America's Most Challenging High Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once again Blair sucks

Notice that Blair has a lowly rating even though the rating methodology includes the performance of the magnet kids ... and CAP. Imagine where Blair would rank without the highly tutored magnet kids.

We could always argue that this rating system is meaningless. The reality is that MCPS and the school tout these ratings when it makes them look good. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Blair is on a downward spiral.

Of course Blair rating would be low.
The methodology is: # of IB/AP taken (not performance) divided by the # of students.
Blair has a population of ~ 2900 students and a very high FARMS rate (where most would not be taking IB/AP tests)
500 to 800 out of 2900 would not give you a good rating.
Yeah, this rating is meaningless.

LOL. Only the ratings that put Blair on top is meaningful!

There is no meaningful rating that can put Blair on top. It is a lower tier school that hides behind the magnet.

The magnet is on a downhill spiral because the Asian immigrants it attracts are no longer the cream of the crop. RM and Poolesville are the sought after schools.

Blair touted its rank on this Index and now it criticizes the ratings it relied on?!! Go Blazers!

I am not proud of myself for responding to the bolded PP but I can't resist.
Here are the stats:

Blair SMAC Class of 2017 has 93 students,
SAT Reading 747, SAT Math 779 and SAT writing 727
ACT Composite 34
38 National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists

Richard Montgomery
SAT scores (I could only find these for the class of 2016 but I doubt they would have changed much in one year):
SAT Reading 750, Math 750 Writing 730
33 NMSF in 2017

Poolesville is harder to compare since it is a whole school magnet and they had 272 students in 12th grade
Class of 2017:
SAT Verbal 678, Math 700 and Writing 676
ACT composite 29
11 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

and just in case anyone from Whitman wants to join this pissing contest
Whitman with a senior class of around 500 students
SAT Reading 625, Math 641, Writing 623
They had 10 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

The data the poster cites is for the magnet. It does not reflect the Blair high school as a whole. So, there is no evidence that Blair is any good. The evidence shows that the Asian immigrants who make the majority of the SMACS program are good at churning out SAT and ACT scores. Put them in a group at any other school and you will get the same numbers. It has nothing to do with Blair.

No, you would not.
Blair with less than 20% magnet, has more Intel science scholars than all the full-time magnet schools in the nation.
Now, imagine if it was a full magnet?
Yes, it has to do with Blair.

Prove it or STFU.

Really? You are really that clueless?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regeneron_Science_Talent_Search

Now STFU. End of Discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an inane discussion. The accomplishments cited to make Blair look good relate to the magnet. The magnet is filled with Asian kids whose parents work at local labs. Tke them out and Blair is Kennedy or Springbrook.

'

No, no. These are Asian Americans.

So, basically Asian Americans actually enhance the quality and stats of the whole school.

[Anonymous]

What is STFU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once again Blair sucks

Notice that Blair has a lowly rating even though the rating methodology includes the performance of the magnet kids ... and CAP. Imagine where Blair would rank without the highly tutored magnet kids.

We could always argue that this rating system is meaningless. The reality is that MCPS and the school tout these ratings when it makes them look good. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Blair is on a downward spiral.

Of course Blair rating would be low.
The methodology is: # of IB/AP taken (not performance) divided by the # of students.
Blair has a population of ~ 2900 students and a very high FARMS rate (where most would not be taking IB/AP tests)
500 to 800 out of 2900 would not give you a good rating.
Yeah, this rating is meaningless.

LOL. Only the ratings that put Blair on top is meaningful!

There is no meaningful rating that can put Blair on top. It is a lower tier school that hides behind the magnet.

The magnet is on a downhill spiral because the Asian immigrants it attracts are no longer the cream of the crop. RM and Poolesville are the sought after schools.

Blair touted its rank on this Index and now it criticizes the ratings it relied on?!! Go Blazers!

I am not proud of myself for responding to the bolded PP but I can't resist.
Here are the stats:

Blair SMAC Class of 2017 has 93 students,
SAT Reading 747, SAT Math 779 and SAT writing 727
ACT Composite 34
38 National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists

Richard Montgomery
SAT scores (I could only find these for the class of 2016 but I doubt they would have changed much in one year):
SAT Reading 750, Math 750 Writing 730
33 NMSF in 2017

Poolesville is harder to compare since it is a whole school magnet and they had 272 students in 12th grade
Class of 2017:
SAT Verbal 678, Math 700 and Writing 676
ACT composite 29
11 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

and just in case anyone from Whitman wants to join this pissing contest
Whitman with a senior class of around 500 students
SAT Reading 625, Math 641, Writing 623
They had 10 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

The data the poster cites is for the magnet. It does not reflect the Blair high school as a whole. So, there is no evidence that Blair is any good. The evidence shows that the Asian immigrants who make the majority of the SMACS program are good at churning out SAT and ACT scores. Put them in a group at any other school and you will get the same numbers. It has nothing to do with Blair.

