Why not tracking?

Anonymous wrote:Oystes does not (and will not) do tracking, each grade is divided into similar classes. Differentiation should academically challenge each student in her/his class. Then, the question is how can differentiation enable the advanced students to cover an extra math class by the time they complete middle school.

Why can't Oyster track it's middle school students in math? Its only impossible until it's done.

Oystes does not (and will not) do tracking, each grade is divided into similar classes. Differentiation should academically challenge each student in her/his class. Then, the question is how can differentiation enable the advanced students to cover an extra math class by the time they complete middle school.

Anonymous wrote:how is it easy to fix?

I don't know how "easy" this is to fix, but Oyster can track high performing students into higher level math classes. Oyster's middle school is super small, so if someone is looking for TJ (or even Basis here), they'll need to keep looking. My suggestions: Starting in 6th grade, students take whatever class Oyster currently offers 6th graders or Pre-Algebra. In 7th grade, it's either Pre-Algebra or Algebra. Finally, 8th graders enroll in either Algebra or Geometry. Done!

how is it easy to fix?

That makes it pretty easy to fix then!

Are there parents working to improve the math? That really needs to start in the lower school, right? So that the kids are ready for advanced math in middle school. Or what math sequences do kids have as options at Deal?

Math in the lower grades at OA is at a par with math at other WOTP elementary schools. Deal has tracking, so higher performing students can take more advanced math courses.

Are there parents working to improve the math? That really needs to start in the lower school, right? So that the kids are ready for advanced math in middle school. Or what math sequences do kids have as options at Deal?

The middle school at Adams is SO much better this year, now that we have complete teacher teams for each grade and a separate Spanish grammar class in addition to Spanish humanities. It would be nice if there was a way for advanced students to complete a higher level math course at Adams. But I won't lose sleep over this, my child can take the extra math class elsewhere as PP said.

16:52, interesting take on it. Thanks from someone interested in oyster but had been worried about the strength of the middle school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think as long as you supplement math, that oyster would be great.

Any parents who supplemented math want to comment?

I agree. Is all this hand-wringing over Oyster's middle school due to the math curriculum (that will become more rigorous under the new principal)? Are people really this up in arms about Algebra currently being offered in 8th as opposed to 7th grade? Many of Oyster's graduates that do not choose Wilson, SWW and Banneker have gone on to the best private high schools in DC (i.e., Sidwell, GDS, WIS, etc). Clearly these schools, who can have their pick of any students, don't think that Oyster's curriculum is such a huge "problem." That doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement (nothing is perfect), but a few parents need to gain some perspective.

Yes, the loss of a year of advanced math in high school is a terrible shame. Even the strongest Adams students have been starting 9th grade at least a year behind their former peers who pealed of to attend Deal.

The absence of an ambitious math track at Adams also suggests a weak commitment to differentiation and academic rigor in general.

I agree that under the old principal there was a very weak commitment to differentiation (among other issues). I am convinced that is not the case with Principal Canizales. That said, the parents who were so upset with the “loss of a year of advanced math,” really need to be more creative. If my bilingual/biliterate child was so advanced in math, I would make sure that he/she took Algebra II or Geometry somewhere else. This may require a lot of work/some money on the parent’s part, but it would get done. Your child could take the class(es) over the summer at a private school or community college; have your child pulled out to take the class at Deal/Wilson; or take the class via JHU-CTY (or something similar) and have them tested to prove he/she can test out/should get credit. My child is still in the primary school at Oyster. However, please understand that my husband and I will make sure that Oyster meets our child’s needs. Whatever small gap the school leaves, we’ll certainly fill it. I would never choose Deal over Oyster’s middle school, and I’m happy it’s no longer an option for Oyster students (for those not grandfathered in).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think as long as you supplement math, that oyster would be great.

Any parents who supplemented math want to comment?

I agree. Is all this hand-wringing over Oyster's middle school due to the math curriculum (that will become more rigorous under the new principal)? Are people really this up in arms about Algebra currently being offered in 8th as opposed to 7th grade? Many of Oyster's graduates that do not choose Wilson, SWW and Banneker have gone on to the best private high schools in DC (i.e., Sidwell, GDS, WIS, etc). Clearly these schools, who can have their pick of any students, don't think that Oyster's curriculum is such a huge "problem." That doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement (nothing is perfect), but a few parents need to gain some perspective.

Yes, the loss of a year of advanced math in high school is a terrible shame. Even the strongest Adams students have been starting 9th grade at least a year behind their former peers who pealed of to attend Deal.

The absence of an ambitious math track at Adams also suggests a weak commitment to differentiation and academic rigor in general.

Anonymous wrote:I would think as long as you supplement math, that oyster would be great.

Any parents who supplemented math want to comment?

I agree. Is all this hand-wringing over Oyster's middle school due to the math curriculum (that will become more rigorous under the new principal)? Are people really this up in arms about Algebra currently being offered in 8th as opposed to 7th grade? Many of Oyster's graduates that do not choose Wilson, SWW and Banneker have gone on to the best private high schools in DC (i.e., Sidwell, GDS, WIS, etc). Clearly these schools, who can have their pick of any students, don't think that Oyster's curriculum is such a huge "problem." That doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement (nothing is perfect), but a few parents need to gain some perspective.

I would think as long as you supplement math, that oyster would be great.

Any parents who supplemented math want to comment?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Hopefully, this will ensure that IB families that choose Oyster are truly committed to the school.

This is overly simplistic assumption, that all the middle school needs is committed families. It's a real slap in the face to people who stayed, were involved, and finally left because their children were ignored.

Hopefully the new principal will be committed to all students. It will take more than committed families to improve the curriculum.

How, exactly, were your children ignored? What does Deal offer that Oyster doesn't (besides a larger student body and more extracurriculars)? I'm asking this question sincerely because I know IB families that stayed at Oyster, and they were/are very happy with the middle school. Mind you, these are well educated, affluent professionals who have many options outside of Oyster.