We are new to poolesville high school global ecology program and are not impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand how some posters are willing to spout off inaccurate information as fact! AP Seminar is NOT graded solely by the local school teacher as you would have learned at BTSN from the teacher. My DC is at PHS taking AP Seminar this year. AP Seminar is a required course for 9th grade PHS Global Ecology students and 10th grade PHS Humanities students.

It's also easy to verify on the College Board's AP Seminar web page which explains comprehensively the course components and grading:

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-seminar/exam

"Assessment Overview
The AP Seminar assessment consists of three parts: two performance tasks and the end-of-course AP Exam. All parts measure student achievement of the course learning objectives."

Performance Task 1: Team Project and Presentation—20% of AP Seminar Score
--Individual research report (1,200 words), College Board scored, 50% of 20%
--Team multimedia presentation and defense (8–10 minutes, plus defense questions), Teacher scored (group score), 50% of 20%


Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation—35% of AP Seminar Score
--Individual written argument (2,000 words), College Board scored, 70% of 35%
--Individual multimedia presentation (6–8 minutes), Teacher scored, 20% of 35%
--Oral defense (2 questions from the teacher), Teacher scored, 10% of 35%


End-of-Course Exam (2 Hours)—45% of AP Seminar Score
--Understanding and analyzing an argument (3 short-answer questions); suggested time: 30 minutes, College Board scored, 30% of 45%
--Evidence-Based argument essay (1 long essay); suggested time: 90 minutes, College Board scored, 70% of 45%

Thank you. Now I understand why your kid is in global!

[Anonymous]

Can you leave the program and perhaps move to a private school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you leave the program and perhaps move to a private school?

I've heard nothing but good things about global ecology but if they finds it beneath their standards, they should all means go private or move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has had kids in all three magnet prgms at poolesville. I have noticed
Global too easy
Humanities too easy
Smacs too hard
There seems to be no middle magnet program. I think they should find a balance between these programs, Bc it’s not healthy to have one extreme program and on the other end too easy of a prgm.
And Those people who say global is challenging are bullsh*tting others, themselves, and their kids. Just stop already!

GE is what you make of it. You can test into the SMACS or Functions math pathway. You can take a boatload of APs. If you are interested in science but not CS there is no ideal path in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has had kids in all three magnet prgms at poolesville. I have noticed
Global too easy
Humanities too easy
Smacs too hard
There seems to be no middle magnet program. I think they should find a balance between these programs, Bc it’s not healthy to have one extreme program and on the other end too easy of a prgm.
And Those people who say global is challenging are bullsh*tting others, themselves, and their kids. Just stop already!

Easier than non magnet?

I have a child in global, and it is easier than non magnet Bc the first year of global, the kids can’t even take one magnet class. Whereas, if u were at a regular non magnet school they allow you freedom to take some magnet classes freshman year. So in that sense, yes, non magnet t program can be more challenging than global.

Sorry I meant to say AP classes freshman year

GE kids take AP Seminar in 9th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has had kids in all three magnet prgms at poolesville. I have noticed
Global too easy
Humanities too easy
Smacs too hard
There seems to be no middle magnet program. I think they should find a balance between these programs, Bc it’s not healthy to have one extreme program and on the other end too easy of a prgm.
And Those people who say global is challenging are bullsh*tting others, themselves, and their kids. Just stop already!

GE is what you make of it. You can test into the SMACS or Functions math pathway. You can take a boatload of APs. If you are interested in science but not CS there is no ideal path in MCPS.

That’s true any program is what u make of it. But it’s also important to realize that the cohort for global is not the best and brightest, it’s a mix bag of children with different abilities. So, if that’s the cohort you and your child desire then you should definitely choose global!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has had kids in all three magnet prgms at poolesville. I have noticed
Global too easy
Humanities too easy
Smacs too hard
There seems to be no middle magnet program. I think they should find a balance between these programs, Bc it’s not healthy to have one extreme program and on the other end too easy of a prgm.
And Those people who say global is challenging are bullsh*tting others, themselves, and their kids. Just stop already!

Easier than non magnet?

I have a child in global, and it is easier than non magnet Bc the first year of global, the kids can’t even take one magnet class. Whereas, if u were at a regular non magnet school they allow you freedom to take some magnet classes freshman year. So in that sense, yes, non magnet t program can be more challenging than global.

Ik this is an old post but its not true , I took Magnet precalc my freshman year as a GE student and wasn't the only one.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like people trying to eliminate their competition as usual on dcum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you saying there is a high school class where the students are given time every day to take a nap!

I wish all schools did this. My kid is always tired by Friday from having to get up at 6:30. With various clubs/sports they don't get home until 5pm-6pm. They have an 11 hour school day and then get to do 2-4 hours of homework. This is a bit of a slog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has had kids in all three magnet prgms at poolesville. I have noticed
Global too easy
Humanities too easy
Smacs too hard
There seems to be no middle magnet program. I think they should find a balance between these programs, Bc it’s not healthy to have one extreme program and on the other end too easy of a prgm.
And Those people who say global is challenging are bullsh*tting others, themselves, and their kids. Just stop already!

GE is what you make of it. You can test into the SMACS or Functions math pathway. You can take a boatload of APs. If you are interested in science but not CS there is no ideal path in MCPS.

There really isn't a test for functions these days. Yes, you can go to the camp but it's mostly about signing up. Kids do however get cut if they can't maintain a B a few weeks in.

[Anonymous]

Hello! I am a student from Global Ecology. Last year, I found this thread looking for more information about Global and it was horribly wrong.
Of course they had an easy first field trip, it was their FIRST. Let’s not forget how informational and fun it was. We hiked, learned about Harper’s ferry and had fun. As the year goes on, the field trips get more interesting and enjoyable. Plus, for an overnight trip, not everything can be vigorous.
The work load may not have seemed challenging in the beginning, but they were trying to ease the students into the program. As the year goes on, AP seminar gets pretty rigorous and history isn’t easy. The teachers are great but they also challenge you and try to help you succeed. Plus, the “napping class” doesn’t exist. It is science and we, “nap” once every quarter. Also, the “napping” is mindfulness and it has been created to help relieve stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of high school classes incorporate yoga, etc. My kid’s English class in HS does yoga.

Interesting approach to behavior management for teachers - probably good for the students. Also, takes less curriculum planning - probably good for the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has had kids in all three magnet prgms at poolesville. I have noticed
Global too easy
Humanities too easy
Smacs too hard
There seems to be no middle magnet program. I think they should find a balance between these programs, Bc it’s not healthy to have one extreme program and on the other end too easy of a prgm.
And Those people who say global is challenging are bullsh*tting others, themselves, and their kids. Just stop already!

Easier than non magnet?

I have a child in global, and it is easier than non magnet Bc the first year of global, the kids can’t even take one magnet class. Whereas, if u were at a regular non magnet school they allow you freedom to take some magnet classes freshman year. So in that sense, yes, non magnet t program can be more challenging than global.

Ik this is an old post but its not true , I took Magnet precalc my freshman year as a GE student and wasn't the only one.

What year?

[Anonymous]

I know that there are a few freshman in global this year who were offered the SMCS pathway. I've got a global grad from last year thriving in college and was really pleased with the program. Lots of ways to challenge himself in the course offerings and a really nice balance of work and field trips. I also liked that there were no students taking that lazy half-day schedule I see at lots of other MCPS schools senior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should start later in the day and have more rigorous classes, certainly, just like for most MCPS high schools.

That magnet was never very rigorous. It gets a lot of buzz, and has many interested families looking to get in, but at the end of the day it’s not the strongest set of classes or teachers.

Like so many... typically people are underwhelmed