Loiederman MS Magnet Program vs Tilden MS

[Anonymous]

My daughter got offered a spot at Loiederman's Magnet program. I do not have a good understanding of Magnet programs. I've read through the posts on Loiederman on this forum but still have a few questions left. I am hoping folks can share their recent experiences with Loiederman so I can get some understanding of their Magnet. Our home MS is Tilden. So, our decision is between Tilden and Loiederman.

What is the level of non Art classes there? Is it comparable to the academically well performing schools at Moco? I just would not want for my DD to fall behind in those subjects. Looking at test performance at Loiederman, it appears to be lower than MCPS average. I mean I can see that they offer regular core courses but do they teach them at the same level of rigor?

How easy or not it is to join their theater performance or dance studio? I read on this forum that a lot of kids do not manage to get in because so many of them want to. I would question whether it makes sense to go there if the child cannot really participate anyway. How would you rate the level of their Art programs? Is it comparable to private enrichment opportunities which are available in DMV? Is the level of performance there much higher compare to the regular non Magnet schools like Tilden?

For those of you whose kids are at Loiederman currently, would you say the decision of joining was worth it?

-

[Anonymous]

The bonus of Loiederman is they let kids start Algebra in 6th. In realty a smart kid will be fine anywhere. Beyond that it's the same as any other school and very teacher dependent. We had good and bad teachers, the same as any other school. The kids are only tracked in math. The theater program is very competitive and generally only the favorite or 8th graders get the good parts in less your child is exceptional. Most of the dance kids are doing it for fun, and good for them, but you aren't going to find the high level kids there. Same with music. You are better off at your home school. Last year a bunch of kids transferred out back to their home schools. The higher performance kids are in private groups, private lessons, and are generally at the schools with parents with higher incomes as those are the families that can afford it. They use the magnet to get the high performing academic kids in to raise their test scores but they really don't offer them much beyond accelerated math. If you are close by in the consortium, it would make sense to choose it, but otherwise its not worth the commute and no huge advantage.

[Anonymous]

Different perspective here. DC (Loiederman, grade 6) is in HIGH and in AMP 7+ for math, so there is enrichment/acceleration in the humanities and in math. Math is being taught well: DC is doing better than they did in compacted. HIGH instruction is impressive.

Test scores at Loiederman as a whole reflect the fact that there are many non-native English speakers in the Loiederman population (as an English speaker myself, I cannot imagine having to take a standardized test in a language that my parents didn't speak at home and that I might not speak much outside of school, either). But in terms of my own DC's progress, DC is doing fine.

Arts courses: we have background in this field, and are super impressed with theater and chorus. The teachers are extremely hardworking and make serious progress in just a few months. If you have a DC yourself who is anticipating pursuing the arts in college, yes, you will need extracurriculars and private lessons, but that's true of almost any school. School can introduce, reiterate, or expand a kid's experience with the arts, and Loiederman does all of those.

Yes, theater productions are competitive for entrance and require serious two-part auditions for the musicals (singing and dancing). But the expectations and practice resources are open to everyone. There is also a new initiative this year, an after-school 6th-grade theater group that spent the first half of the year preparing and performing their own separate spoken-word production. Great training ground and preparation for future semesters and years.

Loiederman is not a private performing-arts academy: it is a public middle school open to anyone in MCPS who accesses it through the boundary, choice, and lottery processes. Some of the kids there are dedicated to the arts; others are there just because they didn't want aerospace or computer focuses as you get at Parkland or Argyle. But we find the teachers excellent. We don't think the social anarchy is any worse than any other middle school. We are thrilled that DC is having this variety of arts experiences. And DC is very happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different perspective here. DC (Loiederman, grade 6) is in HIGH and in AMP 7+ for math, so there is enrichment/acceleration in the humanities and in math. Math is being taught well: DC is doing better than they did in compacted. HIGH instruction is impressive.

Test scores at Loiederman as a whole reflect the fact that there are many non-native English speakers in the Loiederman population (as an English speaker myself, I cannot imagine having to take a standardized test in a language that my parents didn't speak at home and that I might not speak much outside of school, either). But in terms of my own DC's progress, DC is doing fine.

