I prefer block but either way is fine. You get rigor in HS if you take all advanced and AP/IB classes. Its a huge switch from MS to HS in terms of academics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m fed up with how far mcps high schools have devolved that I’m contemplating private HS school for my younger kids (older kids went through/are in mcps HS).

I just came from an open house at an area private with block schedules to accommodate the rigorous academics. It aligns with the private school education I received which more than prepared me for college and grad school.

ICYMI: mcps high schools have devolved to a point where many/most seniors have half day schedules, and test taking is a struggle for many/most once they get to college.

I think a block schedule might be a solution for mcps.

Does anyone know if mcps has ever contemplated this?

Most high school seniors EVERYWHERE have half day schedules if they have completed their graduation requirements. This isn't a "devolved" MCPS thing. It's a non-issue.

Because our minimum graduation requirements are what everyone should be striving for?

I disagree with your premise that McPS Hs classes do not offer rigor.
I do think one thing that is severely lacking is larger research and analytic writing. But they can’t do that without significantly smaller classes and time dedicated to allowing teachers to give feedback on that.

I would actually be happy to have the HS humanities classes spend a week or two watching movies in class so that the teachers would have time to give substantive feedback on writing assignments. But even 2 week watching movies would not be enough for the teachers to give substantive feedback on 25 real papers in one class. (45x10 divided by 25= 18 minutes per paper).

MCPS: Does adopting "block schedule and rigor" help to show that we are "improving equity and reducing racism"?

Most public school kids I know take as many rigorous classes they can every year of high school. None of them have a lot of frees. They stuff in as much as possible.

Middle school was a different story, though. But it’s a good time to become an expert at your instrument, languages, arts, and sports.

Anonymous wrote:I’m fed up with how far mcps high schools have devolved that I’m contemplating private HS school for my younger kids (older kids went through/are in mcps HS).

I just came from an open house at an area private with block schedules to accommodate the rigorous academics. It aligns with the private school education I received which more than prepared me for college and grad school.

ICYMI: mcps high schools have devolved to a point where many/most seniors have half day schedules, and test taking is a struggle for many/most once they get to college.

I think a block schedule might be a solution for mcps.

Does anyone know if mcps has ever contemplated this?

My older kid has a block schedule at MCPS.

Block schedules can be tough for kids with attention issues. Some MCPS high schools follow a modified block schedule which I think is a good compromise

For kids going onto a 4 year college, I don’t think a half day schedule as a senior is a good idea unless they have a very strong internship.
I wish MCPS would instruct counselors to discourage half day schedules. But this is obviously separate from what OP is bringing up

Anonymous wrote:I’m fed up with how far mcps high schools have devolved that I’m contemplating private HS school for my younger kids (older kids went through/are in mcps HS).

I just came from an open house at an area private with block schedules to accommodate the rigorous academics. It aligns with the private school education I received which more than prepared me for college and grad school.

ICYMI: mcps high schools have devolved to a point where many/most seniors have half day schedules, and test taking is a struggle for many/most once they get to college.

I think a block schedule might be a solution for mcps.

Does anyone know if mcps has ever contemplated this?

Most high school seniors EVERYWHERE have half day schedules if they have completed their graduation requirements. This isn't a "devolved" MCPS thing. It's a non-issue.

Anonymous wrote:I teach at a private with block schedules. I like it but I can not figure out how it addresses the issues of rigor or of seniors not being prepared for college.

+1 Ex teacher here. I have taught both block and non-block. I don't see the connection you're making, OP.

Block vs every class is a separate discussion from the issues you mention, OP.

My kids and their friends take as many APs and post-APs as they can cram into their schedule. That is emphatically not a casual high school experience! My oldest is at a selective university and is coasting thus far, because his AP teachers at Walter Johnson did a good job of preparing him for it.

High school, with its a la carte courses, is what you make of it. Please bear this in mind before running to pay 60K a year per kid. A private uni is going to cost you at least 70K. My son's is 85K. A lot are now in the 90K range.

I have friends with kids at Sidwell and St Albans. Listening to them describe the curriculae, I don't think it's very different from the most demanding MCPS courses. University admissions are the same if you compare apples to apples (the same student profiles with the same lack of hooks). The environment is different - although at wealthy Bethesda MCPS schools where seniors arrive in new Jeeps and Teslas, not *that* different. But that is also a separate discussion!

I’m not a fan of block scheduling. I don’t know why you are connecting it to rigor? Its main advantages are that it helps kids manage homework and have less disruptive break periods. But plenty of downsides.

I teach at a private with block schedules. I like it but I can not figure out how it addresses the issues of rigor or of seniors not being prepared for college.

Anonymous wrote:I’m fed up with how far mcps high schools have devolved that I’m contemplating private HS school for my younger kids (older kids went through/are in mcps HS).

I just came from an open house at an area private with block schedules to accommodate the rigorous academics. It aligns with the private school education I received which more than prepared me for college and grad school.

ICYMI: mcps high schools have devolved to a point where many/most seniors have half day schedules, and test taking is a struggle for many/most once they get to college.

I think a block schedule might be a solution for mcps.

Does anyone know if mcps has ever contemplated this?

Some schools, such as Blair High School, have an A day / B day schedule. This means that half the classes are one day and half of the classes are the next day. You may be discussing block scheduling when students have half of their classes one semester and half of their classes the next semester. I don't know the procedure to make this shift, but it would need to be throughout the school system. I also know that some teachers have also asked how this could happen.

I agree that block scheduling can help with the balance of school and life balance. However, the how to complete test taking is a deeper issue. We have students who visit us from college who say that not having longer exams such as finals has impacted them because they never developed the required study skills. They only have learned how to retain knowledge for short periods of time. Also, they struggle with taking a test that lasts longer than 40 minutes.

When MCPS removed final exams the idea was that colleges were also moving in this direction. However, it seems like college (depending on the subject and level of class) are still giving traditional final exams.

I’m fed up with how far mcps high schools have devolved that I’m contemplating private HS school for my younger kids (older kids went through/are in mcps HS).

I just came from an open house at an area private with block schedules to accommodate the rigorous academics. It aligns with the private school education I received which more than prepared me for college and grad school.

ICYMI: mcps high schools have devolved to a point where many/most seniors have half day schedules, and test taking is a struggle for many/most once they get to college.

I think a block schedule might be a solution for mcps.

Does anyone know if mcps has ever contemplated this?