How Common Is Math Acceleration With DMV Families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I can tell, MathAcademy is similar to Duolingo – no human instruction, but highly adaptive. The fact that he's progressed so far on his own suggests that he is self-motivated and a strong math student, which are both awesome.

However, these programs aren't classes, and it's tough to say whether he's just figured out how to do the program OR whether he really understands Calculus on a fundamental level, to the extent that he could apply it in an unfamiliar context. I work at a school that has some very accelerated kids, and others who need a lot of support in math – but on both ends, I see kids who were previously moved through the levels too fast. While they can replicate a process just fine, they don't know why things work the way they do. And you need that "why" to do really high level math.

The chances that someone who has sped through Duolingo-type lessons knowing the depth of math that private school honors classes expect is very, very small. I suspect that OP's child (assuming this wasn't a troll) will take a placement test at whatever school he ends up at and will need to go several years back. OP, if you did this only as an admissions advantage, I'm sorry it's not going to work how you expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is that the kid will need to take a placement exam. If he surpasses all expectations the school will see what they can do for him. It may be dual enrollment (at a local college), a live online course, or a high school course. If you're set on private, make sure you choose one that goes through 12th.

I don't know any local private schools that have arrangements for dual enrollment, fwiw, only publics. But my kid is at grade level, so I wouldn't necessarily be in the know.

Yeah, you can do dual enrollment in public and take any number of advanced Math classes at GW and Georgetown (if you are DCPS…not sure how DE works in MoCo).

Most colleges won’t accept the credits (though I think GW and Georgetown will accept them if you matriculate there), but in theory you will be able to sit for placement tests and start college at a high math level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the advantage of this much acceleration?

IMHO, none. It's a race to nowhere for most students. Think of college: this kid will have to take 4 years of college level math during high school at a local community college or other DE program or worse, on line. So applying to college, the kid will be saying I've already finished years of your college's math curriculum (but not from anyone the level of your math faculty). Some colleges will give a student an opportunity to try to test out of their courses, but other than AP credit, they will require certain foundational classes. Even kids who simply get through linear algebra and multivariable in high school are often told by their college advisors to start the math sequence back a few levels in college IF they are majoring in something that actually uses math (whereas liberal arts majors can use this acceleration to opt out of taking any more math at all -- in which case, why go beyond AP calc anyway?). College math departments do not want their math and engineering majors to lack a strong foundation and generally distrust high school level acceleration UNLESS the student comes with a "math genius" recommendation and proves in on the college's own placement exams.

Here is what MIT has to say about it: https://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/credit/

This says nothing about early acceleration being bad, just that programs vary widely, and each department will determine whether or not transfer credit is given.

Acceleration can be both good and bad. Tiger parents pushing their kids too hard, moving so fast that they don’t actually master the material at a deep level? That’s bad.

A truly gifted student who needs to be challenged appropriately, despite being young (a Young Sheldon)? Of course these opportunities should be available to them.

And FWIW, MIT will know the difference in a heartbeat.

And Sheldon needed to go back and do remedial tutoring, because it turns out accelerating and going to college early didn’t give him the depth of knowledge he needed in the field.

[Anonymous]

Check out Basis and Nysmith

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Very common.

We have 5th graders and alumni interview in Bethesda (home) and Arlington (office).

40% of public k-6 kids are in compacted or accelerated math. That means they’re on track to be done with geometry by end of 8th grade or take it in addition to pre-algebra I for 9the grade. Then pre algebra II for 10th grade, and thus take SAT summer after 10th grade.

Private schools go slower and “deeper”, and the stem families supplement or tutor ahead so kids aren’t board.

High school can take lots of paths, again those top students are 30-40% of the entire grade around here (not 10%) and can take either calc AB or BC for 11th grade and then AP stats or higher level math for 12th grade (audit or for a grade).

Will also note that strong public elementary schools in MCPS ARE allowed to teach up a grade in math. Thus those nationwide MAP scores, spanning three grades of material aptitude tests, come in with 99%tile for half the class sometimes. No one blinks.

Magnet schools are test in.
g&T programs now called Center for Excellence were shrunk back in 2018 due to being deemed racist for having mostly white and Asian students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

This type is uncommon. If he’s all in STEM I’d just taught to TJ, Blair, GDS and Sidwell and see what they could offer for him given his math needs.

Is his writing or verbal skills and abilities the same? If not avoid the private schools, tons of reading and writing and being well rounded. Even forced team sports.

[Anonymous]

Why are you moving?

