What classes do the regular middle school kids take?

[Anonymous]

When I was in middle school there were a variety of "pods" per grade who took core subjects with the same teachers, and one of those sections was accelerated. So basically, we had tracking where probably 20% of kids were advanced, 20% were remedial, and maybe a tiny 2% were sent to another school for extremely advanced work.

I know that there are magnet programs in MCPS, but what about the kids who don't get into or do the magnet? Are the rest of the english and history etc... classes all the same level, or are there a variety of levels, and if so, who chooses where the kid belongs? I assume that math is leveled because kids coming from compacted math are set up for taking higher level math in 6th.

If it matters, we will be at TPMS and will be coming from a CES Program, so we are concerned that "regular classes" are not going to be challenging enough.

[Anonymous]

There are some honors classes. There are some cotaught classes which are made up of about half kids who struggle and half whosever schedule they fit. There are electives. Math depends on whether a kid is on grade level or advanced. At our MS, all kids in Algebra in 7th grade are placed together and the 8th graders take algebra together. There are no cotaught classes for 7th grade algebra.

Kids can start langauges when they are ready but if they require 6th grade reading they must complete that first. There is also a remedial reading program but some schools require an IEP to get in.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. By "cotaught" do you mean mixed grade? To me that means two teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. By "cotaught" do you mean mixed grade? To me that means two teachers.

Two teachers - a subject matter teacher and then either a paraeducator or a special education teacher.

[Anonymous]

Coming from a CES, your child will have to adjust to less spontaneous and creative instruction. And definitely you should register your child for all the "advanced" classes (which are not advanced at all). There are "advanced" versions of Social Studies, Math and English, and children can take a World Language as well, which I highly recommend if they aren't already taking a native language class on weekends, or even if they are!

All this will be explained to you towards the end of the school year. Your child will round out their core classes with one or two electives. What I didn't know but wish I had, was that some elective teachers can be really terrible. The core teachers are usually decent, but MCPS has a problem finding instructors for languages, tech or other specials. Find out which are the best electives to take from parents at TPMS.

Middle school can be a drag for kids coming from a CES, but not to worry, high school differentiation, even without a magnet, is interesting, with Honors and AP classes, and all kinds of clubs. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

My kid just started 6th grade and there were questions about this at the various meetings.

Every single kid in 6th grade goes into Advanced English. Even if the kid needs remedial help. If a kid does need Remedial help, she is still placed in Advanced English, but is also required to enroll in a second English class to help shore up her skills.

Most kids at are nonW MS are also placed in ‘advanced’ Math. There are three ‘advanced’ Math classes. Those are called AIM for 6th grade.

There is no differentiation in Science. All mixed ability classes.

There is an ‘advanced’ History class that is being offered this year to about half of our 6th graders.

[Anonymous]

Middle school can be a drag for kids coming from a CES, but not to worry, high school differentiation, even without a magnet, is interesting, with Honors and AP classes, and all kinds of clubs. Hang in there.

Many high schools are getting rid of honors classes. Rather they are putting everyone in honors to close the achievement gap.

[Anonymous]

OP, you should contact TPMS. I think the school is not offering AIM for 6th graders or the new advanced World History class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Middle school can be a drag for kids coming from a CES, but not to worry, high school differentiation, even without a magnet, is interesting, with Honors and AP classes, and all kinds of clubs. Hang in there.

Many high schools are getting rid of honors classes. Rather they are putting everyone in honors to close the achievement gap.

PP you replied to. My son is taking AP classes in 9th grade, with the rest being Honors, so I see what you mean! However all his classes are more interesting, to him, than the middle school classes were.