Montgomery County Mathematically Precocious Youth Program


Program Syllabus

Objectives

Through this program, mathematically precocious youngsters in Montgomery County are identified in the eighth grade and taught all of their precalculus mathematics in their ninth and tenth grades in special classes  held at the Montgomery County Community College.  In eleventh grade, they will take their own high school’s Advanced Placement Calculus course and then, as seniors, take college-level courses for credit or self-study topics in higher mathematics, where available.


The program of special classes presents the precalculus material in a concentrated and thought-provoking fashion in a unique environment of youngsters committed to mathematics.  Participants should be released from their regularly-scheduled mathematics courses, so that they will have time during the school day to work on the substantial assignments which they will receive each week.  Participating schools must be willing to give complete credit and grades for the courses covered so that the student’s total credits and class standings are not compromised.  A letter describing the program will be supplied to the sending school’s guidance office for each student completing the program.  This letter should accompany the student’s records for college application.


Selection Procedures

The initial selection procedure involves eighth grade counselors and teachers who will recommend those students scoring at the ninety-eighth percentile of the mathematics section of their local achievement tests, or any student who shows outstanding mathematical ability.  Those students who are interested are asked to take S.A.T.’s in the Spring.  Students who score at or above the qualifying score of 580 are invited to enroll.  Additionally, any student who scored 580 or above in an S.A.T. taken to qualify for the Johns Hopkins CTY Program is automatically eligible.


Funding

Tuition is paid on a per pupil basis by the local school district. Transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the student and his/her family.