Blair magnet accelerated comp sci path

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Students just got their schedules updated if they got into the accelerated path.

Incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students just got their schedules updated if they got into the accelerated path.

Incorrect.

Useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Students just got their schedules updated if they got into the accelerated path.

Incorrect.

Useless.

Yep. Don’t pay attention to what is claimed on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid says there are kids that come to school and talk about learning a new coding language over the past week for fun. If that is your kid, acceleration seems like a great idea and I love that they have the option. For my kid who didn’t go to TPMS, I’m glad he likes CS but can take the normal 2 years that are required and hopefully a few electives. It’s a great program because you can do it either way.

It’s required all four years of high school if you are in the magnet. It is a computer science magnet as well as math and science.

A maximum of 5 semesters of CS is required for the magnet. Four if you skip one. You do not have to take more CS after AoA. In your junior and senior year, you may choose from a wide range of magnet electives. These can include CS but it isn't necessary.

This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject.

This sounds strange, and I would advise anyone whose kid is considering the accelerated CS path to verify this with the magnet coordinator. Historically, science and computer science classes in the first two years are fixed, with two options for CS. Both CS pathways require four semesters of CS. After that there are no required science/CS classes, except, some advanced classes may have prereqs.

Requiring students to take a CS elective in the junior/senior years just because they took the accelerated CS path seems very uncharacteristic of the program.

-- DP

I didn’t say it is required. However it is *expected* that if they do this it is to focus on comp sci and to take additional comp sci electives. This is the clear messaging my child has received. I don’t need to check with Mr O as I trust my kid.

Also if you review the magnet pathway it clearly shows comp sci electives, as well as science electives in Junior and senior year.

Statements like "This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject" cause uncertainty and doubt among those that have to make a decision now. So, thanks for clarifying that taking a CS elective is not required.

Having had a couple of kids go through this program, all I can say is this - there will always be students that take the fastest math path available because they are quite capable of handling it, but end up doing only the minimum math required ((i.e.) one math course every semester since the state requires it, and no math elective on top of that) in junior and senior years because by that time they have realized that their interests lie somewhere else, say Biology or whatever. Similarly, there will be students that take the accelerated CS path, because they are capable of doing it, but then end up not taking any CS electives in junior and senior years. But nobody is going to come after the students in the junior year with a pitchfork.

My suggestion to those who are considering this path would be, do it if you are capable of it and don't worry about what somebody is expecting you to do in the junior and senior years. (My understanding is that last year they offered three sections of the accelerated path and one section of the regular path, and the demand I hear was at least partly because a more popular teacher was in the accelerated path. It is very possible Mr. O said something like what PP's kid heard hoping to discourage it from happening again, but they can not enforce it.)

-- DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid says there are kids that come to school and talk about learning a new coding language over the past week for fun. If that is your kid, acceleration seems like a great idea and I love that they have the option. For my kid who didn’t go to TPMS, I’m glad he likes CS but can take the normal 2 years that are required and hopefully a few electives. It’s a great program because you can do it either way.

It’s required all four years of high school if you are in the magnet. It is a computer science magnet as well as math and science.

A maximum of 5 semesters of CS is required for the magnet. Four if you skip one. You do not have to take more CS after AoA. In your junior and senior year, you may choose from a wide range of magnet electives. These can include CS but it isn't necessary.

This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject.

This sounds strange, and I would advise anyone whose kid is considering the accelerated CS path to verify this with the magnet coordinator. Historically, science and computer science classes in the first two years are fixed, with two options for CS. Both CS pathways require four semesters of CS. After that there are no required science/CS classes, except, some advanced classes may have prereqs.

Requiring students to take a CS elective in the junior/senior years just because they took the accelerated CS path seems very uncharacteristic of the program.

-- DP

I didn’t say it is required. However it is *expected* that if they do this it is to focus on comp sci and to take additional comp sci electives. This is the clear messaging my child has received. I don’t need to check with Mr O as I trust my kid.

Also if you review the magnet pathway it clearly shows comp sci electives, as well as science electives in Junior and senior year.

Statements like "This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject" cause uncertainty and doubt among those that have to make a decision now. So, thanks for clarifying that taking a CS elective is not required.

