Poolesville - Math path

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

How is that? Magnet precalculus is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 at Poolesville according to this thread. So, no, they do not look the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

How is that? Magnet precalculus is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 at Poolesville according to this thread. So, no, they do not look the same.

Magnet precal (functions) was 2 semesters at poolesville. Then took Analysis (calc BC) in 10th, linear algebra + discrete math (AP stats) in 11th and Vector Calc in 12th. Came from geometry in 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

How is that? Magnet precalculus is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 at Poolesville according to this thread. So, no, they do not look the same.

Magnet precal (functions) was 2 semesters at poolesville. Then took Analysis (calc BC) in 10th, linear algebra + discrete math (AP stats) in 11th and Vector Calc in 12th. Came from geometry in 8th.

Magnet precalc and functions are two different classes. At Blair, magnet precalc is 3 semesters. It PHS, it’s 4. Functions is accelerated and it’s two semesters.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Thank you. He did not get in to Roberto Clemente magnet program. Does the middle school magnet program offer Algebra in grade 6, Geometry in grade 7 and Algebra 2 in grade 8?
I heard Poolesville SMACs do not offer Algebra 2? This is what is very confusing for us.

No, 6th grade Algebra is mostly offered at Wealthy Potomac Schools. I think one even offers AIM in 5th and another allows any student with >250 to take Algebra in 6th.

Good grief! Not you, again!

There appear to be a few schools where parents band together, and, having independently accelerated their children with outside enrichment during early/middle elementary, finagle an elementary principal into offering that in 5th grade, with the consequence that Algebra then is afforded to that cohort (or several of them) in 6th.

Whether or not this is advisable for any but those who are not only thus accelerated by famiy, but also more highly naturally attuned to math than would be served by the standard MCPS acceleration options, is a matter of debate. Of less debate:

-- Such accomodation, per the many prior threads that have touched on this subject, appears not to be exclusive to "Wealthy Potomac Schools," though, among the very few schools doing this, it seems to be provided at at least one school that could be described as drawing from north Potomac.

-- Such accomodation, if available at one school, should be similarly available at all schools.

-- MCPS remains reticent about this, and whether intentionally or not, fosters inequity by doing so.

-- The PP routinely shows up in related threads, often one resurrected from long enough ago as to be deprecated (certainly with more recent and relevant discussion being available in other threads), to bandy the "Wealthy Potomac Schools"/"WPES" trope.

Yes, they offer acceleration, mostly only at the Wealthy Potomac schools.

Misdirecting tripe again from you, probably aimed at engendering thoughts that, because of the way you continually send up the "Wealthy Potomac" trope, offering of such acceleration within MCPS isn't even a reality, when it is, but just not supported or communicated by MCPS central in a way that would allow more standardized access across the school district.

07:57 poster -- better to ask your question in a new thread than have to read this (the go-see-the-counselor post notwithstanding).

It's completely accurate. Why are you trying to cover this up?

For those of you just joining us, here's a poster who constantly insiunuates that special math acceleration happens in the most wealthy area. There is some truth to this, of course, as at least one ES in the north Potomac vicinity is understood to facilitate, routinely, a pathway to Algebra in 6th, a year ahead of the standard MCPS accceleration that allows for a two year advancement from Common Core over three grades. That extra accommodation is understood to be the result of group family advocacy with dedication to outside enrichment.

However, the poster's main purpose seems to be to gin up uncertainty, utilizing an assumption of group envy. They play coy with terms like "mostly", but never provide specifics, referring only to "Wealthy Potomac" and the fictional "WPES". Their messages are brief, claiming truth and casting doubt while failing to provide supports of their own. Despite the knowledge claimed, there never are concrete, actionable suggestions for how other communities or families might encourage such accommodation, themselves, if they found their children demonstrating ability and interest that would warrant such extra acceleration.

