High expectation and no stress-- which high school in mcps is best ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Directional%20university

It's another reason to stay away from W schools. The parents teach their children to ridicule kids that go to state schools.

oh... I am from CA. I have never heard of this. I guess because, as the website states, CA doesn't have any "directional" universities. LOL. But, I did go to a lowly state CA univ.

it actually refers to for profit schools - like the ones you see it on TV commercial -- Northeast Hampshire College or whatnot. Not state universities.

Per that link:

"A state-supported university in the United States whose name includes a compass direction, e.g. "North state name State University." Many directional universities started out as teachers' colleges, broadening their educational missions in the 1950's or 1960's. In most instances a directional university has easier admissions standards than its state's flagship university ("The University of state name") and serves a greater proportion of commuter/part-time/older students.

California does not have directional universities. As an equivalent, it has universities with the word "State" in their names. "

Sounds like it is for the lower tiered state univ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If kids can't handle HS stress, how will they handle college stress? It will be much more stressful than HS.

College classes are a few hours a day. It is a piece of cake compared to 7-8hrs of school and 3-4 hours of HW

I think this is a misleading and somewhat careless statement. College is a different ballgame. You can't compare it with HS classes. My DC who is a graduate of MCPS magnet finds college classes very difficult - yes, it's only a few hours a day but the amount of work you have to do out of class can be overwhelming depending on your major.

I disagree. Most kids find college easier when they have a very stressful HS experience. You should check why your daughter is having a problem in college. Maybe it is a social skills issue, not use to being away without her parents help.

When she was home did she clean, cook, do laundry, socialize, voluntter etc. If not you probably crippled her thinking 5APs and test prep were more important than living life.

I am guessing your DC is a directional college student?

He went to a top 25 school, top 10 lacrosse program and works on Wall Street.

doing what?

computer programming for financial systems

heck I went to a "directional" school and do the same thing... earning six figures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If kids can't handle HS stress, how will they handle college stress? It will be much more stressful than HS.

College classes are a few hours a day. It is a piece of cake compared to 7-8hrs of school and 3-4 hours of HW

I think this is a misleading and somewhat careless statement. College is a different ballgame. You can't compare it with HS classes. My DC who is a graduate of MCPS magnet finds college classes very difficult - yes, it's only a few hours a day but the amount of work you have to do out of class can be overwhelming depending on your major.

I disagree. Most kids find college easier when they have a very stressful HS experience. You should check why your daughter is having a problem in college. Maybe it is a social skills issue, not use to being away without her parents help.

When she was home did she clean, cook, do laundry, socialize, voluntter etc. If not you probably crippled her thinking 5APs and test prep were more important than living life.

Not in my experience. College demands way more than high school. Maybe the RMIB or TJ is more demanding than some colleges, a tough major in college is a lot harder.

That is not what student report to counselors. There is a lot of research on this and kids that take tons of APs and go to pressure cooker schools find college easier.

Well first of all, high school kids should not be taking a "ton" of AP's and if certain high schools (W's, RM, etc..) weren't so invested in their name on the top 100 schools in the US, they would realize most of these kids should not even being taking AP courses. Pressuring kids as young as 14 to take college AP courses is insane and many go on to take the same courses over again in college because it wasn't taught correctly. Many colleges are not accepting as many AP's as they once were. Many high rank colleges said as soon as a child has more than 4 AP scores on their transcripts they don't look any further. I think the same thing MCPS did with slowing down the math will also happen with AP's soon. They will still offer them but not allow so many so young. If our local college prep private schools are not allowing AP's until junior and occasionally sophomore year, then why are these public schools?

Why do W schools do it? Rankings.
Why do parents do it? Fear, misinformed

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If kids can't handle HS stress, how will they handle college stress? It will be much more stressful than HS.

College classes are a few hours a day. It is a piece of cake compared to 7-8hrs of school and 3-4 hours of HW

I think this is a misleading and somewhat careless statement. College is a different ballgame. You can't compare it with HS classes. My DC who is a graduate of MCPS magnet finds college classes very difficult - yes, it's only a few hours a day but the amount of work you have to do out of class can be overwhelming depending on your major.

I disagree. Most kids find college easier when they have a very stressful HS experience. You should check why your daughter is having a problem in college. Maybe it is a social skills issue, not use to being away without her parents help.

When she was home did she clean, cook, do laundry, socialize, voluntter etc. If not you probably crippled her thinking 5APs and test prep were more important than living life.

I am guessing your DC is a directional college student?

He went to a top 25 school, top 10 lacrosse program and works on Wall Street.

doing what?

computer programming for financial systems

heck I went to a "directional" school and do the same thing... earning six figures.

