Seventh grade algebra at Deal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader who took Math 8 over the summer and is now in Algebra 1. Just got an email saying they can place into concurrent Algebra 1 and Geometry but would have to skip foreign language. We’re not going to do it. It’s too bad because my kids’ music and PE classes seem worthless this year, and we would definitely take Geometry over those.

We also decided against having our kid double up in 7th at Deal, and now that they are at JR I believe even more firmly that it was the right decision. Calc BC is the highest level class available at JR (not sure about Walls or Banneker), so accelerating so your kid can take Calc BC in 10th grade doesn’t make a ton of sense given that you can’t dual enroll for higher level math until 12th.

My kid is very very good at math and will likely major in it college. But I don’t understand the rush to get to Calc BC, especially at the expense of foreign language, which is important to learn for many reasons not having to do with college admissions…but also is meaningful in the college admissions process, at least at very selective schools.

[Anonymous]

Agree! It's much more valuable for a child to learn a language early than to learn math early.

[Anonymous]

why is Deal pushing this so hard this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why is Deal pushing this so hard this year?

I heard yesterday at my elementary school BTS night that DCPS as a whole is pushing math this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why is Deal pushing this so hard this year?

Judging by my friends' kids, anyone with a pulse is being offered the opportunity to skip a year of math or double up or both.
"You don't particularly like math? You got a B in pre-algebra? No problem! You'll be fine on the track to take Calc BC in 10th grade!"

Are they down a few language teachers or something? Something is not right. This weird push to accelerate such a large pool
of mostly average math kids is weird and unprecedented, even at Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader who took Math 8 over the summer and is now in Algebra 1. Just got an email saying they can place into concurrent Algebra 1 and Geometry but would have to skip foreign language. We’re not going to do it. It’s too bad because my kids’ music and PE classes seem worthless this year, and we would definitely take Geometry over those.

We also decided against having our kid double up in 7th at Deal, and now that they are at JR I believe even more firmly that it was the right decision. Calc BC is the highest level class available at JR (not sure about Walls or Banneker), so accelerating so your kid can take Calc BC in 10th grade doesn’t make a ton of sense given that you can’t dual enroll for higher level math until 12th.

My kid is very very good at math and will likely major in it college. But I don’t understand the rush to get to Calc BC, especially at the expense of foreign language, which is important to learn for many reasons not having to do with college admissions…but also is meaningful in the college admissions process, at least at very selective schools.

Actually, Walls did offer either vector calculus or linear algebra last year (and might do so this year). Given the relatively large number of sophomores in Calc BC in JR (and possibly Walls), they might offer a higher level class next year. Dual enrollment is also an option even for 11th graders and the offerings are extensive enough. But this should not come at the cost of skipping foreign language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why is Deal pushing this so hard this year?

I heard yesterday at my elementary school BTS night that DCPS as a whole is pushing math this year.

Pushing people to skip ahead... But not pushing to teach better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader who took Math 8 over the summer and is now in Algebra 1. Just got an email saying they can place into concurrent Algebra 1 and Geometry but would have to skip foreign language. We’re not going to do it. It’s too bad because my kids’ music and PE classes seem worthless this year, and we would definitely take Geometry over those.

We also decided against having our kid double up in 7th at Deal, and now that they are at JR I believe even more firmly that it was the right decision. Calc BC is the highest level class available at JR (not sure about Walls or Banneker), so accelerating so your kid can take Calc BC in 10th grade doesn’t make a ton of sense given that you can’t dual enroll for higher level math until 12th.

My kid is very very good at math and will likely major in it college. But I don’t understand the rush to get to Calc BC, especially at the expense of foreign language, which is important to learn for many reasons not having to do with college admissions…but also is meaningful in the college admissions process, at least at very selective schools.

