Reply to Middle and high school differentiation- grade level, honors?

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[quote=Anonymous]
There are differentiations in:

1. Math. 6th graders are supposed to take Math 6, but in the Bethesda/Potomac clusters they mostly take more advanced classes: AIM and similar, or rarely even test into Algebra 1. If you're in Algebra 1 by 6th grade, it does complicate matters later, since you have to be bused to the high school for math by 8th grade, and then figure out whether your high school offers classes past AP Calc BC. WJ and WW have many options, but BCC not so much.

2. Language. Many international students test into whatever level they're already at, and some don't take their native language in MCPS, but just take the AP exam on their own, which frees up space for an additional language, since it is a requirement (you can waive it, but not sure how you do that). Otherwise students in 6th usually start out with Language 1A and take Language 1B in 7th. Some just do both in 6th, and Language 2 in 7th. For languages with two AP exams, this ensures they can get both APs before 12th grade.

3. Social Studies. There is a Global Humanities course in middle school, which is a bit more work than the regular class. Not sure if that's what PP is referring to, but plenty of students take it at Westland MS.

3. Instrumental music and chorus. Groups depend on teacher availability. There aren't enough teachers to go round, so middle schools typically just one have beginner and one advanced group, but students' musical experience vary wildly inside the "advanced" group, which isn't all that advanced, given some participants only have a year or two of experience.

4. There is no other differentiation in middle school. In high school, AP English Language and Composition is typically taken in 11th grade, and AP English Literature is taken in 12th grade. High school science is a more varied, with Honors and APs. However, students need pre-requisites depending on the school (usually Algebra 2, and sometimes they require that the student has taken the Honors version before the AP version; also I believe you need AP Calc before or at the same time as AP Physics, but there are 3 types of AP Physics, and details are fuzzy).

If your child is coming into MCPS and you wish them to take a more advanced class than what they propose, then you need to explain why their academic background prepares them for it, and for math and language, request a placement test. The BCC cluster is singularly un-enthusiastic about placing students in test-in math courses. Don't know about WJ and WW.
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