MoCo middle school magnet programs -- any feedback?

[Anonymous]

Just curious if anyone out there has had a child attend Eastern or TPMS for the magnet program, and if so, what you think.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the double post.

[Anonymous]

Wait -- my second post disappeared! Too strange. Anyway, not to distract from my original question ...

[Anonymous]

I am also interested in this information. Is it helpful (necessary) if the child is in a Highly Gifted Center for 4th and 5th?

[Anonymous]

DC loves the magnet. DC is not exceptionally motivated, so we were a bit worried. Also, we had heard that kids burn out and end up hating science and math at the end of the three years. But DC, who has done more than one year already (don't want to give too much identifying info) comes home several times a week talking about the cool things they learned that day.

[Anonymous]

A huge amount of admission depends on the test, and there are other factors they consider, but I doubt being at a non-magnet plays in much. Indeed, they try to balance geographically through the county, so if you are in the east end, it is typically a bit easier.

[Anonymous]

My child attends TPMS and is thriving there - comes home every day excited about what went on, things child is learning. I will say that the program is very rigorous and entails a lot of work - hard work - which is sometimes stressful. (Of course, I have nothing to compare it to; it may be that our home middle school is also rigorous.)

Child did not attend the Center program, and no, I don't think it necessarily helps for admission. On the other hand, the Center kids, who have had rigorous curriculum, may have a leg up in terms of how they test. I also think the Center kids learn how to work hard and organize themselves in ways that prepare them for the magnet middle school.

[Anonymous]

My child attended the Center but not a MS magnet. My sense: Center was fantastic, but expected a huge amount. DC rose to the challenge, which was great to see. But the competition among the kids was not very intense - it was all kept pretty low key by very talented teachers. My *impression* is that at the TPMS magnet competition begins to get pretty intense .... kids already plotting their route to MIT.