MC2 program at Northwood
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Anonymous
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We got a letter inviting us to apply to the Montgomery College Middle College (MC2) program at Northwood High School.
They just started this program a couple of years ago, so there isn't much information about exactly how the program is run and what the experience is like. It looks like a great opportunity for prospective students, but I was hoping that someone who has any knowledge and/or experience with MC2 might be able to share any personal insights on the program. I was also wondering how many other parents reading this post got letters about MC2 and are also considering applying to it? Link for general information: http://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/insights/2018/06/22/mcmcpsmc2-middle-college-program-mc2-lets-students-earn-an-associates-degree-while-in-high-school/ |
Anonymous
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We also got a letter encouraging DD to apply. She is very interested in it. The Northwood website has a list of the suggested course pathways.
We are curious as to how well the credits transfer outside the U of MD system if DD chooses to attend college out of state. |
Anonymous
| PP again, MC2 isn’t an application program like the magnets, as far as I can tell. I think they do recruit students who they think would be successful, but I think it’s an option students can choose rather than a program where they apply and are accepted or rejected. |
Anonymous
| My child got that letter last year. Someone told me it was based on Map-R scores. |
Anonymous
| How do you decide between an AP class and an MC class? Which is considered more challenging? |
Anonymous
| We got the letter too for DS. It says it’s based on his MAP-R score. The Northwood website actually has all of the students who graduated from the program and some info about their courses of study online. There appeared to be about 20 kids listed. Looks like a small program so far. Your best bet might be to go the Northwood open house, or see if they have a session devoted only to MC Squared. |
Anonymous
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I wish they would offer a dual enrollment program with UMD rather than Montgomery College. I've taken a few classes at Montgomery College. I wasn't impressed.
The offer of UMD credit seems like it could attract more top students. |
Anonymous
It would be much more logistically difficult to take classes at UMD. An AA degree from Montgomery College does count for credit at UMD, if that is where the student ultimately attends after high school |
Anonymous
| Any reason you can not just transfer the credits to UMD? |
Anonymous
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" I wish they would offer a dual enrollment program with UMD rather than Montgomery College. I've taken a few classes at Montgomery College. I wasn't impressed.
The offer of UMD credit seems like it could attract more top students." Which came first the chicken or the egg? Just like AP classes get easier every year so that more kids can be successful in them and pay AP more money, dual enrollment classes are all about being easy enough so that they attract as many students as possible. It's not the name of the college, it is that there just aren't enough HS students that can complete college level classes in HS, so the classes get easier. Think of it this way. In MCPS you have 7 classes at a time in HS. In college you take 5 or many times 4. That alone means the HS versions have to be easier and should NOT count for transfer credit. |
Anonymous
I know educators who have taught both. There are many MCPS AP teachers who moonlight at Montgomery College as adjuncts teaching introductory courses at night. The AP classes are harder. They include more class time and often have a stronger cohort of students. |
Anonymous
| I know a student who is currently in Northwood's dual enrollment program. She strikes me as bright, hard-working, and extremely organized. She is not involved in any extracurricular activities at Northwood as a senior. She is taking a foreign language at MC that is not available at Northwood. I personally think that she would be just as challenged taking strong AP classes at a competitive high school, but she seems to be having a good experience at MC. |
Anonymous
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OP,
Check out this dual enrollment program that's available at all high schools. Your kid maybe able to do something similar to the Northwood program, but stay at your home school. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/partnerships/dual-enrollment.aspx |
Anonymous
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5 students graduated with an AA degree last year, there are 14 set to graduate this year, and the number in the program doubles every year after that. There are about 80 freshmen in the program this year. All of the students who graduated from the program last year went on to UMD system schools, and all 60 credits transferred. It is definitely a challenging program, with students taking AP US History in 9th grade, 2 AP and 2 MC courses in their sophomore year, 3 AP and 3 MC courses in their junior year, and all of senior year at MC. The students who are I the program are high achievers, and as hard as the program is, they love it and form a tight community. They also are able to participate in organizations and activities at MC (except sports) and one was actually a chemistry teaching assistant last year!
The program is pretty prescribed the first three years. They work with an MC counselor in their junior year to select an area of study and their classes for senior year, where they have a little more flexibility. DD is interested in the humanities and arts pathway, but there's also a STEM pathway, and a social sciences and health pathway. It's expanded a lot since the first year, when it was just a biochem major. Definitely a lot more students interested in it and finishing the program now. Absolutely prepares students for the rigor of college classes. |
Anonymous
| Wondering if the GTLD program can coordinate with this program. Meaning will the students be supported in these classes via the GTLD program? |