Looking for perspectives from Loiederman/Wheaton parents (non-magnet)

[Anonymous]

We're considering buying a house zoned for Loiederman MS and Wheaton HS. I know neither are the favorites of this particular forum, but I'd prefer to avoid that specific discussion right now. We've missed the chance for the magnet or choice process at this point, and I'd love some perspective from parents with non-magnet students at Wheaton and Loiderman currently. Specifically, any information about the band programs or advice for a fairly sensitive kid who will be coming from a rural 1A school. Just about anything will be a shock but we'd like to help them both as much as possible with the transition: favorite teachers, overall feel of the school community, how we can help, etc. If you have a student at Loiederman, can you tell me their experience with the art focus? What path (is that the right name?) did they choose?

[Anonymous]

I've heard very good things about Wheaton. We left Loiederman as the music program was far from good and it was a hot mess.

[Anonymous]

There are no non-magnet kids at Loiederman - it’s a whole school magnet.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in the engineering academy (not magnet) at Wheaton and likes it.

They haven’t had much in the way of writing instruction. Hopefully that will change with AP english

[Anonymous]

Wheaton is a popular choice for high school within the DCC (whether kids are in the magnets or not). It and Blair HS have the highest level math and science offerings in the DCC. You are going to get mixed reviews of Loiderman. MS curriculum in MCPS is not that strong. The arts magnet at Loiderman is a whole school magnet, not a try-out type magnet filled with arts phenoms. The families that I know liked Loiderman, but this was pre-pandemic. Hopefully you can get some recent responses.

[Anonymous]

As for high school, if Wheaton doesn’t seem like it will be a good fit, you’d have access to the DCC Choice process, as well as potentially application magnet programs. All the DCC high schools have different Academy programs that are open to all students at the school. So Wheaton has Engineering, Einstein has an arts Academy as well as the IB program, etc.

Unless you’re aiming for Blair, which is the most overenrolled and often the most popular Choice selection, you’d have a decent shot at getting your first choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in the engineering academy (not magnet) at Wheaton and likes it.

They haven’t had much in the way of writing instruction. Hopefully that will change with AP english

Thank you! I have heard some grumblings about safety issues at Wheaton, but it may be the best option for us neighborhood-wise at this point.

Any chance any of you have experience with the band there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no non-magnet kids at Loiederman - it’s a whole school magnet.

It's not a real magnet. They have some extra music and art classes and that's it. The music program was terrible. Multiple families have left over bad teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wheaton is a popular choice for high school within the DCC (whether kids are in the magnets or not). It and Blair HS have the highest level math and science offerings in the DCC. You are going to get mixed reviews of Loiderman. MS curriculum in MCPS is not that strong. The arts magnet at Loiderman is a whole school magnet, not a try-out type magnet filled with arts phenoms. The families that I know liked Loiderman, but this was pre-pandemic. Hopefully you can get some recent responses.

It was much better under the old principal. Many had high hopes for the new principal as she was at the school for years but she didn't do a great job. It's really an arts focus, not magnet. Many of the kids are not high level in band or orchestra or arts and the teachers are very hit or miss for it.

[Anonymous]

To be clear, there are no addresses that are zoned solely for Loiederman-- it's all part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which also includes Parkland (aerospace engineering) and Argyle (digital design). It's a whole school magnet, meaning the arts courses are open to all students and there is no test-in requirement for the school, which means to many people, especially with those who have no children attending there, it's not a "real magnet."

All of the MSMC schools have block scheduling, meaning students get three electives instead of two. The school is also heavily skewed female, like 65/35 female/male. The arts classes lean more to performing arts than visual, but there is a big variety. But it has the same non-arts classes you'll find at any MCPS middle school. Loiederman also has a big LGBTQ+ presence, among both students and staff.

Wheaton is part of the DCC, which means your student may be able to attend Einstein, Blair, Kennedy, or Northwood if they want (and get their choice in the lottery--some schools are more popular and difficult to get.) Wheaton would be your home school so your child would be guaranteed a spot there.