Having had a couple of kids go through this program, all I can say is this - there will always be students that take the fastest math path available because they are quite capable of handling it, but end up doing only the minimum math required ((i.e.) one math course every semester since the state requires it, and no math elective on top of that) in junior and senior years because by that time they have realized that their interests lie somewhere else, say Biology or whatever. Similarly, there will be students that take the accelerated CS path, because they are capable of doing it, but then end up not taking any CS electives in junior and senior years. But nobody is going to come after the students in the junior year with a pitchfork.

My suggestion to those who are considering this path would be, do it if you are capable of it and don't worry about what somebody is expecting you to do in the junior and senior years. (My understanding is that last year they offered three sections of the accelerated path and one section of the regular path, and the demand I hear was at least partly because a more popular teacher was in the accelerated path. It is very possible Mr. O said something like what PP's kid heard hoping to discourage it from happening again, but they can not enforce it.)

-- DP

Interesting. I guess they are trying not to have that happen again? The slides (which were also sent to parents) suggested that you only consider this pathway if computer science is the main focus of your magnet experience and they were certainly told that they were expected to take comp sci electives later if they took this path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid says there are kids that come to school and talk about learning a new coding language over the past week for fun. If that is your kid, acceleration seems like a great idea and I love that they have the option. For my kid who didn’t go to TPMS, I’m glad he likes CS but can take the normal 2 years that are required and hopefully a few electives. It’s a great program because you can do it either way.

It’s required all four years of high school if you are in the magnet. It is a computer science magnet as well as math and science.

A maximum of 5 semesters of CS is required for the magnet. Four if you skip one. You do not have to take more CS after AoA. In your junior and senior year, you may choose from a wide range of magnet electives. These can include CS but it isn't necessary.

This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject.

This sounds strange, and I would advise anyone whose kid is considering the accelerated CS path to verify this with the magnet coordinator. Historically, science and computer science classes in the first two years are fixed, with two options for CS. Both CS pathways require four semesters of CS. After that there are no required science/CS classes, except, some advanced classes may have prereqs.

Requiring students to take a CS elective in the junior/senior years just because they took the accelerated CS path seems very uncharacteristic of the program.

-- DP

I didn’t say it is required. However it is *expected* that if they do this it is to focus on comp sci and to take additional comp sci electives. This is the clear messaging my child has received. I don’t need to check with Mr O as I trust my kid.

Also if you review the magnet pathway it clearly shows comp sci electives, as well as science electives in Junior and senior year.

Statements like "This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject" cause uncertainty and doubt among those that have to make a decision now. So, thanks for clarifying that taking a CS elective is not required.

Having had a couple of kids go through this program, all I can say is this - there will always be students that take the fastest math path available because they are quite capable of handling it, but end up doing only the minimum math required ((i.e.) one math course every semester since the state requires it, and no math elective on top of that) in junior and senior years because by that time they have realized that their interests lie somewhere else, say Biology or whatever. Similarly, there will be students that take the accelerated CS path, because they are capable of doing it, but then end up not taking any CS electives in junior and senior years. But nobody is going to come after the students in the junior year with a pitchfork.

My suggestion to those who are considering this path would be, do it if you are capable of it and don't worry about what somebody is expecting you to do in the junior and senior years. (My understanding is that last year they offered three sections of the accelerated path and one section of the regular path, and the demand I hear was at least partly because a more popular teacher was in the accelerated path. It is very possible Mr. O said something like what PP's kid heard hoping to discourage it from happening again, but they can not enforce it.)

-- DP

This is a very reasonable post unlike some others by Blair parents, but I have to disagree with one part which is doing the most accelerated and aggressive path "if you are capable of it." I think what Mr. O and the other magnet teachers are saying is that it's really hard to do everything, be great at it, and maintain your mental health and that you should think about whether there are better ways to prioritize your time. DC is 100% capable of doing the accelerated path, but even if it's only an extra 20 minutes out of the day that they could spend singing or dancing or doing something else they love it might make them think twice.

I see no evidence of any effort to try to balance the classes between the two teachers by discouraging kids who really want to take the accelerated path. All I see is a magnet leadership team that is trying to help kids be successful in a way that is different than from how some magnet parents define success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid says there are kids that come to school and talk about learning a new coding language over the past week for fun. If that is your kid, acceleration seems like a great idea and I love that they have the option. For my kid who didn’t go to TPMS, I’m glad he likes CS but can take the normal 2 years that are required and hopefully a few electives. It’s a great program because you can do it either way.

