Gifted kid - APS, FCPS, or Nysmith?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

Don't kid yourself. FCPS math is weak and leads to a lot of gaps in understanding, too. The types of kids who are admitted to TJ from FCPS are not strong in math due to the FCPS math programs. Many of them are taking math at RSM, AoPS, or some other advanced math academy. The main difference seems to be that families who are already paying tons of money for private school are less likely to pay even more for rigorous extracurricular math programs, whereas those getting free public school will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

Don't kid yourself. FCPS math is weak and leads to a lot of gaps in understanding, too. The types of kids who are admitted to TJ from FCPS are not strong in math due to the FCPS math programs. Many of them are taking math at RSM, AoPS, or some other advanced math academy. The main difference seems to be that families who are already paying tons of money for private school are less likely to pay even more for rigorous extracurricular math programs, whereas those getting free public school will.

Of course some kids may be weaker but it isn’t as blatant as those coming from private. I’m not debating that private has great benefits as well but I don’t think math is, for the most part, one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Don't kid yourself. FCPS math is weak and leads to a lot of gaps in understanding, too. The types of kids who are admitted to TJ from FCPS are not strong in math due to the FCPS math programs. Many of them are taking math at RSM, AoPS, or some other advanced math academy. The main difference seems to be that families who are already paying tons of money for private school are less likely to pay even more for rigorous extracurricular math programs, whereas those getting free public school will.

Of course some kids may be weaker but it isn’t as blatant as those coming from private. I’m not debating that private has great benefits as well but I don’t think math is, for the most part, one of them.

Of course. Math is taught poorly at both private and public schools. The main difference is that people already paying for private seem less likely to pay for outside math academies as well, whereas people in public will do so. Also, people in private erroneously assume that they're getting rigorous math education, whereas people in public know that the math is weak and requires supplementation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Don't kid yourself. FCPS math is weak and leads to a lot of gaps in understanding, too. The types of kids who are admitted to TJ from FCPS are not strong in math due to the FCPS math programs. Many of them are taking math at RSM, AoPS, or some other advanced math academy. The main difference seems to be that families who are already paying tons of money for private school are less likely to pay even more for rigorous extracurricular math programs, whereas those getting free public school will.

Of course some kids may be weaker but it isn’t as blatant as those coming from private. I’m not debating that private has great benefits as well but I don’t think math is, for the most part, one of them.

Of course. Math is taught poorly at both private and public schools. The main difference is that people already paying for private seem less likely to pay for outside math academies as well, whereas people in public will do so. Also, people in private erroneously assume that they're getting rigorous math education, whereas people in public know that the math is weak and requires supplementation.

You are essentially assuming most public kids are tutored and most private aren’t. I don’t have to assume anything. I saw the grades coming from both public and private and saw the gaps. A private sch kid with an “a” in algebra one honors who doesn’t fully understand the concepts and who is not on par with other kids from public school means that something is missing in private. Meaning: the kid got an “a” in the more limited curriculum. If your premise was right, he’d have been doing poorly in private but the parents didn’t pay to tutor him. I saw the grades and I saw the gaps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Don't kid yourself. FCPS math is weak and leads to a lot of gaps in understanding, too. The types of kids who are admitted to TJ from FCPS are not strong in math due to the FCPS math programs. Many of them are taking math at RSM, AoPS, or some other advanced math academy. The main difference seems to be that families who are already paying tons of money for private school are less likely to pay even more for rigorous extracurricular math programs, whereas those getting free public school will.

Of course some kids may be weaker but it isn’t as blatant as those coming from private. I’m not debating that private has great benefits as well but I don’t think math is, for the most part, one of them.

Of course. Math is taught poorly at both private and public schools. The main difference is that people already paying for private seem less likely to pay for outside math academies as well, whereas people in public will do so. Also, people in private erroneously assume that they're getting rigorous math education, whereas people in public know that the math is weak and requires supplementation.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

That is way too much of a generalization. It really depends on the kid. Look at the 17 AIME qualifiers who are grade 9 students at TJ this year (top 2.5% of kids who took the amc 10 exam) and you will see a much higher proportion of private school kids than the overall population of grade private school kids at TJ. So one can argue the point either way. Wouldn't you think parents who spend a lot on education are the type to pay attention to what their kids are learning and how well they are being challenged and what curriculum they are covering? It just depends on the combination of the childs strengths, the school curriculum, the parental support, and co-curricular supplementation. Just like the mix for public school kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

Many kids coming from public struggle at TJ too. What is your point?

[Anonymous]

I think those in public are more willing to accept the weaknesses in their kids’ curriculua than those in private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think those in public are more willing to accept the weaknesses in their kids’ curriculua than those in private.

This. My kids are in FCPS, and I knew I would need to supplement to shore up the weaker areas of the FCPS curriculum. Everyone I know in public school supplements outside of school, too. It isn't as big of a deal to pay for outside classes when school itself is free. If I were paying $30,000 per year for private school, I would assume that the school has everything covered and is strong in all areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think those in public are more willing to accept the weaknesses in their kids’ curriculua than those in private.

