Wells offer Geometry

My kid is a top performing middle and they don’t offer 7th grade algebra as a class. They have a test and handful of 7th graders join in the 8th grade algebra. They used to allow online geometry for 8th. Honestly no one seems to know what will happen for the rising 8th graders who already took algebra

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Jefferson should be screaming from the rooftops that they offer Geometry. We are at a Jefferson feeder and the overall consensus is that it’s not a reasonable choice for high-achieving kids. And several kids like that have gone and left bc of issues. So obviously Geometry doesn’t fix all ills. But it definitely helps make the argument that there’s a place for a high-achieving kid.

Also at a Jefferson feeder. Sure, Jefferson offers Geometry, but it's consistently fewer than 10 kids and the Algebra I CAPE meets/exceeds rates aren't great either. I'd prefer somewhere like SH where there's no Geometry but a much bigger cohort of kids taking and doing well in Algebra I.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like Jefferson should be screaming from the rooftops that they offer Geometry. We are at a Jefferson feeder and the overall consensus is that it’s not a reasonable choice for high-achieving kids. And several kids like that have gone and left bc of issues. So obviously Geometry doesn’t fix all ills. But it definitely helps make the argument that there’s a place for a high-achieving kid.

There is currently a very strong group of high achievers in 6th grade at Jefferson. After CAPE, they broke the students into three math groups to prepare for 7th grade - one for 7th grade math, one for 8th, and one for Algebra 1. We appreciate this tailored approach.

I feel like Jefferson should be screaming from the rooftops that they offer Geometry. We are at a Jefferson feeder and the overall consensus is that it’s not a reasonable choice for high-achieving kids. And several kids like that have gone and left bc of issues. So obviously Geometry doesn’t fix all ills. But it definitely helps make the argument that there’s a place for a high-achieving kid.

They do geometry. The schools who are *very* close to a high school would typically send the kids there if the high school allows. Otherwise, they make a section for that number and one of the teachers will teach it.

At Jefferson (a couple of years ago now), the instructional coach was the one who taught geometry to a cohort.

I do not know if Truth is gentrified, but they have a pretty large Geometry cohort, and might be adding an Algebra 2 one as well?

> That may change, since DCPS wants all 8th graders taking Algebra 1 in the next few years.

I know this is/was a DCPS goal from the higher-ups, but the average 8th-grade student in DCPS is 3+ grade levels behind. Not going to happen.

Depending on the school, they can arrange for students to attend a nearby HS for geometry (Coolidge and Wells do this). I’ve also heard of kids attending virtually, while the math coach supervises/tutors. You would have to ask the school, because I imagine it varies.
There are very few DCPS schools that offer geometry to 8th graders. That may change, since DCPS wants all 8th graders taking Algebra 1 in the next few years. But I believe that was/is a Ferebee initiative, so a new chancellor could change that too!

Anonymous wrote:If my kid goes to a regular DCPS and is 'placed' in Algebra for 7th grade, e.g., at Brookland, Kelly Miller, etc., what are they supposed to do for math in 8th grade?

This is going to vary by school, and you should have a conversation with school leadership to make a plan.

Francis has made plans to send 8th graders to Walls for Geometry.

I think it would be geometry. A school that does not offer geometry now could start offering it. You should ask the school. Is your school near a high school that the kid could walk to?

Look at the Middle School Advanced Math CAPE spreadsheet on the OSSE website. I see Geometry was happening at Jefferson and Sousa. So it has to be possible, I'm just not sure how.

I mean this is a problem even at "gentrified" schools like S-H, which doesn't actually offer an actual Geometry class for 8th.

If my kid goes to a regular DCPS and is 'placed' in Algebra for 7th grade, e.g., at Brookland, Kelly Miller, etc., what are they supposed to do for math in 8th grade?