When does GDS start math differentiation?

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:9th grade

That's just wrong. In 7th grade, some of the kids take Algebra (who does is based on well-defined criteria and the % of kids doing it varies from year to year) and the rest take Math Analysis. In 8th grade, they're divided between Algebra (which may come in two different flavors) and Geometry. In HS, the range of possibilities proliferates (beyond the 2-3 in MS). Here's the chart that lays out the options: http://www.gds.org/ftpimages/416/download/Flowchart%2011-12.pdf (I think it's further complicated by the possibility that some courses may be taken simultaneously and some kids find or make room in their schedule to do so.)

[Anonymous]

that looks the same as most every other high school. 3 levels leading to ap calc. i was under the impression this school was doing some magic.

[Anonymous]

PP, I get what you are saying. I don't think there is anything magical about GDS' approach. It is more that there may be a greater concentration of kids interested in predisposed towards math than some other schools. That's not to say that the other schools don't have strong math programs, but that a kid interested in math may find more peers with similar interests at GDS.

[Anonymous]

Not the same as every other high school -- GDS offers 2 years of post-Calc coursework. See the box on the lower right of the chart.

[Anonymous]

Wonder why multivariate calculus was not offered in 2011-2012 academic year. Multivariate calculus is standard 12th grade fare in the A-level UK system, and other equivalents around the world. Linear algebra on the other hand is not standard fare around the world. Its typically college-level math. Interesting choice. Anyone know what percentage of the graduating class takes calculus?

[Anonymous]

I think that some of the post-calc course alternate years so it's a two-year cycle. But that may depend, in part, on the kids (i.e. who's ready for what, who's already taken it).

[Anonymous]

Multivariate is not standard fare in high schools here. PP is correct, I believe, that the post-calc courses in the HS rotate somewhat (in recent past linear algegbra, advanced linear algebra, group theory, a history of math thing -- and maybe multivariable, but I can't recall). What is more important is that there is quite a bit of attention to how many there are that are ready for what class - an attempt to meet demand, rather than adhere to a rigid schedule. Actually the teacher who does these courses is enormously flexible, and I think they do a good job of "reading" how many students they will have for what courses.