This. My kids are in FCPS, and I knew I would need to supplement to shore up the weaker areas of the FCPS curriculum. Everyone I know in public school supplements outside of school, too. It isn't as big of a deal to pay for outside classes when school itself is free. If I were paying $30,000 per year for private school, I would assume that the school has everything covered and is strong in all areas.

This is what push me to choose private. I find the culture of outside supplementing not healthy. Kids already spent 6 hours a day in school. Why do I need to bring them to more school after school? I would rather them spending time on sports, music or other activities, but not to supplement school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

The difference is that Nysmith parents pay a bundle to be assured their kids are gifted. So their kid will be put in a class called Alepgebra I if they want, even if the class needs to be watered down. Nysmith ends in 8th grade. By the time the kids crash and burn in high school, they are someone else’s problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

That is way too much of a generalization. It really depends on the kid. Look at the 17 AIME qualifiers who are grade 9 students at TJ this year (top 2.5% of kids who took the amc 10 exam) and you will see a much higher proportion of private school kids than the overall population of grade private school kids at TJ. So one can argue the point either way. Wouldn't you think parents who spend a lot on education are the type to pay attention to what their kids are learning and how well they are being challenged and what curriculum they are covering? It just depends on the combination of the childs strengths, the school curriculum, the parental support, and co-curricular supplementation. Just like the mix for public school kids.

Cite for this please. Over at least 3 consecutive years. I know this cohort of kids personally. And it’s the Carson RRMS Longfellow crew. If you are going to assert otherwise, please provide a link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

That is way too much of a generalization. It really depends on the kid. Look at the 17 AIME qualifiers who are grade 9 students at TJ this year (top 2.5% of kids who took the amc 10 exam) and you will see a much higher proportion of private school kids than the overall population of grade private school kids at TJ. So one can argue the point either way. Wouldn't you think parents who spend a lot on education are the type to pay attention to what their kids are learning and how well they are being challenged and what curriculum they are covering? It just depends on the combination of the childs strengths, the school curriculum, the parental support, and co-curricular supplementation. Just like the mix for public school kids.

With 17 kids I cant go any further without identifying invidual children. If you have access to list of TJ kids who qualified for the AIME this year and look at the names you can see for yourself.



Cite for this please. Over at least 3 consecutive years. I know this cohort of kids personally. And it’s the Carson RRMS Longfellow crew. If you are going to assert otherwise, please provide a link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is at TJ and knows a couple of the Nysmith kids in his grade. And both kids were underprepared in math. They both came in with a class called Alebra II under their belt. But were apparently not prepared to handle Math 4, which is the normal placement for a FCPS kid who has completed A2. One kid ended up placing into Math 2.5, which is for weaker math students who have not yet taken A2. The other went into Math 4, tanking the class and having to remediate in Algebra and Geometry and retake Math 4 the next semester.

All A2 classes are not created equal. And apparently Nysmith engages in the math version of vanity sizing.

I’m a former Fcps teacher. I’ve said this on this site many times. Most kids taking higher level math classes in private schools ARE far behind the public school kids. While many hate the sols, I think the sols and the uniform pacing guides require a certain end result for every student. Kids in private school also have gaps in their working math knowledge that is only discovered when they falter for awhile and we can see the problem is deeper than not understanding the present lesson. Kids in the “highest” math group in a private are typically not equal to the same math groups in public.

That makes sense that the elite kids at public fair better than those at private when many public schools have 3000 kids and most private’s have about 400.

Huh? Two kids who are both purportedly ready for Algebra 1 honors (just an example) should both be able to handle the work adequately
but those coming from private struggle because of gaps. Either the kid is well prepared or he is t.

That is way too much of a generalization. It really depends on the kid. Look at the 17 AIME qualifiers who are grade 9 students at TJ this year (top 2.5% of kids who took the amc 10 exam) and you will see a much higher proportion of private school kids than the overall population of grade private school kids at TJ. So one can argue the point either way. Wouldn't you think parents who spend a lot on education are the type to pay attention to what their kids are learning and how well they are being challenged and what curriculum they are covering? It just depends on the combination of the childs strengths, the school curriculum, the parental support, and co-curricular supplementation. Just like the mix for public school kids.

With 17 kids I cant go any further without identifying invidual children. If you have access to list of TJ kids who qualified for the AIME this year and look at the names you can see for yourself.



Cite for this please. Over at least 3 consecutive years. I know this cohort of kids personally. And it’s the Carson RRMS Longfellow crew. If you are going to assert otherwise, please provide a link.

Everyone has access to the list. It’s on the AMC website FFS. And every hear I have been involved, most qualifiers come out of the big 3 TJ feeders. If you think I’m wrong, prove it. Otherwise, quit lying.