Eliot-Hine Experiences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

Some of this might have to do with cohort. Bumping 6th graders into the 7th grade math class is not classic "tracking". It's done on a case by case basis for kids who have truly mastered all the 6th grade content. SH and Deal do this because they have kids in pretty much every cohort who are in that situation. Heck, our Hill elementary school does this even in lower grades for kids who are ready -- not uncommmon to have 1 or 2 kids in a grade who are bumped to the next grade up for math (or sometimes reading) starting in 3rd or 4th.

Eliot-Hine is smaller than SH or Deal and has more recently been retaining some of the high achieving kids from feeder elementaries. So to the extent they aren't doing this, it might largely be a function of having smaller cohorts and fewer advanced kids. I would assume that as the school grows and retains more IB kids, you will see them doing the same thing SH does. It's still not "tracking" for 6th, as it doesn't impact most kids, but it does provide an opportunity for a small minority of kids who might benefit, who can then do 8th grade math in 7th. Opportunities in 8th will vary though -- I think Deal has enough kids to offer Geometry to 8th graders but I don't think SH does. So this has it's limits depending on cohort.

This. I believe SH is offering Geometry this year because I was at the Eastern open house and some kids said they were in Geometry.

The Eastern open house was very good, I left impressed and will have it on my kid's list. I hope improved perception of Eastern benefits Eliot-Hine.

SH does not have a geometry class

[Anonymous]

OP here. Other than the math tracking debate, can anyone share thoughts about the overall experience a scenically and socially for high achieving kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

Some of this might have to do with cohort. Bumping 6th graders into the 7th grade math class is not classic "tracking". It's done on a case by case basis for kids who have truly mastered all the 6th grade content. SH and Deal do this because they have kids in pretty much every cohort who are in that situation. Heck, our Hill elementary school does this even in lower grades for kids who are ready -- not uncommmon to have 1 or 2 kids in a grade who are bumped to the next grade up for math (or sometimes reading) starting in 3rd or 4th.

Eliot-Hine is smaller than SH or Deal and has more recently been retaining some of the high achieving kids from feeder elementaries. So to the extent they aren't doing this, it might largely be a function of having smaller cohorts and fewer advanced kids. I would assume that as the school grows and retains more IB kids, you will see them doing the same thing SH does. It's still not "tracking" for 6th, as it doesn't impact most kids, but it does provide an opportunity for a small minority of kids who might benefit, who can then do 8th grade math in 7th. Opportunities in 8th will vary though -- I think Deal has enough kids to offer Geometry to 8th graders but I don't think SH does. So this has it's limits depending on cohort.

This. I believe SH is offering Geometry this year because I was at the Eastern open house and some kids said they were in Geometry.

The Eastern open house was very good, I left impressed and will have it on my kid's list. I hope improved perception of Eastern benefits Eliot-Hine.

SH does not have a geometry class

Huh, well I must have gotten it mixed up. But it was definitely a question at the Eastern open house-- will 9th graders be allowed into Algebra II? Several kids, I don't know what middle school they were at, wanted the answer to this question. The adminstrator seemed a bit surprised but said that Eastern could easily allow 9th graders into Algebra II if needed. Probably by just putting them in with the 10th/11th graders that are already taking it (which is fine).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Other than the math tracking debate, can anyone share thoughts about the overall experience a scenically and socially for high achieving kids?

*Academically and socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Other than the math tracking debate, can anyone share thoughts about the overall experience a scenically and socially for high achieving kids?

The girls' cross country team is great! That's about all I know. But I would certainly encourage you to give it a good look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

This is not the same anywhere. I think only Latin also doesn't track in 6th. SH definitely does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

Some of this might have to do with cohort. Bumping 6th graders into the 7th grade math class is not classic "tracking". It's done on a case by case basis for kids who have truly mastered all the 6th grade content. SH and Deal do this because they have kids in pretty much every cohort who are in that situation. Heck, our Hill elementary school does this even in lower grades for kids who are ready -- not uncommmon to have 1 or 2 kids in a grade who are bumped to the next grade up for math (or sometimes reading) starting in 3rd or 4th.

Eliot-Hine is smaller than SH or Deal and has more recently been retaining some of the high achieving kids from feeder elementaries. So to the extent they aren't doing this, it might largely be a function of having smaller cohorts and fewer advanced kids. I would assume that as the school grows and retains more IB kids, you will see them doing the same thing SH does. It's still not "tracking" for 6th, as it doesn't impact most kids, but it does provide an opportunity for a small minority of kids who might benefit, who can then do 8th grade math in 7th. Opportunities in 8th will vary though -- I think Deal has enough kids to offer Geometry to 8th graders but I don't think SH does. So this has it's limits depending on cohort.

