Loiederman vs. Sligo MS?

[Anonymous]

NP here. My kid was at Parkland, but it has the same general idea (out of area + in consortium kids). All students have access to all classes and are placed according to academic ability (when courses offer different levels). But the nature of how scheduling works, students in advanced math, plus a language, plus specific electives tend to end up in more classes together and make friends that way. Students aren't deliberately tracked, but practically the more advanced students get separated in many classes from students needing support (such as ESOL or reading).

[Anonymous]

NP again - forgot to agree with PP. Say yes to Loiederman now. You can switch to Eastern if offered a spot there. Otherwise, let DD go to the school for 6th grade (commit to one year). If DD isn't fitting in or the commute is too much, you can always return to your home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay best to Loiederman and you can always change their mind. The kids in the arts program generally self-segregate. Academics are good at Loiederman but socially it can be tuff. Loiederman has an accelerated math track.

This is OP -- thanks, that's useful. Excuse my ignorance, but I thought there wasn't a separate arts program -- don't all students take additional arts courses? Or is that that they are available but not mandatory? Also, can you elaborate a bit on the social aspect and the math track?

Kids are offered electives. They have some non-arts electives but primary focus is arts. However, the kids there for arts generally self segregate as do their families. All kids can take all classes. It's not just for the lottery in kids. Math at least the past few years has allowed kids to start Algebra in 6th. The math teachers are very good. These programs are at these three schools to bring in diversity.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- thanks so much for all the replies, very helpful. Any comments on how COVID has affected the performing arts aspect? I'd like to think it won't matter the next school year, but that's probably unrealistic...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter insisted that she apply for the Argyle/Loiderman/Parkland MS lottery even though we live out of bounds. I thought her chances were zilch, so I agreed, and now she somehow got a spot at Loiederman (we'd never ever won any lotteries that I can remember). That was her first choice between the three.

The main reason for my (obvious) lack of enthusiasm is that there are no buses and we live about a 20 min drive away. We are renting, however, and looking to find something more permanent, so moving is not out of the question, if the school is a really good fit.

DD is good at all subjects, but I'd say writing is her strong suit (she's currently in a CES program). She is taking dance and music lessons outside MCPS and although she's enjoying them, I wouldn't say that she's an outstanding performer in either.

We are zoned for Sligo currently and I expect most of her friends will be going there.

I expect she's also in the lottery pool for Takoma Park/Eastern, but I don't think those lotteries have taken place yet. Certainly if she gets into one of those programs, I'd pick them over Loiederman (her own preference is Eastern), but I am not sure how the timing will work (the deadline for Loiederman is Feb 4th). If we have to make a decision on Loiederman before the Eastern/Takoma results are out, can we say yes to Loiederman and then change our mind to take a spot at say Eastern?

Any advice is appreciated, especially from parents currently at Loiederman who had to make similar choices. If we move to the area, what high school(s) would she be assigned to?

Wheaton HS

https://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/LoiedermanMS.pdf

Not necessarily true- maybe it’s true if loiederman is your home MS, but that’s not the case here. But if your DD graduates from loiderman/argyle/parkland, they will be able to apply to the magnet high school programs that Sligo may not be eligible for. (Or they get a preference within the DCC—check MCPS website to confirm). We’re at loiederman now and our kid loves having an additional elective due to the block scheduling. The teachers are overall very good and supportive of the kids. Definitely worth trying- if your DD doesn’t like it, they can always go back to their home MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- thanks so much for all the replies, very helpful. Any comments on how COVID has affected the performing arts aspect? I'd like to think it won't matter the next school year, but that's probably unrealistic...

PP here- the new center is great and they’ve already had several performances this past fall. The fall play was wonderful— audience had to be masked and tickets were limited to try and keep social distancing. But it worked out great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- thanks so much for all the replies, very helpful. Any comments on how COVID has affected the performing arts aspect? I'd like to think it won't matter the next school year, but that's probably unrealistic...

They had a fall show in the brand new performing arts center are planning a Spring musical. The theater is also used during the school day for the arts elective classes.
.
During virtual learning the theater department teamed up with Broadway professionals to do master classes and create a virtual musical production..it was amazing/beautiful

If your child loves arts, Loiederman is a great choice, and there is a strong admin team.and teaching staff.

Kids from CES programs do come to Loiederman so there is definitely a peer group for advanced learners.

My child has been going there and I think it's a hidden gem, especially for artsy, creative kids

You could reach out to the PTA to get information from other parents.

