Anonymous
10/21/2025 19:52
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:When did schools start with all this ‘standard’, ‘honors’, etc.? When we grew up it was just one choice unless it was AP.
The "everything is honors" nonsense started at Longfellow and a couple of other FCPS middle schools like Thoreau and Carson more than 10 years ago. I happened because so many kids who actually belonged in standard classes thought that challenge by choice ment they should take all honors.
How do I know it's been going on for this long? I was a teacher there when it happened.
and apologies for the errors above - multitasking and hit submit too fast.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 19:50
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:When did schools start with all this ‘standard’, ‘honors’, etc.? When we grew up it was just one choice unless it was AP.
The "everything is honors" nonsense started at Longfellow and a couple of other FCPS middle schools like Thoreau and Carson more than 10 years ago. I happened because so many kids who actually belonged in standard classes thought that challenge by choice ment they should take all honors.
How do I know it's been going on for this long? I was a teacher there when it happened.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 15:50
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
When did schools start with all this ‘standard’, ‘honors’, etc.? When we grew up it was just one choice unless it was AP.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 12:33
Subject: Re:Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Check on whether or not Honor Biology still requires kids to do the year long independent science fair project. If so, be warned that this project is totally student driven with no support and no class time given to it. It's a major reason many kids at various FCPS schools have chosen not to take honors bio in the past. Also find out about various other hidden requirements for honors. For example, 10th grade honors history often requires students to do an independent year long project that AP does not require. It will help you pick and choose with more knowledge.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 09:33
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
We are in APS, but FWIW my son is only not taking honors (we call it intensified) science. They say that it's super easy. They don't eve like science and are getting 100, so I'd say do the honors, it will be fine.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 09:21
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:Do grades transfer over if you drop down from honors to regular after the first quarter?
Yes, the grade follows you when you drop down to a different class.
Anonymous
10/21/2025 09:10
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
My kids were never in AAP at Longfellow -except math. One took Algebra Honors in 7th and one in 8th. Both took all Honors in HS and had no problems. They were probably near the cut off for AAP if that makes a difference.
Anonymous
10/20/2025 21:58
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Do grades transfer over if you drop down from honors to regular after the first quarter?
Anonymous
01/22/2024 15:10
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:All classes as Longfellow are honors level (with Math beibg different) so OP’s kid is used to honors level classes already.
Take honors
All classes are "honors" at LF because it make parents feel good, but even then there are different levels of honors.
Anonymous
01/22/2024 07:30
Subject: Re:Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Mclean parent - it depends. The advice the counselors always give about only doing honors on classes they are passionate about is a well intentioned effort to dial down the stress level at an intense school BUT a lot of HS students will do well in classes they aren’t “passionate” about and the fact of the matter is that these decisions can impact college options down the road.
My suggestion is if you are going to try honors, 9th grade is a good year to do it. Honors bio is probably the easiest science to take honors. After 9th grade the differences between honors and regular classes can really intensify. Some of that is teacher related though. There are several 10th grade English teachers and one is much more difficult than other honors teachers.
I will say that dropping down is kind of a hassle. It can be difficult with scheduling to change classes because the options you want may be over enrolled. It’s a potential option but I wouldn’t go in expecting to just easily change a bunch of things.
My suggestion is if you are going to try honors, 9th grade is a good year to do it. Honors bio is probably the easiest science to take honors. After 9th grade the differences between honors and regular classes can really intensify. Some of that is teacher related though. There are several 10th grade English teachers and one is much more difficult than other honors teachers.
I will say that dropping down is kind of a hassle. It can be difficult with scheduling to change classes because the options you want may be over enrolled. It’s a potential option but I wouldn’t go in expecting to just easily change a bunch of things.
Anonymous
01/21/2024 13:09
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Do all core four honors, and you can always drop down.
One DC did fine, had been Gen ed. Ended with a 4.2 gpa.
One DC struggled, dropped to regular in two classes. Still glad we tried the harder ones.
One DC did fine, had been Gen ed. Ended with a 4.2 gpa.
One DC struggled, dropped to regular in two classes. Still glad we tried the harder ones.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 17:15
Subject: Re:Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:Hit submit too soon, but 100% agree with the post quoted above. It is not that difficult to get all As at Longfellow.
One of my DCs took honors Biology and World Civ and those 3 classes were a LOT of work. Other DC took honors geometry, but all regular classes otherwise. He is neither disruptive nor unintelligent (got a 34 ACT with prep). He entered 9th grade as a 13 year old with ADHD and didn't want intense reading and writing assignments so no honors English or History. Older DC took mainly honors throughout HS and younger had more of a mix of honors, regular and AP. They had no problems getting into or graduating from college.
The best teacher either one had was probably the one who taught DC regular English in 9th and 12th grade. He really engaged my reluctant reader/writer.
You’ve just confirmed my decision to do all honors. Regular classes are for “reluctant” readers and writers - my child is neither and is above grade level.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 14:55
Subject: Re:Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Hit submit too soon, but 100% agree with the post quoted above. It is not that difficult to get all As at Longfellow.
One of my DCs took honors Biology and World Civ and those 3 classes were a LOT of work. Other DC took honors geometry, but all regular classes otherwise. He is neither disruptive nor unintelligent (got a 34 ACT with prep). He entered 9th grade as a 13 year old with ADHD and didn't want intense reading and writing assignments so no honors English or History. Older DC took mainly honors throughout HS and younger had more of a mix of honors, regular and AP. They had no problems getting into or graduating from college.
The best teacher either one had was probably the one who taught DC regular English in 9th and 12th grade. He really engaged my reluctant reader/writer.
One of my DCs took honors Biology and World Civ and those 3 classes were a LOT of work. Other DC took honors geometry, but all regular classes otherwise. He is neither disruptive nor unintelligent (got a 34 ACT with prep). He entered 9th grade as a 13 year old with ADHD and didn't want intense reading and writing assignments so no honors English or History. Older DC took mainly honors throughout HS and younger had more of a mix of honors, regular and AP. They had no problems getting into or graduating from college.
The best teacher either one had was probably the one who taught DC regular English in 9th and 12th grade. He really engaged my reluctant reader/writer.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 14:45
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:Do not listen to this. It’s simply not true. Longfellow and McLean will tell you to start with 1-2 honor classes. This will be great for most kids. Some will also do just fine in all honors. Unfortunately it is teacher dependent in both honors and regular. Dropping down can be difficult for kids mentally and dropping down in more than one class can be very hard to deal with. Their schedule could change completely as well.We found (2 kids) it’s best to start with a few honors classes and increase rigor each year. By junior year a mix of AP and Honors for one child but for another Regular, honors and AP.Anonymous wrote:If child is college bound then take all honors.
Anonymous
01/19/2024 14:24
Subject: Honors vs. Regular classes at McLean High School
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:All classes as Longfellow are honors level (with Math beibg different) so OP’s kid is used to honors level classes already.
Take honors
Somehow I find this hard to believe...
DP. You can look at the course catalog for 8th graders. Only honors classes at Longfellow for English, Science, and Social Studies. Math is different with more differentiation, ranging from courses for kids below grade level (Math 180 and Power Mathematics) up to Algebra 2 HN.
I don't know why that's the case at Longfellow but not other local middle schools like Cooper and Kilmer, but that's where they ended up.