NMSFs Class of 2023 (MCPS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d be interested to also see the number of commended scholars per school.

When are commended scholars announced?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those results are staggering.

Are all 48 from Blair or from the magnet program?

Yes. From what I understand, all 48 are from the Blair STEM magnet program of around 100 or so students. Staggering is right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those results are staggering.

Are all 48 from Blair or from the magnet program?

Yes. From what I understand, all 48 are from the Blair STEM magnet program of around 100 or so students. Staggering is right.

Isn’t there another magnet in Blair, that one is no good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those results are staggering.

Are all 48 from Blair or from the magnet program?

Yes. From what I understand, all 48 are from the Blair STEM magnet program of around 100 or so students. Staggering is right.

Isn’t there another magnet in Blair, that one is no good?

It is a very good program. They may not be focused on maximizing their PSAT/SAT scores which is a necessary condition for the scholarships. Maryland has among the highest cutoffs for the country.

[Anonymous]

There’s a very simple reason for this. It’s very rare to have perfect PSAT scores; usually these kids have been doing tutoring and taking practice tests for years. They are the same kids who did tutoring and practice tests in 8th grade to get into either Blair, RM, or Poolesville. So there are very few kids left at the “regular” high schools who are in this category.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those results are staggering.

Are all 48 from Blair or from the magnet program?

I haven't seen this year's list, but in previous years, there have been a few from CAP and/or students who aren't in either magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a very simple reason for this. It’s very rare to have perfect PSAT scores; usually these kids have been doing tutoring and taking practice tests for years. They are the same kids who did tutoring and practice tests in 8th grade to get into either Blair, RM, or Poolesville. So there are very few kids left at the “regular” high schools who are in this category.

Mostly, yes. I'm a Blair magnet (grad) mom. My kid did self study with a prep book, but some kids did full classes. But, some didn't do specific prep. Many have had so much enrichment (plus the math they do is far beyond), they are already well prepared.

I will say, mine applied to Blair under the old system (now in college), and many kids did classes specifically designed for that admissions test. A++, I think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a very simple reason for this. It’s very rare to have perfect PSAT scores; usually these kids have been doing tutoring and taking practice tests for years. They are the same kids who did tutoring and practice tests in 8th grade to get into either Blair, RM, or Poolesville. So there are very few kids left at the “regular” high schools who are in this category.

Or the same bright kids who get in to the magnet, do well on the psat..without prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a very simple reason for this. It’s very rare to have perfect PSAT scores; usually these kids have been doing tutoring and taking practice tests for years. They are the same kids who did tutoring and practice tests in 8th grade to get into either Blair, RM, or Poolesville. So there are very few kids left at the “regular” high schools who are in this category.

Mostly, yes. I'm a Blair magnet (grad) mom. My kid did self study with a prep book, but some kids did full classes. But, some didn't do specific prep. Many have had so much enrichment (plus the math they do is far beyond), they are already well prepared.

I will say, mine applied to Blair under the old system (now in college), and many kids did classes specifically designed for that admissions test. A++, I think?

The cutoff is way below perfect score, which is 228, it is not that hard to be nmsf, don’t think it takes that much prep for magnet kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Almost half of the high schools in the county without a single semifinalist does not bode well for MCPS. Not surprisingly MCPS is ignoring the NMSFs entirely and not putting out a press release. MCPS won't quickly achieve equity but it can always ignore accomplishments.

Will we see this in the ‘8 Things You Need to Know Email’ this week? You would think/hope that MCPS would want to highlight these students in their weekly email. I look forward seeing this list sent out to all MCPS parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair 48
Richard Montgomery 24
Churchill 18
Poolesville 16
Whitman 11
Wootton 10
Walter Johnson 9
B-CC 5
Sherwood 2
Magruder 1
Northwest 1
Springbrook 1
Wheaton 1
Blake 0
Clarksburg 0
Damascus 0
Einstein 0
Gaithersburg 0
Kennedy 0
Northwood 0
Paint Branch 0
Quince Orchard 0
Rockville 0
Seneca Valley 0
Watkins Mill 0

Shockingly low number for RM. wow… I guess that’s the price you pay for having a more inclusive program. Total shame what these idiots have done to that program.

You don’t know what you’re talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair 48
Richard Montgomery 24
Churchill 18
Poolesville 16
Whitman 11
Wootton 10
Walter Johnson 9
B-CC 5
Sherwood 2
Magruder 1
Northwest 1
Springbrook 1
Wheaton 1
Blake 0
Clarksburg 0
Damascus 0
Einstein 0
Gaithersburg 0
Kennedy 0
Northwood 0
Paint Branch 0
Quince Orchard 0
Rockville 0
Seneca Valley 0
Watkins Mill 0

Shockingly low number for RM. wow… I guess that’s the price you pay for having a more inclusive program. Total shame what these idiots have done to that program.

You don’t know what you’re talking about.

Do tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a very simple reason for this. It’s very rare to have perfect PSAT scores; usually these kids have been doing tutoring and taking practice tests for years. They are the same kids who did tutoring and practice tests in 8th grade to get into either Blair, RM, or Poolesville. So there are very few kids left at the “regular” high schools who are in this category.

Mostly, yes. I'm a Blair magnet (grad) mom. My kid did self study with a prep book, but some kids did full classes. But, some didn't do specific prep. Many have had so much enrichment (plus the math they do is far beyond), they are already well prepared.

I will say, mine applied to Blair under the old system (now in college), and many kids did classes specifically designed for that admissions test. A++, I think?

The cutoff is way below perfect score, which is 228, it is not that hard to be nmsf, don’t think it takes that much prep for magnet kids

Many of these kids have been prepping over the long haul. Also, it was 224 when my kid was there. So, not exactly "way below" Some parents take not chances. It's like they have a system or recipe.

[Anonymous]

Back in the dark ages when I took the PSAT, the score on the verbal section was weighted to count for twice the math score.

Is that still the case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d be interested to also see the number of commended scholars per school.

When are commended scholars announced?

If your kid’s index is 207 or above, they are a Commended Scholar. Not sure there’s an announcement, but very easy to look up.