Beauvoir Math and Science

[Anonymous]

In the last week / 10 days I've seen a handful of posts on different threads suggesting that Beauvoir students begin fourth grade with some kind of academic disadvantage when compared to students from other schools. Some posters have mentioned math and science in particular. I don't think the comparator schools have been named in these posts.

I can't tell if this might be the same parent posting on different threads or if this is a more commonly held view or experience. I would appreciate hearing from current or past Beauvoir parents about whether you feel this is a real issue.

I hope not to ignite the kind of Beauvoir parent vs. GDS (or other school) parent bashing that has taken over some other threads.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

In the past Beauvoir has been criticized for using Everyday Math. Since that time, they have completely overhauled the math curriculum and those criticisms are no longer valid. However, St. A does timed math drills, testing rote skills, and most Beauvoir kids have not been exposed to those. So many Beauvoir parents do some timed drills with their sons between 3rd and 4th to get them ready for that. I have not heard of similar issues with NCS.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 22:13 poster. Math focuses on mathematical reasoning. Rote memorization of math facts occurs during homework instead of class time so parents do get The approach is based on evidence and research but's true that other schools likely emphasize more rote knowledge. Each grade has a math specialist.
Beauvoir science curriculum, activities, and teachers are terrific. Science learning takes place in smaller groups. Half the classroom goes at a time to the science room.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir has overhauled its Math program in the last 4 years as EDM fell out in a lot of local Privates ( not just Beauvoir) To get a good idea of principles its founded on google Cathy Fosnot ( SP) from Columbia Univ.

The science program at Beauvoir is excellent with kids attedning inf 90 minute sessions with only half the class and two teachers ( 9 kids to 2 teachers) . Its all experiential learning in a dedicated science room that has so many resources it brings to mind the Smithsonian.

My child is doing well at STA without any kind of outside help or input from me. 4th grade seems a step up, but a natural one.

[Anonymous]

I'd add , and try to do it delicately:

I have noticed a phenom in Washington where when a DC performs below DH and DW's expectations, that the PITA parent they hid safely away in the trunk of their Mercedes comes flying out at you like a jack in the box.

If there is any winging on this forum about lack of being prepared for STA, likely DS did not do as expected on the WISC, ERB and Otis Lenon. For some parents its a hard pill.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks very much for these responses. They are really informative and helpful. Thanks for taking the time to write them.

If there are other comments, I'd love to hear them as well. Just wanted to say thanks for the posts already made.

I don't know what PITA stands for, but I think I get the idea from the context!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Beauvoir has overhauled its Math program in the last 4 years as EDM fell out in a lot of local Privates ( not just Beauvoir) To get a good idea of principles its founded on google Cathy Fosnot ( SP) from Columbia Univ.

The science program at Beauvoir is excellent with kids attedning inf 90 minute sessions with only half the class and two teachers ( 9 kids to 2 teachers) . Its all experiential learning in a dedicated science room that has so many resources it brings to mind the Smithsonian.

My child is doing well at STA without any kind of outside help or input from me. 4th grade seems a step up, but a natural one.

So is EDM still used at Beauvoir to some extent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Beauvoir has overhauled its Math program in the last 4 years as EDM fell out in a lot of local Privates ( not just Beauvoir) To get a good idea of principles its founded on google Cathy Fosnot ( SP) from Columbia Univ.

The science program at Beauvoir is excellent with kids attedning inf 90 minute sessions with only half the class and two teachers ( 9 kids to 2 teachers) . Its all experiential learning in a dedicated science room that has so many resources it brings to mind the Smithsonian.

My child is doing well at STA without any kind of outside help or input from me. 4th grade seems a step up, but a natural one.

So is EDM still used at Beauvoir to some extent?

If you want to know what is being used at Beauvoir for math: http://www.mitcccny.org/Welcome_to_MitC.html

[Anonymous]

Ask how Beauvoir does in ERB Math. That's a national comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Beauvoir has overhauled its Math program in the last 4 years as EDM fell out in a lot of local Privates ( not just Beauvoir) To get a good idea of principles its founded on google Cathy Fosnot ( SP) from Columbia Univ.

The science program at Beauvoir is excellent with kids attedning inf 90 minute sessions with only half the class and two teachers ( 9 kids to 2 teachers) . Its all experiential learning in a dedicated science room that has so many resources it brings to mind the Smithsonian.

My child is doing well at STA without any kind of outside help or input from me. 4th grade seems a step up, but a natural one.

So is EDM still used at Beauvoir to some extent?

