seventh grader A student got a B in the final exam

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sometimes a "B" can be character-building. She'll double down next time, not coast.

I was an all-A student until I got my first truly bad grade on a writing exercise in 10th grade. Oh, boy! I'd transfered into a different school and didn't realize the new expectations. I learned to write better because that "D" was a huge wake-up call.

In grad school, I was summa all the way and graduated with distinction. But, oh boy, stats kicked my ass. It was humbling as I realized that this was what other people in my cohort felt about all their classes.

Knowing where you have to be vigilant is a gift. I wouldn't knock the B, I'd learn from it---even if you end up being successful in having it removed.

Good luck navigating this period. If tutoring or prep is required to keep DC on course, you should move forward on that without stigma. My children have always had a tutor. It's not value-laden, it's just what we do.

Thank you for good positive words.

DC is a humble, hardworking well liked kid. I am amazed at some very strong comments here, a simple q was, would a 'B' on Geometry impact college admissions, thank you to those who were able to provide feedback. DC is disappointed with the final exam grade because the exam did not seem that difficult and DC was able to do the harder questions also towards the end of the exam. There is no obsession here for 'A's rather I also believe in grasping the content and get all concepts. A discussion on another thread about how MS grades impact HS transcript and college admissions made me ask this question when we received the report card yesterday. So thanks to all who were able to provide their input.

You have received "strong comments" because you are obviously putting an insane amount of pressure on your MS child based on your post. You need to CHILL OUT or your kid will pay the price.

Where in the post did you see that parents are putting 'insane amount of pressure' on the child. It is with both school and parents recommendation that a student is accelerated in math and reading, so was this kid. The post was more to get clarity on MS Grades on HS transcript issue and the impact on college admissions in future. If you can not understand the content you can avoid commenting.

Oh please. You are insane. We are talking about a child who got a B. I feel horrible for kids whose parents are so obsessed with perfection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sometimes a "B" can be character-building. She'll double down next time, not coast.

I was an all-A student until I got my first truly bad grade on a writing exercise in 10th grade. Oh, boy! I'd transfered into a different school and didn't realize the new expectations. I learned to write better because that "D" was a huge wake-up call.

In grad school, I was summa all the way and graduated with distinction. But, oh boy, stats kicked my ass. It was humbling as I realized that this was what other people in my cohort felt about all their classes.

Knowing where you have to be vigilant is a gift. I wouldn't knock the B, I'd learn from it---even if you end up being successful in having it removed.

Good luck navigating this period. If tutoring or prep is required to keep DC on course, you should move forward on that without stigma. My children have always had a tutor. It's not value-laden, it's just what we do.

Thank you for good positive words.

DC is a humble, hardworking well liked kid. I am amazed at some very strong comments here, a simple q was, would a 'B' on Geometry impact college admissions, thank you to those who were able to provide feedback. DC is disappointed with the final exam grade because the exam did not seem that difficult and DC was able to do the harder questions also towards the end of the exam. There is no obsession here for 'A's rather I also believe in grasping the content and get all concepts. A discussion on another thread about how MS grades impact HS transcript and college admissions made me ask this question when we received the report card yesterday. So thanks to all who were able to provide their input.

You have received "strong comments" because you are obviously putting an insane amount of pressure on your MS child based on your post. You need to CHILL OUT or your kid will pay the price.

Where in the post did you see that parents are putting 'insane amount of pressure' on the child. It is with both school and parents recommendation that a student is accelerated in math and reading, so was this kid. The post was more to get clarity on MS Grades on HS transcript issue and the impact on college admissions in future. If you can not understand the content you can avoid commenting.

Oh please. You are insane. We are talking about a child who got a B. I feel horrible for kids whose parents are so obsessed with perfection.

+1

[Anonymous]

I have to defend OP because it's obvious from the comments that most here have not yet had a child apply to college and deal with the implications of their GPA.

Is it terrible that a 7th grader got a B in high school level Geometry? Absolutely not! It's quite remarkable, really.

Is it potentially terrible that that B could turn out to be the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record at college app time? If the kid is applying to UMD or GWU, no. If the kid is applying to Harvard/Yale/Princeton, quite possibly yes.

So though it seems crazy to freak out about a middle schooler's B, OP is right to be concerned.

[Anonymous]

But if she retakes, the student will lose the prestige of three years of AP math in HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But if she retakes, the student will lose the prestige of three years of AP math in HS

Assuming this kid can actually handle 3 AP math classes in HS
Maybe that kid can excel in something else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to defend OP because it's obvious from the comments that most here have not yet had a child apply to college and deal with the implications of their GPA.

Is it terrible that a 7th grader got a B in high school level Geometry? Absolutely not! It's quite remarkable, really.

Is it potentially terrible that that B could turn out to be the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record at college app time? If the kid is applying to UMD or GWU, no. If the kid is applying to Harvard/Yale/Princeton, quite possibly yes.

So though it seems crazy to freak out about a middle schooler's B, OP is right to be concerned.