Same but he wanted to play lacrosse, was recruited as a freshman and never had to worry about "where he would get in". I also am a computer engineer. It's not my path to create it's just my job to encourage and support.

[Anonymous]

I think sometimes it is hard for parents whose kids struggle with academics to understand that it isn't the same for all kids. Just like your son/daughter can play multiple varsity sports as a sophomore with no problem, other people's sons and daughters can handle multiple APs with little stress. They don't necessarily need to spend hours on homework, because they "get it", just like some kids in sports don't need private coaching/expensive summer camps/etc because they have that natural ability. Every child has their strengths and interests --- they might not be yours.

The post about how colleges disregard kids who take 4+ APs a years is ridiculous. The strongest schools take the kids that take the most challenging classes. Admission stats show this. Even anecdotally, I do interviewing for both a large top 25 state school (not UVA) and an ivy, this is one of the main criteria (the out of state applicants are tying to get into the honors program or a merit scholarship). If I know that at the child's HS the typical for the top students is multiple APs, the applicant is not going to stand a chance unless they are the child of an alum or extraordinary in some other way (rarely sports - that's a different route and handled primarily by coaches).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think sometimes it is hard for parents whose kids struggle with academics to understand that it isn't the same for all kids. Just like your son/daughter can play multiple varsity sports as a sophomore with no problem, other people's sons and daughters can handle multiple APs with little stress. They don't necessarily need to spend hours on homework, because they "get it", just like some kids in sports don't need private coaching/expensive summer camps/etc because they have that natural ability. Every child has their strengths and interests --- they might not be yours.

The post about how colleges disregard kids who take 4+ APs a years is ridiculous. The strongest schools take the kids that take the most challenging classes. Admission stats show this. Even anecdotally, I do interviewing for both a large top 25 state school (not UVA) and an ivy, this is one of the main criteria (the out of state applicants are tying to get into the honors program or a merit scholarship). If I know that at the child's HS the typical for the top students is multiple APs, the applicant is not going to stand a chance unless they are the child of an alum or extraordinary in some other way (rarely sports - that's a different route and handled primarily by coaches).

This is why parents want schools they don't stress APs because colleges pit kids from the same school against each other to get into top schools. It creates a cut throat environment. If it is typical for kids to take 4Aps at your school, you better take 5 APs. You are fooling yourself if you think most kids are not stressed in this environment. You are also naive if you don't know that most those kids have tutors and take on toxic stress to get through it. There may be some that aren't but the majority are... And why do they to it because of people like you. Admissions officers have little time to really get to know a student, so they triage, and good kids are dumped... Just because you don't have a good way to measure success.

Now you have thousands of kids taking tons of APs ... Why... To impress you. And guess what many still don't .... They end up in the same college they would have ended up if they took just a few APs with a much better high school experience.

So really the problem is not just the counsellors at top HSs pushing kids into APs for ranking. YOU are more of a problem with our society today, preying off the fear of kids and parents that if they don't pour money into AP testing they won't appear to be "good enough" .... It pays the bills though, SAT prep, AP exams, .... so who cares if a few kids kill themselves in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think sometimes it is hard for parents whose kids struggle with academics to understand that it isn't the same for all kids. Just like your son/daughter can play multiple varsity sports as a sophomore with no problem, other people's sons and daughters can handle multiple APs with little stress. They don't necessarily need to spend hours on homework, because they "get it", just like some kids in sports don't need private coaching/expensive summer camps/etc because they have that natural ability. Every child has their strengths and interests --- they might not be yours.

The post about how colleges disregard kids who take 4+ APs a years is ridiculous. The strongest schools take the kids that take the most challenging classes. Admission stats show this. Even anecdotally, I do interviewing for both a large top 25 state school (not UVA) and an ivy, this is one of the main criteria (the out of state applicants are tying to get into the honors program or a merit scholarship). If I know that at the child's HS the typical for the top students is multiple APs, the applicant is not going to stand a chance unless they are the child of an alum or extraordinary in some other way (rarely sports - that's a different route and handled primarily by coaches).

This is why parents want schools they don't stress APs because colleges pit kids from the same school against each other to get into top schools. It creates a cut throat environment. If it is typical for kids to take 4Aps at your school, you better take 5 APs. You are fooling yourself if you think most kids are not stressed in this environment. You are also naive if you don't know that most those kids have tutors and take on toxic stress to get through it. There may be some that aren't but the majority are... And why do they to it because of people like you. Admissions officers have little time to really get to know a student, so they triage, and good kids are dumped... Just because you don't have a good way to measure success.

Now you have thousands of kids taking tons of APs ... Why... To impress you. And guess what many still don't .... They end up in the same college they would have ended up if they took just a few APs with a much better high school experience.

