Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For everyone quibbling about the math courses in the different schools offering the IB diploma - take a moment and recognize that there is flexibility within the two-year IB courses for the order and grouping of topics, as long as the overall course outcomes are met.

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/ - scroll down to see the subject briefs with topics and hours for each of the two courses offered:
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL & HL
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL & HL

Every school offering the IB Diploma has to offer at least one of these courses to test in 12th grade. Depending on the school and the number of students, there are variations in which courses are offered and what testing level. So yes, in this way the programs can differ.

But even for schools offering both courses at both SL & HL level, they could have different ways of breaking up the content over two years and have different scheduling plans to offer combined courses with the general student population. This is just a difference in experience, not actual content of the course. RM specifically groups the content for the Analysis HL course to have one year be the same as AP BC Calculus, which is open to all students for scheduling purposes. The remainder of the HL content is in year-2 of the sequence. Just because the 11th grade course isn't specifically labeled as an IB course doesn't mean it isn't part of the 2-year course content.

RMIB consistently has the cohort to take that approach. B-CC may also routinely have such a cohort.

Not all of the other schools do each year, and a standout student (without a similarly able/interested cohort) at these schools may then find that the most rigorous IB coursework (e.g., that covering Analysis HL) is not available to them.

Before you start darkly alluding to some students at some IB schools in MCPS not having IB classes available to them, maybe you should look at what classes are available at the IB schools in MCPS.

Also, are you saying that IB classes at RM are NOT open to all students?

I made no statement about IB course accessibility to RM students outside the IB magnet program.

My "dark allusion" is not that, at all. It was, pretty much, a forthright statement, and appears well supported.

Take a look at the 24-25 catalogs for the schools (selecting schools and then thr Mathematics department, in this case):

https://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/SchoolCourseCatalogs/Index/All

Pretty much all offer up to AP Calc BC & AP Stats.

Some offer MV Calc/Diff Eq (not Einstein, Seneca Valley or Kennedy; RM, Springbrook, Watkins Milll & B-CC have it).

Fewer offer Linear Algebra, and none of the IB schools (Blair, Poolesville & Churchill; maybe others, but not B-CC, Whitman, Johnson or Wooton, which I checked just for the usual claims about "W" schools that enter these discussions).

Blair and Churchill (? interesting, but not entirely surprising), but not Poolesville (surprising, as it's the Blair-type SMaCS magnet for upper county), offer Complex Analysis.

Only Blair offers Discrete Math.

The last three post- AP Calc, college-level courses are not IB-related, but included for information generally relevant to discussion of differential course availability.

Only 3 IB schools even list an IB-specific math course (IB Precalc is offered at Einstein, Kennedy & RM). It looks like only RM offers IB Analysis at all (description looks to be less advanced than the APs/college-level courses, but that could be decieving). Could that be because other IB schools suggest a different set of courses (i.e., within more standard MCPS offerings, such as Honors Precalc & AP Calc) to achieve readiness for the IB exam? Could it be that IB courses are withheld from the course catalog at some schools? Perhaps, but these beg the question of whether these MCPS schools are all providing a reasonable equivalence, offering roughly the same experience/opportunity to IB enrollees acrpss the county. I think the anecdotal evidence pretty clearly points to "no".

As usual, MCPS offers different things at different schools, claiming to meet community demand, but only when there is a cohort (and probably vocally demanding families), leaving a student with need/interest but without a cohort with the option of maybe taking a course at Montgomery College (with the difficult logistics, there) or moving to a different pyramid (even more difficult).

And, as usual, they make this fact clear as mud -- they don't want to have to address (or even acknowledge) catchment-based academic inequity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

Agree with this. Our home HS has an IB program and my kid attended RMIB. Way different.

What is your personal experience with your home high school's IB program, and which high school is it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

Agree with this. Our home HS has an IB program and my kid attended RMIB. Way different.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

? RMIB is super hard compared to all the other IB schools in MCPS, and the diploma rate is above 90%, has been for many many years. That's why the in cluster students not in the program choose not to participate, though they can take the classes.

