Anonymous
06/15/2026 00:08
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
Huh? AMP 6+ and AMP 7+ are right on the diagram on page 3, in both the 2nd and 3rd rows. Kids who did regular Math 5 (the first two rows) can either do grade-level Math 6 (row 1) or AMP 6+ (row 2.) Kids who did "Math 5 with Accel" can either do AMP 6+ (row 3) or Pre-Algebra (row 4.)
So basically the same as now in middle school, besides the state-level Integrated Algebra 1/2 change.
(Except that probably many fewer kids will be prepared for pre-algebra in 6th and have the MAP scores needed to qualify, because they won't learn enough 6th grade math in ES. But the pathways remain essentially the same.)
I wonder whether there will be enough students in 6th grade who are deemed qualified for prealgebra to be able to offer the course. Fewer students are even supposed to receive acceleration in ES, and even those that do may not get it given how hard it will be for teachers to offer acceleration to some students when their class also has struggling students who will get most of the teacher's attention.
Good question. A middle school would probably need roughly 10% of their 200-300 6th graders to qualify for pre-algebra in order to offer it, right? If the cutoff for getting acceleration in 4th/5th is around the 93rd percentile nationally, there's going to be a lot of middle schools that don't even have 10% of kids who've gotten acceleration in ES at all, let alone enough kids who learned enough in it that they've already mastered 6th grade math. Pre-algebra in 6th may become more of a rich-school-only thing moving forward...
Anonymous
06/14/2026 23:25
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
Huh? AMP 6+ and AMP 7+ are right on the diagram on page 3, in both the 2nd and 3rd rows. Kids who did regular Math 5 (the first two rows) can either do grade-level Math 6 (row 1) or AMP 6+ (row 2.) Kids who did "Math 5 with Accel" can either do AMP 6+ (row 3) or Pre-Algebra (row 4.)
So basically the same as now in middle school, besides the state-level Integrated Algebra 1/2 change.
(Except that probably many fewer kids will be prepared for pre-algebra in 6th and have the MAP scores needed to qualify, because they won't learn enough 6th grade math in ES. But the pathways remain essentially the same.)
I wonder whether there will be enough students in 6th grade who are deemed qualified for prealgebra to be able to offer the course. Fewer students are even supposed to receive acceleration in ES, and even those that do may not get it given how hard it will be for teachers to offer acceleration to some students when their class also has struggling students who will get most of the teacher's attention.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 23:18
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
Huh? AMP 6+ and AMP 7+ are right on the diagram on page 3, in both the 2nd and 3rd rows. Kids who did regular Math 5 (the first two rows) can either do grade-level Math 6 (row 1) or AMP 6+ (row 2.) Kids who did "Math 5 with Accel" can either do AMP 6+ (row 3) or Pre-Algebra (row 4.)
So basically the same as now in middle school, besides the state-level Integrated Algebra 1/2 change.
(Except that probably many fewer kids will be prepared for pre-algebra in 6th and have the MAP scores needed to qualify, because they won't learn enough 6th grade math in ES. But the pathways remain essentially the same.)
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:48
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
This is not quite right- it’s acceleration not enrichment. Those two terms do not mean the same thing. Whether or not MCPS stays true to its acceleration promise, time will tell.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:37
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
Huh? AMP 6+ and AMP 7+ are right on the diagram on page 3, in both the 2nd and 3rd rows. Kids who did regular Math 5 (the first two rows) can either do grade-level Math 6 (row 1) or AMP 6+ (row 2.) Kids who did "Math 5 with Accel" can either do AMP 6+ (row 3) or Pre-Algebra (row 4.)
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:36
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
It is now called "Accelerated Math 6" but it is the same as 6+, just with the Desmos version of Illustrative Mathematics.
Ah ok. I see what you are saying.
So Accelerated Math 6 is not in the same class as math 6.
Correct. It is a different class.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:36
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
Central office staff has said that Accelerated Math 6 is the same as AMP 6+ now, just with the new curriculum. It’s going to be offered starting next year.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 21:26
Subject: Math cluster letter
So basically it is the same but they are getting rid of elementary compacted math.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:58
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
It is now called "Accelerated Math 6" but it is the same as 6+, just with the Desmos version of Illustrative Mathematics.
Ah ok. I see what you are saying.
So Accelerated Math 6 is not in the same class as math 6.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:57
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/math/mcps-math-groups-parent-document-05-2026.pdf
I'm just looking at this and coming to my conclusions.
Rising 5th graders will continue with compacted math 5/6 next year, so maybe next year there will still be AMP 6+. But it looks like going forward after that, there is no elementary compacted math or AMP. It looks like the class options are..
Grade 4 - Math 4 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 5 - Math 5 (With or without enrichment)
Grade 6 - Math 6 (With or without enrichment) OR Pre-Algebra
Grade 7 - Math 7 (With or without enrichment) OR Integrated Algebra 1
Grade 8 - Math 8 OR Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2
Grade 9 - Integrated Algebra 1 OR Integrated Algebra 2 OR Pre-Calculus
So the two cohorting on ramps are 6th grade Pre-Algebra and then 8th grade Integrated Algebra 1.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:48
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
Agreed that 6th grade will be the first true acceleration going forward. But there are and will continue to be 3 pathways, all of which will likely be determined going into 6th grade: highly accelerated (pre-algebra in 6th and algebra in 7th); moderately accelerated 6/7 in 6th and 7/8 in 7th and then algebra in 8th; or grade level math in grades 6-8 and then algebra in 9th.
I expect fewer kids will do the fastest path than now, because it would have them in calculus in 10th grade. They will likely have more of the advanced kids taking Algebra in 8th rather than 7th, and probably crack down on the schools that currently let grade level kids take algebra in 8th and instead make sure all non-advanced kids wait until 9th for algebra.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:48
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
Wow! Lots of misinformation here. If you read the MCPS documentation, kids placed in the “with consistent acceleration” pathway (Group 5) for 4th grade will “likely” take Pre-algebra in 6th and Integrated Algebra 1 in 7th, provided they maintain a consistent level of performance.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:48
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
It is now called "Accelerated Math 6" but it is the same as 6+, just with the Desmos version of Illustrative Mathematics.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:37
Subject: Math cluster letter
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The first actual cohorting going forward is precalculus in 6th. If the student doesn't make the cut for that, then the next opportunity is Integrated Algebra 1 in 8th.
Right now, 4th grade is the big acceleration placement year. Going forward, 4th grade placement doesn't matter and 6th and 8th grade placements matter.
If you mean a separate standalone class then yes - 6th is the first, but it's not just prealgebra. They also have AMP 6+.
But they are saying they are doing cohorting from 3rd-5th and that acceleration will be available, just not in a standalone class. I very much doubt this will happen, which means that very few kids will get into pre-algebra in 6th (only the ones who were accelerated privately).
It looks like there is no separate AMP 6+.
There is a Math 6 class where kids with accelerated tag will get some sort of enrichment. Then there is prealgebra.
So most kids will be in a Math 6 class, and some kids in that class will get some additional material.
There is still a separate 6+ class.
Anonymous
06/14/2026 20:37
Subject: Math cluster letter
We need to see the cohort criteria for rising 6th graders.