Which ES is the home connected to? There are several cute neighborhoods zoned for Wheaton that have a nice community feel, namely Holiday Park and Randolph Hills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, there are no addresses that are zoned solely for Loiederman-- it's all part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which also includes Parkland (aerospace engineering) and Argyle (digital design). It's a whole school magnet, meaning the arts courses are open to all students and there is no test-in requirement for the school, which means to many people, especially with those who have no children attending there, it's not a "real magnet."

All of the MSMC schools have block scheduling, meaning students get three electives instead of two. The school is also heavily skewed female, like 65/35 female/male. The arts classes lean more to performing arts than visual, but there is a big variety. But it has the same non-arts classes you'll find at any MCPS middle school. Loiederman also has a big LGBTQ+ presence, among both students and staff.

Wheaton is part of the DCC, which means your student may be able to attend Einstein, Blair, Kennedy, or Northwood if they want (and get their choice in the lottery--some schools are more popular and difficult to get.) Wheaton would be your home school so your child would be guaranteed a spot there.

Which ES is the home connected to? There are several cute neighborhoods zoned for Wheaton that have a nice community feel, namely Holiday Park and Randolph Hills.

There are addresses zoned for Loiederman. It is part of a consortium where kids get choice but each school is a home school for specific addresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, there are no addresses that are zoned solely for Loiederman-- it's all part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which also includes Parkland (aerospace engineering) and Argyle (digital design). It's a whole school magnet, meaning the arts courses are open to all students and there is no test-in requirement for the school, which means to many people, especially with those who have no children attending there, it's not a "real magnet."

All of the MSMC schools have block scheduling, meaning students get three electives instead of two. The school is also heavily skewed female, like 65/35 female/male. The arts classes lean more to performing arts than visual, but there is a big variety. But it has the same non-arts classes you'll find at any MCPS middle school. Loiederman also has a big LGBTQ+ presence, among both students and staff.

Wheaton is part of the DCC, which means your student may be able to attend Einstein, Blair, Kennedy, or Northwood if they want (and get their choice in the lottery--some schools are more popular and difficult to get.) Wheaton would be your home school so your child would be guaranteed a spot there.

Which ES is the home connected to? There are several cute neighborhoods zoned for Wheaton that have a nice community feel, namely Holiday Park and Randolph Hills.

There are addresses zoned for Loiederman. It is part of a consortium where kids get choice but each school is a home school for specific addresses.

...no, they don't. They have a home high school, but all ESes in the consortium go to all three MSes. Nobody is guaranteed anything but most get their first choice. However the semantics play out, there is no house that is "zoned for" Loiederman. It's zoned for the MSMC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, there are no addresses that are zoned solely for Loiederman-- it's all part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which also includes Parkland (aerospace engineering) and Argyle (digital design). It's a whole school magnet, meaning the arts courses are open to all students and there is no test-in requirement for the school, which means to many people, especially with those who have no children attending there, it's not a "real magnet."

All of the MSMC schools have block scheduling, meaning students get three electives instead of two. The school is also heavily skewed female, like 65/35 female/male. The arts classes lean more to performing arts than visual, but there is a big variety. But it has the same non-arts classes you'll find at any MCPS middle school. Loiederman also has a big LGBTQ+ presence, among both students and staff.

Wheaton is part of the DCC, which means your student may be able to attend Einstein, Blair, Kennedy, or Northwood if they want (and get their choice in the lottery--some schools are more popular and difficult to get.) Wheaton would be your home school so your child would be guaranteed a spot there.

Which ES is the home connected to? There are several cute neighborhoods zoned for Wheaton that have a nice community feel, namely Holiday Park and Randolph Hills.

There are addresses zoned for Loiederman. It is part of a consortium where kids get choice but each school is a home school for specific addresses.