MCPS central professes availability of that accommodation on a case by case basis. However, many schools are loath to engage in the logistics that would be required to fulfill that. Whole cohorts at a few schools, and not only in areas of highest wealth, being provided the accommodation underline the MCPS failure to address needs equitably. Public acknowledgement is, therefore, avoided.

The poster, with their short, uninformative and dismissive posts, appears to hope to undermine any such notion of MCPS not living up to its obligations and professed ideals. They agree, in a way and on the surface, but in such an unsympathetic manner as to sway opinion in the opposite direction.

What they're saying completely squares with my experience. At our school, I asked if there were enrichment opportunities for ES children with MAP-M scores over 250. They said no. My child later attended TPMS, where all the students who were in algebra or higher in 6th grade came from the same wealthy Potomac schools the poster is talking about.

The more likely explanation is people who benefit from this are trying to keep it under wraps because they know it's wrong.

Same with my experience. My kid had a 260-range score in 3rd grade and I was told there was nothing per county policy. Came to find later out that parents at other schools had successfully lobbied for more. Near as I can tell in the long run, this accomplished nothing other than bragging rights as the kids all ended up in the same math class later and all took Calc BC in 10th grade.

What path was taken by kids who didn't do Algebra in 6th but did Cacl BC in 10th? Summer school? Algebra 2 and Geometry at the same time in 8th? Combo Algebra 2 & Precalc in 9th? Admission to SMACS with its unique program?

Other than the last, were the MS/HS administrations supportive or was it a fight?

Functions in ninth @smcs

Got it. So, not generally available, and for any not admitted to SMCS but wanting that more highly advanced set of math options in HS, the extra acceleration afforded in 5th leading to Algebra in 6th would make a difference.

Yes, but that's only offered at a few wealthy schools.

Sounds like the state BOE and county council should investigate MCPS, then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

How is that? Magnet precalculus is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 at Poolesville according to this thread. So, no, they do not look the same.

Magnet precal (functions) was 2 semesters at poolesville. Then took Analysis (calc BC) in 10th, linear algebra + discrete math (AP stats) in 11th and Vector Calc in 12th. Came from geometry in 8th.

Magnet precalc and functions are two different classes. At Blair, magnet precalc is 3 semesters. It PHS, it’s 4. Functions is accelerated and it’s two semesters.

I was putting that into terms people would understand. My point was the accelerated path at poolesville and Blair seem to be the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WPES parents sign a non-disclosure about the special programs their kids get.

That’s funny. But seriously, what good does it do a kid long-term to take Alg in 5th grade? Do W schools have past MVC? My kid took in 7th and started UMD having finished all the math classes required for a CS degree. How much more advanced would you want to be?

In my experience as a magnet parent. One of the WPES offers AIM in 5th to many advanced students. I suspect there's a large cohort of advanced students there relative to other schools, so it's not all that shocking that there's some pressure to do this. Similarly, another WPES MS offers Algebra to any 6th-grade student who can score over 250 on the 5th-grade map. Some rare kids advance even more, but it's also a function of parental pressure. Even at TPMS they won't advance students without considerable parental pressure.

Yes, if you want acceleration options it's hard to beat the WPES since they're the only place that makes these available to most students. Sure, if you bug admin somewhere else a lot you may be able to get something but it won't be the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WPES parents sign a non-disclosure about the special programs their kids get.

That’s funny. But seriously, what good does it do a kid long-term to take Alg in 5th grade? Do W schools have past MVC? My kid took in 7th and started UMD having finished all the math classes required for a CS degree. How much more advanced would you want to be?

In my experience as a magnet parent. One of the WPES offers AIM in 5th to many advanced students. I suspect there's a large cohort of advanced students there relative to other schools, so it's not all that shocking that there's some pressure to do this. Similarly, another WPES MS offers Algebra to any 6th-grade student who can score over 250 on the 5th-grade map. Some rare kids advance even more, but it's also a function of parental pressure. Even at TPMS they won't advance students without considerable parental pressure.

