What happens if you take Arabic or ASL, and there are only three levels available, so that you run out of classes to take my 11th grade? What do you do for 12th grade to have another world language? Start over with some other language? Lose out on having another honors credit? If colleges like to see four years of the same language, that's not even possible if you take one of those routes. Not to mention, there's no AP available.

Note there is a difference between getting high school credit for language classes that then do appear on your transcript (like language in middle school) and the colleges that "count" your language as language to their admissions requirements (which sometimes do NOT include middle school language, even if they are on your transcript).

Nevertheless, I'm the poster on the other thread whose DS is in Spanish 5 right now - he didn't start Spanish until 8th grade (he was taking other preferred electives) and then he found out he was good at Spanish and liked it. This year he switched from 4 to 5 so that he could get to the AP class senior year. Not sure if that is available at every school but he will take 4 years Spanish when he is in high school.

Lots of other kids who have preferences for other subjects will drop language by 11th or 12th grade and focus on other interests - its really hard to know that when your child is 11. I found MCPS to be flexible at least, with regard to picking classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are planning out your 5th grader’s middle school and shift school years. Isn’t this a bit much? You’ve assumed he will like and do well in Spanish and assumed he’s going to get in a magnet in high school too. You need to relax.

And let your poor kid not only be a kid, but think and choose for himself! Pobrecito.

NP with a 5th grader here. We’re helping our “pobrecita” daughter make these choices now. She has no idea the implications and is happy to start Spanish next year

This is not about parents helping a 5th grader pick language and electives for 6th grade and middle school. It’s about OP’s planning of her 5th grader’s entire path through a magnet high school program. Anyway, to each his own. But, if many parents are like OP, then I am not surprised about rising anxiety and depression in kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are planning out your 5th grader’s middle school and shift school years. Isn’t this a bit much? You’ve assumed he will like and do well in Spanish and assumed he’s going to get in a magnet in high school too. You need to relax.

And let your poor kid not only be a kid, but think and choose for himself! Pobrecito.

NP with a 5th grader here. We’re helping our “pobrecita” daughter make these choices now. She has no idea the implications and is happy to start Spanish next year

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

I think starting w/ this year's 6th graders, students(parents) can decide of the grade from lanf taken in MS will go on the HS transcript. Up until now, I think the MS lang grades were factored into HS transcript. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Mine missed out on this, but oddly, even thpugh she goto As, because of Honors weighting, they probably bring her weighted grade done. Oh well!

They’ve are all eligible for high school credit. The rule change just means they don’t have to elect to get the credit if they don’t do well.

You didn't read my post very carefully. I'm aware they're all eligible for HS credit. I said that the new decision is that parents/students can request that the grade not be factored into HS GPA.

I did read it. But it didn’t seem to relate to the other comments you quoted. The discussion was about the PP inaccurately stating the early years were not eligible for credit. If you understand that, your comment is a bit of a non sequitur.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

I think starting w/ this year's 6th graders, students(parents) can decide of the grade from lanf taken in MS will go on the HS transcript. Up until now, I think the MS lang grades were factored into HS transcript. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Mine missed out on this, but oddly, even thpugh she goto As, because of Honors weighting, they probably bring her weighted grade done. Oh well!

They’ve are all eligible for high school credit. The rule change just means they don’t have to elect to get the credit if they don’t do well.

You didn't read my post very carefully. I'm aware they're all eligible for HS credit. I said that the new decision is that parents/students can request that the grade not be factored into HS GPA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

I think starting w/ this year's 6th graders, students(parents) can decide of the grade from lanf taken in MS will go on the HS transcript. Up until now, I think the MS lang grades were factored into HS transcript. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Mine missed out on this, but oddly, even thpugh she goto As, because of Honors weighting, they probably bring her weighted grade done. Oh well!

They’ve are all eligible for high school credit. The rule change just means they don’t have to elect to get the credit if they don’t do well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

I think starting w/ this year's 6th graders, students(parents) can decide of the grade from lanf taken in MS will go on the HS transcript. Up until now, I think the MS lang grades were factored into HS transcript. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Mine missed out on this, but oddly, even thpugh she goto As, because of Honors weighting, they probably bring her weighted grade done. Oh well!

They’ve are all eligible for high school credit. The rule change just means they don’t have to elect to get the credit if they don’t do well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

I think starting w/ this year's 6th graders, students(parents) can decide of the grade from lanf taken in MS will go on the HS transcript. Up until now, I think the MS lang grades were factored into HS transcript. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Mine missed out on this, but oddly, even thpugh she goto As, because of Honors weighting, they probably bring her weighted grade done. Oh well!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

Lots of misinformation here. Languages classes all are on your HS transcript even if you start in 6th grade. They all get HS credit. My DD is a Blair SMAC student. She took 1a in 6th (all our MS allowed) and 1b in 7th. She will take a language all 4 years in HS (though this is not typical for a SMAC student-many stop after 4 years in 9th or 10th). She will get to AP as a senior but only by skipping year 5.

How was she allowed to skip level 5? I thought it was a prerequisite for the AP.

It is allowed with teacher approval. Apparently 4 and 5 are not very different.

Yes, mine will try to skip Level 4 for French at Blair. Someone at DCUM tipped me off -- thanks!

But, I will add at the SMACS parent meeting, I'm pretty sure they said that some colleges look for students to take 4 years of lang during HS (not just 4 HS credits).

Oops, I meant will try to skip level 5 for French at Blair.

If you think the Seal of Biliteracy would be useful for college applications, your child should start the language in 6th grade so the first AP is done in 11th grade in time for applications in the fall of 12th grade.

Anonymous wrote:You are planning out your 5th grader’s middle school and shift school years. Isn’t this a bit much? You’ve assumed he will like and do well in Spanish and assumed he’s going to get in a magnet in high school too. You need to relax.

And let your poor kid not only be a kid, but think and choose for himself! Pobrecito.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

Levels 3 and up give Honors credits, which count more favorably in calculating GPA and class rank (presuming good grades).

What? Wow you guys really do pad the GPAs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

Levels 3 and up give Honors credits, which count more favorably in calculating GPA and class rank (presuming good grades).

All the more reason to get through levels 1 and 2 before high school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He may find it hard to fit in 4 years of language in high school along with all other HS requirements. If he is doing a high school STEM magnet, he may also be trying to fit in an internship. He might be better off starting Spanish earlier. He could take five years of Spanish, and be finished by the end of 10th grade.

I think this is terrible advice. Colleges are not looking at your middle school transcripts, and only levels 3 and up of any World Language give high school credits. I'm presuming that, if your student's is thinking they'd be at the level of the STEM Magnet, that they want to apply for top level, competitive colleges (current admissions scandal aside), so stopping World Language after 10th grade is a bad idea. If you look at the Blair STEM course chart on their website, it lists World language for four years as the expectation, although there is an option for other electives in grades 11 and 12. Not to mention, they would not qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy with just five years of Spanish, unless they do a lot of extra study outside of school and take an outside test.

That is not true. All full year (A/B) world language courses give high school credit in MCPS.

Levels 3 and up give Honors credits, which count more favorably in calculating GPA and class rank (presuming good grades).