transition from DCPS into MCPS at middle school

[Anonymous]

We will be moving from DC to MCPS in 6th grade, probably one of the closer in middle schools zoned for Whitman or BCC. We are coming from a language immersion charter school, which, I am now starting to realize means our kids aren't very well prepared, particularly since they have only been going to school half the time in Englishl. One of our kids seems strong in math but frankly it's hard to tell since our school is not challenging. (No homework, no tests, as far as I can tell, and this is in 4th grade.) Question for families who have been there done that--how did you help your child adjust? we know that there will be a big gap, and in hindsight we probably should have moved earlier, but it is what it is. Should I be supplementing over the summer? What tests, if any, do they use to place kids? Any textbooks that they use routinely for 5th grade that I should use to supplement with?

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

4th grade MCPS parent. We have no tests, workbooks, little homework, no textbooks and just random worksheets. Your kid will fit right in.

[Anonymous]

All the kids take MAP M 3 times a year. These tests plus teacher input (and for some, Cogat and PARCC tests) guide whether kids go into one of three different math classes for 6th grade. They are Applied Investigations in Math, Investigations in Math, and Math 6. Perhaps half the incoming 6th graders will have taken "Compacted Math" in 4th and 5th grade. They cover math 4, 5, and 6 in those two years.

The results on MAP R (reading) help guide whether incoming 6th graders are steered towards a foreign language or towards additional english.

Either you will have MAP or similar assessments to show the counselors at your MCPS MS or they will give some kind of assessment.

[Anonymous]

I would hire a tutor who is an MCPS teacher and can tailor content to what your child needs, in particular the compacted math curriculum so your child gets through 3 years of math in 2.

We moved from DC. Those who complain about the curriculum and schools here have no idea how uneven the education in DC is. In particular I think the HRCS are desirable because of demographics but often do not have strong curricula.

Best of luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We will be moving from DC to MCPS in 6th grade, probably one of the closer in middle schools zoned for Whitman or BCC. We are coming from a language immersion charter school, which, I am now starting to realize means our kids aren't very well prepared, particularly since they have only been going to school half the time in Englishl. One of our kids seems strong in math but frankly it's hard to tell since our school is not challenging. (No homework, no tests, as far as I can tell, and this is in 4th grade.) Question for families who have been there done that--how did you help your child adjust? we know that there will be a big gap, and in hindsight we probably should have moved earlier, but it is what it is. Should I be supplementing over the summer? What tests, if any, do they use to place kids? Any textbooks that they use routinely for 5th grade that I should use to supplement with?

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated!

It is possible that your children are unprepared, I don't know! But the absence of homework or tests in 4th grade is not evidence of lack of challenge.