Eastern and Takoma Park MS Magnet feedback

[Anonymous]

We're anticipating the 5th grade magnet lottery results in Jan/Feb and wanted to hear how current downcounty families in the magnets feel about the respective humanities and math programs at Eastern and Takoma Park MS.

DC meets/exceeds all criteria based on last year's screening info for both magnet programs.

Currently zoned for Pyle.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

I've had kids in both, and they are amazing programs, particularly given that MS is the weak link in MCPS in general.

With that said, your child's commute will be brutal unless there is a parent/caregiver willing to drive. That's particularly true if your child plans to do afterschool activities, because the magnet activity buses serve fewer stops.

So, I guess the thing I'd ask your is how badly your child wants this. The programs are incredible for kids who are highly motivated in either Humanities/Arts or Math/Science, but there's a higher opportunity cost given your geography and the overall strength of your home school.

[Anonymous]

I would walk the halls of eastern before I let my child accepted any position again. Not sure the juice was worth the squeeze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would walk the halls of eastern before I let my child accepted any position again. Not sure the juice was worth the squeeze.

That’s an interesting way to put it. It’s a rough school!

[Anonymous]

The programs are fantastic but unfortunately the lottery isn't all that great at identifying kids that really need the enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The programs are fantastic but unfortunately the lottery isn't all that great at identifying kids that really need the enrichment.

Sour grapes.

Btw, almost everyone in the pool was offered Eastern last year.

[Anonymous]

Though offers are made broadly, acceptances are more likely from less commute challenged locations unless the student has no or few home school peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are fantastic but unfortunately the lottery isn't all that great at identifying kids that really need the enrichment.

Sour grapes.

Btw, almost everyone in the pool was offered Eastern last year.

We were in the pool and still haven’t gotten an offer. Know lots of other people in the same situation. -NP

[Anonymous]

My current IB diploma student (11th grade) says they wouldn’t be doing half as well in the program without the preparation of Eastern.

There’s no way any school using the standard MCPS middle school curriculum can teach research and writing and analysis at that level. Even the “good” schools.

For my kid, who’s a serious student and genuinely enjoys learning, the academics were definitely worth dealing with the negatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are fantastic but unfortunately the lottery isn't all that great at identifying kids that really need the enrichment.

Sour grapes.

Btw, almost everyone in the pool was offered Eastern last year.

We were in the pool and still haven’t gotten an offer. Know lots of other people in the same situation. -NP

Strange. I know dozens offered.

[Anonymous]

TPMS does prepare students for the HS STEM magnets. It's a beautiful program for which there is nothing comparable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The programs are fantastic but unfortunately the lottery isn't all that great at identifying kids that really need the enrichment.

Sour grapes.

Btw, almost everyone in the pool was offered Eastern last year.

We were in the pool and still haven’t gotten an offer. Know lots of other people in the same situation. -NP

Perhaps, they've refined their selection process but it was pretty bad 2-3 years ago when it started.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Seems like the biggest consideration is the commute. I looked at the bus schedule and it seems like from where we are, the kids are on the bus for nearly an hour.

Are there other Pyle-zoned families that can tell us that the commute is worth the program?

We know that we haven't gotten a spot from the lottery yet, but trying to mentally prepare because I know the turn around time to accept if we do get a spot is very quick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Seems like the biggest consideration is the commute. I looked at the bus schedule and it seems like from where we are, the kids are on the bus for nearly an hour.

Are there other Pyle-zoned families that can tell us that the commute is worth the program?

We know that we haven't gotten a spot from the lottery yet, but trying to mentally prepare because I know the turn around time to accept if we do get a spot is very quick.

Quite a few Potomac, CC and Bethesda students carpool to Eastern. It would limit afterschool activities.

[Anonymous]

My kid is current student at Eastern. Commute is very long, but they can participate in after school activities and there is an activity bus tues-Thurs. It has been a good fit for DC.