No, you would not.
Blair with less than 20% magnet, has more Intel science scholars than all the full-time magnet schools in the nation.
Now, imagine if it was a full magnet?
Yes, it has to do with Blair.

Prove it or STFU.

Really? You are really that clueless?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regeneron_Science_Talent_Search

Now STFU. End of Discussion.

boy, you are an obx little bugger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once again Blair sucks

Notice that Blair has a lowly rating even though the rating methodology includes the performance of the magnet kids ... and CAP. Imagine where Blair would rank without the highly tutored magnet kids.

We could always argue that this rating system is meaningless. The reality is that MCPS and the school tout these ratings when it makes them look good. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Blair is on a downward spiral.

Of course Blair rating would be low.
The methodology is: # of IB/AP taken (not performance) divided by the # of students.
Blair has a population of ~ 2900 students and a very high FARMS rate (where most would not be taking IB/AP tests)
500 to 800 out of 2900 would not give you a good rating.
Yeah, this rating is meaningless.

LOL. Only the ratings that put Blair on top is meaningful!

There is no meaningful rating that can put Blair on top. It is a lower tier school that hides behind the magnet.

The magnet is on a downhill spiral because the Asian immigrants it attracts are no longer the cream of the crop. RM and Poolesville are the sought after schools.

Blair touted its rank on this Index and now it criticizes the ratings it relied on?!! Go Blazers!

I am not proud of myself for responding to the bolded PP but I can't resist.
Here are the stats:

Blair SMAC Class of 2017 has 93 students,
SAT Reading 747, SAT Math 779 and SAT writing 727
ACT Composite 34
38 National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists

Richard Montgomery
SAT scores (I could only find these for the class of 2016 but I doubt they would have changed much in one year):
SAT Reading 750, Math 750 Writing 730
33 NMSF in 2017

Poolesville is harder to compare since it is a whole school magnet and they had 272 students in 12th grade
Class of 2017:
SAT Verbal 678, Math 700 and Writing 676
ACT composite 29
11 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

and just in case anyone from Whitman wants to join this pissing contest
Whitman with a senior class of around 500 students
SAT Reading 625, Math 641, Writing 623
They had 10 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

The data the poster cites is for the magnet. It does not reflect the Blair high school as a whole. So, there is no evidence that Blair is any good. The evidence shows that the Asian immigrants who make the majority of the SMACS program are good at churning out SAT and ACT scores. Put them in a group at any other school and you will get the same numbers. It has nothing to do with Blair.

No, you would not.
Blair with less than 20% magnet, has more Intel science scholars than all the full-time magnet schools in the nation.
Now, imagine if it was a full magnet?
Yes, it has to do with Blair.

Prove it or STFU.

Really? You are really that clueless?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regeneron_Science_Talent_Search

Now STFU. End of Discussion.

Because this is one competition Blair is going after year after year. End of discussion, you wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is STFU?

Shut The F*ck Up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once again Blair sucks

Notice that Blair has a lowly rating even though the rating methodology includes the performance of the magnet kids ... and CAP. Imagine where Blair would rank without the highly tutored magnet kids.

We could always argue that this rating system is meaningless. The reality is that MCPS and the school tout these ratings when it makes them look good. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Blair is on a downward spiral.

Of course Blair rating would be low.
The methodology is: # of IB/AP taken (not performance) divided by the # of students.
Blair has a population of ~ 2900 students and a very high FARMS rate (where most would not be taking IB/AP tests)
500 to 800 out of 2900 would not give you a good rating.
Yeah, this rating is meaningless.

LOL. Only the ratings that put Blair on top is meaningful!

There is no meaningful rating that can put Blair on top. It is a lower tier school that hides behind the magnet.

The magnet is on a downhill spiral because the Asian immigrants it attracts are no longer the cream of the crop. RM and Poolesville are the sought after schools.

Blair touted its rank on this Index and now it criticizes the ratings it relied on?!! Go Blazers!

I am not proud of myself for responding to the bolded PP but I can't resist.
Here are the stats:

Blair SMAC Class of 2017 has 93 students,
SAT Reading 747, SAT Math 779 and SAT writing 727
ACT Composite 34
38 National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists

Richard Montgomery
SAT scores (I could only find these for the class of 2016 but I doubt they would have changed much in one year):
SAT Reading 750, Math 750 Writing 730
33 NMSF in 2017

Poolesville is harder to compare since it is a whole school magnet and they had 272 students in 12th grade
Class of 2017:
SAT Verbal 678, Math 700 and Writing 676
ACT composite 29
11 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

and just in case anyone from Whitman wants to join this pissing contest
Whitman with a senior class of around 500 students
SAT Reading 625, Math 641, Writing 623
They had 10 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

The data the poster cites is for the magnet. It does not reflect the Blair high school as a whole. So, there is no evidence that Blair is any good. The evidence shows that the Asian immigrants who make the majority of the SMACS program are good at churning out SAT and ACT scores. Put them in a group at any other school and you will get the same numbers. It has nothing to do with Blair.

