Best math hs is Blair? What’s second-best?

[Anonymous]

DD really enjoys math and is good at it. She takes outside math classes and her interest is really growing. My understanding is that Blair magnet is the best STEM program but it’s pretty hard to get into. What’s the next-best school option in terms of advanced math and strong math-loving peer group, ideally with plenty of girls in the mix?

Also, she’s not especially interested in science, so is that a problem as far as going to Blair, if she’s lucky enough to get in? She likes challenging classes generally and is a good student, but science isn’t particularly her thing. She prefers English classes to science classes, for instance.

[Anonymous]

Richard Montgomery’s IB program might be a good fit for her. It’s the magnet IB for the county, so it’s really hard to get into, but my impression is that while it’s not quite as strong in math and other STEM subjects, it’s stronger in English and social studies. It might have a higher percentage of girls, too. My girls went to a STEM magnet though, and the gender balance really wasn’t an issue.

Depending on where you live, there may be additional specialized programs. I think most, if not all, MCPS schools offer either IB or AP classes, so you might check what classes/programs are available at your local HS.

Here’s the info on MCPS special programs:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. Which STEM magnet did your girls go to?

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? Are you planning on moving based on people's recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PP. Which STEM magnet did your girls go to?

Blair

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD really enjoys math and is good at it. She takes outside math classes and her interest is really growing. My understanding is that Blair magnet is the best STEM program but it’s pretty hard to get into. What’s the next-best school option in terms of advanced math and strong math-loving peer group, ideally with plenty of girls in the mix?

Also, she’s not especially interested in science, so is that a problem as far as going to Blair, if she’s lucky enough to get in? She likes challenging classes generally and is a good student, but science isn’t particularly her thing. She prefers English classes to science classes, for instance.

Most of the classes offered at Blair especially those for 11th and 12th graders are available at most every MCPS HS. It turns out that any MCPS HS can field at least one or more high-performing cohorts for advanced math classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? Are you planning on moving based on people's recommendations?

Blair magnet pulls kids from 16 HS cluster. Poolesville overs the other 9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD really enjoys math and is good at it. She takes outside math classes and her interest is really growing. My understanding is that Blair magnet is the best STEM program but it’s pretty hard to get into. What’s the next-best school option in terms of advanced math and strong math-loving peer group, ideally with plenty of girls in the mix?

Also, she’s not especially interested in science, so is that a problem as far as going to Blair, if she’s lucky enough to get in? She likes challenging classes generally and is a good student, but science isn’t particularly her thing. She prefers English classes to science classes, for instance.

Most of the classes offered at Blair especially those for 11th and 12th graders are available at most every MCPS HS. It turns out that any MCPS HS can field at least one or more high-performing cohorts for advanced math classes.

Maybe in the course name only !

For example

Applied Statistics (Magnet)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Attainment of the outcomes of Magnet Analysis 1, AP Calculus BC, or teacher recommentation.
0.5 credit per semester

MCPS's other stats such as AP Stats
prerequisite Algebra 2

You can't equate MCPS's Calculus BC with Analysis at MBHS/PHS

Magnet 11/12 math electives are true college courses --- for example, Magnet Analysis II (aka Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations) can earn credit directly at UMD at College Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD really enjoys math and is good at it. She takes outside math classes and her interest is really growing. My understanding is that Blair magnet is the best STEM program but it’s pretty hard to get into. What’s the next-best school option in terms of advanced math and strong math-loving peer group, ideally with plenty of girls in the mix?

Also, she’s not especially interested in science, so is that a problem as far as going to Blair, if she’s lucky enough to get in? She likes challenging classes generally and is a good student, but science isn’t particularly her thing. She prefers English classes to science classes, for instance.

Most of the classes offered at Blair especially those for 11th and 12th graders are available at most every MCPS HS. It turns out that any MCPS HS can field at least one or more high-performing cohorts for advanced math classes.

Maybe in the course name only !

For example

Applied Statistics (Magnet)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Attainment of the outcomes of Magnet Analysis 1, AP Calculus BC, or teacher recommentation.
0.5 credit per semester

MCPS's other stats such as AP Stats
prerequisite Algebra 2

You can't equate MCPS's Calculus BC with Analysis at MBHS/PHS

Magnet 11/12 math electives are true college courses --- for example, Magnet Analysis II (aka Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations) can earn credit directly at UMD at College Park.

However, Blair offers AP Statistics too. Applied Statistics is a different class. Comparable subjects include ones like Linear Algebra or Discrete Math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? Are you planning on moving based on people's recommendations?

Blair magnet pulls kids from 16 HS cluster. Poolesville overs the other 9.

PHS has 50 kids per grade in their STEM magnet, whereas Blair has 100 kids per grade. The size is proportional to their intake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD really enjoys math and is good at it. She takes outside math classes and her interest is really growing. My understanding is that Blair magnet is the best STEM program but it’s pretty hard to get into. What’s the next-best school option in terms of advanced math and strong math-loving peer group, ideally with plenty of girls in the mix?