[Anonymous]

What colleges do kids from the Loiederman magnet program go to? Do a significant number of alumni go on to careers in the performing arts? What do the rest do? Just trying to visualize the possible pathways for student here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What colleges do kids from the Loiederman magnet program go to? Do a significant number of alumni go on to careers in the performing arts? What do the rest do? Just trying to visualize the possible pathways for student here.

Can’t speak for colleges, but exploring their interests and finding what they like/don’t like is an important pathway. DC is at LMS and we figured middle school is so full of drama anyway- might as well embrace it! They are enjoying learning how to be part of a team for theater as well as understanding the importance of practicing for a big play. Not sure college is on any of these kids’ minds? It’s very a supportive place which suits us just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What colleges do kids from the Loiederman magnet program go to? Do a significant number of alumni go on to careers in the performing arts? What do the rest do? Just trying to visualize the possible pathways for student here.

OMG it’s freaking middle school! This doesn’t determine your career pathway. You’re taking the same core academic classes as every other MCPS student. You just have EXTRA choices than the kids not in the DCC. It’s not a true magnet program like the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts where kids have to audition and be at a certain performance level to be accepted.

Middle School is a horrible time socially for most adolescents so why wouldn’t you let them go to school where they are more likely to make friends with similar interests? Also take a minute to be less ignorant about the arts. They are more than just a career opportunity. It’s a way to maintain good mental health and develop life long skills that transfer to any profession.

Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school. Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66 percent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group.

https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/how-a-music-background-can-help-premed-students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What colleges do kids from the Loiederman magnet program go to? Do a significant number of alumni go on to careers in the performing arts? What do the rest do? Just trying to visualize the possible pathways for student here.

Agree with the others that the college path is too far away, but I don't think it's ridiculous to ask where kids end up for HS. My anecdotal experience: some head to Blair CAP or other magnet programs, a lot of DCC kids head for Einstein for a continuation of the arts focus, a handful apply for DE as tuition paying out-of-district students, and some just head back to their home high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What colleges do kids from the Loiederman magnet program go to? Do a significant number of alumni go on to careers in the performing arts? What do the rest do? Just trying to visualize the possible pathways for student here.

OMG it’s freaking middle school! This doesn’t determine your career pathway. You’re taking the same core academic classes as every other MCPS student. You just have EXTRA choices than the kids not in the DCC. It’s not a true magnet program like the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts where kids have to audition and be at a certain performance level to be accepted.

Middle School is a horrible time socially for most adolescents so why wouldn’t you let them go to school where they are more likely to make friends with similar interests? Also take a minute to be less ignorant about the arts. They are more than just a career opportunity. It’s a way to maintain good mental health and develop life long skills that transfer to any profession.

Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school. Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66 percent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group.

https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/how-a-music-background-can-help-premed-students

Calm down. It’s a reasonable question. Particularly if you’re not as familiar with arts programs you may not know how students apply this program to high school and, ultimately, college. Like, do they all go to a “school of the arts” or proceed onto other paths. I’m not the PP but try being a little kind and appreciate not everyone knows everything you do and that’s ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, yeah, the magnets are better than Sligo, but Sligo wins by a mile over Loiederman

If your kid is artsy they can take a much greater variety of classes at Loiederman. Sligo has 4 arts/music teachers; Loiederman has 15.

Loiederman allows for 8 classes so you can take two arts classes and still take a foreign language or three arts and wait on foreign language.

Not the OP, but I have a child that will be attending Loiederman in the fall. So they can for example, take dance, instrumental music, and a foreign language? I only ask because my child wants to do all three, but I didn't think it was possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, yeah, the magnets are better than Sligo, but Sligo wins by a mile over Loiederman

If your kid is artsy they can take a much greater variety of classes at Loiederman. Sligo has 4 arts/music teachers; Loiederman has 15.

Loiederman allows for 8 classes so you can take two arts classes and still take a foreign language or three arts and wait on foreign language.

Not the OP, but I have a child that will be attending Loiederman in the fall. So they can for example, take dance, instrumental music, and a foreign language? I only ask because my child wants to do all three, but I didn't think it was possible.

Yes, they have an 8-period block schedule. There are 5 required classes: English, Math, Science, World Studies, and PE/Health. So there are 3 spots left for electives, including world languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What colleges do kids from the Loiederman magnet program go to? Do a significant number of alumni go on to careers in the performing arts? What do the rest do? Just trying to visualize the possible pathways for student here.

LMS does't get the "best" as its not a audition in. Its kids who enjoy it and want to be around like minded kids with more options. Some will go on but many will pick other careers. Mine loves the arts but probably will not do it as a career, but fun.

The advantage is you get 8 classes, not 7 and more preforming arts options.

Its a good school, has accelerated math, great principal, but otherwise its no different than any other school.

Sligo is supposed to have a good band director.