Differences in what a kid is allowed to take

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.

STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

SO are you at BCC? Do they offer an AP Physics class that someone who is just starting at the same time in PRECALC can take? Perhaps OP just misunderstood the reason why this is an issue, but it's kinda harsh to tell strangers they don't know what they are talking about when what OP is asking for might actually not be possible

Again, you are confusing MCPS requirements and College Board prerequisite recommendations. AP Phys 1 is a dummy course (let's be honest) that only requires Alg 2 as a recommended math course by the College Board. It's very different from AP Physics C (Mechanical Engineerimg one semester then Electricity & Magnetism the other), which needs Calculus. MCPS cannot stop a child from choosing to take AP Phys 1 before Bio or Chem! You need to check whether that course is offered at the high school in question, and then, since it's not a conventional path, you need to INSIST. Because counselors are not the brightest bulbs, and some of them make a fuss when you want to do something different than the usual. In which case, you contact the Science Coordinator (or whatever title they have) and explain the game plan. Teachers respect kids and parents who come armed with knowledge or prerequisites and who can lay out the whole high school trajectory. I've never known a science coordinator or counselor refuse a kid who did that.

CAVEAT... this should have been hashed out during the enrollment period at the beginning of the year, when the kid was in 8th grade. The problem now is that some high schools (or all of them) are overwhelmed by schedule change requests and will prioritize errors in schedules, not "changed my mind" requests. And that means there might not be any seats left in the classes this kid wants to take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.

STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

🙄 many times. So you bullied them.

This is their job. They should make it easier for kids to register to classes appropriate to their level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader will be in H. Precalc. He's already taken Physics through CTY. As an elective, he wanted to take AP Physics 1 this year. The HS he attends will not allow it as they said that in order to take any physics class, he must have completed Bio and Chem first. But yet, when I look at what Blair allows, a student in H.Precalc is placed in AP Physics 1. Their philosophy is that math drives science.

If we are one school district, why the differences? Any suggestions for getting around this?

Blair is a unique program/school. Students who take that have demonstrated the ability by passing prerequisite courses before they started attending Blair. No idea if the class your kid took would count.

Anyway, if you are not in a special program, you have to follow the state pathway to graduation. Special programs ensure they meet graduation requirements and do not always follow the same path for a variety of reasons. If you start messing around in freshman and sophomore year taking random classes because you want to, there may be with holes closer to graduation. Plus no one wants to take a class with freshman if you are a senior.
The counselors are just making sure your child will stay on track. Junior year he will focus more on a specific tract if he wants too based on what is offered at the school. Lots more flexibility in the last two years. Each school is different because each school has a different population; different facilities; different teachers with different abilities. Perhaps look into taking it at MC after school if he really is insistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.

STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

🙄 many times. So you bullied them.

This is their job. They should make it easier for kids to register to classes appropriate to their level.

It’s not a conciere service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to take biology in 9th grade. There is a MSDE state test that is required at this level.



Physics is not an option right now. Maybe at private school. Because then you can boss people around to get what you think you want.

No. My 9th grader and her friend are taking Honors Chem. MCPS would rather everyone take Bio in 9th so that everyone take the state Bio test at the same time, but actually, kids can take that test at any grade level, which is what mine is going to do. The test is a Maryland high school graduation requirement, so it can be taken at any time before graduation.

People, this is public school. You need to be informed, and not get confused between College Board recs, MCPS rules and MD state requirements. Do not rely on the school's general annual presentations to parents to tell you about all the outside-the-box things you can do. Schools don't have the time and it's in their best interest to keep everyone on the same track, for administrative ease.

Same thing for all the special needs programs MCPS offers - you need to do your own digging...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.

STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

🙄 many times. So you bullied them.

This is their job. They should make it easier for kids to register to classes appropriate to their level.

It’s not a conciere service.

Autocorrect failed me.


*concierge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to take biology in 9th grade. There is a MSDE state test that is required at this level.



Physics is not an option right now. Maybe at private school. Because then you can boss people around to get what you think you want.

No. My 9th grader and her friend are taking Honors Chem. MCPS would rather everyone take Bio in 9th so that everyone take the state Bio test at the same time, but actually, kids can take that test at any grade level, which is what mine is going to do. The test is a Maryland high school graduation requirement, so it can be taken at any time before graduation.

People, this is public school. You need to be informed, and not get confused between College Board recs, MCPS rules and MD state requirements. Do not rely on the school's general annual presentations to parents to tell you about all the outside-the-box things you can do. Schools don't have the time and it's in their best interest to keep everyone on the same track, for administrative ease.

Same thing for all the special needs programs MCPS offers - you need to do your own digging...

No. It’s to ensure kids have all they need before junior senior year so they can focus on a more specific tract.

It’s also to keep peers together . Kids who usually take biology after their freshman year are the ones who failed it the first time and have to retake it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.

STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

SO are you at BCC? Do they offer an AP Physics class that someone who is just starting at the same time in PRECALC can take? Perhaps OP just misunderstood the reason why this is an issue, but it's kinda harsh to tell strangers they don't know what they are talking about when what OP is asking for might actually not be possible

Again, you are confusing MCPS requirements and College Board prerequisite recommendations. AP Phys 1 is a dummy course (let's be honest) that only requires Alg 2 as a recommended math course by the College Board. It's very different from AP Physics C (Mechanical Engineerimg one semester then Electricity & Magnetism the other), which needs Calculus. MCPS cannot stop a child from choosing to take AP Phys 1 before Bio or Chem! You need to check whether that course is offered at the high school in question, and then, since it's not a conventional path, you need to INSIST. Because counselors are not the brightest bulbs, and some of them make a fuss when you want to do something different than the usual. In which case, you contact the Science Coordinator (or whatever title they have) and explain the game plan. Teachers respect kids and parents who come armed with knowledge or prerequisites and who can lay out the whole high school trajectory. I've never known a science coordinator or counselor refuse a kid who did that.

