Why does it matter? It's Algebra 2 and pre-calc all in one course. Is that not challenging enough? The kids that already took Algebra 2 were in 8th were in the same class with the advanced students coming from Geometry. |
DD graduated 3 years ago and it was the exactly the case for her year. 1 class of magnet geometry, 2 classes of precalc and 1 class of functions. Some kids who took geometry repeated it after struggling in precalc as well. Maybe it has changed... |
I will add that I have no idea hwo many kids were in each class. Maybe the Geo class was smaller. |
And some magnet kids-- I've known a handful at Blair-- come from private middle schools where geometry is not offered, so 9th grade (or the summer before) is their earliest opportunity to take it. This doesn't mean they aren't still talented in STEM, and they've done well in the magnet. |
It matters because some students have already studied Precalculus, and 1 or 2 semesters of Functions might be redundant for them, or might not be if the class has something more in it. It matters because many parents speak of Functions in mysterious tones and hours of daily homework, and it's not clear if that's because they are referring to students jumping in from Geometry (possibly from outside enrichment), or students who got B's in Algebra 2, or students who got As in Algebra and also do enrichment, or what. SMACS has confusing class structures, names, and descriptions (like Precalculus which has Geometry as prerequisite and is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 semesters at Poolesville, but replaces 4 semesters of Algebra 2 and Precalculus at home school) |
So you don't have kids in the program. What does it matter to you? |
You do not need to worry about your kid being bored in SMCS math classes. Homework in SMCS varies since there are kids that are very quick workers and some that are not. Kids that do not love math will struggle, especially if they are on the functions path. My kid came from Geometry and did not have hours of homework. But he is a very strong and quick working math student who should have been accelerated earlier. Not sure if any of the content was repetitive for kids coming from Algebra 2. All worked out for everyone in the end. |
You’re talking about 7 years ago. Obviously not relevant to what is happening today. |
If you have a kid who has already completed precalculus in 8th grade then you discuss this with Mr O. I’m sure functions is plenty challenging enough but it’s also possible to go straight to calculus or analysis or whatever they call magnet calculus. In fact you could even go straight to one of the higher math electives if appropriate. I think there’s one kid who has done that this year. But for the vast majority of geniuses in this program functions and precalculus are a challenge. They are still only 14 or 15 years old, there is no need for so much pressure at this point. |
Although you don't need to take Algebra2+ for functions, you need to get a recommendation from spending a week in factoring camp the previous summer. Functions are recommended for students who already have taken Algebra 2 or Precalc; however, if you're especially ambitious you can take it after geometry with a recommendation. People say it involves more work than Precalc like an additional hour or three of homework per night. Magnet math is more rigorous and uses proofs more than regular HS math. |