Parkland MS

[Anonymous]

After giving up lottery hopes and coming to terms with our local MS (Eastern), this afternoon we were notified that our kid received a spot at Parkland. He is definitely STEM-oriented so academically it would likely be a great fit, but I'm wondering if most families feel the sacrifices (a long commute, not staying with friends) are worth it in the long run. I'd love any feedback on Parkland or Eastern for an active, well-rounded kid (lots of sports and other interests outside school) and/or your family's experience with and thoughts on traveling for a magnet. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It's not worth the long commute and the "magnet" is not a true magnet and just specialized classes. We removed our child from one of the other "magnets."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not worth the long commute and the "magnet" is not a true magnet and just specialized classes. We removed our child from one of the other "magnets."

Yeah, keep trying to convince yourself about "real magnet" schools.

[Anonymous]

If you can make it work, go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After giving up lottery hopes and coming to terms with our local MS (Eastern), this afternoon we were notified that our kid received a spot at Parkland. He is definitely STEM-oriented so academically it would likely be a great fit, but I'm wondering if most families feel the sacrifices (a long commute, not staying with friends) are worth it in the long run. I'd love any feedback on Parkland or Eastern for an active, well-rounded kid (lots of sports and other interests outside school) and/or your family's experience with and thoughts on traveling for a magnet. Thanks!

You should drive by the school and check it out. Also, for reference check out the neighboring community and see if you like it.

[Anonymous]

I would try it and see. You can always go back to your home school.

[Anonymous]

It’s not just the additional elective offerings that are unique, but all DCC middle schools are on a block schedule. For many kids, having only 4 classes a day to worry about is a big bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not just the additional elective offerings that are unique, but all DCC middle schools are on a block schedule. For many kids, having only 4 classes a day to worry about is a big bonus.

I think you mean all MSMC schools? Not all DCC schools have block schedules.

[Anonymous]

We just got a letter saying our child is assigned to Parkland MS. Our home MS is Cabin John. We visited Parkland in the fall and really liked it - at the same time, our older child went to Cabin John and liked it too.

Would love to hear any feedback from Parkland parents, especially if you had to compare vs your home school MS and what made you choose one way or another.

[Anonymous]

Eh. It won’t necessarily prepare your kid more. It’s not really a magnet. All kids can take pretty much any class. They take the same classes but have two science classes instead of one. They name them differently but they aren’t too different than other middle schools. They do offer geometry and high school astronomy which can be a plus for some 8th graders as well as a 3D printing class I believe. Lots of behavioral issues and large classes. I wouldn’t drive my child there if it was far but I think they offer more busing now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh. It won’t necessarily prepare your kid more. It’s not really a magnet. All kids can take pretty much any class. They take the same classes but have two science classes instead of one. They name them differently but they aren’t too different than other middle schools. They do offer geometry and high school astronomy which can be a plus for some 8th graders as well as a 3D printing class I believe. Lots of behavioral issues and large classes. I wouldn’t drive my child there if it was far but I think they offer more busing now.

Thank you. Did your kids go there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh. It won’t necessarily prepare your kid more. It’s not really a magnet. All kids can take pretty much any class. They take the same classes but have two science classes instead of one. They name them differently but they aren’t too different than other middle schools. They do offer geometry and high school astronomy which can be a plus for some 8th graders as well as a 3D printing class I believe. Lots of behavioral issues and large classes. I wouldn’t drive my child there if it was far but I think they offer more busing now.

It's a magnet. It's not a competitive magnet, rather via a lottery. But it's still a magnet.

(DCUM trope #537)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eh. It won’t necessarily prepare your kid more. It’s not really a magnet. All kids can take pretty much any class. They take the same classes but have two science classes instead of one. They name them differently but they aren’t too different than other middle schools. They do offer geometry and high school astronomy which can be a plus for some 8th graders as well as a 3D printing class I believe. Lots of behavioral issues and large classes. I wouldn’t drive my child there if it was far but I think they offer more busing now.

It's a magnet. It's not a competitive magnet, rather via a lottery. But it's still a magnet.

(DCUM trope #537)

No it’s not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eh. It won’t necessarily prepare your kid more. It’s not really a magnet. All kids can take pretty much any class. They take the same classes but have two science classes instead of one. They name them differently but they aren’t too different than other middle schools. They do offer geometry and high school astronomy which can be a plus for some 8th graders as well as a 3D printing class I believe. Lots of behavioral issues and large classes. I wouldn’t drive my child there if it was far but I think they offer more busing now.

It's a magnet. It's not a competitive magnet, rather via a lottery. But it's still a magnet.

(DCUM trope #537)

No it’s not.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/parklandms/magnet/

Magnet Program
Do you like...

learning about astronomy, robots, space exploration, satellites, and flight technology?
experimenting with the latest technology and equipment?
sharing the experience of competition with other students?
inventing and explaining new ideas and technologies?
solving engineering problems using scientific knowledge and equipment?
collaborating with scientists and engineers to make authentic connections?

If so, Parkland Middle School may be for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eh. It won’t necessarily prepare your kid more. It’s not really a magnet. All kids can take pretty much any class. They take the same classes but have two science classes instead of one. They name them differently but they aren’t too different than other middle schools. They do offer geometry and high school astronomy which can be a plus for some 8th graders as well as a 3D printing class I believe. Lots of behavioral issues and large classes. I wouldn’t drive my child there if it was far but I think they offer more busing now.

It's a magnet. It's not a competitive magnet, rather via a lottery. But it's still a magnet.

(DCUM trope #537)

No it’s not.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/parklandms/magnet/

Magnet Program
Do you like...

learning about astronomy, robots, space exploration, satellites, and flight technology?
experimenting with the latest technology and equipment?
sharing the experience of competition with other students?
inventing and explaining new ideas and technologies?
solving engineering problems using scientific knowledge and equipment?
collaborating with scientists and engineers to make authentic connections?

If so, Parkland Middle School may be for you!

It’s still not. They offer all these classes at many middle schools in MCPS. There is nothing different about Parkland than another other middle school except the schedule maybe. The classes are exactly the same. Just named differently. They take one extra science class and anyone can take any of the classes.