I fear for the future of Einstein.

[Anonymous]

I’m deeply concerned about Einstein’s future. The push for the regional program seems to be moving quickly, and I worry that Einstein will be among the schools most affected. I love Einstein as it is, but if this regional program moves forward, I don’t understand how a school nationally recognized for its arts program ends up with an academic-focused model. Einstein’s students and faculty have even supported the development of performing arts programs at other schools. I can’t imagine why anyone would think placing an educational academy at Einstein is a good idea — that program has been struggling for quite some time. This regional program is not only gonna hurt the school but the artsy community of Kensington.

What do Einstein parents think of all this?

[Anonymous]

In general Einstein parents are pretty ticked off about it but the changes will be gradual so the impact is more on current middle schoolers and (to some extent) Einstein underclassmen. I’m a VAPA parent and am very concerned about losing resources. I was at the open house tonight though and was happy to hear the principal say all local programs would continue. That’s going to be a challenge. I hope MCPS realizes how much their proposal hurts Einstein but I also have some faith that Einstein’s warm, energetic, arty culture won’t go away overnight.

[Anonymous]

It's already been talked about. Both the academics and arts will be greatly impacted. The students who lottery into other schools due to a lack of offerings will have an issue without advanced classes. With reduced students, comes a reduction in staff so the only things that can be cut are electives and advanced classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general Einstein parents are pretty ticked off about it but the changes will be gradual so the impact is more on current middle schoolers and (to some extent) Einstein underclassmen. I’m a VAPA parent and am very concerned about losing resources. I was at the open house tonight though and was happy to hear the principal say all local programs would continue. That’s going to be a challenge. I hope MCPS realizes how much their proposal hurts Einstein but I also have some faith that Einstein’s warm, energetic, arty culture won’t go away overnight.

There are already limited arts staff, and they cannot offer all the classes teachers want to provide and students want. More than likely, the arts program will suffer greatly with a staff reduction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m deeply concerned about Einstein’s future. The push for the regional program seems to be moving quickly, and I worry that Einstein will be among the schools most affected. I love Einstein as it is, but if this regional program moves forward, I don’t understand how a school nationally recognized for its arts program ends up with an academic-focused model. Einstein’s students and faculty have even supported the development of performing arts programs at other schools. I can’t imagine why anyone would think placing an educational academy at Einstein is a good idea — that program has been struggling for quite some time. This regional program is not only gonna hurt the school but the artsy community of Kensington.

What do Einstein parents think of all this?

Ultimately, I believe these regional programs are meant to fail—especially the ones being built from the ground up. If MCPS were truly strategic, they would place these programs in schools that already fulfill those purposes. Perhaps the real intention is for many of these new programs to collapse, allowing the wealthier schools to retain and strengthen their own. In that case, the DCC and NEC would be dismantled, further widening the gap and elevating the more affluent schools even more.

[Anonymous]

I feel the same way about Blair. Maybe Blair will still have STEM but that will not be SMAC as it exists now.

[Anonymous]

Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general Einstein parents are pretty ticked off about it but the changes will be gradual so the impact is more on current middle schoolers and (to some extent) Einstein underclassmen. I’m a VAPA parent and am very concerned about losing resources. I was at the open house tonight though and was happy to hear the principal say all local programs would continue. That’s going to be a challenge. I hope MCPS realizes how much their proposal hurts Einstein but I also have some faith that Einstein’s warm, energetic, arty culture won’t go away overnight.

Ask the principal to bring back AP Music Theory. His track record of supporting VAPA programming isn’t great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

[Anonymous]

MCPS really needs to stop saying that schools will retain local programs and instead say might retain. That is going to be highly dependent on what the regional program offerings turn out to be. It would be crazy to think that some local programs will not be subsumed both for quality, resources(including staff) and ease of administration. Frankly some of it is needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS really needs to stop saying that schools will retain local programs and instead say might retain. That is going to be highly dependent on what the regional program offerings turn out to be. It would be crazy to think that some local programs will not be subsumed both for quality, resources(including staff) and ease of administration. Frankly some of it is needed.

That is what they're saying. From the program analysis FAQ:

What happens to existing local signature and academy programs?
These pathways may continue if they reflect student interest and impact by way of enrollment, completion and student outcomes.

[Anonymous]

They should put the humanities program at Einstein and the education program at BCC. Humanities meshes well with the arts focus of the school.

Ideally every school should offer performing arts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

That’s not true. Northwood is getting the program because it will be in a new building with better performance spaces MCPS said as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Northwood is a humanities school, and most—if not all—of its academies reflect that. Einstein’s VAPA program has not only done more for its community throughout the years, but has also received national recognition. Einstein has produced some of the top performers in the county over the years, which is why many students have chosen Einstein over Northwood for the Visual and Performing Arts. Northwood may have a new, shiny building, but that’s the only reason MCPS thinks it’s a good idea to move the program there. Einstein, however, has both the interest and the reputation to sustain it—and has successfully done so for over a decade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general Einstein parents are pretty ticked off about it but the changes will be gradual so the impact is more on current middle schoolers and (to some extent) Einstein underclassmen. I’m a VAPA parent and am very concerned about losing resources. I was at the open house tonight though and was happy to hear the principal say all local programs would continue. That’s going to be a challenge. I hope MCPS realizes how much their proposal hurts Einstein but I also have some faith that Einstein’s warm, energetic, arty culture won’t go away overnight.

There are already limited arts staff, and they cannot offer all the classes teachers want to provide and students want. More than likely, the arts program will suffer greatly with a staff reduction.

Einstein parents should demand MCPS provide transitional support as the school shrinks and programs change. It’s not Einstein’s fault that there will be fewer students, and fewer parents to help with the PTSA, PACE and Boosters. The community doesn’t want staff and classes cut. MCPS is imposing all of it on Einstein so they need to mitigate the problems their actions will cause. At the very least, Einstein should get an enhanced staffing formula so we don’t lose 20% of our faculty as well as 20% of students from the boundary changes.