It’s required all four years of high school if you are in the magnet. It is a computer science magnet as well as math and science.

A maximum of 5 semesters of CS is required for the magnet. Four if you skip one. You do not have to take more CS after AoA. In your junior and senior year, you may choose from a wide range of magnet electives. These can include CS but it isn't necessary.

This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject.

This sounds strange, and I would advise anyone whose kid is considering the accelerated CS path to verify this with the magnet coordinator. Historically, science and computer science classes in the first two years are fixed, with two options for CS. Both CS pathways require four semesters of CS. After that there are no required science/CS classes, except, some advanced classes may have prereqs.

Requiring students to take a CS elective in the junior/senior years just because they took the accelerated CS path seems very uncharacteristic of the program.

-- DP

I didn’t say it is required. However it is *expected* that if they do this it is to focus on comp sci and to take additional comp sci electives. This is the clear messaging my child has received. I don’t need to check with Mr O as I trust my kid.

Also if you review the magnet pathway it clearly shows comp sci electives, as well as science electives in Junior and senior year.

Statements like "This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject" cause uncertainty and doubt among those that have to make a decision now. So, thanks for clarifying that taking a CS elective is not required.

Having had a couple of kids go through this program, all I can say is this - there will always be students that take the fastest math path available because they are quite capable of handling it, but end up doing only the minimum math required ((i.e.) one math course every semester since the state requires it, and no math elective on top of that) in junior and senior years because by that time they have realized that their interests lie somewhere else, say Biology or whatever. Similarly, there will be students that take the accelerated CS path, because they are capable of doing it, but then end up not taking any CS electives in junior and senior years. But nobody is going to come after the students in the junior year with a pitchfork.

My suggestion to those who are considering this path would be, do it if you are capable of it and don't worry about what somebody is expecting you to do in the junior and senior years. (My understanding is that last year they offered three sections of the accelerated path and one section of the regular path, and the demand I hear was at least partly because a more popular teacher was in the accelerated path. It is very possible Mr. O said something like what PP's kid heard hoping to discourage it from happening again, but they can not enforce it.)

-- DP

Interesting. I guess they are trying not to have that happen again? The slides (which were also sent to parents) suggested that you only consider this pathway if computer science is the main focus of your magnet experience and they were certainly told that they were expected to take comp sci electives later if they took this path.

It is possible to take on too much, even for otherwise capable kids. I'm glad they're helping them understand these choices. One of my kids who was in this program had one of the more demanding ECs and played a varsity sport. They needed to balance their interests and learn not to overcommit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid says there are kids that come to school and talk about learning a new coding language over the past week for fun. If that is your kid, acceleration seems like a great idea and I love that they have the option. For my kid who didn’t go to TPMS, I’m glad he likes CS but can take the normal 2 years that are required and hopefully a few electives. It’s a great program because you can do it either way.

It’s required all four years of high school if you are in the magnet. It is a computer science magnet as well as math and science.

A maximum of 5 semesters of CS is required for the magnet. Four if you skip one. You do not have to take more CS after AoA. In your junior and senior year, you may choose from a wide range of magnet electives. These can include CS but it isn't necessary.

This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject.

This sounds strange, and I would advise anyone whose kid is considering the accelerated CS path to verify this with the magnet coordinator. Historically, science and computer science classes in the first two years are fixed, with two options for CS. Both CS pathways require four semesters of CS. After that there are no required science/CS classes, except, some advanced classes may have prereqs.

Requiring students to take a CS elective in the junior/senior years just because they took the accelerated CS path seems very uncharacteristic of the program.

-- DP

I didn’t say it is required. However it is *expected* that if they do this it is to focus on comp sci and to take additional comp sci electives. This is the clear messaging my child has received. I don’t need to check with Mr O as I trust my kid.

Also if you review the magnet pathway it clearly shows comp sci electives, as well as science electives in Junior and senior year.

Statements like "This years 9th graders were told that if they accelerate they would be expected to do it to make space for another computer science elective in their junior or senior year, not an elective on a different subject" cause uncertainty and doubt among those that have to make a decision now. So, thanks for clarifying that taking a CS elective is not required.