Maybe the kid is not strong in math. Maybe he will not excel as they thought he would. Putting these kinds of pressure on a kid has horrible consequences when the kid cannot live up to expectations. Case and point: go read the thread we are all very familiar with about the girl who faked the acceptance letters. Different situation sure, but could it turn into something more based on OPs pressure, absolutely.

I would rather my kid be happy and a B student that did not get into Harvard than looking up suicide methods online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP, I would think very hard about math track for your kid. While B is a good grade overall, do you really think DC is capable of handling Algebra II in 8th grade and Pre-Calc in 9th?
Talk to your kid, and maybe chancellor, think hard if DC is really ready for heavy math track in HS. It might be just a hiccup and stupid mistake on the test, or early indication that, well, he's moving to fast, and simply not ready.

I agree. What does your child think? I wouldn't make it about the particular grade, but about the level of challenge in general--the math is only going to get harder. It's possible that your child feels too far accelerated and would welcome a respite. Or, it's possible that the B will be a wake-up call and lead to more studying. Only your child and you know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, I would think very hard about math track for your kid. While B is a good grade overall, do you really think DC is capable of handling Algebra II in 8th grade and Pre-Calc in 9th?
Talk to your kid, and maybe chancellor, think hard if DC is really ready for heavy math track in HS. It might be just a hiccup and stupid mistake on the test, or early indication that, well, he's moving to fast, and simply not ready.

I agree. What does your child think? I wouldn't make it about the particular grade, but about the level of challenge in general--the math is only going to get harder. It's possible that your child feels too far accelerated and would welcome a respite. Or, it's possible that the B will be a wake-up call and lead to more studying. Only your child and you know!

Agree on rethinking the math track. The kids in my DCs grade who were on the super accelerated track were really really strong in math. They probably got nothing lower than a 95 in any quarter and 2 of DCs close friends got 800s on the Math2 subject test (and of course 5s in AP BC calc). Alg II is much more challenging than geometry. If she's getting Bs in geo maybe the regular accelerated track is better than the super accelerated track.

From the perspective of colleges, getting As on the regular accelerated track is better than Bs on the super accelerated track. She will still take AP calc as a junior, which is more than most kids do.

[Anonymous]

OP, you need to land the chopper. Now.

[Anonymous]

A B in 7th grade math pretty much assures that your kid will not get into HYP. Or perhaps a state school. You should think about community college. Shame on you, OP, for ruining your kid's life. If you were a good parent, you would have intervened before she got a "B", which is basically an F.

[Anonymous]

If you're not first, you're last! SHAKE AND BAKE!

[Anonymous]

I think OP is FAR more bothered by these grades than a 12 year old is

[Anonymous]

OP,

Ignore the people who are trying to feel good about their own parenting by implying that you are pressurizing your kid. If their parenting and their kids were so wonderful they would not have a need to slam others.

Those who feel bad for OP and his student, perhaps need to pay attention to their own children.

MCPS is notorious for accelerating kids even when they are getting B's and C's. A B and a C is good enough for MCPS and many of the parents. I think in a subject like Math, if you do not have complete mastery, there is no reason to accelerate.

And yes, these scores will matter if your kid apply to Harvard-Yale-Princeton etc. Even in MD state schools a higher GPA can fetch you $$$ for merit scholarships.

You have a valid question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Ignore the people who are trying to feel good about their own parenting by implying that you are pressurizing your kid. If their parenting and their kids were so wonderful they would not have a need to slam others.

Those who feel bad for OP and his student, perhaps need to pay attention to their own children.

MCPS is notorious for accelerating kids even when they are getting B's and C's. A B and a C is good enough for MCPS and many of the parents. I think in a subject like Math, if you do not have complete mastery, there is no reason to accelerate.

And yes, these scores will matter if your kid apply to Harvard-Yale-Princeton etc. Even in MD state schools a higher GPA can fetch you $$$ for merit scholarships.

You have a valid question.

+1 million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real shame here is that a kid's performance in 6th and 7th grade can affect his/her high school GPA. And don't kid yourself, that is potentially a big deal, particularly if the kid has ambitions to apply to ultra-elite colleges.

For those asking, high school level courses taught in middle school do indeed earn high school credit and are included in the cumulative GPA. I believe that includes A/B foreign language classes, Algebra I, Geometry, and I suppose in OB's child's case, Algebra II as well.

I have a kid who just finished 10th grade. For four semesters of high school he's had straight A's. The only thing keeping him from a perfect 4.0 at this point is a 6th grade B in Spanish I A/B, and an 8th grade second semester B in Geometry.

I think capable middle schoolers should certainly be taking these classes and earning credit, but I don't think they should be counted toward high school GPA. OP's kid got a B in Geometry in 7TH GRADE, that should be celebrated as a huge achievement (most advanced math kids in MCPS take Geometry in 8th, so this kid is extremely advanced). Instead, OP is concerned about the ultimate effect on her child's GPA, and her concern is legitimate.

+1000

I am opposed to including middle school classes on the high school transcript, but practice I don't think it matters. There is not a college in the world that cares what grades a student got in 6th grade. Seriously.