So really the problem is not just the counsellors at top HSs pushing kids into APs for ranking. YOU are more of a problem with our society today, preying off the fear of kids and parents that if they don't pour money into AP testing they won't appear to be "good enough" .... It pays the bills though, SAT prep, AP exams, .... so who cares if a few kids kill themselves in the process.

I'm guessing this is the PP. I'm not an Admissions Counselor, never said I was, I said I do interviews. The interview is the opposite of a checklist. It's a chance for a student to tell me their story.

Listen, reading through these threads it's clear that your child struggles academically and doesn't enjoy the challenge of understanding higher level material at this point in his/her life. Let your stressed out child play three sports and take regular track classes. He or she will have a happier high school experience and still have a happy and successful life. Let go of the idea that your child has to go to a top school or even UMD (which I personally think is a strong school), there are lots of great colleges out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think sometimes it is hard for parents whose kids struggle with academics to understand that it isn't the same for all kids. Just like your son/daughter can play multiple varsity sports as a sophomore with no problem, other people's sons and daughters can handle multiple APs with little stress. They don't necessarily need to spend hours on homework, because they "get it", just like some kids in sports don't need private coaching/expensive summer camps/etc because they have that natural ability. Every child has their strengths and interests --- they might not be yours.

The post about how colleges disregard kids who take 4+ APs a years is ridiculous. The strongest schools take the kids that take the most challenging classes. Admission stats show this. Even anecdotally, I do interviewing for both a large top 25 state school (not UVA) and an ivy, this is one of the main criteria (the out of state applicants are tying to get into the honors program or a merit scholarship). If I know that at the child's HS the typical for the top students is multiple APs, the applicant is not going to stand a chance unless they are the child of an alum or extraordinary in some other way (rarely sports - that's a different route and handled primarily by coaches).

This is why parents want schools they don't stress APs because colleges pit kids from the same school against each other to get into top schools. It creates a cut throat environment. If it is typical for kids to take 4Aps at your school, you better take 5 APs. You are fooling yourself if you think most kids are not stressed in this environment. You are also naive if you don't know that most those kids have tutors and take on toxic stress to get through it. There may be some that aren't but the majority are... And why do they to it because of people like you. Admissions officers have little time to really get to know a student, so they triage, and good kids are dumped... Just because you don't have a good way to measure success.

Now you have thousands of kids taking tons of APs ... Why... To impress you. And guess what many still don't .... They end up in the same college they would have ended up if they took just a few APs with a much better high school experience.

So really the problem is not just the counsellors at top HSs pushing kids into APs for ranking. YOU are more of a problem with our society today, preying off the fear of kids and parents that if they don't pour money into AP testing they won't appear to be "good enough" .... It pays the bills though, SAT prep, AP exams, .... so who cares if a few kids kill themselves in the process.

I think your intention is good but very naive about the whole thing... Reminds me of the environmentalists saying if we stop eating meat, we will save the earth!!

[Anonymous]

Does no one even consider the idea that kids take APs because they are genuinely interested in the subject and in a challenging class? There's this assumption floating around on this thread that academic high achievers are doing it solely to impress other people and gain admission to "top" colleges. Is that why the athletic kids are playing sports? Or maybe it's because they love the game and they love using their skills? Why doesn't anyone consider that as a motivation for the academically inclined?

Of course there are kids in APs only because they feel they have to be, but that's not everyone. And if your issue is "pressure" from the school or the community or whatever, well, have the courage of your convictions and resist if you really think it's not right for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think sometimes it is hard for parents whose kids struggle with academics to understand that it isn't the same for all kids. Just like your son/daughter can play multiple varsity sports as a sophomore with no problem, other people's sons and daughters can handle multiple APs with little stress. They don't necessarily need to spend hours on homework, because they "get it", just like some kids in sports don't need private coaching/expensive summer camps/etc because they have that natural ability. Every child has their strengths and interests --- they might not be yours.

The post about how colleges disregard kids who take 4+ APs a years is ridiculous. The strongest schools take the kids that take the most challenging classes. Admission stats show this. Even anecdotally, I do interviewing for both a large top 25 state school (not UVA) and an ivy, this is one of the main criteria (the out of state applicants are tying to get into the honors program or a merit scholarship). If I know that at the child's HS the typical for the top students is multiple APs, the applicant is not going to stand a chance unless they are the child of an alum or extraordinary in some other way (rarely sports - that's a different route and handled primarily by coaches).

