Workload at Richard Montgomery IB magnet program

[Anonymous]

To those who think the IB and SMAC grades are not curved, did your kids get to take their corrected tests home?

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids in Blair'a magnet, both of whom got into RM too. The info nights at both schools- vastly different. Blair's is organized and RM's a mess! Shadowing at Blair is one on one, not so at RM (it's more like Parent visitation- too many people to get a real idea of what it's like). Kid #1 we knew would choose Blair, but kid #2 we thought would choose RM. After the welcome night & the 'shadowing' at RM, kid 2 much more impressed by Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids in Blair'a magnet, both of whom got into RM too. The info nights at both schools- vastly different. Blair's is organized and RM's a mess! Shadowing at Blair is one on one, not so at RM (it's more like Parent visitation- too many people to get a real idea of what it's like). Kid #1 we knew would choose Blair, but kid #2 we thought would choose RM. After the welcome night & the 'shadowing' at RM, kid 2 much more impressed by Blair.

Serious question - are you willing to pick a school over info nights? What is so important about the info nights and how well each school organized it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids in Blair'a magnet, both of whom got into RM too. The info nights at both schools- vastly different. Blair's is organized and RM's a mess! Shadowing at Blair is one on one, not so at RM (it's more like Parent visitation- too many people to get a real idea of what it's like). Kid #1 we knew would choose Blair, but kid #2 we thought would choose RM. After the welcome night & the 'shadowing' at RM, kid 2 much more impressed by Blair.

Serious question - are you willing to pick a school over info nights? What is so important about the info nights and how well each school organized it?

What exactly is shadowing? Sorry, I am an upcounty mom and do not understand. I have attended info sessions for Poolesville and RM and felt that RM was excellent. Since I have not experienced Blair's would like to know what was such a mess about RM's info session?

[Anonymous]

Shadowing is having your kid attend a part day of classes in the programs in the next week or so.

[Anonymous]

When the biggest day of your program's year involves using powerpoint, you make sure the powerpoint works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the biggest day of your program's year involves using powerpoint, you make sure the powerpoint works.

Oh, Are you referring to the RM IB coordinator's ppt not working on the information night? If you decide your kid's school choice based on that event, I wish you good luck!

[Anonymous]

The info night shows whose program is run better. The coordinator at RM is not nearly as skilled or qualified as Blair's. It makes an impression, and not a good one. Case in point- the power point disaster.

[Anonymous]

It is not just that the power point did not run. It was when (after telling us she had run the program for 7 (?) years) she then told us she was unable to speak without the power point. It did not seem to occur to her to go print it out while the tech help was working. She did attempt to tell us the date for the test..but couldn't come up with it. Luckily the audience already knew it and chimed in. Beyond that the logistics were just a mess..a long line at the door that lead to nothing. Filing every one in to the gym only to file us back out again. Blair somehow managed better.

No it will not be the sole basis of our decision ...but it did leave an impression. I hope they do better for this second session.

[Anonymous]

It most certainly was not only the power point disaster.
To the poster who doesn't think I should base my child's future on such things, just wait until the incompetence we observed makes your DC have to take 7 hard courses senior year instead of 5 or 6.

[Anonymous]

Are we talking about Ms. Hoover? She is exactly the opposite!! Funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are we talking about Ms. Hoover? She is exactly the opposite!! Funny.

Ms. Jennifer Hoover - a quick summary

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I think Hoover is the kind of coordinator every magnet program should have. She is solidly in the side of kids to make their RMIB experience a success. If there is one person who will have your kid's back in the program, it is this lady. She always has the big picture in mind. A valuable resource for parents and students tap into.

( -)

As, a true IB believer, she thinks that the parents are familiar with the IB lingo. Also, tends to give too much info for the newbie parents. She is relentlessly cheerful and optimistic that your kid will be fine - especially when you as parents are anxious about how your kid will do. Yes, she is right. Your kid will be fine, but you are still nervous)



So, I think if a technical glitch in the PowerPoint presentation makes you change your mind about RMIB then will be your loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It most certainly was not only the power point disaster.
To the poster who doesn't think I should base my child's future on such things, just wait until the incompetence we observed makes your DC have to take 7 hard courses senior year instead of 5 or 6.

Huh! I did not understand. You probably have never have snafu like that in your professional life! I am the poster and I know Ms. Hoover for a while now. She is an amazing coordinator and would do anything for the program and the kids! So, if that incident deters you from encouraging your kids to join the program, I would say go for it. There are tons of kids who are wait listed who would love to be there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids in Blair'a magnet, both of whom got into RM too. The info nights at both schools- vastly different. Blair's is organized and RM's a mess! Shadowing at Blair is one on one, not so at RM (it's more like Parent visitation- too many people to get a real idea of what it's like). Kid #1 we knew would choose Blair, but kid #2 we thought would choose RM. After the welcome night & the 'shadowing' at RM, kid 2 much more impressed by Blair.

Have your children been happy with the choice they made? Are they happy with the Blair school and with the SMAC program? Have you been happy with the administration? Does the administrator make an effort to get to know the students and look out for them? It is such a big school and I worry about my kid getting a little lost - he is not a squeaky wheel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It most certainly was not only the power point disaster.
To the poster who doesn't think I should base my child's future on such things, just wait until the incompetence we observed makes your DC have to take 7 hard courses senior year instead of 5 or 6.

Well, if your definition of better is taking less challenging courses, then RMIB is DEFINITELY not for your DC. Keep in mind, getting in is the easiest part. It will get incredibly difficult and challenging.