Selective high schools question

[Anonymous]

With great grades and test scores, what arr the actual acceptance rates of Blair Magnet and RM IB? I can’t seem to figure out how many applicants they actually get. Thx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With great grades and test scores, what arr the actual acceptance rates of Blair Magnet and RM IB? I can’t seem to figure out how many applicants they actually get. Thx.

100 at Blair and last year they got about 800 applicants.

[Anonymous]

What about RM IB?

[Anonymous]

There are usually more applicants for RM than for Blair. There was a report a few years ago and it probably hasn't changed that much because HS is still application based and not lottery. Can someone repost the link? I can't find it.

Some people posted scores and outcomes last year and the data was baffling with some kids with very high scores not getting in and kids with mediocre scores getting in.

[Anonymous]

It's easier to apply now than it has been before, just because there is a single common application with checkboxes.

So, I don't know how many of the 800 are serious applicants and how many are just throwing their hat in the ring to see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's easier to apply now than it has been before, just because there is a single common application with checkboxes.

So, I don't know how many of the 800 are serious applicants and how many are just throwing their hat in the ring to see what happens.

It's a good question. We applied but due to outside things I don't think it would be realistic my child went nor do they have any interest. If they get accepted we'll worry about it then. I thought more than 800 would apply. That's not a huge number.

[Anonymous]

What's the difference between the IB program offered at RM and the IB programs offered at other MCPS high schools like B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the difference between the IB program offered at RM and the IB programs offered at other MCPS high schools like B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, etc.?

Einstein’s doesn’t start until 11th, but I understand the magnets have pre-IB content in 9th and 10th. (Einstein does have pre-IB sections of Honors English, but I’m not sure whether central office will allow that to continue in future years.) The larger, guaranteed cohort of the magnet programs mean there’s a wider variety of IB courses offered. Einstein’s is dependent on student interest/enrollment in a particular class for any given year. There are a lot more students gunning for the full diploma in the magnet programs, so there’s more peer support and faculty involvement. At Einstein, there’s usually only a handful, and scheduling all the required classes can get dicey sometimes. Lots drop down to the certificate program, or only take IB classes in their stronger subjects, or ones where there isn’t a good AP alternative offered.

But the full IB diploma is the same at any school, in MCPS or Italy or Japan. That’s what’s so cool about it. You just have to be a bit more motivated in the schools without the support of a magnet program.

As for the regional IB magnets vs RMIB, that I don’t know. Technically the programs are the same, but I’m sure the experiences are probably a bit different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the difference between the IB program offered at RM and the IB programs offered at other MCPS high schools like B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, etc.?

Einstein’s doesn’t start until 11th, but I understand the magnets have pre-IB content in 9th and 10th. (Einstein does have pre-IB sections of Honors English, but I’m not sure whether central office will allow that to continue in future years.) The larger, guaranteed cohort of the magnet programs mean there’s a wider variety of IB courses offered. Einstein’s is dependent on student interest/enrollment in a particular class for any given year. There are a lot more students gunning for the full diploma in the magnet programs, so there’s more peer support and faculty involvement. At Einstein, there’s usually only a handful, and scheduling all the required classes can get dicey sometimes. Lots drop down to the certificate program, or only take IB classes in their stronger subjects, or ones where there isn’t a good AP alternative offered.

But the full IB diploma is the same at any school, in MCPS or Italy or Japan. That’s what’s so cool about it. You just have to be a bit more motivated in the schools without the support of a magnet program.

As for the regional IB magnets vs RMIB, that I don’t know. Technically the programs are the same, but I’m sure the experiences are probably a bit different.

Thank you! This is helpful. My kid does IB at Kennedy and comparing the curriculum and things, it appears identical. Like Einstein, Kennedy has pre-IB sections for 9th and 10th graders.

I honestly don't know how many kids are going for the full diploma. It's definitely rigorous and daunting, hence why it's so coveted, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that more kids are pursuing the diploma at RM than at schools like Einstein, Kennedy, Springbrook, Seneca Valley or Watkins Mill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's easier to apply now than it has been before, just because there is a single common application with checkboxes.

So, I don't know how many of the 800 are serious applicants and how many are just throwing their hat in the ring to see what happens.

It's a good question. We applied but due to outside things I don't think it would be realistic my child went nor do they have any interest. If they get accepted we'll worry about it then. I thought more than 800 would apply. That's not a huge number.

But it's a highly selective group. Everyone DC knows who is applying is highly qualified. Could probably fill the whole grade with just the kids from TPMS and the kids she knows from elementary who are also high achievers.