Anonymous wrote:I'm a Sidwell alum and have been a math teacher in the DC area for the past 5 years. Just transitioned to full-time tutoring, and have several students from Sidwell (everything from 7th grade advanced math to BC Calc). Happy to share my thoughts, help out, etc. if you are still interested.

Hi - contact info please?

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell advanced MS Math curriculum, especially in 7th grade, has a manic, desultory, quality to it. Teachers do NOT lay down foundations and building upon them slowly. Rather, it is one topic after the next, with the class going and back and forth on topics until presumably some learning is achieved. Curriculum and coverage not properly discussed in advance.

I did not appreciate this style much at all. DC did quite well but wasn't especially happy with this approach either. Perhaps this could work with a very good instructor. DC wasn't so lucky. Got solid grades but felt shaky about DCs own knowledge by the end of it. Things settled down in 8th into a more consistent textbook style approach.

If you feel uncertain about foundations by 9th, a tutor may help anchor the mind.

We've had two kids go through these and neither of them had this experience.

I would discourage dropping down from Math I, as that's the only track at SFS that will keep you competitive with the kids in MCPS.

I'm a Sidwell alum and have been a math teacher in the DC area for the past 5 years. Just transitioned to full-time tutoring, and have several students from Sidwell (everything from 7th grade advanced math to BC Calc). Happy to share my thoughts, help out, etc. if you are still interested.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to be that person, but OP you can't help with 9th grade math?

My coworkers kids came in to SFS for 9-12th grade and did VERY well (defined as one top 3 kid and one top 20% kid, one at Ivy and one at Top 25, both enjoyed their experience. But their ultimate "success" did not some without a Rude Awakening the first semester plus a lot of homework help from his two PhD STEM parents.

BTW, the Rude Awakening for the existing SFS students was 7th grade so they have their habits, processes and homework expectations down pat by 9th grade (if they choose to stay).

Are you a Sidwell parent with experience in 7th? Just curious. We're in 7th now and it's a step up. Nothing dramatic but they need to work harder which is good.

kid in 9th. 7th was definitely a bump up. and 8th is clearly a bump from 7th. all to prepare them for 9th which is terrific. so far 9th feels like less work than 8th. kids seem especially well prepared in science, language, math. English and history can be more or less of an adjustment depending on their 7th/8th grade teachers. for example, if they had an English teacher in 7/8 who did not help them learn how to write analytical essays, then those kids have more of a steep learning curve in 9th. that being said, the 9th grade teachers seem dedicated to helping them learn to write well. having study halls/free periods in high school is definitely helpful.

I also have a 9th grader in Math 1. I have no idea who the posters child is. Good luck OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does needing to study equal needing a tutor?

I wonder this too. My kid has to study finally, and is starting to figure out what that means (like actually taking notes), but I can't figure out what a tutor would even do.

I'm the PP who suggested the OP reach out to the school's learning specialist. I would agree that if it's simply a case of the student not working hard enough or studying then a tutor won't do much (other than an executive functioning tutor to help with study skills). However, if the curriculum is new to the student (coming from a different school) and/or the student simply has trouble with a few areas then a tutor can help solidify understanding and possibly articulate it in a better manner. Tutoring isn't for kids who won't work hard, but for those who simply need a little extra help. I would also suggest that if you need a tutor the entire time in a subject then there might be a problem. My son (in a different private) had a math tutor for a few months when he 1st entered the advanced math class, but then he got the hang of it and we stopped the tutor. He has continued through the advanced track through high school, but if he hadn't we would have considered changing him to the regular track without question.

Good luck to the OP

Sidwell advanced MS Math curriculum, especially in 7th grade, has a manic, desultory, quality to it. Teachers do NOT lay down foundations and building upon them slowly. Rather, it is one topic after the next, with the class going and back and forth on topics until presumably some learning is achieved. Curriculum and coverage not properly discussed in advance.

I did not appreciate this style much at all. DC did quite well but wasn't especially happy with this approach either. Perhaps this could work with a very good instructor. DC wasn't so lucky. Got solid grades but felt shaky about DCs own knowledge by the end of it. Things settled down in 8th into a more consistent textbook style approach.

If you feel uncertain about foundations by 9th, a tutor may help anchor the mind.

Anonymous wrote:Does needing to study equal needing a tutor?

I wonder this too. My kid has to study finally, and is starting to figure out what that means (like actually taking notes), but I can't figure out what a tutor would even do.

Does needing to study equal needing a tutor?

Anonymous wrote:I was chatting with a friend with a child in advanced math in 9th. She said it's common for kids to get tutors. Her child finally has to study.

Agree. My DC never really need to study in 7th/8th advance math in Sidwell. When she started 9th grade, finally she needs to study to get A.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was chatting with a friend with a child in advanced math in 9th. She said it's common for kids to get tutors. Her child finally has to study.

Don’t people send kids to private for the challenge? But it doesn’t exist til 9th? Truth?

There are different levels of challenge by 9th grade. If you're taking multiple advanced courses with multiple extracurriculars it gets harder. It doesn't get hard until 7th grade ..even though some complain about 6th. If you can't handle 7th and 8th then some transfer out by 9th.

So why the tutor? Doesn’t Sidwell have in school resources to help? And if a student needs a tutor just to keep up, shouldn’t he just drop back to the non advanced course?

Yes, the school has plenty of resources to support kids in whatever level of math they are doing. And yes, likely if the level of math is too difficult, it is better to switch to a different track. Not everyone needs or wants to take Linear Algebra as a senior.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was chatting with a friend with a child in advanced math in 9th. She said it's common for kids to get tutors. Her child finally has to study.

Don’t people send kids to private for the challenge? But it doesn’t exist til 9th? Truth?

There are different levels of challenge by 9th grade. If you're taking multiple advanced courses with multiple extracurriculars it gets harder. It doesn't get hard until 7th grade ..even though some complain about 6th. If you can't handle 7th and 8th then some transfer out by 9th.

So why the tutor? Doesn’t Sidwell have in school resources to help? And if a student needs a tutor just to keep up, shouldn’t he just drop back to the non advanced course?

OP - why don't you talk with Sidwell's Learning Specialist or Advisor? My DS was struggling with math in middle school (at another private) and our learning specialist was able to get me in touch with a tutor who was familiar with the curriculum and it worked out great.

There shouldn't be any worry about approaching a school with concerns. That is why they are there and I'm confident your DS is not the only one struggling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was chatting with a friend with a child in advanced math in 9th. She said it's common for kids to get tutors. Her child finally has to study.

Don’t people send kids to private for the challenge? But it doesn’t exist til 9th? Truth?

There are different levels of challenge by 9th grade. If you're taking multiple advanced courses with multiple extracurriculars it gets harder. It doesn't get hard until 7th grade ..even though some complain about 6th. If you can't handle 7th and 8th then some transfer out by 9th.