...no, they don't. They have a home high school, but all ESes in the consortium go to all three MSes. Nobody is guaranteed anything but most get their first choice. However the semantics play out, there is no house that is "zoned for" Loiederman. It's zoned for the MSMC.

Here is a map of the Loiederman service area:

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/LoiedermanMS.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, there are no addresses that are zoned solely for Loiederman-- it's all part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which also includes Parkland (aerospace engineering) and Argyle (digital design). It's a whole school magnet, meaning the arts courses are open to all students and there is no test-in requirement for the school, which means to many people, especially with those who have no children attending there, it's not a "real magnet."

All of the MSMC schools have block scheduling, meaning students get three electives instead of two. The school is also heavily skewed female, like 65/35 female/male. The arts classes lean more to performing arts than visual, but there is a big variety. But it has the same non-arts classes you'll find at any MCPS middle school. Loiederman also has a big LGBTQ+ presence, among both students and staff.

Wheaton is part of the DCC, which means your student may be able to attend Einstein, Blair, Kennedy, or Northwood if they want (and get their choice in the lottery--some schools are more popular and difficult to get.) Wheaton would be your home school so your child would be guaranteed a spot there.

Which ES is the home connected to? There are several cute neighborhoods zoned for Wheaton that have a nice community feel, namely Holiday Park and Randolph Hills.

There are addresses zoned for Loiederman. It is part of a consortium where kids get choice but each school is a home school for specific addresses.

...no, they don't. They have a home high school, but all ESes in the consortium go to all three MSes. Nobody is guaranteed anything but most get their first choice. However the semantics play out, there is no house that is "zoned for" Loiederman. It's zoned for the MSMC.

Here is a map of the Loiederman service area:

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/LoiedermanMS.pdf

Well, dang. Another DCUM rant ruined with facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, there are no addresses that are zoned solely for Loiederman-- it's all part of the Middle School Magnet Consortium, which also includes Parkland (aerospace engineering) and Argyle (digital design). It's a whole school magnet, meaning the arts courses are open to all students and there is no test-in requirement for the school, which means to many people, especially with those who have no children attending there, it's not a "real magnet."

All of the MSMC schools have block scheduling, meaning students get three electives instead of two. The school is also heavily skewed female, like 65/35 female/male. The arts classes lean more to performing arts than visual, but there is a big variety. But it has the same non-arts classes you'll find at any MCPS middle school. Loiederman also has a big LGBTQ+ presence, among both students and staff.

Wheaton is part of the DCC, which means your student may be able to attend Einstein, Blair, Kennedy, or Northwood if they want (and get their choice in the lottery--some schools are more popular and difficult to get.) Wheaton would be your home school so your child would be guaranteed a spot there.

Which ES is the home connected to? There are several cute neighborhoods zoned for Wheaton that have a nice community feel, namely Holiday Park and Randolph Hills.

There are addresses zoned for Loiederman. It is part of a consortium where kids get choice but each school is a home school for specific addresses.

...no, they don't. They have a home high school, but all ESes in the consortium go to all three MSes. Nobody is guaranteed anything but most get their first choice. However the semantics play out, there is no house that is "zoned for" Loiederman. It's zoned for the MSMC.

Here is a map of the Loiederman service area:

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/LoiedermanMS.pdf

Well, dang. Another DCUM rant ruined with facts.

Not really. Even on the school assignment page where addresses are plugged in, an address "zoned" for Loiederman comes up as MSMC with the LMS *school number* in parentheses. Not even the name because that "assignment" has no meaning other than some random emergency situation where an address is tied to one school. It has no effect on eligibility or assignment for attending that school. There is no address where a student can attend LMS but not Parkland or Argyle.

I don't know why the semantics are so important, but as OP demonstrates, repeating facts!!! that don't apply to the reality of school assignments leads to confusion. OP's kid can attend rank the three schools in any order of preference and their address will not factor into which school they get.