The IB Diploma Programme at RM is not any harder than the IB Diploma Programme at any other school. It's the same IB Diploma Programme content. It's the same IB Diploma Programme tests. If RM adds stuff that isn't part of the IB Diploma Programme, then that isn't the IB Diploma Programme - by definition. Also, as far as I know, RM students not admitted to the magnet program in 9th grade can and do participate in the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB Diploma Programme "rate" is presumably the number of students who actually do everything required by the IB Diploma Programme, divided by the number of students participating in the the IB Diploma Programme - right? My guess is that the rate is high at every school in MCPS. You don't go into the IB Diploma Programme unless you're bright and ambitious (or your parents are). Taking IB classes =/= participating in the IB Diploma Programme.

Your guess is very wrong. I forgot where you can find the diploma graduation rates, but outside of RM, they are not great in many MCPS high schools. Especially the newer Regional IB programs at Kennedy, Watkins Mill and Springbrook.

What makes your guess better than my guess?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

How did they do that? By attending RMIB? But that wasn't my point. My point is RMIB has strong STEM courses required/offered and many kids end up in engineering field.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

Correct. Kennedy does not offer MVC. If you look at our math scores, you’ll see why such an advanced math class has little to no demand among our student population.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

? RMIB is super hard compared to all the other IB schools in MCPS, and the diploma rate is above 90%, has been for many many years. That's why the in cluster students not in the program choose not to participate, though they can take the classes.

The IB Diploma Programme at RM is not any harder than the IB Diploma Programme at any other school. It's the same IB Diploma Programme content. It's the same IB Diploma Programme tests. If RM adds stuff that isn't part of the IB Diploma Programme, then that isn't the IB Diploma Programme - by definition. Also, as far as I know, RM students not admitted to the magnet program in 9th grade can and do participate in the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB Diploma Programme "rate" is presumably the number of students who actually do everything required by the IB Diploma Programme, divided by the number of students participating in the the IB Diploma Programme - right? My guess is that the rate is high at every school in MCPS. You don't go into the IB Diploma Programme unless you're bright and ambitious (or your parents are). Taking IB classes =/= participating in the IB Diploma Programme.

Your guess is very wrong. I forgot where you can find the diploma graduation rates, but outside of RM, they are not great in many MCPS high schools. Especially the newer Regional IB programs at Kennedy, Watkins Mill and Springbrook.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

? RMIB is super hard compared to all the other IB schools in MCPS, and the diploma rate is above 90%, has been for many many years. That's why the in cluster students not in the program choose not to participate, though they can take the classes.

The IB Diploma Programme at RM is not any harder than the IB Diploma Programme at any other school. It's the same IB Diploma Programme content. It's the same IB Diploma Programme tests. If RM adds stuff that isn't part of the IB Diploma Programme, then that isn't the IB Diploma Programme - by definition. Also, as far as I know, RM students not admitted to the magnet program in 9th grade can and do participate in the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB Diploma Programme "rate" is presumably the number of students who actually do everything required by the IB Diploma Programme, divided by the number of students participating in the the IB Diploma Programme - right? My guess is that the rate is high at every school in MCPS. You don't go into the IB Diploma Programme unless you're bright and ambitious (or your parents are). Taking IB classes =/= participating in the IB Diploma Programme.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

DP, but IB preCalc and HL Math Analysis are the two IB math courses.

IB Analysis (or HL math) is one class, not two. When a PP stated HL math was two math classes, I took that to mean "two HL math classes", and that doesn't exist at RMIB.

IB Precalc is SL math. You don't have to take HL math after you take SL math (IB precalc). You can just stop at SL math.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

To get to HL math, you have to take BC calc. Doesn't appear that's the case with other IB schools in MCPS.

It's one two-year class. Or at least it can be.