Also, she’s not especially interested in science, so is that a problem as far as going to Blair, if she’s lucky enough to get in? She likes challenging classes generally and is a good student, but science isn’t particularly her thing. She prefers English classes to science classes, for instance.

Most of the classes offered at Blair especially those for 11th and 12th graders are available at most every MCPS HS. It turns out that any MCPS HS can field at least one or more high-performing cohorts for advanced math classes.

Maybe in the course name only !

For example

Applied Statistics (Magnet)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Attainment of the outcomes of Magnet Analysis 1, AP Calculus BC, or teacher recommentation.
0.5 credit per semester

MCPS's other stats such as AP Stats
prerequisite Algebra 2

You can't equate MCPS's Calculus BC with Analysis at MBHS/PHS

Magnet 11/12 math electives are true college courses --- for example, Magnet Analysis II (aka Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations) can earn credit directly at UMD at College Park.

However, Blair offers AP Statistics too. Applied Statistics is a different class. Comparable subjects include ones like Linear Algebra or Discrete Math.

That AP Stats is not a magnet elective --- it is just like most other MCPS high school course. Blair is not a magnet school but has a magnet program. Majority of Blair students are not magnets.

"However, juniors and seniors enrolled in other Montgomery County high schools who meet the prerequisites and can provide their own transportation are eligible for magnet electives that are not offered at their home school."

https://mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/apply.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? Are you planning on moving based on people's recommendations?

Blair magnet pulls kids from 16 HS cluster. Poolesville overs the other 9.

PHS has 50 kids per grade in their STEM magnet, whereas Blair has 100 kids per grade. The size is proportional to their intake.

Is the smaller size a positive or a negative? Poolesville doesn’t have the magnet STEM classes that Blair has, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? Are you planning on moving based on people's recommendations?

Blair magnet pulls kids from 16 HS cluster. Poolesville overs the other 9.

PHS has 50 kids per grade in their STEM magnet, whereas Blair has 100 kids per grade. The size is proportional to their intake.

Is the smaller size a positive or a negative? Poolesville doesn’t have the magnet STEM classes that Blair has, right?

Both have well-regarded STEM magnets which are roughly equivalent. The county is divided geographically, so you are only eligible for whichever one your local High School cluster is assigned to, as described above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Richard Montgomery’s IB program might be a good fit for her. It’s the magnet IB for the county, so it’s really hard to get into, but my impression is that while it’s not quite as strong in math and other STEM subjects, it’s stronger in English and social studies. It might have a higher percentage of girls, too. My girls went to a STEM magnet though, and the gender balance really wasn’t an issue.

Depending on where you live, there may be additional specialized programs. I think most, if not all, MCPS schools offer either IB or AP classes, so you might check what classes/programs are available at your local HS.

Here’s the info on MCPS special programs:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/

While IB is a lot of writing, they do offer strong STEM classes. My DC is took IB physics, AP BC calc last year, and this year will be taking two math classes ( I don't even know which ones now.. I stopped following after BC calc. Way above me).

Most HS will also offer AP in Chem, Bio and Physics, as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD really enjoys math and is good at it. She takes outside math classes and her interest is really growing. My understanding is that Blair magnet is the best STEM program but it’s pretty hard to get into. What’s the next-best school option in terms of advanced math and strong math-loving peer group, ideally with plenty of girls in the mix?

Also, she’s not especially interested in science, so is that a problem as far as going to Blair, if she’s lucky enough to get in? She likes challenging classes generally and is a good student, but science isn’t particularly her thing. She prefers English classes to science classes, for instance.

Most of the classes offered at Blair especially those for 11th and 12th graders are available at most every MCPS HS. It turns out that any MCPS HS can field at least one or more high-performing cohorts for advanced math classes.

Maybe in the course name only !

For example

Applied Statistics (Magnet)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Attainment of the outcomes of Magnet Analysis 1, AP Calculus BC, or teacher recommentation.
0.5 credit per semester

MCPS's other stats such as AP Stats
prerequisite Algebra 2

You can't equate MCPS's Calculus BC with Analysis at MBHS/PHS

Magnet 11/12 math electives are true college courses --- for example, Magnet Analysis II (aka Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations) can earn credit directly at UMD at College Park.

However, Blair offers AP Statistics too. Applied Statistics is a different class. Comparable subjects include ones like Linear Algebra or Discrete Math.

That AP Stats is not a magnet elective --- it is just like most other MCPS high school course. Blair is not a magnet school but has a magnet program. Majority of Blair students are not magnets.

"However, juniors and seniors enrolled in other Montgomery County high schools who meet the prerequisites and can provide their own transportation are eligible for magnet electives that are not offered at their home school."

https://mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/apply.php

Yes and my original point was many of the magnet electives are available as regular classes at other high-schools.