Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:12     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.


DP

MVC should be seen here only as an example. There are many reasons to think that Woodward will have poor class offering - high FARMS typically means not much interest in advanced courses, Arts classes will demand resources, lack of teachers since it will be a new school, ...


35% is not "high FARMS," it's lower than the county average.


Seriously. The poster having hysterics about a 35% FARMS rate being HIGH. Is nuts.

High would be 50% or more.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:11     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
This new plan has current 8th graders needing to switch schools in 10th. Taylor previously said they could stay where they start. Why did we go through this whole DCC process for all these kids if they have to shuffle schools in two years?!
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 23:07     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.


DP

MVC should be seen here only as an example. There are many reasons to think that Woodward will have poor class offering - high FARMS typically means not much interest in advanced courses, Arts classes will demand resources, lack of teachers since it will be a new school, ...


35% is not "high FARMS," it's lower than the county average.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:48     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.


DP

MVC should be seen here only as an example. There are many reasons to think that Woodward will have poor class offering - high FARMS typically means not much interest in advanced courses, Arts classes will demand resources, lack of teachers since it will be a new school, ...


Art programs are also deisgned in a way which requires taking set of courses. You can't just take one here and there. So it means most Art focused students are not really going to take many higher level courses in this set up. Add high FARMS and then many motivated kids trying to get to WJ for better course ... No way a new school like Woodward is going to offer decent higher level of courses when you see these factors.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:46     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Wheaton kids are winning national robotics competitions, dude. Very bright kids are very challenged there.

Your obsession with Woodward being a bad school is laughable.


I am not disputing that there are bright kids at Wheaton. It is not their fault that their best option was Wheaton. Show me college placement for Wheaton (and Wheaton engineering) and how it compares to top schools and magnets in the county and then we can talk.

If nothing changes, Woodward will certainly be a bad schools. It is given no chance to succeed with current boundaries and the upcoming regional model.

DP
You clearly have no idea of what you're talking. Wheaton has been sending more students to UMD school of engineering than any school in the state for at least the last 7 years.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:40     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.


DP

MVC should be seen here only as an example. There are many reasons to think that Woodward will have poor class offering - high FARMS typically means not much interest in advanced courses, Arts classes will demand resources, lack of teachers since it will be a new school, ...
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:37     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Given Woodward will host special program for Drama, Art, Media etc having 35-40% FARMS will result in high achiveing kids leaving for WJ or Stem program in Wheaton. It will result in fewer kids who can take higher level courses and they will have no choice.


art and music kids take a lot of AP classes


They do but they take less frequently higher level STEM than kids who are focused on STEM. Kids focused on STEM would have to leave Woodward to get decent options given more than third of school will be FARMS. It will create problem for kids who are left behind.


Isn't MCPS committed to offering AP Bio, Chem, Phys or an IB equivalent in all high schools?


Take for example, MCPS is not going to offer anything higher than Cal BC so if you take Pre-algebra( around 20% kids take it RM Cluster, I don't know about other clujsters) in grade 6 then you will be doing Alg1 and Alg 2 in 7th and 8th. Then Prec cal and Cal in 9th and 10th. You will be forced to take random filler courses in math in grade 11th and 12th if school does not offer courses beyond Cal. That's the case in many high poverty HS right now unless they host STEM magnet.


You skipped Geometry in 8th. So kids who take algebra in 7th get to Calculus by 11th. Most end up taking AP stats or Calculus BC senior year.


No. PP was correct. This year’s grade 5 kids in compacted math will take pre Alg in grade 6. Then in grades 7 and 8 they will be the first to go through the new Integrated Math pathway that MSDE suggested as a 3 year path, but MCPS is forcing all kids to do in 2. The Integrated Math pathway replaces stand alone Alg 1, 2 and Geometry. So my current 10 year old will be doing preCalc in grade 9!


For a smart kid, precal is fine in 9th but most schools don't have MVC and Linear Algebra so there is no point at those schools to speend things up and cutting out Geometry condensing this seems like a really bad idea given overall math scores.


That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.


MVC is an example which will be offered in WJ, Wooton, RM, Churchill, Whitman

But it's not about MVC. It's about normal higher level courses which will be available in WJ but not in Woodward.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:35     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Given Woodward will host special program for Drama, Art, Media etc having 35-40% FARMS will result in high achiveing kids leaving for WJ or Stem program in Wheaton. It will result in fewer kids who can take higher level courses and they will have no choice.


art and music kids take a lot of AP classes


They do but they take less frequently higher level STEM than kids who are focused on STEM. Kids focused on STEM would have to leave Woodward to get decent options given more than third of school will be FARMS. It will create problem for kids who are left behind.


Isn't MCPS committed to offering AP Bio, Chem, Phys or an IB equivalent in all high schools?