And dont say for the schools. You’d sound even more like a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Wtf does this even mean?
Have an edge for what exactly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No private school in the area will be able to accommodate this. Your best bet is looking at BASIS or moving to NOVA and getting your kid into TJHSST.

In all actuality, if your kid is this far advanced, you probably do not even need private education and should just continue with your personal curriculum until you max out his abilities. I'd save money and send him to public school like Jackson-Reed, where he will be the immediate superstar of the graduating class and have an open lane to a T20 college outcome.

Huh? No. Math robots are a dime a dozen. Need more than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Very common.

We have 5th graders and alumni interview in Bethesda (home) and Arlington (office).

40% of public k-6 kids are in compacted or accelerated math. That means they’re on track to be done with geometry by end of 8th grade or take it in addition to pre-algebra I for 9the grade. Then pre algebra II for 10th grade, and thus take SAT summer after 10th grade.

Private schools go slower and “deeper”, and the stem families supplement or tutor ahead so kids aren’t board.

High school can take lots of paths, again those top students are 30-40% of the entire grade around here (not 10%) and can take either calc AB or BC for 11th grade and then AP stats or higher level math for 12th grade (audit or for a grade).

Will also note that strong public elementary schools in MCPS ARE allowed to teach up a grade in math. Thus those nationwide MAP scores, spanning three grades of material aptitude tests, come in with 99%tile for half the class sometimes. No one blinks.

Magnet schools are test in.
g&T programs now called Center for Excellence were shrunk back in 2018 due to being deemed racist for having mostly white and Asian students.

What is pre algebra 1 and 2? What you are describing doesn't sound accelerated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s the advantage of this much acceleration?

IMHO, none. It's a race to nowhere for most students. Think of college: this kid will have to take 4 years of college level math during high school at a local community college or other DE program or worse, on line. So applying to college, the kid will be saying I've already finished years of your college's math curriculum (but not from anyone the level of your math faculty). Some colleges will give a student an opportunity to try to test out of their courses, but other than AP credit, they will require certain foundational classes. Even kids who simply get through linear algebra and multivariable in high school are often told by their college advisors to start the math sequence back a few levels in college IF they are majoring in something that actually uses math (whereas liberal arts majors can use this acceleration to opt out of taking any more math at all -- in which case, why go beyond AP calc anyway?). College math departments do not want their math and engineering majors to lack a strong foundation and generally distrust high school level acceleration UNLESS the student comes with a "math genius" recommendation and proves in on the college's own placement exams.

Here is what MIT has to say about it: https://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/credit/

This says nothing about early acceleration being bad, just that programs vary widely, and each department will determine whether or not transfer credit is given.

Acceleration can be both good and bad. Tiger parents pushing their kids too hard, moving so fast that they don’t actually master the material at a deep level? That’s bad.

A truly gifted student who needs to be challenged appropriately, despite being young (a Young Sheldon)? Of course these opportunities should be available to them.

And FWIW, MIT will know the difference in a heartbeat.

That's what I said.

Curious what his CoGATs verbal and nonverbal are, and any FSIQ tests or neuropsych results. They can advise. Maybe you need to homeschool the math track yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Very common.

We have 5th graders and alumni interview in Bethesda (home) and Arlington (office).

40% of public k-6 kids are in compacted or accelerated math. That means they’re on track to be done with geometry by end of 8th grade or take it in addition to pre-algebra I for 9the grade. Then pre algebra II for 10th grade, and thus take SAT summer after 10th grade.

Private schools go slower and “deeper”, and the stem families supplement or tutor ahead so kids aren’t board.

High school can take lots of paths, again those top students are 30-40% of the entire grade around here (not 10%) and can take either calc AB or BC for 11th grade and then AP stats or higher level math for 12th grade (audit or for a grade).

Will also note that strong public elementary schools in MCPS ARE allowed to teach up a grade in math. Thus those nationwide MAP scores, spanning three grades of material aptitude tests, come in with 99%tile for half the class sometimes. No one blinks.

Magnet schools are test in.
g&T programs now called Center for Excellence were shrunk back in 2018 due to being deemed racist for having mostly white and Asian students.

What is pre algebra 1 and 2? What you are describing doesn't sound accelerated.

Because PP didn't read what OP actually wrote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Very common.

We have 5th graders and alumni interview in Bethesda (home) and Arlington (office).

40% of public k-6 kids are in compacted or accelerated math. That means they’re on track to be done with geometry by end of 8th grade or take it in addition to pre-algebra I for 9the grade. Then pre algebra II for 10th grade, and thus take SAT summer after 10th grade.