Arts courses: we have background in this field, and are super impressed with theater and chorus. The teachers are extremely hardworking and make serious progress in just a few months. If you have a DC yourself who is anticipating pursuing the arts in college, yes, you will need extracurriculars and private lessons, but that's true of almost any school. School can introduce, reiterate, or expand a kid's experience with the arts, and Loiederman does all of those.

Yes, theater productions are competitive for entrance and require serious two-part auditions for the musicals (singing and dancing). But the expectations and practice resources are open to everyone. There is also a new initiative this year, an after-school 6th-grade theater group that spent the first half of the year preparing and performing their own separate spoken-word production. Great training ground and preparation for future semesters and years.

Loiederman is not a private performing-arts academy: it is a public middle school open to anyone in MCPS who accesses it through the boundary, choice, and lottery processes. Some of the kids there are dedicated to the arts; others are there just because they didn't want aerospace or computer focuses as you get at Parkland or Argyle. But we find the teachers excellent. We don't think the social anarchy is any worse than any other middle school. We are thrilled that DC is having this variety of arts experiences. And DC is very happy.

OP here. Thank you so much for your reply! It sounds very reassuring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different perspective here. DC (Loiederman, grade 6) is in HIGH and in AMP 7+ for math, so there is enrichment/acceleration in the humanities and in math. Math is being taught well: DC is doing better than they did in compacted. HIGH instruction is impressive.

Test scores at Loiederman as a whole reflect the fact that there are many non-native English speakers in the Loiederman population (as an English speaker myself, I cannot imagine having to take a standardized test in a language that my parents didn't speak at home and that I might not speak much outside of school, either). But in terms of my own DC's progress, DC is doing fine.

Arts courses: we have background in this field, and are super impressed with theater and chorus. The teachers are extremely hardworking and make serious progress in just a few months. If you have a DC yourself who is anticipating pursuing the arts in college, yes, you will need extracurriculars and private lessons, but that's true of almost any school. School can introduce, reiterate, or expand a kid's experience with the arts, and Loiederman does all of those.

Yes, theater productions are competitive for entrance and require serious two-part auditions for the musicals (singing and dancing). But the expectations and practice resources are open to everyone. There is also a new initiative this year, an after-school 6th-grade theater group that spent the first half of the year preparing and performing their own separate spoken-word production. Great training ground and preparation for future semesters and years.

Loiederman is not a private performing-arts academy: it is a public middle school open to anyone in MCPS who accesses it through the boundary, choice, and lottery processes. Some of the kids there are dedicated to the arts; others are there just because they didn't want aerospace or computer focuses as you get at Parkland or Argyle. But we find the teachers excellent. We don't think the social anarchy is any worse than any other middle school. We are thrilled that DC is having this variety of arts experiences. And DC is very happy.

Also, does it offer "non-HIGH" for 6th grade social studies?
You mean it is not criteria-based magnet?

[Anonymous]

Loiderman is not a criteria-based magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different perspective here. DC (Loiederman, grade 6) is in HIGH and in AMP 7+ for math, so there is enrichment/acceleration in the humanities and in math. Math is being taught well: DC is doing better than they did in compacted. HIGH instruction is impressive.

Test scores at Loiederman as a whole reflect the fact that there are many non-native English speakers in the Loiederman population (as an English speaker myself, I cannot imagine having to take a standardized test in a language that my parents didn't speak at home and that I might not speak much outside of school, either). But in terms of my own DC's progress, DC is doing fine.

Arts courses: we have background in this field, and are super impressed with theater and chorus. The teachers are extremely hardworking and make serious progress in just a few months. If you have a DC yourself who is anticipating pursuing the arts in college, yes, you will need extracurriculars and private lessons, but that's true of almost any school. School can introduce, reiterate, or expand a kid's experience with the arts, and Loiederman does all of those.

Yes, theater productions are competitive for entrance and require serious two-part auditions for the musicals (singing and dancing). But the expectations and practice resources are open to everyone. There is also a new initiative this year, an after-school 6th-grade theater group that spent the first half of the year preparing and performing their own separate spoken-word production. Great training ground and preparation for future semesters and years.