Yes, if you want acceleration options it's hard to beat the WPES since they're the only place that makes these available to most students. Sure, if you bug admin somewhere else a lot you may be able to get something but it won't be the same.

Wow. Are you serious? My kid got a 268 in 5th. We don't live in a W district. I never bothered to try to get her into algebra 1 in 6th. She's in AMP 7+ now in 6th. But honestly, it's okay - she's not at all bored. She 's still learning things, and learning different ways of doing things. She's smart, but I don't think she's a genius. She can probably do with some depth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

How is that? Magnet precalculus is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 at Poolesville according to this thread. So, no, they do not look the same.

Magnet precal (functions) was 2 semesters at poolesville. Then took Analysis (calc BC) in 10th, linear algebra + discrete math (AP stats) in 11th and Vector Calc in 12th. Came from geometry in 8th.

Magnet precalc and functions are two different classes. At Blair, magnet precalc is 3 semesters. It PHS, it’s 4. Functions is accelerated and it’s two semesters.

I was putting that into terms people would understand. My point was the accelerated path at poolesville and Blair seem to be the same.

Functions is the same at both schools. But Magnet Precalc is 4 semesters at PHS, and 3 at Blair. I think it's fine to give more time and depth. Everyone still has to take AP Stat at PHS in 11th, and then a choice of electives in 12th (many opt for Multivariate).

[Anonymous]

At Blair, there are a few kids taking Analysis at 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp here, I forgot to mention that Dd took Gometry in 8th, and took Algebra 2 as an online course and then pre cal online. Therefore, she pased the test to start functions.

What topics were on the exam as my daughter is taking it soon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. He did not get in to Roberto Clemente magnet program. Does the middle school magnet program offer Algebra in grade 6, Geometry in grade 7 and Algebra 2 in grade 8?
I heard Poolesville SMACs do not offer Algebra 2? This is what is very confusing for us.

At Blair most start in Precalc which covers 3 semesters Algebra2 and Precalc over 3 semesters. I think Poolesville has this too but covers it over 4.

The other two options at Blair are Functions which compresses Algebra2 and Precalc into one year. Often students who have already taken Algebra2 take this but it is not only more accelerated but they make it even more challenging.

The final option is Magnet Geometry for students who have not already completed this material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp here, I forgot to mention that Dd took Gometry in 8th, and took Algebra 2 as an online course and then pre cal online. Therefore, she pased the test to start functions.

What topics were on the exam as my daughter is taking it soon?

Usually you attend factoring camp at the beginning of summer to get a recommendation if you want to enroll in functions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TLDR: it takes PHS students four semesters to get through what Blair students accomplish in 3.

How is that? Classes look same to me.

How is that? Magnet precalculus is 3 semesters at Blair and 4 at Poolesville according to this thread. So, no, they do not look the same.

Magnet precal (functions) was 2 semesters at poolesville. Then took Analysis (calc BC) in 10th, linear algebra + discrete math (AP stats) in 11th and Vector Calc in 12th. Came from geometry in 8th.

Magnet precalc and functions are two different classes. At Blair, magnet precalc is 3 semesters. It PHS, it’s 4. Functions is accelerated and it’s two semesters.

I was putting that into terms people would understand. My point was the accelerated path at poolesville and Blair seem to be the same.

Functions is the same at both schools. But Magnet Precalc is 4 semesters at PHS, and 3 at Blair. I think it's fine to give more time and depth. Everyone still has to take AP Stat at PHS in 11th, and then a choice of electives in 12th (many opt for Multivariate).

My sense is the problem sets for functions at Blair are a bit more challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is interested in the SMACS program at Poolesville. He did algebra in grade 7 and Geometry in grade 8. Is he following the right Math path to get admitted for this program?

This path is fine. It is not a guarantee to get in the program, though - your dc will need to test high enough, apply, all that, too.

No. It is a lottery now. If you are from certain demographic you will get selected.