Take for example, MCPS is not going to offer anything higher than Cal BC so if you take Pre-algebra( around 20% kids take it RM Cluster, I don't know about other clujsters) in grade 6 then you will be doing Alg1 and Alg 2 in 7th and 8th. Then Prec cal and Cal in 9th and 10th. You will be forced to take random filler courses in math in grade 11th and 12th if school does not offer courses beyond Cal. That's the case in many high poverty HS right now unless they host STEM magnet.


You skipped Geometry in 8th. So kids who take algebra in 7th get to Calculus by 11th. Most end up taking AP stats or Calculus BC senior year.


No. PP was correct. This year’s grade 5 kids in compacted math will take pre Alg in grade 6. Then in grades 7 and 8 they will be the first to go through the new Integrated Math pathway that MSDE suggested as a 3 year path, but MCPS is forcing all kids to do in 2. The Integrated Math pathway replaces stand alone Alg 1, 2 and Geometry. So my current 10 year old will be doing preCalc in grade 9!


For a smart kid, precal is fine in 9th but most schools don't have MVC and Linear Algebra so there is no point at those schools to speend things up and cutting out Geometry condensing this seems like a really bad idea given overall math scores.


That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.


Take a look at all schools with low FARMS rate. I will be surprised if MVC is not offered.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:33     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Given Woodward will host special program for Drama, Art, Media etc having 35-40% FARMS will result in high achiveing kids leaving for WJ or Stem program in Wheaton. It will result in fewer kids who can take higher level courses and they will have no choice.


art and music kids take a lot of AP classes


They do but they take less frequently higher level STEM than kids who are focused on STEM. Kids focused on STEM would have to leave Woodward to get decent options given more than third of school will be FARMS. It will create problem for kids who are left behind.


Isn't MCPS committed to offering AP Bio, Chem, Phys or an IB equivalent in all high schools?


Take for example, MCPS is not going to offer anything higher than Cal BC so if you take Pre-algebra( around 20% kids take it RM Cluster, I don't know about other clujsters) in grade 6 then you will be doing Alg1 and Alg 2 in 7th and 8th. Then Prec cal and Cal in 9th and 10th. You will be forced to take random filler courses in math in grade 11th and 12th if school does not offer courses beyond Cal. That's the case in many high poverty HS right now unless they host STEM magnet.


This happened to my child and its something to consider. There are no AP science classes at some schools and very limited classes overall at those schools too.


That's the problem Woodward students may face as well.


Woodward will be a W school. It will have the academics. The kids with the issue are ones like mine and I'm not sure what we are going to do - move or go private for the youngest, probably private as its cheaper than moving for us. We learned our lesson with our oldest.


ART focused focused school with 35-40% FARMS is not going to be a W school in sense you are thinking.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:31     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Given Woodward will host special program for Drama, Art, Media etc having 35-40% FARMS will result in high achiveing kids leaving for WJ or Stem program in Wheaton. It will result in fewer kids who can take higher level courses and they will have no choice.


art and music kids take a lot of AP classes


They do but they take less frequently higher level STEM than kids who are focused on STEM. Kids focused on STEM would have to leave Woodward to get decent options given more than third of school will be FARMS. It will create problem for kids who are left behind.


Isn't MCPS committed to offering AP Bio, Chem, Phys or an IB equivalent in all high schools?


Take for example, MCPS is not going to offer anything higher than Cal BC so if you take Pre-algebra( around 20% kids take it RM Cluster, I don't know about other clujsters) in grade 6 then you will be doing Alg1 and Alg 2 in 7th and 8th. Then Prec cal and Cal in 9th and 10th. You will be forced to take random filler courses in math in grade 11th and 12th if school does not offer courses beyond Cal. That's the case in many high poverty HS right now unless they host STEM magnet.


You skipped Geometry in 8th. So kids who take algebra in 7th get to Calculus by 11th. Most end up taking AP stats or Calculus BC senior year.


No. PP was correct. This year’s grade 5 kids in compacted math will take pre Alg in grade 6. Then in grades 7 and 8 they will be the first to go through the new Integrated Math pathway that MSDE suggested as a 3 year path, but MCPS is forcing all kids to do in 2. The Integrated Math pathway replaces stand alone Alg 1, 2 and Geometry. So my current 10 year old will be doing preCalc in grade 9!


For a smart kid, precal is fine in 9th but most schools don't have MVC and Linear Algebra so there is no point at those schools to speend things up and cutting out Geometry condensing this seems like a really bad idea given overall math scores.


That's the problem in attending school focused on Art and high FARMS. It's not likely to offer MVC and Linear Algebra even if kid is ready for it.


This is not a real problem. A vanishingly small number of high school students take multivariable calculus anywhere. If it’s that important to you then take your child to community college.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:29     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

??? What are you talking about? Do you not even know that Wheaton is part of this boundary study and think your school is the only one affected?

