Reply to Hardy Student #1 in DC Mathcount Competition

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]A kid who comes out on top at Mathcounts is not there because of anything he learned at Hardy. This is natural talent and/or something fostered outside of school. 
Same goes for the kids at STA or Sidwell. They're taking the regular math on-grade level classes like everyone else in the grade. They're more of them because 
the school has selective (and probably even more importantly---self-selective) admissions.  An hour or two a week in a Mathcounts after-school club does not make 
one into a math genius.

Anyway, kudos to all these kids but I don't think you can really credit any of these schools with these accomplishments.  [/quote]

Yes, but maybe the PP's point was that it is remarkable that the kid (and the Deal kids) are in DCPS at all. While an after-school club may not be responsible for their success, retaining them in DCPS would require the administration to help them in class (i.e. accelerated offerings etc.) Hopefully these schools are doing so and will continue.

[/quote]
Why is this remarkable? Do you have a kid in DCPS? At decently performing schools, there are tons of bright kids. My spouse and I are both intelligent and educated as are our children and they are in DCPS. We make $350k/year and still could never afford private (nor do I want to be part of that community). I went to a public school in the area and have done well. There are a lot of people in DC between poverty and wealth. [/quote]

Agreed.  I had a strong math kid at Deal who ended up leaving for private (Sidwell, STA or GDS--i'm being vague) for 9th.  Many of his smart, math-brained friends stayed in DCPS. 
There are plenty of bright kids at all levels in DCPS.

The OP's thread is kind of pointless.  Math Counts success is by no means reflective of what is (or is not) taught by a school.  It's innate talent and outside enrichment.  I've seen from the inside at Deal and also at STA/Sidwell.  These kids are not learning their Mathcounts skills in the classroom.

[/quote]

But the point is that kids like these are advanced enough that they will need specialty courses. DCPS (JR included) doesn't have anything beyond Calc BC, which kids like these would be doing in 10th grade. STA has a bunch of advanced courses, as does GDS. DCPS does offer dual enrollment but it is not clear that GW/G'town will cater to these kids or have watered down courses. [/quote]

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