Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC is at BCC, and doesn't find "Honors" classes at all challenging, at least in 9th grade.

There has to be some middle ground between "loading up on APs with 5 hours of homework per night" and being so bored in science (so-called "Honors" Biology) that DC complains that no new information is being taught, everything was covered in middle (or even elementary) school. Sad because this kid loves science and is thinking of a medical career.

I agree that AP NSL is not overwhelming and easily other APs are much harder. I'm not pushing for the AP label or the AP credit - I just think my kid would do so much better (so much less boredom) if all classes were on this level of material, pace, expectations, etc. (Also, doesn't hurt that the NSL teacher is phenomenal.)

I just don't see how kids being bored and falling asleep in class helps other kids. That seems to be the justification for avoiding "tracking".

ISn't there some IB or special program for advanced students at BCC? I don't know anything about the school but I know a lot of the schools in MCPS have that.

Wow I'm glad that in at Lake DC Urban Mom that classes are easy for your kids. Mine is a 10th graders and is finding the workload intense....

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC is at BCC, and doesn't find "Honors" classes at all challenging, at least in 9th grade.

There has to be some middle ground between "loading up on APs with 5 hours of homework per night" and being so bored in science (so-called "Honors" Biology) that DC complains that no new information is being taught, everything was covered in middle (or even elementary) school. Sad because this kid loves science and is thinking of a medical career.

I agree that AP NSL is not overwhelming and easily other APs are much harder. I'm not pushing for the AP label or the AP credit - I just think my kid would do so much better (so much less boredom) if all classes were on this level of material, pace, expectations, etc. (Also, doesn't hurt that the NSL teacher is phenomenal.)

I just don't see how kids being bored and falling asleep in class helps other kids. That seems to be the justification for avoiding "tracking".

Is your kid complaining about English/language/math or is it really just a Hon Bio problem? Even the honors students are not all going to be really into science the way your kid is. Your kid may have learned more in elementary and middle school than others because of this strong interest. Recognizing that, I would try to get the kid into AP science classes as soon as reasonably possible.

Why don’t you move or change schools?

Move where, pray tell?

Unless you mean move to private school. There's a simple answer to that question. $$$

OP here. DC is at BCC, and doesn't find "Honors" classes at all challenging, at least in 9th grade.

There has to be some middle ground between "loading up on APs with 5 hours of homework per night" and being so bored in science (so-called "Honors" Biology) that DC complains that no new information is being taught, everything was covered in middle (or even elementary) school. Sad because this kid loves science and is thinking of a medical career.

I agree that AP NSL is not overwhelming and easily other APs are much harder. I'm not pushing for the AP label or the AP credit - I just think my kid would do so much better (so much less boredom) if all classes were on this level of material, pace, expectations, etc. (Also, doesn't hurt that the NSL teacher is phenomenal.)

I just don't see how kids being bored and falling asleep in class helps other kids. That seems to be the justification for avoiding "tracking".

Why don’t you move or change schools?

The goal is proficiency in math and English. Nothing more, nothing less.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child takes special ed classes? Is that what sped means?

anything not honors nor AP is sped

Just so I'm clear, classes go (from easy to hard):
Special Ed (for kids with special needs)
Honors
AP

So there are no regular classes? You're either a SN kid or "advanced"?

Yes, regular classes are sped classes, pretty much babysitting

Ridiculous.

It is really inappropriate to call grade level classes special ed. As the parent of a child who actually requires special ed, I can assure you that they are not the same thing. The term "sped" is just offensive all around.

Let me guess you got ptsd from the 2016 elections?

I am assuming your son is in all honors classes this year aside from the AP class. I am not sure how the IB program works. I thought you went into the IB program as a freshman instead of taking AP classes. My school doesn’t offer the IB program. At my school, once the kids get into junior year, they can load up on the AP classes. However, just because they are AP classes doesn’t mean they’re necessarily more challenging than the honors classes. Many of the honors classes at my kids’ school are just as challenging or more challenging than the AP classes. I’m wondering which Montgomery county public school your child goes to that he’s not challenged in honors classes. That is very surprising. How do you know he isn’t challenged? I’m wondering which Montgomery county public school your child goes to that he’s not challenged in honors classes. That is very surprising. Did you try to get your son into a magnet school? Like Blair or Richard Montgomery?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child takes special ed classes? Is that what sped means?

anything not honors nor AP is sped

Just so I'm clear, classes go (from easy to hard):
Special Ed (for kids with special needs)
Honors
AP

So there are no regular classes? You're either a SN kid or "advanced"?

Yes, regular classes are sped classes, pretty much babysitting

Ridiculous.

It is really inappropriate to call grade level classes special ed. As the parent of a child who actually requires special ed, I can assure you that they are not the same thing. The term "sped" is just offensive all around.

Non honors aren't literally special ed.

My child is in non honors Spanish 2 and technology because there is no honors option for those classes. They are not special ed though.

Anonymous wrote:My DC is not a genius, but a very motivated student who thrives on higher expectations and challenge. I feel like at each stage of education - higher elementary, middle, and now HS this year - I get my hopes up that now's the moment where DC will finally be appropriately challenged - finally entering HS! - only to have hopes dashed again.

The next stage where I'm hoping this takes a turn for the better is Junior year (IB diploma program). Please do not tell me I am going to have hopes dashed again!

There is one bright spot this year: AP NSL. DC is absolutely loving this class, and excelling in it. Finally a level of challenge appropriate to interest and abilities. Sadly, this is the only such class this year. Why are there not more classes taught at this level in Freshman/Sophomore years?!!!

Why is it this way?!!

Schools differ on what kids are advised to take, but you can sometimes buck the recommendations. DD took APUSH as a 9th grader and it was the only challenging course that year (and it was a ton of work). Is in AP NSL this year and it is so much easier by comparison. When I looked at their textbook, I was very disappointed--looks like a middle school course to me. But your school may be teaching it differently. AP Physics 1 has been pretty challenging. Spanish 4-5 (two years of spanish taught on one year) is somewhat challenging (probably the appropriate pace-- closer to the pace of college level language courses). AP computer science principles was a joke, but I've heard that AP Java is very difficult. None of the "honors" designated courses have been at all challenging.

For next year (or next term, if there is still time), add a couple more AP classes. The other classes will still be easy, but your DC will be working hard on the APs and happy to have relief on the others.

In 11ty grade I was in sped history and begged the school to let me into honors history. They said no. Half of class time was teacher dealing with unruly students. Fortunately I got into AP US history for my senior year

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child takes special ed classes? Is that what sped means?

anything not honors nor AP is sped

Just so I'm clear, classes go (from easy to hard):
Special Ed (for kids with special needs)
Honors
AP

So there are no regular classes? You're either a SN kid or "advanced"?

Yes, regular classes are sped classes, pretty much babysitting

Ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child takes special ed classes? Is that what sped means?

anything not honors nor AP is sped

Just so I'm clear, classes go (from easy to hard):
Special Ed (for kids with special needs)
Honors
AP

So there are no regular classes? You're either a SN kid or "advanced"?

Yes, regular classes are sped classes, pretty much babysitting