No, you would not.
Blair with less than 20% magnet, has [b]more Intel science scholars than all the full-time magnet schools in the nation.
Now, imagine if it was a full magnet?
Yes, it has to do with Blair.

[/b]
Prove it or STFU.

Prove it is Blair and not the Asian kids.[b]

It's Blair because other schools with lot more Asian kids like TJ (which is over 70% Asians) don't have as many science scholars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is STFU?

Shut The F*ck Up.

No need to be rude. It was just a question!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once again Blair sucks

Notice that Blair has a lowly rating even though the rating methodology includes the performance of the magnet kids ... and CAP. Imagine where Blair would rank without the highly tutored magnet kids.

We could always argue that this rating system is meaningless. The reality is that MCPS and the school tout these ratings when it makes them look good. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Blair is on a downward spiral.

Of course Blair rating would be low.
The methodology is: # of IB/AP taken (not performance) divided by the # of students.
Blair has a population of ~ 2900 students and a very high FARMS rate (where most would not be taking IB/AP tests)
500 to 800 out of 2900 would not give you a good rating.
Yeah, this rating is meaningless.

LOL. Only the ratings that put Blair on top is meaningful!

There is no meaningful rating that can put Blair on top. It is a lower tier school that hides behind the magnet.

The magnet is on a downhill spiral because the Asian immigrants it attracts are no longer the cream of the crop. RM and Poolesville are the sought after schools.

Blair touted its rank on this Index and now it criticizes the ratings it relied on?!! Go Blazers!

I am not proud of myself for responding to the bolded PP but I can't resist.
Here are the stats:

Blair SMAC Class of 2017 has 93 students,
SAT Reading 747, SAT Math 779 and SAT writing 727
ACT Composite 34
38 National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists

Richard Montgomery
SAT scores (I could only find these for the class of 2016 but I doubt they would have changed much in one year):
SAT Reading 750, Math 750 Writing 730
33 NMSF in 2017

Poolesville is harder to compare since it is a whole school magnet and they had 272 students in 12th grade
Class of 2017:
SAT Verbal 678, Math 700 and Writing 676
ACT composite 29
11 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

and just in case anyone from Whitman wants to join this pissing contest
Whitman with a senior class of around 500 students
SAT Reading 625, Math 641, Writing 623
They had 10 National Merit Semifinalists in 2017

The data the poster cites is for the magnet. It does not reflect the Blair high school as a whole. So, there is no evidence that Blair is any good. The evidence shows that the Asian immigrants who make the majority of the SMACS program are good at churning out SAT and ACT scores. Put them in a group at any other school and you will get the same numbers. It has nothing to do with Blair.

No, you would not.
Blair with less than 20% magnet, has more Intel science scholars than all the full-time magnet schools in the nation.
Now, imagine if it was a full magnet?
Yes, it has to do with Blair.

Prove it or STFU.

Really? You are really that clueless?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regeneron_Science_Talent_Search

Now STFU. End of Discussion.

Because this is one competition Blair is going after year after year. End of discussion, you wish.

LOL.
Every great HS, Magnet and STEM schools in the NATION, goes after this competition year after year. It's the most prestigious science competition in the nation. Ask TJ, ask Stuyvesant.
You are truly clueless. Educate yourself.

[Anonymous]

I think this thread has reached a new low even by DCUM standards. The racism and stereotyping are appalling. We are not a Blair family, but I can't imagine why people who don't have kids there care to weigh in on the school. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

LOL.
Every great HS, Magnet and STEM schools in the NATION, goes after this competition year after year. It's the most prestigious science competition in the nation. Ask TJ, ask Stuyvesant.
You are truly clueless. Educate yourself.

Sigh... Do you have any idea how pathetic you sound? A parent living his life thru your kid? I get it you must be proud of your kid. But you sound borderline obsessed. Get a life and let your kid live his.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

LOL.
Every great HS, Magnet and STEM schools in the NATION, goes after this competition year after year. It's the most prestigious science competition in the nation. Ask TJ, ask Stuyvesant.
You are truly clueless. Educate yourself.

Sigh... Do you have any idea how pathetic you sound? A parent living his life thru your kid? I get it you must be proud of your kid. But you sound borderline obsessed. Get a life and let your kid live his.

Huh??????
Did anybody mention kid?
Is that the best you can do?
Now talking about pathetic, you sound pathetic.