If you want to know what is being used at Beauvoir for math: http://www.mitcccny.org/Welcome_to_MitC.html

Are you saying they no longer use edm?

[Anonymous]

Each year Beauvoir brings an ERB representative to the school to meet with all parents about the test as well as the school's scores. Parents also receive their own child's scores with explanations. This year the third grade Beauvoir results were presented as follows:

Mean Percent Content Mastery By Test



Auditory Comprehension for Suburban Public Schools - 74%
Auditory Comprehension for Independent Schools Nationally - 80%
Auditory Comprehension for Beauvoir - 88%


Reading Comprehension for Suburan Public Schools - 72%
Reading Comprehension for Independent Schools Nationally - 78%
Reading Comprehension for Beauvoir - 87%


Mathematics for Suburban Public Schools - 71%
Mathematics for Independent Schools Nationally - 79%
Mathematics for Beauvoir - 87%

This presentation is given annually and the numbers in each group vary slightly if at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Each year Beauvoir brings an ERB representative to the school to meet with all parents about the test as well as the school's scores. Parents also receive their own child's scores with explanations. This year the third grade Beauvoir results were presented as follows:

Mean Percent Content Mastery By Test



Auditory Comprehension for Suburban Public Schools - 74%
Auditory Comprehension for Independent Schools Nationally - 80%
Auditory Comprehension for Beauvoir - 88%


Reading Comprehension for Suburan Public Schools - 72%
Reading Comprehension for Independent Schools Nationally - 78%
Reading Comprehension for Beauvoir - 87%


Mathematics for Suburban Public Schools - 71%
Mathematics for Independent Schools Nationally - 79%
Mathematics for Beauvoir - 87%

This presentation is given annually and the numbers in each group vary slightly if at all.

These percentages are hardly impressive given that "suburban public schools" would naturally be dragged down by seriously underperforming students (low income, low aptitude, English as second language, etc.) One can imagine that, in this area -- high socioeconomic levels, high parental educational level etc.-- the high performing kids in these public schools would score better than B's score (again, assuming that the very low scores would have dragged down the total % means that the high performers must be scoring substantially higher). As B's score is made up of a pre-scrubbed, vetted group that has "made the cut," I'm less impressed. Not intending to start a food-fight here - but I'm a parent weighing the cost/benefit of spending 35k.

[Anonymous]

Actually, the suburban schools that choose to use the ERB test are filled with students who also " made the cut". This from the ERB presenter.
PP said they wanted a national ERB comparision for other independent schools. Beauvoir is not a school that touts the test scores but as parents, we appreciate the transparency and are more than thrilled with the results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Each year Beauvoir brings an ERB representative to the school to meet with all parents about the test as well as the school's scores. Parents also receive their own child's scores with explanations. This year the third grade Beauvoir results were presented as follows:

Mean Percent Content Mastery By Test



Auditory Comprehension for Suburban Public Schools - 74%
Auditory Comprehension for Independent Schools Nationally - 80%
Auditory Comprehension for Beauvoir - 88%


Reading Comprehension for Suburan Public Schools - 72%
Reading Comprehension for Independent Schools Nationally - 78%
Reading Comprehension for Beauvoir - 87%


Mathematics for Suburban Public Schools - 71%
Mathematics for Independent Schools Nationally - 79%
Mathematics for Beauvoir - 87%

This presentation is given annually and the numbers in each group vary slightly if at all.

These percentages are hardly impressive given that "suburban public schools" would naturally be dragged down by seriously underperforming students (low income, low aptitude, English as second language, etc.) One can imagine that, in this area -- high socioeconomic levels, high parental educational level etc.-- the high performing kids in these public schools would score better than B's score (again, assuming that the very low scores would have dragged down the total % means that the high performers must be scoring substantially higher). As B's score is made up of a pre-scrubbed, vetted group that has "made the cut," I'm less impressed. Not intending to start a food-fight here - but I'm a parent weighing the cost/benefit of spending 35k.

Not all Suburban Public School students take ERBs; it's usually the suburban public schools from wealthy school districts that participate in ERB tests.

[Anonymous]

OP, I can only tell you our experience with Beauvoir. My child is currently at Beauvoir and received excellent scores on the ERBs this year in reading and math (I won't give numbers to avoid identifying my child). We are pleased with our child's academic progress at Beauvoir and according to our child's scores, he/she could not have done any better. I have heard your question by others so I was not sure what to expect but as I said thus far my child is doing excellent in math and his/her test scores showed it.