Actually, Walls did offer either vector calculus or linear algebra last year (and might do so this year). Given the relatively large number of sophomores in Calc BC in JR (and possibly Walls), they might offer a higher level class next year. Dual enrollment is also an option even for 11th graders and the offerings are extensive enough. But this should not come at the cost of skipping foreign language.

I’ve been hearing this for years and think this is very unlikely. But, sure, maybe.

And the only options for DE in 11th are the classes offered by Howard, which top out at Calc 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader who took Math 8 over the summer and is now in Algebra 1. Just got an email saying they can place into concurrent Algebra 1 and Geometry but would have to skip foreign language. We’re not going to do it. It’s too bad because my kids’ music and PE classes seem worthless this year, and we would definitely take Geometry over those.

We also decided against having our kid double up in 7th at Deal, and now that they are at JR I believe even more firmly that it was the right decision. Calc BC is the highest level class available at JR (not sure about Walls or Banneker), so accelerating so your kid can take Calc BC in 10th grade doesn’t make a ton of sense given that you can’t dual enroll for higher level math until 12th.

My kid is very very good at math and will likely major in it college. But I don’t understand the rush to get to Calc BC, especially at the expense of foreign language, which is important to learn for many reasons not having to do with college admissions…but also is meaningful in the college admissions process, at least at very selective schools.

Actually, Walls did offer either vector calculus or linear algebra last year (and might do so this year). Given the relatively large number of sophomores in Calc BC in JR (and possibly Walls), they might offer a higher level class next year. Dual enrollment is also an option even for 11th graders and the offerings are extensive enough. But this should not come at the cost of skipping foreign language.

I’ve been hearing this for years and think this is very unlikely. But, sure, maybe.

And the only options for DE in 11th are the classes offered by Howard, which top out at Calc 2.

What about OSSE at Montgomery College?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader who took Math 8 over the summer and is now in Algebra 1. Just got an email saying they can place into concurrent Algebra 1 and Geometry but would have to skip foreign language. We’re not going to do it. It’s too bad because my kids’ music and PE classes seem worthless this year, and we would definitely take Geometry over those.

We also decided against having our kid double up in 7th at Deal, and now that they are at JR I believe even more firmly that it was the right decision. Calc BC is the highest level class available at JR (not sure about Walls or Banneker), so accelerating so your kid can take Calc BC in 10th grade doesn’t make a ton of sense given that you can’t dual enroll for higher level math until 12th.

My kid is very very good at math and will likely major in it college. But I don’t understand the rush to get to Calc BC, especially at the expense of foreign language, which is important to learn for many reasons not having to do with college admissions…but also is meaningful in the college admissions process, at least at very selective schools.

Actually, Walls did offer either vector calculus or linear algebra last year (and might do so this year). Given the relatively large number of sophomores in Calc BC in JR (and possibly Walls), they might offer a higher level class next year. Dual enrollment is also an option even for 11th graders and the offerings are extensive enough. But this should not come at the cost of skipping foreign language.

I’ve been hearing this for years and think this is very unlikely. But, sure, maybe.

And the only options for DE in 11th are the classes offered by Howard, which top out at Calc 2.

What about OSSE at Montgomery College?

The Deal 8th grade Algebra II class a couple of years ago was quite large. Hence the large(ish) number of underclass men in JR Calc BC.

OSSE at Montgomery college is indeed an option and it starts at 11th or even earlier if needed.

[Anonymous]

So I have a kid in Deal in 8th grade; he did SMAC in the summer before 7th, then Alg 1 in 7th. Now doing Alg2/Geometry in 8th (with Spanish, but no PE/Art/Music).

Here's my question - where did you get the information about the 9th-12th grade trajectory? I've asked several times about what happens in HS math. I've also asked about the advantages/disadvantages e.g. if he does less well in the accelerated course vs a higher grade in the standard course, and I can't get straight answers to these questions. Anyone can shed any light?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader who took Math 8 over the summer and is now in Algebra 1. Just got an email saying they can place into concurrent Algebra 1 and Geometry but would have to skip foreign language. We’re not going to do it. It’s too bad because my kids’ music and PE classes seem worthless this year, and we would definitely take Geometry over those.

