Feedback about SSIMS for a child waitlisted for both MS magnets

[Anonymous]

DS has been waitlisted for both MS magnets. SSIMS is our home middle school. We are wondering whether he will enjoy it there or if we should consider private. Please share your experiences your academically advanced kids are having at the school

[Anonymous]

OP, was your child in an immersion program?

[Anonymous]

No - from HGC and non immersion ES before that.

[Anonymous]

We are still at Sligo Creek Elem but I have heard that SSIMS has a new principal and that she is AMAZING. One of the Board of Education members told me that she has completely turned the school around, and now families who were thinking of leave are going to stay. Because of her.

[Anonymous]

We turned down a spot on one of the waiting lists last year, and sent DS to SSIMS. We felt that the magnet would not be a good fit for him for a variety of reasons specific to DS. He really loves SSIMS. The science is much more engaging than it was in elementary school. Math is obviously not as good as TPMS would be, but it is better than what I hear about Eastern. We love the challenge he gets from taking the full 1a/1b world language class in sixth grade. English instruction seems good, and he finally has a teacher who actually cares about developing writing skills. SSIMS has a wonderful variety of electives, and the block schedule allows for two electives per year in addition to a world language.The administration is very friendly, and there are involved parents. The PTA raised about $20k earlier this year to fund as many teacher requests as possible. SSIMS is one of the few middle schools in the county with an onsite maker space.
We also considered private for middle school, but we are pretty pleased with SSIMS.

[Anonymous]

I assume your child is in compacted math so he or she will continue with other advanced math kids at SSIMS, not as advanced as TPMS, but good peer group.

[Anonymous]

Too late for private for next year. If you get a magnet spot take it! If not then see how it is next year at SSIMS and possibly look at private schools then.

[Anonymous]

My SSIMS educated 11th grader went into Blair's CAP with about 15-20 of his classmates. So there are plenty of high-achieving kids at SSIMS, and they are well prepared for advanced HS programs.

[Anonymous]

I don't have personal experience with SSIMS, but my kids were in immersion and I have close friends whose kids have gone there and/or are there now. People are very happy with SSIMS, and I think there are lots of opportunities for high-achieving students to bloom.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I'm really surprised about that number that 15-20 kids from SSIMS got into Blair CAP in one year. Last year three were accepted from Sligo, this year two. Anyone have numbers for other DCC schools, other than Eastern? I think Eastern kids are usually less than half of CAP, so no more than 37, but probably more are accepted but just choose to go somewhere else. Anyway, I'm just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I'm really surprised about that number that 15-20 kids from SSIMS got into Blair CAP in one year. Last year three were accepted from Sligo, this year two. Anyone have numbers for other DCC schools, other than Eastern? I think Eastern kids are usually less than half of CAP, so no more than 37, but probably more are accepted but just choose to go somewhere else. Anyway, I'm just curious.

I can only speak for the Class of 2018, but it's probably roughly the same other years. You are right, Eastern kids take up roughly 35 seats. The bulk of the rest are split between TPMS and SSIMS, each in that 15-20 ballpark. Then it's a smattering of other schools. There are a few kids from Loiderman, a few from privates (Lowell, JDS, St. B's), one from Lee. Maybe a Sligo or Newport Mill kid, I don't know. But beyond the obvious wave from Eastern, most of the rest come from SSIMS and TPMS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I'm really surprised about that number that 15-20 kids from SSIMS got into Blair CAP in one year. Last year three were accepted from Sligo, this year two. Anyone have numbers for other DCC schools, other than Eastern? I think Eastern kids are usually less than half of CAP, so no more than 37, but probably more are accepted but just choose to go somewhere else. Anyway, I'm just curious.

I can only speak for the Class of 2018, but it's probably roughly the same other years. You are right, Eastern kids take up roughly 35 seats. The bulk of the rest are split between TPMS and SSIMS, each in that 15-20 ballpark. Then it's a smattering of other schools. There are a few kids from Loiderman, a few from privates (Lowell, JDS, St. B's), one from Lee. Maybe a Sligo or Newport Mill kid, I don't know. But beyond the obvious wave from Eastern, most of the rest come from SSIMS and TPMS.

Not sure why you are surprised. It makes sense because CAP is limited to DCC middle schools. Eastern has the Humanities magnet, so they would send the most students. The only higher performing middle schools are TPMS, SSIMS and Sligo.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised because I wouldn't have thought there would be such a difference between at least Sligo and Newport Mills on the one hand, and SSIMS on the other. 15-20 from one DCC middle school that is not a magnet is a huge number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised because I wouldn't have thought there would be such a difference between at least Sligo and Newport Mills on the one hand, and SSIMS on the other. 15-20 from one DCC middle school that is not a magnet is a huge number.

SSIMS has about 400 more students than either Sligo or Newport Mill. SSIMS is also well represented at Wheaton engineering magnet.

[Anonymous]

My DC went to an HGC and then SSIMS, was waitlisted for Eastern but that never happened. Met a great group of friends immediately and although MS wasn't particularly challenging for anyone they all went on to HS programs. All the programs were represented, but CAP in particular, since many students at SSIMS are within walking distance of Blair but not in the catchment. For us it worked well, MS was a good time to focus on friendships and and DC was highly motivated to apply to HS programs and was ready to work harder once there.