Anonymous wrote:For everyone quibbling about the math courses in the different schools offering the IB diploma - take a moment and recognize that there is flexibility within the two-year IB courses for the order and grouping of topics, as long as the overall course outcomes are met.

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/ - scroll down to see the subject briefs with topics and hours for each of the two courses offered:
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL & HL
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL & HL

Every school offering the IB Diploma has to offer at least one of these courses to test in 12th grade. Depending on the school and the number of students, there are variations in which courses are offered and what testing level. So yes, in this way the programs can differ.

But even for schools offering both courses at both SL & HL level, they could have different ways of breaking up the content over two years and have different scheduling plans to offer combined courses with the general student population. This is just a difference in experience, not actual content of the course. RM specifically groups the content for the Analysis HL course to have one year be the same as AP BC Calculus, which is open to all students for scheduling purposes. The remainder of the HL content is in year-2 of the sequence. Just because the 11th grade course isn't specifically labeled as an IB course doesn't mean it isn't part of the 2-year course content.

This is DCUM, they don’t want to hear about flexibility or acknowledge that a kid at RM and a kid at Kennedy earned the same IB Diploma. It sullies their world view about socioeconomic class and race/ethnicity.

OP might be interested as she doesn’t seem infected by the DCUM mindset yet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

DP, but IB preCalc and HL Math Analysis are the two IB math courses.

IB Analysis (or HL math) is one class, not two. When a PP stated HL math was two math classes, I took that to mean "two HL math classes", and that doesn't exist at RMIB.

IB Precalc is SL math. You don't have to take HL math after you take SL math (IB precalc). You can just stop at SL math.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

To get to HL math, you have to take BC calc. Doesn't appear that's the case with other IB schools in MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

Programs are the same in that they are all governed by the IB World organization and the requirements to obtain the IB diploma is the same regardless of school. Students choice in which classes make up their SL/HL requirements.

The terms “Higher” and “Standard” are not directly related to the challenge -level of instruction or difficulty of content. The terms define time, or length of time, spent in a course of study. Higher simply means a student has spent two years of study during the 11th and 12th grade year in that subject area. The exams are designed to evaluate the two years of knowledge and study.

In your DC’s case the two year sequence was AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math.

At RMIB, the only path to HL Math is to take BC Calc. If other schools allow HL math only require AB calc, then it's an easier math path.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

? RMIB is super hard compared to all the other IB schools in MCPS, and the diploma rate is above 90%, has been for many many years. That's why the in cluster students not in the program choose not to participate, though they can take the classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.

The enriched math sequence is only available at WPES.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

? My kid was at RMIB last year, took the HL IB math exam. They did not take HL math for 2 years. This is the pathway they took:

IBAAF
IB Pre calc
AP BC Calc
HL math & MVC

Maybe you are confusing the prior years IB label math classes with HL math.

I think what PP is saying is that the AP BC calc class serves as the first year for IB HL math. The exam covers two years worth of content which is taught to you over those two years regardless of what the class is called.

I guess so, at RM? Because elsewhere, you take IB HL math (or IB SL math) for two years. And yes, the IB exam covers two years of content.

Which IB program in MCPS does this, where you take two years of IB HL math, and not the prescribed pathway from above?

At Kennedy, IB HL Math is 2 years and the class is called Stats & Calc. The first year is equivalent of AP Stats while the 2nd year is (roughly) equivalent of AP Calc AB.

That means that the IB programs are not the same.

Here's RMIB math pathway, page 18 (19 physical page).

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/rmhs/ib/2022-2023-ib-course-handbook.pdf

My DC followed the path: AP BC Calc in 11th, then IB HL math and MVC in 12th.

My guess is that Kennedy doesn’t offer MVC. Einstein doesn’t. I don’t know about BCC. RM has always had the most challenging course offerings among the IB schools. MCPS plays fast and loose with the IB Math sequence and it is confusing. I had a kid transfer from an IB high school overseas. The way MCPS implements IB is a joke and diploma participation rates in these schools are abysmal.