Private schools go slower and “deeper”, and the stem families supplement or tutor ahead so kids aren’t board.

High school can take lots of paths, again those top students are 30-40% of the entire grade around here (not 10%) and can take either calc AB or BC for 11th grade and then AP stats or higher level math for 12th grade (audit or for a grade).

Will also note that strong public elementary schools in MCPS ARE allowed to teach up a grade in math. Thus those nationwide MAP scores, spanning three grades of material aptitude tests, come in with 99%tile for half the class sometimes. No one blinks.

Magnet schools are test in.
g&T programs now called Center for Excellence were shrunk back in 2018 due to being deemed racist for having mostly white and Asian students.

What is pre algebra 1 and 2? What you are describing doesn't sound accelerated.

That’s the general accelerated track for most public school districts in the country. Most have done away with the 15 month gap between pre-algebra I and II, but aim for those to end in 9th or 10th grade for science and standardized test purposes. And of course many don’t make it to those classes until junior or senior year.

oP’s child is way beyond that, so needs math homeschooling by tutors or college classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Very common.

We have 5th graders and alumni interview in Bethesda (home) and Arlington (office).

40% of public k-6 kids are in compacted or accelerated math. That means they’re on track to be done with geometry by end of 8th grade or take it in addition to pre-algebra I for 9the grade. Then pre algebra II for 10th grade, and thus take SAT summer after 10th grade.

Private schools go slower and “deeper”, and the stem families supplement or tutor ahead so kids aren’t board.

High school can take lots of paths, again those top students are 30-40% of the entire grade around here (not 10%) and can take either calc AB or BC for 11th grade and then AP stats or higher level math for 12th grade (audit or for a grade).

Will also note that strong public elementary schools in MCPS ARE allowed to teach up a grade in math. Thus those nationwide MAP scores, spanning three grades of material aptitude tests, come in with 99%tile for half the class sometimes. No one blinks.

Magnet schools are test in.
g&T programs now called Center for Excellence were shrunk back in 2018 due to being deemed racist for having mostly white and Asian students.

What is pre algebra 1 and 2? What you are describing doesn't sound accelerated.

Because PP didn't read what OP actually wrote.

Correct, only read the subject line.

OP is either a child troll post or someone really dense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving from Chicago to DC. My son is 3.5 years ahead in math and is on path to complete Calculus II by 8th grade. I have him in a hyper-accelerated mathematics program so he can have an edge on his peers and begin exploring more complex topics earlier. Will this give him an advantage in private school if we were to apply? Also, how common is this style of acceleration in the DMV? I have heard it is academically cutthroat down there.

Very common.

We have 5th graders and alumni interview in Bethesda (home) and Arlington (office).

40% of public k-6 kids are in compacted or accelerated math. That means they’re on track to be done with geometry by end of 8th grade or take it in addition to pre-algebra I for 9the grade. Then pre algebra II for 10th grade, and thus take SAT summer after 10th grade.

Private schools go slower and “deeper”, and the stem families supplement or tutor ahead so kids aren’t board.

High school can take lots of paths, again those top students are 30-40% of the entire grade around here (not 10%) and can take either calc AB or BC for 11th grade and then AP stats or higher level math for 12th grade (audit or for a grade).

Will also note that strong public elementary schools in MCPS ARE allowed to teach up a grade in math. Thus those nationwide MAP scores, spanning three grades of material aptitude tests, come in with 99%tile for half the class sometimes. No one blinks.

Magnet schools are test in.
g&T programs now called Center for Excellence were shrunk back in 2018 due to being deemed racist for having mostly white and Asian students.

What is pre algebra 1 and 2? What you are describing doesn't sound accelerated.

That’s the general accelerated track for most public school districts in the country. Most have done away with the 15 month gap between pre-algebra I and II, but aim for those to end in 9th or 10th grade for science and standardized test purposes. And of course many don’t make it to those classes until junior or senior year.

oP’s child is way beyond that, so needs math homeschooling by tutors or college classes.

NP, but I’m still thrown by pre-algebra I and pre-algebra II. Do you just mean algebra I and algebra II? Pre-algebra is usually middle school, or earlier for advanced tracks. DC had pre-algebra in 6th, algebra (I) in 7th, geometry in 8th, lined up for algebra II/trig in 9th (advanced by one year from the typical HS track, which does geometry in 9th, algebra II in 10th). I know some schools flip things so that algebra I and algebra II are adjacent rather than sandwiching geometry between them. But I’ve never heard of pre-algebra I and pre-algebra II, especially not in HS.