What is going on at Holton?

[Anonymous]

I find that parents whose kids are just okay at math assume that’s normal and that most kids are like that. But in this area that not accurate. I know so many kids that are great at math and benefit from acceleration. My kids are included in this, but they are in great company in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone going to explain why 8th graders are not allowed to take Geometry??? What is the reasoning?

Starting this year, all girls (who are now rising 8 graders) are required to take Algebra 1 over two years (7 and 8 grade). The logic is that the two-year course is going to prepare them better for high school.

That's silly. But I don't pay money there so more power to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find that parents whose kids are just okay at math assume that’s normal and that most kids are like that. But in this area that not accurate. I know so many kids that are great at math and benefit from acceleration. My kids are included in this, but they are in great company in this area.

If the general population is storing, why wouldn't the students all be at the same advanced level?

[Anonymous]

Strong*

[Anonymous]

There is a huge difference between strong and really gifted. Strong is where the Holton MS has its girls. Finishing algebra with very solid understanding in 8th grade. I thought there is geometry mixed in there as well. Think about the trajectory. Geometry in 9th, Alg 2 in 10th, I don’t even know if there is pre-calc any more, then calc in 12th. Do you really think the majority of HA girls need more than calc in high school? Maybe so but... why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge difference between strong and really gifted. Strong is where the Holton MS has its girls. Finishing algebra with very solid understanding in 8th grade. I thought there is geometry mixed in there as well. Think about the trajectory. Geometry in 9th, Alg 2 in 10th, I don’t even know if there is pre-calc any more, then calc in 12th. Do you really think the majority of HA girls need more than calc in high school? Maybe so but... why?

You really don’t get it if you think the issue is where you end up at the end of high school. It’s about the process and enjoying what you learn. Paying one of the highest MS tuition in the area to have your kid bored out of her mind in class is the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, all. There are kids who are truly mathy kids and are able to move quickly with retention and depth of understanding. Those kids are quite rare. Then there are kids who have gone to outside classes like RSM or Dr Li etc, who may know what to do with a certain equation but so t know why, or don’t always remember what they were taught. So algebra at RSM doesn’t necessarily mean they are ready for Geometry then Alg 2 in 9th grade. What is the rush? I suspect Holton knows who the first group is, and handles it accordingly, without the public announcements of “why isn’t MY kid in that class”. And I don’t blame them.

You must have very limited knowledge of math if you assume that an algebra class at AOPS or RSM involves less conceptual understanding than what is taught at school.

[Anonymous]

AOPS is a different story, I agree. But RSM is rote repetition. And I have dual doctorates in two quantitative sciences. For the record.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AOPS is a different story, I agree. But RSM is rote repetition. And I have dual doctorates in two quantitative sciences. For the record.

Just curious: Do you have a child who has done RSM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge difference between strong and really gifted. Strong is where the Holton MS has its girls. Finishing algebra with very solid understanding in 8th grade. I thought there is geometry mixed in there as well. Think about the trajectory. Geometry in 9th, Alg 2 in 10th, I don’t even know if there is pre-calc any more, then calc in 12th. Do you really think the majority of HA girls need more than calc in high school? Maybe so but... why?

Don’t forget trig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a huge difference between strong and really gifted. Strong is where the Holton MS has its girls. Finishing algebra with very solid understanding in 8th grade. I thought there is geometry mixed in there as well. Think about the trajectory. Geometry in 9th, Alg 2 in 10th, I don’t even know if there is pre-calc any more, then calc in 12th. Do you really think the majority of HA girls need more than calc in high school? Maybe so but... why?

You really don’t get it if you think the issue is where you end up at the end of high school. It’s about the process and enjoying what you learn. Paying one of the highest MS tuition in the area to have your kid bored out of her mind in class is the problem.

Sounds like Holton is saying that advanced MS math girls can just sit around and wait until others catch up. Or maybe they are saying that their current MS students are not as smart in math as in the past so the current students can’t handle real challenge. Or maybe the school is saying it has a history of promoting girls in math too early so no one is being promoted now.

Who knows? But for 50k a year, I feel like we should get the answer.

[Anonymous]

I think many are missing the point that Holton is trying to make. Girls who skip pre-algebra are often missing the strong foundation needed for the advanced math that comes later on. They may be “bored” now but it will benefit them later.

[Anonymous]

Topology in 7th grade in my crew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think many are missing the point that Holton is trying to make. Girls who skip pre-algebra are often missing the strong foundation needed for the advanced math that comes later on. They may be “bored” now but it will benefit them later.

Why do you think the girls skipped pre-algebra? That’s what grade 6 was all about, with the more advanced girls being in the same classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So.. most of this argument is about whether kids are allowed to take Geometry in 8th grade or not?

Yes, and only 9 girls were in geometry in 8th grade this year. Nowhere close to the 25% claimed by some on this thread.

What's the big deal? NCS had zero in geometry in 8th. These schools do not accelerate kids in math like the public's do. If you want acceleration, public is the way to go.

That is a false statement. Many of the independent schools, as well as the religious schools do this. Landon does as well. They may have 5-8 kids in a classroom. Why do you suggest public school when parents are looking to get a better education by paying $50k for private school?

Maybe because most public schools are better LOL

We did both, math and science no question. Public rocks.

We did both as well and have reached the opposite conclusion 🧐