SMCS curriculum

[Anonymous]

In terms of resources, Blair has deeper pockets through magnet foundation and more networked parents.

https://mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/

[Anonymous]

When I looked at their websites, their Math is slightly different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a freshman at Poolesville SMCS. I don't know the difference between precalc and magnet precalc. Your student will be in the magnet version, so what difference does it make?

The Research class (there is a freshman version of it) is more of a hands-on, applied science class. For virtual learning, they have been doing a lot with soldering.

There are some textbooks - we have precalc, physics, and are picking up chem next week. We also have a French book and a novel or two. I think that's about it for textbooks this year.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have.

Thanks so much! It is so good to have this kind of information.
My son easily loses attention and I encourage him to know the concepts prior to being taught if possible. He is really bright, but can easily lose confidence. Do you mind sharing the name of the pre-calc and physics textbooks? My son did Spanish, so I am not sure if he will continue with foreign language. How does you DC like the program so far?

[Anonymous]

OP - there is also "Magnet Functions" which is twice the pace of "Magnet Precalc" and in terms of content. There is some college level math that kids will study as part of Functions. The course is very challenging and there is additional test conducted for all PV SMCS students in the first week. Almost 20 of the 60 students are selected into Functions.

[Anonymous]

PP,

Mag Functions = Alg2+PreCalc
Mag PreCalc A + B +C = Alg2+PreCalc

So Mag Functions is 1.5 pase of Mag PreCalc

[Anonymous]

actually,

Mag Func is twice pace of Alg2+PreCalc
Mag PreCalc is 1.5 pace of Alg2+PreCalc

[Anonymous]

So kids who have already taken Algebra 2 just take Functions and have some review?

[Anonymous]

As much as I am excited to have my DS part of SMCS, I am not sure if I want to put him through the additional pressure with Functions. It will finally be up to the school and him to decide. I just think that 8 periods is going to be very long anyway, and with no option for transportation until 4:30 these kids are going to have a very long day.

[Anonymous]

Given that your child must take math all four years and that taking functions will put them in Calc BC in 10th grade, they should not take functions unless they genuinely love math. Not only that they are good at, but that they truly love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So kids who have already taken Algebra 2 just take Functions and have some review?

No you have to be invited to functions. Lots of kids who have had Algebra II take precalc. Some kids in precalc even drop to Magnet Geometry if they struggle. There is usually 1 Geometry class, 2 precalc classes and 1 functions class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that your child must take math all four years and that taking functions will put them in Calc BC in 10th grade, they should not take functions unless they genuinely love math. Not only that they are good at, but that they truly love it.

It puts you one semester ahead of the precalc kids who start calc at the second half of 10th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So kids who have already taken Algebra 2 just take Functions and have some review?

No you have to be invited to functions. Lots of kids who have had Algebra II take precalc. Some kids in precalc even drop to Magnet Geometry if they struggle. There is usually 1 Geometry class, 2 precalc classes and 1 functions class.

I’m a little bit confused. Sounds like my kid who, at the home HS, would take Honors Precalc in 9th and BC Calc in 10th, could actually end up a semester behind that path by going to Blair? To be honest, I don’t really care when they learn Calc. It just seems kind of weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So kids who have already taken Algebra 2 just take Functions and have some review?

No you have to be invited to functions. Lots of kids who have had Algebra II take precalc. Some kids in precalc even drop to Magnet Geometry if they struggle. There is usually 1 Geometry class, 2 precalc classes and 1 functions class.

I’m a little bit confused. Sounds like my kid who, at the home HS, would take Honors Precalc in 9th and BC Calc in 10th, could actually end up a semester behind that path by going to Blair? To be honest, I don’t really care when they learn Calc. It just seems kind of weird.

Most functions kids were the top of the Takoma Algebra II class...with probably a few from other schools. Most years about 1/4 if the kids who start in Functions drop to precalc. I would call and ask if your child would be invited.

[Anonymous]

Does TPMS offer Algebra II ? 8th graders take Mag Geometry.

Around 15 TPMS take mag functions with 8th grade math teachers recommendations

[Anonymous]

Up until about 4 years ago TPMS has magnet Alg 2. ‘Some’ of these kids were invited to Functions. Then 1/4 drop it due to its fast pace. Now, most kids at TPMS take Magnet Geometry.