We also decided against having our kid double up in 7th at Deal, and now that they are at JR I believe even more firmly that it was the right decision. Calc BC is the highest level class available at JR (not sure about Walls or Banneker), so accelerating so your kid can take Calc BC in 10th grade doesn’t make a ton of sense given that you can’t dual enroll for higher level math until 12th.

My kid is very very good at math and will likely major in it college. But I don’t understand the rush to get to Calc BC, especially at the expense of foreign language, which is important to learn for many reasons not having to do with college admissions…but also is meaningful in the college admissions process, at least at very selective schools.

Actually, Walls did offer either vector calculus or linear algebra last year (and might do so this year). Given the relatively large number of sophomores in Calc BC in JR (and possibly Walls), they might offer a higher level class next year. Dual enrollment is also an option even for 11th graders and the offerings are extensive enough. But this should not come at the cost of skipping foreign language.

I’ve been hearing this for years and think this is very unlikely. But, sure, maybe.

And the only options for DE in 11th are the classes offered by Howard, which top out at Calc 2.

What about OSSE at Montgomery College?

Yes—you’re right. 10th-12th graders can do online courses there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I have a kid in Deal in 8th grade; he did SMAC in the summer before 7th, then Alg 1 in 7th. Now doing Alg2/Geometry in 8th (with Spanish, but no PE/Art/Music).

Here's my question - where did you get the information about the 9th-12th grade trajectory? I've asked several times about what happens in HS math. I've also asked about the advantages/disadvantages e.g. if he does less well in the accelerated course vs a higher grade in the standard course, and I can't get straight answers to these questions. Anyone can shed any light?

I’m a PP, and my kids are at JR, so that’s how I know the trajectory. I can’t speak for other schools, but here’s how it goes from Deal to JR (not including all options, just the ones that are most common):

A kid who takes Alg 1 in 8th grade is on track for AP Calc (AB or BC) in 12th. Kids who don’t want to take AP Calc often take AP Stats instead.

A kid who takes Alg 1 in 7th and Geometry in 8th is on track for Calc (AB or BC) in 11th. Most of these kids take BC in 11th, then AP stats or dual enrollment in 12th. However, some take BC in 11th and no math in 12th since they’ve satisfied their credits for graduation. And some take AB in 11th and BC in 12th or nothing in 12th.

A kid who finishes Alg 2 in 8th (through whatever 7th or 8th grade double-up option gets them there) is on track for Calc (AB or BC) in 10th. Same scenario as above, just a year earlier, and online dual enrollment at Montgomery College is an option in 11th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Disagree completely. Deal math is super weak. The last thing they need is to further accelerate kids.
I have 3 kids who completed Deal math. The oldest two went on to top privates (Sidwell, STA). The two oldest got through Algebra 2 at Deal with high As in every course. The private kids (and the majority of their friends) floundered in private school math after Deal (most were placement tested back in Algebra 1 in 9th). Their math foundation was terrible.
I'm sure people will come on here and say that their kid learned all sorts of math at Deal but it was not the case with my kids. We spend a lot of time and money (in tutors) in 9th grade catching them up to a reasonably competent level. We elected not to accelerate the third kid beyond geometry at Deal and have supplemented outside of Deal throughout. I am far from a tiger parent but I was shocked at how many gaps my kids had- (entire topics, especially in the algebra 2 course).


Completely disagree with you. It largely depends on the student and which Deal teacher they had. My Deal kid has done well in math and recently got a 5 on the AP stats exam. So as with everything in DCPS, YMMV.

My sophomore also got a 5 on Calc BC AP exam after taking Algebra II at Deal as an 8th grader. Sounds like the issue might be your kids and not Deal teaching....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree! It's much more valuable for a child to learn a language early than to learn math early.

Disagree!