels. Summer courses are faster but generally have a much more motivated and capable cohort of students.

Why would you think more capable students go to summer school? If anything, the most capable students are already talking calculus in the school year, leaving summer classes to those who failed and/or need to catch up.

The most capable kids, the ones aiming for Ivies/Stanford/MIT are taking calculus in the summer so they can max out their math by taking multivariable, linear algebra or differential equations senior year. Maxing out the math offerings in school has become a "must do" for anyone trying to get into the most prestigious programs for college.

This entire forum is so behind on the times. It's no longer enough to be a senior taking calculus. You need to be past Calc BC and probably in a dual enrollment course to really be impressive for the tippy-top colleges.

The smart kids should not be catching up. I don’t get this. You start Algebra in 6th or 7th. I would not. It’s a lot of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stupid. What's the point? Surely your kid would benefit more from an in depth study of calculus for an entire school year instead of 8 week cram session.

I think this is a misplaced belief. Studies show that the only thing that really matters when it comes to math is mastering prerequisites. There's nothing to be gained by stretching it out over an entire year. If anything, really bright kids can master the material much faster and are often bored in the regular-paced classes.

In the summer, you don't have to commit to other coursework. If a student can commit 8 weeks of intensive study, they can certainly complete calculus and have an edge on their peers. This gives them the ability to do the more rigorous mathematics courses that other kids aren't doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid. What's the point? Surely your kid would benefit more from an in depth study of calculus for an entire school year instead of 8 week cram session.

The 8-week head start will give them the foundation necessary to succeed in advanced level math. It's also a mistake to assume that the year-long classes are inherently better. The year long classes are slower paced to accommodate the for the wide range in ability levels. Summer courses are faster but generally have a much more motivated and capable cohort of students.

Why would you think more capable students go to summer school? If anything, the most capable students are already talking calculus in the school year, leaving summer classes to those who failed and/or need to catch up.

The most capable kids, the ones aiming for Ivies/Stanford/MIT are taking calculus in the summer so they can max out their math by taking multivariable, linear algebra or differential equations senior year. Maxing out the math offerings in school has become a "must do" for anyone trying to get into the most prestigious programs for college.

This entire forum is so behind on the times. It's no longer enough to be a senior taking calculus. You need to be past Calc BC and probably in a dual enrollment course to really be impressive for the tippy-top colleges.

What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid. What's the point? Surely your kid would benefit more from an in depth study of calculus for an entire school year instead of 8 week cram session.

The 8-week head start will give them the foundation necessary to succeed in advanced level math. It's also a mistake to assume that the year-long classes are inherently better. The year long classes are slower paced to accommodate the for the wide range in ability levels. Summer courses are faster but generally have a much more motivated and capable cohort of students.

Why would you think more capable students go to summer school? If anything, the most capable students are already talking calculus in the school year, leaving summer classes to those who failed and/or need to catch up.

The most capable kids, the ones aiming for Ivies/Stanford/MIT are taking calculus in the summer so they can max out their math by taking multivariable, linear algebra or differential equations senior year. Maxing out the math offerings in school has become a "must do" for anyone trying to get into the most prestigious programs for college.

This entire forum is so behind on the times. It's no longer enough to be a senior taking calculus. You need to be past Calc BC and probably in a dual enrollment course to really be impressive for the tippy-top colleges.

This is simply false information. Completely false. Based on this year's admissions results.

[Anonymous]

No, don't do it. Summer calculus is difficult even for college students because it moves so fast. Stupid to even consider for a HS kid.

[Anonymous]

My kid just discovered he doesn't even need to take a single math course in college for his major. Took AP Calc AB senior year., 740 SAT math. So glad we didn't accelerate him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid. What's the point? Surely your kid would benefit more from an in depth study of calculus for an entire school year instead of 8 week cram session.

I think this is a misplaced belief. Studies show that the only thing that really matters when it comes to math is mastering prerequisites. There's nothing to be gained by stretching it out over an entire year. If anything, really bright kids can master the material much faster and are often bored in the regular-paced classes.

In the summer, you don't have to commit to other coursework. If a student can commit 8 weeks of intensive study, they can certainly complete calculus and have an edge on their peers. This gives them the ability to do the more rigorous mathematics courses that other kids aren't doing.

Calc is really hard. Its a huge mistake to rush it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many schools have summer classes in calculus and other topics OP. I know Sidwell does. I would do this at a high school not a college.

Sidwell's website specifically does not offer summer calculus.

https://www.sidwellsummer.org/dc-camps/studies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids expressed interest in taking calculus over the summer. This would allow DK(dear kid) to take a high level math during the school year.

I am clueless where to start with something like this. A relative suggested may be looking into the college summer programs? Anyone have experience with something like this?
Thanks

Which math are they hoping to take next year? Summer math is great for previewing next year or get ready for an intense class (honors/AP/gifted calculus), bad for skipping a whole year on the ladder to jump to MV.

[Anonymous]

My kids’ private schools wouldn’t let someone take calc over the summer to move forward (unless maybe it was a dual enrollment college course but the problem with that is generally colleges take more than one term to cover calculus in its entirety). You should definitely speak with the school first.

Also having a college aged kid, I would recommend against this. College math is harder than HS math (even APs) and it’s been really great for my kid that they had a very strong grasp of HS AP Calc prior to college.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. DK has talk to the school and gotten their okay. Found a college close by offering calculus BC over the summer. Reached out to the professor and got his okay. It’s a 2 1/2 hour four day a week course. We will see how that goes! Can always drop.

Wants to take either differential equations or multivariable calculus next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid just discovered he doesn't even need to take a single math course in college for his major. Took AP Calc AB senior year., 740 SAT math. So glad we didn't accelerate him.

Some kids find math interesting and that’s what they take the courses. No everything is done to game the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. DK has talk to the school and gotten their okay. Found a college close by offering calculus BC over the summer. Reached out to the professor and got his okay. It’s a 2 1/2 hour four day a week course. We will see how that goes! Can always drop.

Wants to take either differential equations or multivariable calculus next year.

Just to retake all of it in college 👍

[Anonymous]

Most K-8 end in Algebra and kids progress just fine without summer when they go to their private HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. DK has talk to the school and gotten their okay. Found a college close by offering calculus BC over the summer. Reached out to the professor and got his okay. It’s a 2 1/2 hour four day a week course. We will see how that goes! Can always drop.

Wants to take either differential equations or multivariable calculus next year.

BC calculus is a high school (AP) class, so why would a college offer a class by that name? The college equivalent is calc 1 and 2. I don't believe that any reputable college would offer two semesters of calculus compressed into 1 summer course.

If your child is planning on taking advanced math classes in college, this will not given them the necessary foundation. And it looks dumb, not impressive, for admissions.