[Anonymous]

NP. A parent with a kid in Blair SMAC. There are a couple of posters here who are posting obnoxious posts about how Asian kids are superior. This is bogus and offensive. Then there are the posters who have been saying critical things about Blair and say the only reason the stats are good is because they have a lot of Asian kids who test well. This is equally bogus and offensive.
Blair is a great school with a large and diverse population. The teachers are great, the curriculum in the non magnet classes is on par with any good MCPS school and the teachers and curriculum in the magnet classes are superb. The principal and staff are fantastic and the school is run very well. Their overall numbers might not be great (because they do have a lot of kids who are dealing with challenges that can make academic success hard to achieve). I would say that my child's academic success is because of Blair not despite Blair. He is getting an incredible education in the magnet program and he is also getting a very good education in the non magnet classes. In addition, he is happy to be in a school where all kids are celebrated for who they are and for what they can contribute to the school community. The school celebrates their scholars, their athletes, their artists, their community builders. It is a wonderful school period.

Regarding the stats. I think it is clear that Blair SMAC and RMIB have students who perform at a very high level. You cannot do that unless you are getting a good education at school - there is no way the AVERAGE writing scores would be around 730 (out of 800) unless these students had a challenging and enriched academic environment in school. You need both smart kids and a good academic program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. A parent with a kid in Blair SMAC. There are a couple of posters here who are posting obnoxious posts about how Asian kids are superior. This is bogus and offensive. Then there are the posters who have been saying critical things about Blair and say the only reason the stats are good is because they have a lot of Asian kids who test well. This is equally bogus and offensive.
Blair is a great school with a large and diverse population. The teachers are great, the curriculum in the non magnet classes is on par with any good MCPS school and the teachers and curriculum in the magnet classes are superb. The principal and staff are fantastic and the school is run very well. Their overall numbers might not be great (because they do have a lot of kids who are dealing with challenges that can make academic success hard to achieve). I would say that my child's academic success is because of Blair not despite Blair. He is getting an incredible education in the magnet program and he is also getting a very good education in the non magnet classes. In addition, he is happy to be in a school where all kids are celebrated for who they are and for what they can contribute to the school community. The school celebrates their scholars, their athletes, their artists, their community builders. It is a wonderful school period.

Regarding the stats. I think it is clear that Blair SMAC and RMIB have students who perform at a very high level. You cannot do that unless you are getting a good education at school - there is no way the AVERAGE writing scores would be around 730 (out of 800) unless these students had a challenging and enriched academic environment in school. You need both smart kids and a good academic program.

Ever seen the buses taking these kids to after school and weekend tutoring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. A parent with a kid in Blair SMAC. There are a couple of posters here who are posting obnoxious posts about how Asian kids are superior. This is bogus and offensive. Then there are the posters who have been saying critical things about Blair and say the only reason the stats are good is because they have a lot of Asian kids who test well. This is equally bogus and offensive.
Blair is a great school with a large and diverse population. The teachers are great, the curriculum in the non magnet classes is on par with any good MCPS school and the teachers and curriculum in the magnet classes are superb. The principal and staff are fantastic and the school is run very well. Their overall numbers might not be great (because they do have a lot of kids who are dealing with challenges that can make academic success hard to achieve). I would say that my child's academic success is because of Blair not despite Blair. He is getting an incredible education in the magnet program and he is also getting a very good education in the non magnet classes. In addition, he is happy to be in a school where all kids are celebrated for who they are and for what they can contribute to the school community. The school celebrates their scholars, their athletes, their artists, their community builders. It is a wonderful school period.

Regarding the stats. I think it is clear that Blair SMAC and RMIB have students who perform at a very high level. You cannot do that unless you are getting a good education at school - there is no way the AVERAGE writing scores would be around 730 (out of 800) unless these students had a challenging and enriched academic environment in school. You need both smart kids and a good academic program.

Ever seen the buses taking these kids to after school and weekend tutoring?

I am the poster you (the person in bold) is responding to. No I have not seen the buses you mention - it sounds very nefarious! Kidding aside, are there children who go to prep classes in the magnet programs? The answer is yes. I do not think it is a majority but there is a decent sized group of children who go to prep classes for SAT etc and I believe some of the children who have Chinese parents go to Chinese language and culture (martial arts etc.) classes on the weekend. I think you might be reading too much into this. Especially in the high school magnets, everyone who gets in is very smart and hard working and they are not being coached to get them through the program. You are challenged every single day in school in the magnet classes and would not survive if you needed external help on a regular basis. I am also not sure whether all or even most of them need to prep so much to do well in the SAT exams etc. I think part of it might just be a cultural attitude towards studying and being prepared. I do not mean this to be perjorative. I actually think most people do have to work hard to do well even if they are very smart. One of the things I love about the SMAC program is that the teachers really stress the value of hard work, of trying and failing etc.