Having had a couple of kids go through this program, all I can say is this - there will always be students that take the fastest math path available because they are quite capable of handling it, but end up doing only the minimum math required ((i.e.) one math course every semester since the state requires it, and no math elective on top of that) in junior and senior years because by that time they have realized that their interests lie somewhere else, say Biology or whatever. Similarly, there will be students that take the accelerated CS path, because they are capable of doing it, but then end up not taking any CS electives in junior and senior years. But nobody is going to come after the students in the junior year with a pitchfork.

My suggestion to those who are considering this path would be, do it if you are capable of it and don't worry about what somebody is expecting you to do in the junior and senior years. (My understanding is that last year they offered three sections of the accelerated path and one section of the regular path, and the demand I hear was at least partly because a more popular teacher was in the accelerated path. It is very possible Mr. O said something like what PP's kid heard hoping to discourage it from happening again, but they can not enforce it.)

-- DP

Well, now that ADSA has started the students have to sign a document stating that they are taking the accelerated pathway so that they can take additional comp sci electives in junior and senior year. So whether you think that caused “uncertainty and doubt” or not, it was correct.

[Anonymous]

I was confused by that. What exactly did they sign? Are they saying they signed something saying they acknowledge they are required to take those courses in 11th and 12?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was confused by that. What exactly did they sign? Are they saying they signed something saying they acknowledge they are required to take those courses in 11th and 12?

Pretty much, though I don’t think it said “required”.

[Anonymous]

They sign “I understand that enrolling in this class is because of my intent to take an extra semester of comp sci electives in my junior and senior years”

In addition to statements about academic honesty and keeping a grade above 80%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless something has changed, students need to know python to move to the accelerated track. My student did not come from TP so had not learned it yet. Something to start working on early if your child is the same. Mine decided not to test for it..and is currently a comp sci major in college.

Or don't work on it early because it's not a race. Go at the pace you want.

Exactly! Sure, kids from the elite MS magnet had three years of CS already. It's not that big a deal.

Oh FFS, no one said it’sa big deal. But if the course requires Python as a prerequisite then either the kid got that at TPMS or they got it outside of MCPS. It’s not that complicated. Getting into TPMS isn’t such a big deal, it’s not that hard if your kids are very strong in STEM.

It’s hard for kids strong in STEM in recent years because it’s all lottery based. Also, not all MS magnet kids automatically go to Blair or PHS magnet programs which are criteria based — so not all TPMS are really strong in STEM but were lucky to be picked from the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless something has changed, students need to know python to move to the accelerated track. My student did not come from TP so had not learned it yet. Something to start working on early if your child is the same. Mine decided not to test for it..and is currently a comp sci major in college.

Or don't work on it early because it's not a race. Go at the pace you want.

Exactly! Sure, kids from the elite MS magnet had three years of CS already. It's not that big a deal.

Oh FFS, no one said it’sa big deal. But if the course requires Python as a prerequisite then either the kid got that at TPMS or they got it outside of MCPS. It’s not that complicated. Getting into TPMS isn’t such a big deal, it’s not that hard if your kids are very strong in STEM.

It’s hard for kids strong in STEM in recent years because it’s all lottery based. Also, not all MS magnet kids automatically go to Blair or PHS magnet programs which are criteria based — so not all TPMS are really strong in STEM but were lucky to be picked from the lottery.

We’re talking about current 9th graders who had nothing to do with the lottery.

[Anonymous]

This is a few years out, but there was literally no difference in college acceptances and nmsf between the accelerated path of comp sci, functions in math kids etc a few years ago. It's really if you like this stuff and want to delve deeply. The only difference were the very strong people on math team (and they were all functions or even analysis in 9th).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They sign “I understand that enrolling in this class is because of my intent to take an extra semester of comp sci electives in my junior and senior years”

In addition to statements about academic honesty and keeping a grade above 80%

Did this happen again in 2025?

It's so strange and complicated to make rule that students are required to take FoCS A and ADSA A/B, but students who want to go 1 course further have to either take the intro course (FoCS B) -or- go 2 courses further, not just 1. It would make sense if they *replaced* FoCS B with a more advanced class or an elective, to keep ADSA A/B on the Fall/Spring schedule regardless of 9th grade course choice, but that's not what is happening.