For 8th graders -- how are you approaching the criteria-based programs?

[Anonymous]

hello! Our child is in 8th grade in an independent school, looking at some of the criteria-based MCPS HS programs. the changes (moving to regional from county-wide programs & making things like CAP, some IBS, or VAC interest-based) -- those are not taking place until this year's 7th graders? And I know this is impossible to know, but how do people expect these changes to impact the final cohort, both in terms of applications/selections & the program itself?

[Anonymous]

It seems to be the same problem for all the special programs, not just criteria-based programs. There doesn't appear to be any transition plan for one year to the next in terms of staffing, which will cause huge turnover and instability in all of these programs. At this point I think there's advantages to the local school/traditional programming, because they likely won't be as impacted by all of this mess. I have really been a big supporter of MCPS in general, but the past few months have changed that.

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest you apply as if nothing will change, as the final decision won't come out until December - January. At that time, you make your best informed decision when you have admission offers on hand.

[Anonymous]

One benefit of programs over local schools is if you are concerned about your child changing HS for 10th grade due to boundary changes after 9th grade-- they have committed that kids in programs (or consortia) will get to stay in their program all 4 years, but rising 10th graders at local schools may have to change if their local school assignment changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One benefit of programs over local schools is if you are concerned about your child changing HS for 10th grade due to boundary changes after 9th grade-- they have committed that kids in programs (or consortia) will get to stay in their program all 4 years, but rising 10th graders at local schools may have to change if their local school assignment changes.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd suggest you apply as if nothing will change, as the final decision won't come out until December - January. At that time, you make your best informed decision when you have admission offers on hand.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One benefit of programs over local schools is if you are concerned about your child changing HS for 10th grade due to boundary changes after 9th grade-- they have committed that kids in programs (or consortia) will get to stay in their program all 4 years, but rising 10th graders at local schools may have to change if their local school assignment changes.

Many of the current 8th graders are in an unfortunate situation: either they’ll be the last class in the magnet program, or they’ll be forced to leave their home high school for a new one

[Anonymous]

Actually, MCPS confirmed at the last BOE meeting that any current eighth grader would not be asked to change schools in 10th grade. They said for the class of 2030 wherever they start high school they may continue and graduate from there. They will be given a choice to switch to a new boundary school, if there is one, but they will not be forced. This is for everyone in the class of 2030, not just those in programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, MCPS confirmed at the last BOE meeting that any current eighth grader would not be asked to change schools in 10th grade. They said for the class of 2030 wherever they start high school they may continue and graduate from there. They will be given a choice to switch to a new boundary school, if there is one, but they will not be forced. This is for everyone in the class of 2030, not just those in programs.

Untrue, they were very clear that their statement only applied to centrally managed programs and the centrally managed consortium process.

[Anonymous]

Watch the video starting at 4:05:25

https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/353285

For central programs and also for DCC/NEC, kids will not have to switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, MCPS confirmed at the last BOE meeting that any current eighth grader would not be asked to change schools in 10th grade. They said for the class of 2030 wherever they start high school they may continue and graduate from there. They will be given a choice to switch to a new boundary school, if there is one, but they will not be forced. This is for everyone in the class of 2030, not just those in programs.

Nope. It sounded like that’s what they said, but they were referring to 2030 kids in centrally managed programs and consortia. They still plan to move 2030 kids not in programs or consortia to new boundary assigned schools as they enter 10th grade. This could change at some point, but right now it is absolutely still planned that 2028 and 2029 will stay and 2030 and 2031 will be assigned to redrawn boundary schools in fall of 2027.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, MCPS confirmed at the last BOE meeting that any current eighth grader would not be asked to change schools in 10th grade. They said for the class of 2030 wherever they start high school they may continue and graduate from there. They will be given a choice to switch to a new boundary school, if there is one, but they will not be forced. This is for everyone in the class of 2030, not just those in programs.

Nope. It sounded like that’s what they said, but they were referring to 2030 kids in centrally managed programs and consortia. They still plan to move 2030 kids not in programs or consortia to new boundary assigned schools as they enter 10th grade. This could change at some point, but right now it is absolutely still planned that 2028 and 2029 will stay and 2030 and 2031 will be assigned to redrawn boundary schools in fall of 2027.

I really hope they can make the case for 2030 kids so they don’t have to be forced to leave their high school after one year. It’s too disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, MCPS confirmed at the last BOE meeting that any current eighth grader would not be asked to change schools in 10th grade. They said for the class of 2030 wherever they start high school they may continue and graduate from there. They will be given a choice to switch to a new boundary school, if there is one, but they will not be forced. This is for everyone in the class of 2030, not just those in programs.

Untrue, they were very clear that their statement only applied to centrally managed programs and the centrally managed consortium process.

+1
Those in their home schools will be moving if boundaries change.

As a mom to an 8th grader, I am also nervous about centrally managed programs. They may stay in place but lose teachers. I feel like this class is bearing the brunt of the negative consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, MCPS confirmed at the last BOE meeting that any current eighth grader would not be asked to change schools in 10th grade. They said for the class of 2030 wherever they start high school they may continue and graduate from there. They will be given a choice to switch to a new boundary school, if there is one, but they will not be forced. This is for everyone in the class of 2030, not just those in programs.

Untrue, they were very clear that their statement only applied to centrally managed programs and the centrally managed consortium process.

+1
Those in their home schools will be moving if boundaries change.

As a mom to an 8th grader, I am also nervous about centrally managed programs. They may stay in place but lose teachers. I feel like this class is bearing the brunt of the negative consequences.

What you say does not make sense. Where will the teachers from the magnet programs go next year? It is the class of 2031 that is going to suffer - new programs in regional schools that year, existing programs losing teachers if they are forced to go to a different school to set up the program or if they go o their own for better commute.

[Anonymous]

I also have an 8th grader at a private and we’re switching to MCPS for HS
My understanding is we are the last year it stays as it is currently. Our kids can stay at the school and in the program they choose for 9th.
Kinda bummed she’s not a year younger but it is what it is.