Why isn't there more challenge in the MCPS HS curriculum?
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Anonymous
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My DC is not a genius, but a very motivated student who thrives on higher expectations and challenge. I feel like at each stage of education - higher elementary, middle, and now HS this year - I get my hopes up that now's the moment where DC will finally be appropriately challenged - finally entering HS! - only to have hopes dashed again.
The next stage where I'm hoping this takes a turn for the better is Junior year (IB diploma program). Please do not tell me I am going to have hopes dashed again! There is one bright spot this year: AP NSL. DC is absolutely loving this class, and excelling in it. Finally a level of challenge appropriate to interest and abilities. Sadly, this is the only such class this year. Why are there not more classes taught at this level in Freshman/Sophomore years?!!! Why is it this way?!! |
Anonymous
| I found sped classes in high school to be insanely easy but honors and AP classes were challenging . I hated when I couldn’t get into honors classes |
Anonymous
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Where does your kid go to HS?
My child's HS classes are challenging. |
Anonymous
| Was AP US History not challenging enough? DD is in 8th grade, but has 9th grade friends taking APUSH and AP physics. |
Anonymous
It's a ramp up and the PSs aren't just teaching to your child. They have to keep all children in mind - so if they don't think that there is a cohort of kids that can thrive (not just do it but thrive), then they will offer one class, maybe two - and then a couple more in 10th and then in 11th kids can pile on AP/IB or whatever they fancy. From what I understand, and I am sure DCUM will correct me if I am wrong, the IB program is different from some of the other programs in MoCo - it's a bit backloaded and becomes more difficult as the years go by, whereas others (STEM/CAP/local) can be a bit frontloaded and offer the flexibilty to lighten the load a little in Sr year. They actually want kids to be kids a little bit - enjoy high school, do extracurriculars, have fun with their friends. They can't do that if they are doing 5 hours of homework a night because they are taking 4-5 AP classes in 9th grade. |
Anonymous
when I was in high school, my neighbor went to Blair in their magnet program and there was a 13 year old there who had to attend Maryland for Math classes because mcps nor MC had a high enough level math class for him. Can’t insgube how stupid I felt in comparison, I could barely pass calculus when I was 18 |
Anonymous
| How many AP courses you can you take and get college credit for? You could save a ton of college tuition that way |
Anonymous
You want your ninth grader to take more than one AP class? One AP class, in ninth grade, isn't enough of a challenge? |
Anonymous
cant bullied or beat up in AP classss but you can in sped classes |
Anonymous
| Your child takes special ed classes? Is that what sped means? |
Anonymous
| Welcome to public school. HS isn't particularly challenging for most kids unless it's a well-regarded private or public magnet. |
Anonymous
anything not honors nor AP is sped |
Anonymous
Just so I'm clear, classes go (from easy to hard): Special Ed (for kids with special needs) Honors AP So there are no regular classes? You're either a SN kid or "advanced"? |
Anonymous
| You'll be happy to know the AP Gov is often considered the easiest of the APs. It is a 1 semester class taught over two semesters in HS. If he loads up on APs next year, he should have a lot more challenge. They seem to be adding more all the time. Several require little pre-reqs like Physics I and Computer Principles. |
Anonymous
No there are grade level classes too. Most college focused kids in in honors and AP however. |