Loiederman is not a private performing-arts academy: it is a public middle school open to anyone in MCPS who accesses it through the boundary, choice, and lottery processes. Some of the kids there are dedicated to the arts; others are there just because they didn't want aerospace or computer focuses as you get at Parkland or Argyle. But we find the teachers excellent. We don't think the social anarchy is any worse than any other middle school. We are thrilled that DC is having this variety of arts experiences. And DC is very happy.

Also, does it offer "non-HIGH" for 6th grade social studies?
You mean it is not criteria-based magnet?

NP. What is HIGH?

[Anonymous]

OP - my 5th grader was also offered a spot at Loiderman and her home school is Tilden. She’s interested in visual arts. I’m concerned about the academics at Loiderman as well as her making friends.

[Anonymous]

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/M/1/15/0787/0

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/M/1/15/0232/2023

Both report cards have achievement (% proficient) based on the ethnic groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - my 5th grader was also offered a spot at Loiderman and her home school is Tilden. She’s interested in visual arts. I’m concerned about the academics at Loiderman as well as her making friends.

Academics are fine. Friends will really depend on your child but remember most will not be close, so it's driving back and forth to Loiederman plus after school/evening and weekends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different perspective here. DC (Loiederman, grade 6) is in HIGH and in AMP 7+ for math, so there is enrichment/acceleration in the humanities and in math. Math is being taught well: DC is doing better than they did in compacted. HIGH instruction is impressive.

Test scores at Loiederman as a whole reflect the fact that there are many non-native English speakers in the Loiederman population (as an English speaker myself, I cannot imagine having to take a standardized test in a language that my parents didn't speak at home and that I might not speak much outside of school, either). But in terms of my own DC's progress, DC is doing fine.

Arts courses: we have background in this field, and are super impressed with theater and chorus. The teachers are extremely hardworking and make serious progress in just a few months. If you have a DC yourself who is anticipating pursuing the arts in college, yes, you will need extracurriculars and private lessons, but that's true of almost any school. School can introduce, reiterate, or expand a kid's experience with the arts, and Loiederman does all of those.

Yes, theater productions are competitive for entrance and require serious two-part auditions for the musicals (singing and dancing). But the expectations and practice resources are open to everyone. There is also a new initiative this year, an after-school 6th-grade theater group that spent the first half of the year preparing and performing their own separate spoken-word production. Great training ground and preparation for future semesters and years.

Loiederman is not a private performing-arts academy: it is a public middle school open to anyone in MCPS who accesses it through the boundary, choice, and lottery processes. Some of the kids there are dedicated to the arts; others are there just because they didn't want aerospace or computer focuses as you get at Parkland or Argyle. But we find the teachers excellent. We don't think the social anarchy is any worse than any other middle school. We are thrilled that DC is having this variety of arts experiences. And DC is very happy.

Also, does it offer "non-HIGH" for 6th grade social studies?
You mean it is not criteria-based magnet?

NP. What is HIGH?

It's a more advanced social studies class. Not a huge deal if they don't take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - my 5th grader was also offered a spot at Loiderman and her home school is Tilden. She’s interested in visual arts. I’m concerned about the academics at Loiderman as well as her making friends.

OP here. I also have a child at Tilden. I am not too impressed by the academics there. They follow standard MCPS curriculum. It’s basic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/M/1/15/0787/0

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/M/1/15/0232/2023

Both report cards have achievement (% proficient) based on the ethnic groups.

If I am reading these right, % of students proficient in math at Loiederman is 5%. Is not it like Really, really low? Or am I misunderstanding something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/M/1/15/0787/0

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/M/1/15/0232/2023

Both report cards have achievement (% proficient) based on the ethnic groups.

If I am reading these right, % of students proficient in math at Loiederman is 5%. Is not it like Really, really low? Or am I misunderstanding something?

It is really, really low. Probably why that PP posted that info to share with the OP.

I would choose Tilden over Loiderman, but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - my 5th grader was also offered a spot at Loiderman and her home school is Tilden. She’s interested in visual arts. I’m concerned about the academics at Loiderman as well as her making friends.

OP here. I also have a child at Tilden. I am not too impressed by the academics there. They follow standard MCPS curriculum. It’s basic.

All the courses/curriculum is similar and its the luck of the teacher.