DC at "good" private school, but not overly impressed. Public option?

[Anonymous]

TPMS magnet program does not limit algebra exposure. In fact, some matriculants have already done Algebra and move ahead to Geometry and in some instances Algebra 2 and Trigonometry.

[Anonymous]

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/press/MDSemifinalists-NatlMeritProgram.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TPMS magnet program does not limit algebra exposure. In fact, some matriculants have already done Algebra and move ahead to Geometry and in some instances Algebra 2 and Trigonometry.

Their going-in position is that "nobody" gets to do Algebra in 6th. The head of the program will tell you this is "non-negotiable" during the open house for accepted kids, which we attended just last spring. Come to find this fall, we did learn that a few kids were doing Algebra in 6th. But for the vast majority of kids, like my DC who already did the "Investigations into Math" in 5th and wants to do Algebra, it really was non-negotiable. Not that we're all that bothered -- we both do math for a living, and appreciate the value of a really solid foundation in the basics.

[Anonymous]

18:49 again. I should add that this level of math is already advanced compared to the rest of MoCo. Also, they go into all the subjects in much more detail, so it really is a solid foundation.

[Anonymous]

If a child has already completed algebra in MCPS before entry into the 6th grade (there are a few in MCPS elementary schools that are bused to neighboring middle schools for algebra) that child would be a stronger negotiating position to move on to Geometry or higher particularly when supported with outside exams (e.g., SAT Math scores).