CAVEAT... this should have been hashed out during the enrollment period at the beginning of the year, when the kid was in 8th grade. The problem now is that some high schools (or all of them) are overwhelmed by schedule change requests and will prioritize errors in schedules, not "changed my mind" requests. And that means there might not be any seats left in the classes this kid wants to take.

What are you not catching in prior message. BCC OFFERS ONLY AP PHYSICS C. That's it. It requires calc. Her kid hasn't taken calc. Hasn't even taken pre-calc yet. She cannot take the ONLY AP Physics class that is offered at her school. AGAIN, NO AP PHYSICS 1 at BCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every school is given some leeway in curriculum because each school has a different mix of kids who have different interests and talents. This is why some schools offer Arabic while others do not.
It sounds like your child did not get into a magnet program and you are trying to make up for that. You sound pathetic honestly.

You sound pathetic for devaluing inspiring education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are specific graduation requirmenets which include bio and chem. They want you to have caculus before physics as its very math based. The magnet programs may be a different class and not as math based.

Please refrain from commenting about things you don't understand at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of scheduling reasons besides whether your kid is 'ready' for it. Take bio and chem this year. AP Phys 1 next year. Easy peasy. Still plenty of time for the advanced physics class in 11th and 12th.

Also recognize that the Phys 1 teacher is adjusting the course based on their school's approach. Perhaps at Blair, they coordinate more with precalc than they do at BCC.

The only prereq for AP physics 1 is Algebra and Geometry. Precalculus is not relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG you sound horrible. Why does it matter and why do you feel so entitled to an exception? This will make no difference to your child's happiness.

STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANY CLASS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE PREREQUISITES.

There is no MCPS rule that mandates a particular order. It's just that by convention, kids start with regular or Honors Bio, and move on from there, because most kids aren't taking advanced math. The game changes entirely if the kid is advanced in math, because then they can take any class in any order. The College Board recommends taking a preparatory class before AP Chem and AP Bio (usually the Honors version of same), but that is not an MCPS requirement, so if the kid feels strongly about it, they can insist they want to enroll in the class anyway. AP Physics C (or the other, simpler one) do not have prerequisites apart from Calculus.

Do not weigh in if you don't know what you are talking about. There is no entitlement here. OP and family are savvy people, that's all!

OP, email the counselor yourself today. I had to do that many times to discuss advanced coursework for my kid.

SO are you at BCC? Do they offer an AP Physics class that someone who is just starting at the same time in PRECALC can take? Perhaps OP just misunderstood the reason why this is an issue, but it's kinda harsh to tell strangers they don't know what they are talking about when what OP is asking for might actually not be possible

Again, you are confusing MCPS requirements and College Board prerequisite recommendations. AP Phys 1 is a dummy course (let's be honest) that only requires Alg 2 as a recommended math course by the College Board. It's very different from AP Physics C (Mechanical Engineerimg one semester then Electricity & Magnetism the other), which needs Calculus. MCPS cannot stop a child from choosing to take AP Phys 1 before Bio or Chem! You need to check whether that course is offered at the high school in question, and then, since it's not a conventional path, you need to INSIST. Because counselors are not the brightest bulbs, and some of them make a fuss when you want to do something different than the usual. In which case, you contact the Science Coordinator (or whatever title they have) and explain the game plan. Teachers respect kids and parents who come armed with knowledge or prerequisites and who can lay out the whole high school trajectory. I've never known a science coordinator or counselor refuse a kid who did that.

CAVEAT... this should have been hashed out during the enrollment period at the beginning of the year, when the kid was in 8th grade. The problem now is that some high schools (or all of them) are overwhelmed by schedule change requests and will prioritize errors in schedules, not "changed my mind" requests. And that means there might not be any seats left in the classes this kid wants to take.

Ignore this rambling moron..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader will be in H. Precalc. He's already taken Physics through CTY. As an elective, he wanted to take AP Physics 1 this year. The HS he attends will not allow it as they said that in order to take any physics class, he must have completed Bio and Chem first. But yet, when I look at what Blair allows, a student in H.Precalc is placed in AP Physics 1. Their philosophy is that math drives science.

If we are one school district, why the differences? Any suggestions for getting around this?

Blair is a unique program/school. Students who take that have demonstrated the ability by passing prerequisite courses before they started attending Blair. No idea if the class your kid took would count.

Anyway, if you are not in a special program, you have to follow the state pathway to graduation. Special programs ensure they meet graduation requirements and do not always follow the same path for a variety of reasons. If you start messing around in freshman and sophomore year taking random classes because you want to, there may be with holes closer to graduation. Plus no one wants to take a class with freshman if you are a senior.
The counselors are just making sure your child will stay on track. Junior year he will focus more on a specific tract if he wants too based on what is offered at the school. Lots more flexibility in the last two years. Each school is different because each school has a different population; different facilities; different teachers with different abilities. Perhaps look into taking it at MC after school if he really is insistent.

Blair is a local geo-boundary high school with 500 non-magnet students per grade. This post and thread have nothing to do with the magnet programs.

[Anonymous]

The number of posters who can't understand a 1-paragraph OP but choose to spout nonsense in reply is absolutely incredible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to insist. DD is taking high school science in this order: Honors Chem, AP Chem, AP Physics C and AP Bio. Most kids start with Bio.

Me again. She's at BCC, and is taking Honors Precalc as a rising 9th grader.

Are you OP? BCC doesn't offer AP physics 1. It offers AP physics C and IB Physics. Neither is appropriate for a 9th grader.