This is why parents want schools they don't stress APs because colleges pit kids from the same school against each other to get into top schools. It creates a cut throat environment. If it is typical for kids to take 4Aps at your school, you better take 5 APs. You are fooling yourself if you think most kids are not stressed in this environment. You are also naive if you don't know that most those kids have tutors and take on toxic stress to get through it. There may be some that aren't but the majority are... And why do they to it because of people like you. Admissions officers have little time to really get to know a student, so they triage, and good kids are dumped... Just because you don't have a good way to measure success.

Now you have thousands of kids taking tons of APs ... Why... To impress you. And guess what many still don't .... They end up in the same college they would have ended up if they took just a few APs with a much better high school experience.

So really the problem is not just the counsellors at top HSs pushing kids into APs for ranking. YOU are more of a problem with our society today, preying off the fear of kids and parents that if they don't pour money into AP testing they won't appear to be "good enough" .... It pays the bills though, SAT prep, AP exams, .... so who cares if a few kids kill themselves in the process.

I think your intention is good but very naive about the whole thing... Reminds me of the environmentalists saying if we stop eating meat, we will save the earth!!

It actually reminds me of steroids. Most don't want to take steroids but they have to because the other guy does so they have to and since the NFL does not regulate it they are between a rock and a hard place.

[Anonymous]

Every child is different and every family is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Don't try to put your value system on others bc they may have a different value system than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does no one even consider the idea that kids take APs because they are genuinely interested in the subject and in a challenging class? There's this assumption floating around on this thread that academic high achievers are doing it solely to impress other people and gain admission to "top" colleges. Is that why the athletic kids are playing sports? Or maybe it's because they love the game and they love using their skills? Why doesn't anyone consider that as a motivation for the academically inclined?

Of course there are kids in APs only because they feel they have to be, but that's not everyone. And if your issue is "pressure" from the school or the community or whatever, well, have the courage of your convictions and resist if you really think it's not right for your kid.

Yes. That is why the OP wants to avoid W schools so when her child takes a few APs instead of a bunch that is part of the mission of the school not an outlier.

I will say that I see some kids that love sports, but many are being pushed too hard by their parents and they just are not that good. It is pathetic. It is very unhealthy for kids. With sports there are cuts, so kids that don't belong in a AP sport don't actually end up in an AP sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does no one even consider the idea that kids take APs because they are genuinely interested in the subject and in a challenging class? There's this assumption floating around on this thread that academic high achievers are doing it solely to impress other people and gain admission to "top" colleges. Is that why the athletic kids are playing sports? Or maybe it's because they love the game and they love using their skills? Why doesn't anyone consider that as a motivation for the academically inclined?

Of course there are kids in APs only because they feel they have to be, but that's not everyone. And if your issue is "pressure" from the school or the community or whatever, well, have the courage of your convictions and resist if you really think it's not right for your kid.

Yes. That is why the OP wants to avoid W schools so when her child takes a few APs instead of a bunch that is part of the mission of the school not an outlier.

I will say that I see some kids that love sports, but many are being pushed too hard by their parents and they just are not that good. It is pathetic. It is very unhealthy for kids. With sports there are cuts, so kids that don't belong in a AP sport don't actually end up in an AP sport.

So, you think kids getting cut is healthy? I personally think sending the message "you are not good enough" is very damaging to kids psych. Kids should taught/learn how to overcome their shortcomings. Even the kids who find APs hard, can over come and do well if they try. They don't get automatic Ds/Fs even before the class starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does no one even consider the idea that kids take APs because they are genuinely interested in the subject and in a challenging class? There's this assumption floating around on this thread that academic high achievers are doing it solely to impress other people and gain admission to "top" colleges. Is that why the athletic kids are playing sports? Or maybe it's because they love the game and they love using their skills? Why doesn't anyone consider that as a motivation for the academically inclined?

Of course there are kids in APs only because they feel they have to be, but that's not everyone. And if your issue is "pressure" from the school or the community or whatever, well, have the courage of your convictions and resist if you really think it's not right for your kid.

Yes. That is why the OP wants to avoid W schools so when her child takes a few APs instead of a bunch that is part of the mission of the school not an outlier.

I will say that I see some kids that love sports, but many are being pushed too hard by their parents and they just are not that good. It is pathetic. It is very unhealthy for kids. With sports there are cuts, so kids that don't belong in a AP sport don't actually end up in an AP sport.

So the question then, is whether you are choosing a high school cluster based on "big fish small pond," or "small fish big pond." Different people will come to different conclusions about that. For some families, they are willing to take the "risk" of being a small fish in a big pond because the opportunities for an outstanding high school education are more important to them than the risk that their kid might not "stand out" enough.

For us the "risk" of being at a W school is more than outweighed by the rewards. Not everyone's choice.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a really stupid idea to pass on a W-school if you can afford it.