This. I believe SH is offering Geometry this year because I was at the Eastern open house and some kids said they were in Geometry.

The Eastern open house was very good, I left impressed and will have it on my kid's list. I hope improved perception of Eastern benefits Eliot-Hine.

SH does not have a geometry class

Huh, well I must have gotten it mixed up. But it was definitely a question at the Eastern open house-- will 9th graders be allowed into Algebra II? Several kids, I don't know what middle school they were at, wanted the answer to this question. The adminstrator seemed a bit surprised but said that Eastern could easily allow 9th graders into Algebra II if needed. Probably by just putting them in with the 10th/11th graders that are already taking it (which is fine).

Agreed. There are definitely some SH kids taking Geometry, the question is how.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6th grade math placement is ability grouped using iready scores.

What is the difference between tracking and ability groups?

When grouping by I-ready scores, all kids in a grade level are still in the same class, but will be assigned to small groups based on scores. The all-class instruction will be the same.

Tracking places kids in different classes with different all-class content.

To expand on this: In middle school, the "standard" DCPS track is:
6th grade: Math 6 (no algebra, focus is math fundamentals, ratios, intro to integers)
7th grade: Pre-algebra (ratios, proportions, percentages, basic equations)
8th grade: Algebra 1 (linear equations, functions)

With this track, you can differentiate via I-ready scores, which will enable more advanced kids in each grade to go through the material more quickly and maybe do at least some of the next level work. How much will depend on the kids, the teacher, and how many kids are ready for that higher level material.

However, DCPS also offers actual tracking starting in 7th, allowing some kids to do Algebra 1 in 7th, and then Algebra 2 in 8th. This is done when there are enough kids in 6th grade math who are doing and getting through the pre-algebra work that comprises 7th grade pre-algebra. So starting in 7th, these kids will be in a different classroom and do Algebra 1 work, then do Algebra 2 in 8th, setting them up for Geometry in 9th.

There are also schools that do advancement AND tracking. This is where a 6th grader is placed in the higher track 7th grade class, based on test scores at the end of 5th or start of 6th. So these kids will take Algebra 1 as 6th graders, but *in* the 7th grade Algebra 1 class. Most schools don't have enough kids in this situation to have a separate 6th grade Algebra 1 class, though maybe Deal has done this some years? I am unsure. SH has never done that. These kids will then take the Algebra 2 in 7ths, with 8th graders. And then in 8th, the school may offer a Geometry class (I definitely think Deal has done this).

It can be hard to understand because there are three different strategies at play -- differentiation (giving kids in the same class different content based on ability), tracking (placing kids with different aptitude in separate classes within the same grade), and advancement (moving a kid to a higher grade class based on master of grade level concepts). DCPS uses all three to get kids access to appropriate content. Differentiation and advancement are also used in elementary schools and are available everywhere. Tracking only happens if you have enough kids in a grade to fill out an entire class working at the next level.

This is not correct.


The sequence is Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, precalc, calc AB. These are typically each year long classes in DCPS. So you can start algebra in 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th and then map out the rest of the classes one per year.

DCI and BASIS integrate algebra and Geometry. At least at BASIS, this means one year (7th, but for a handful of students 6th) is Algebra 1 and Geometry, and the next year is Algebra 2 and Geometry, then th following year is precalc.

If you want a good cohort of high performing kids in very advance math in middle school with real tracking then it’s Basis or DCI in this town.

I can’t speak for Basis but DCI has integrated math like above (covers Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 in middle school) to get you to pre Cal by 9th and AP Cal by 10th. They have even more classes below that track to get you to AP cal by 11th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

EH will put 6th graders into 7th grade math too, but it is not tracked because they will be with 7th graders who are very far behind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

Some of this might have to do with cohort. Bumping 6th graders into the 7th grade math class is not classic "tracking". It's done on a case by case basis for kids who have truly mastered all the 6th grade content. SH and Deal do this because they have kids in pretty much every cohort who are in that situation. Heck, our Hill elementary school does this even in lower grades for kids who are ready -- not uncommmon to have 1 or 2 kids in a grade who are bumped to the next grade up for math (or sometimes reading) starting in 3rd or 4th.

