Pyle vs Takoma Park Magnet

[Anonymous]

My daughter got a spot in the Takoma Park Magnet Program. We visited recently, and it seems like a great program. My big concern is the commute, and friends being spread out all over the country. I’ve also heard great things about Pyle. Anyone been in this posit hike before? Not sure if a magnet program is much better than regular middle school.

[Anonymous]

It's better if your child likes STEM. TPMS is a great school but the three kids we know who did this returned to Whitman. The commute was not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it.

[Anonymous]

TPMS will have changes next year and it’ll probably take a few years for the dust to settle. I would pick Pyle for stability.

[Anonymous]

I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better if your child likes STEM. TPMS is a great school but the three kids we know who did this returned to Whitman. The commute was not worth it.

They did not make it to Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

Did your TPMS child go to a magnet high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

Pyle is not a "regular middle school". It is a top middle school that has a smaller math/science cohort than TPMS, but still substantial enough size and parent support to have the door-opening programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

Did your TPMS child go to a magnet high school?

Yes. TPMs to Blair. My other child went from Pyle to Whitman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

Pyle is not a "regular middle school". It is a top middle school that has a smaller math/science cohort than TPMS, but still substantial enough size and parent support to have the door-opening programs.

PP here and I am referring to the experience itself, not the outcomes. We live in the Whitman cluster and I have experience with all of the schools mentioned here. The child who went to the magnet programs got the better education with the better cohort, hands-down.

Pyle is a "regular middle school," just as all of the middle schools in MCPS are.

[Anonymous]

My now sixth grader turned down both Eastern and TP spots because she didn’t want the commute and wanted to be with her friends. She has one friend who stayed at each program and are loving it, but the couple of other kids who started at a magnet came back to their home school within the first month. Sixth grade is hard enough without having the make new friends, but I think it really depends on the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

Pyle is not a "regular middle school". It is a top middle school that has a smaller math/science cohort than TPMS, but still substantial enough size and parent support to have the door-opening programs.

Does Pyle cohort the students into different science classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had children in both and there is no comparison. TPMS is wonderful for math and science and if your child has aptitude in those areas, it will open doors that the regular middle school cannot.

Pyle is not a "regular middle school". It is a top middle school that has a smaller math/science cohort than TPMS, but still substantial enough size and parent support to have the door-opening programs.

Does Pyle cohort the students into different science classes?

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's better if your child likes STEM. TPMS is a great school but the three kids we know who did this returned to Whitman. The commute was not worth it.

They did not make it to Blair.

Not true. Whitman is one of the only schools that kids will turn down Blair for, partly because it's far

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My now sixth grader turned down both Eastern and TP spots because she didn’t want the commute and wanted to be with her friends. She has one friend who stayed at each program and are loving it, but the couple of other kids who started at a magnet came back to their home school within the first month. Sixth grade is hard enough without having the make new friends, but I think it really depends on the kid.

We're struggling with the decision between Eastern and North Bethesda. Strong home MS, but Eastern has the amazing focus on writing/reading/communications which is unique and MCPS middle school English is just horrible. Long commute and lack of elective choice due to magnet focus.