Wheaton FARMS before - 59.3%

Wheaton FARMS after - 59.2%

You are not significantly affected. Yes, you are technically part of the study but a very minor player.


DP. Students from most Wheaton cluster elementary schools are being reassigned at the MS and/or HS level.


I admit it. Current Wheaton elementary schools are being moved around a lot in this plan. I still don't understand why Wheaton posters are being so defensive. PP did make a harsh statement about their engineering program, but that program will be gone anyway. A new STEM program will be created and will have uncertain future.


That's why talking about how great option Wheaton will be is just meanigless. Wheaton STEM program will look different.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:28     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Wheaton kids are winning national robotics competitions, dude. Very bright kids are very challenged there.

Your obsession with Woodward being a bad school is laughable.


I am not disputing that there are bright kids at Wheaton. It is not their fault that their best option was Wheaton. Show me college placement for Wheaton (and Wheaton engineering) and how it compares to top schools and magnets in the county and then we can talk.

If nothing changes, Woodward will certainly be a bad schools. It is given no chance to succeed with current boundaries and the upcoming regional model.


Just stop already. Wheaton is a great school you have no experience with.


This topic is not about Wheaton. Wheaton is not affected by the Woodward boundary study. So it is not clear why are you wasting your valuable time and posting here. You are welcome to start a new topic about how great Wheaton school is and leave parents that actually care about today's recommendation to discuss it.


Of course it's part of the discussion. Since we are 6 super regions, kids cannot get into Blair and for stem oriented students Wheaton is the only option.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:27     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Given Woodward will host special program for Drama, Art, Media etc having 35-40% FARMS will result in high achiveing kids leaving for WJ or Stem program in Wheaton. It will result in fewer kids who can take higher level courses and they will have no choice.


art and music kids take a lot of AP classes


They do but they take less frequently higher level STEM than kids who are focused on STEM. Kids focused on STEM would have to leave Woodward to get decent options given more than third of school will be FARMS. It will create problem for kids who are left behind.


Isn't MCPS committed to offering AP Bio, Chem, Phys or an IB equivalent in all high schools?


Take for example, MCPS is not going to offer anything higher than Cal BC so if you take Pre-algebra( around 20% kids take it RM Cluster, I don't know about other clujsters) in grade 6 then you will be doing Alg1 and Alg 2 in 7th and 8th. Then Prec cal and Cal in 9th and 10th. You will be forced to take random filler courses in math in grade 11th and 12th if school does not offer courses beyond Cal. That's the case in many high poverty HS right now unless they host STEM magnet.


This happened to my child and its something to consider. There are no AP science classes at some schools and very limited classes overall at those schools too.


That's the problem Woodward students may face as well.


Woodward will be a W school. It will have the academics. The kids with the issue are ones like mine and I'm not sure what we are going to do - move or go private for the youngest, probably private as its cheaper than moving for us. We learned our lesson with our oldest.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:26     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

??? What are you talking about? Do you not even know that Wheaton is part of this boundary study and think your school is the only one affected?

Wheaton FARMS before - 59.3%

Wheaton FARMS after - 59.2%

You are not significantly affected. Yes, you are technically part of the study but a very minor player.


I am not in the current or future Wheaton boundaries (elsewhere in the DCC) but seriously, WTF? Do you think that the FARMS rate is the only thing that matters at a school, and so a change in that is a "big change" while anything else is a small change? Wheaton has a bunch of changes and a ton of split articulation.


DCC is used to split articulation. Its not a big deal. You are creating drama where there is none.
Anonymous
Post 02/05/2026 22:26     Subject: Taylor's Feb. Rec for Woodward Boundary Study
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Given Woodward will host special program for Drama, Art, Media etc having 35-40% FARMS will result in high achiveing kids leaving for WJ or Stem program in Wheaton. It will result in fewer kids who can take higher level courses and they will have no choice.


art and music kids take a lot of AP classes


They do but they take less frequently higher level STEM than kids who are focused on STEM. Kids focused on STEM would have to leave Woodward to get decent options given more than third of school will be FARMS. It will create problem for kids who are left behind.


Isn't MCPS committed to offering AP Bio, Chem, Phys or an IB equivalent in all high schools?


Take for example, MCPS is not going to offer anything higher than Cal BC so if you take Pre-algebra( around 20% kids take it RM Cluster, I don't know about other clujsters) in grade 6 then you will be doing Alg1 and Alg 2 in 7th and 8th. Then Prec cal and Cal in 9th and 10th. You will be forced to take random filler courses in math in grade 11th and 12th if school does not offer courses beyond Cal. That's the case in many high poverty HS right now unless they host STEM magnet.


This happened to my child and its something to consider. There are no AP science classes at some schools and very limited classes overall at those schools too.


That's the problem Woodward students may face as well.