Eliot-Hine is smaller than SH or Deal and has more recently been retaining some of the high achieving kids from feeder elementaries. So to the extent they aren't doing this, it might largely be a function of having smaller cohorts and fewer advanced kids. I would assume that as the school grows and retains more IB kids, you will see them doing the same thing SH does. It's still not "tracking" for 6th, as it doesn't impact most kids, but it does provide an opportunity for a small minority of kids who might benefit, who can then do 8th grade math in 7th. Opportunities in 8th will vary though -- I think Deal has enough kids to offer Geometry to 8th graders but I don't think SH does. So this has it's limits depending on cohort.

EH is the same as Deal and SH - kids who are ready can do algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th.

[Anonymous]

EH has an 8th grader geometry class. 6th graders all do 6th grade math (classes are ability grouped but it is basically all the same math coursework). No one gets assigned to a higher level math course until 7th right now. It is supposed to give kids coming from weaker elementary schools a chance to catch up before tracking by course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Other than the math tracking debate, can anyone share thoughts about the overall experience a scenically and socially for high achieving kids?

You may not get a lot of solid info on DCUM, but I have several friends with kids at EH that are happy. The school has grown a lot since it was renovated (they’re at about 500 kids this year—up from 266 kids 6 school years ago). I also heard the current 5th grade class at Maury has nearly 70 kids, which is bigger than they’ve historically had, so EH will likely continue to have an even larger cohort of higher achieving kids moving forward. This recent middle school panel is fairly informative https://w6pspo.org/2026/03/03/video-ward-6-middle-and-high-schools-principals-panel-2026/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

EH will put 6th graders into 7th grade math too, but it is not tracked because they will be with 7th graders who are very far behind.

EH said at an open house they don’t do this. Has anyone actually seen it happen? I take the point though that being a 6th grader who is good at math in a class with a bunch of 7th graders who are behind may not be an optimal experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

EH will put 6th graders into 7th grade math too, but it is not tracked because they will be with 7th graders who are very far behind.

EH said at an open house they don’t do this. Has anyone actually seen it happen? I take the point though that being a 6th grader who is good at math in a class with a bunch of 7th graders who are behind may not be an optimal experience.

Sadly, that is how things are done and it doesn’t benefit much the few kids and it is not real tracking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re math, at the open house they said 6th grade math is not tracked and the point is for equity, to give the below grade kids a chance to catch up before they start tracking in 7th. This worried me and, to your point, made me concerned my DC will be spending all day on Ed Tech while other kids get actual instruction. This is not that different to what is happening in 5th now and I’m not happy about it.

They are stuck on this and will figure out they need to track in 6th too eventually. I find this very misguided but I think it is the same everywhere so not a dealbreaker. Starting in 7th there is tracking.

SH does not do this. They bump up 6th graders into 7th grade math immediately based on certain criteria (I believe iready scores). Deal also does something similar.

Some of this might have to do with cohort. Bumping 6th graders into the 7th grade math class is not classic "tracking". It's done on a case by case basis for kids who have truly mastered all the 6th grade content. SH and Deal do this because they have kids in pretty much every cohort who are in that situation. Heck, our Hill elementary school does this even in lower grades for kids who are ready -- not uncommmon to have 1 or 2 kids in a grade who are bumped to the next grade up for math (or sometimes reading) starting in 3rd or 4th.

Eliot-Hine is smaller than SH or Deal and has more recently been retaining some of the high achieving kids from feeder elementaries. So to the extent they aren't doing this, it might largely be a function of having smaller cohorts and fewer advanced kids. I would assume that as the school grows and retains more IB kids, you will see them doing the same thing SH does. It's still not "tracking" for 6th, as it doesn't impact most kids, but it does provide an opportunity for a small minority of kids who might benefit, who can then do 8th grade math in 7th. Opportunities in 8th will vary though -- I think Deal has enough kids to offer Geometry to 8th graders but I don't think SH does. So this has it's limits depending on cohort.

This. I believe SH is offering Geometry this year because I was at the Eastern open house and some kids said they were in Geometry.

The Eastern open house was very good, I left impressed and will have it on my kid's list. I hope improved perception of Eastern benefits Eliot-Hine.

SH does not have a geometry class

Huh, well I must have gotten it mixed up. But it was definitely a question at the Eastern open house-- will 9th graders be allowed into Algebra II? Several kids, I don't know what middle school they were at, wanted the answer to this question. The adminstrator seemed a bit surprised but said that Eastern could easily allow 9th graders into Algebra II if needed. Probably by just putting them in with the 10th/11th graders that are already taking it (which is fine).

EH has the geometry class. About 20 students.