Downsides of Blair SMAC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some factors to consider: If you are not coming from TPMS or a feeder middle school it can be hard to make friends, especially for introverts. No one else from DS’s middle school went to the magnet program and he hasn’t really connected with any of the kids— he feels like they all knew each other ahead of time and already had friend groups, and we live far from Blair. Also the caliber of student is very high and DS does not like competing, so has really withdrawn from trying to be a “top” student. DS regrets going to Blair magnet and wishes he’d stayed with his middle school friends at our local HS. The long commute to Blair does not feel worth it to him, but he’s sticking with it because he does like the electives at Blair and it would be a hassle to try to come back to our local school. So I think that if your kid will be coming from across the county and won’t know anyone, have them self-reflect about their ability to make friends and handle the long commute.

These opinions change by senior year. freshman year is tough. parent of a similar kid who was the only one from their middle school who got in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some factors to consider: If you are not coming from TPMS or a feeder middle school it can be hard to make friends, especially for introverts. No one else from DS’s middle school went to the magnet program and he hasn’t really connected with any of the kids— he feels like they all knew each other ahead of time and already had friend groups, and we live far from Blair. Also the caliber of student is very high and DS does not like competing, so has really withdrawn from trying to be a “top” student. DS regrets going to Blair magnet and wishes he’d stayed with his middle school friends at our local HS. The long commute to Blair does not feel worth it to him, but he’s sticking with it because he does like the electives at Blair and it would be a hassle to try to come back to our local school. So I think that if your kid will be coming from across the county and won’t know anyone, have them self-reflect about their ability to make friends and handle the long commute.

These opinions change by senior year. freshman year is tough. parent of a similar kid who was the only one from their middle school who got in.

Correct. I had one from TPMS & one not. They both found their places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some factors to consider: If you are not coming from TPMS or a feeder middle school it can be hard to make friends, especially for introverts. No one else from DS’s middle school went to the magnet program and he hasn’t really connected with any of the kids— he feels like they all knew each other ahead of time and already had friend groups, and we live far from Blair. Also the caliber of student is very high and DS does not like competing, so has really withdrawn from trying to be a “top” student. DS regrets going to Blair magnet and wishes he’d stayed with his middle school friends at our local HS. The long commute to Blair does not feel worth it to him, but he’s sticking with it because he does like the electives at Blair and it would be a hassle to try to come back to our local school. So I think that if your kid will be coming from across the county and won’t know anyone, have them self-reflect about their ability to make friends and handle the long commute.

What year is your DS? My DC had a similar experience in 9th, but 10th has been much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some factors to consider: If you are not coming from TPMS or a feeder middle school it can be hard to make friends, especially for introverts. No one else from DS’s middle school went to the magnet program and he hasn’t really connected with any of the kids— he feels like they all knew each other ahead of time and already had friend groups, and we live far from Blair. Also the caliber of student is very high and DS does not like competing, so has really withdrawn from trying to be a “top” student. DS regrets going to Blair magnet and wishes he’d stayed with his middle school friends at our local HS. The long commute to Blair does not feel worth it to him, but he’s sticking with it because he does like the electives at Blair and it would be a hassle to try to come back to our local school. So I think that if your kid will be coming from across the county and won’t know anyone, have them self-reflect about their ability to make friends and handle the long commute.

This is thoughtfully written. We heard something similar from DC's friend's older sibling who is in 11th now. They said it has been really lonely. Still has not made friends. They have people to eat with and people to talk with but they don't socialize outside of school on weekends. Does not regret the choice as they are a STEM kid but socially it's been difficult. I don't even consider this child an introvert.

[Anonymous]

This is part of my fear especially after reading about the TPMS. This makes me sad as a parent! We want our kids to have a fulfilling high school experience with friendship and not to feel isolated. I am wondering if I should discourage her from accepting the Blair SMAC. Mine is not even coming from an MCPS middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is part of my fear especially after reading about the TPMS. This makes me sad as a parent! We want our kids to have a fulfilling high school experience with friendship and not to feel isolated. I am wondering if I should discourage her from accepting the Blair SMAC. Mine is not even coming from an MCPS middle school.

how many of the 100 kids are from TPMS?

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it's true but someone was saying over 40 admitted from TPMS and most likely to go. We'll see at the open house.

[Anonymous]

My DC has a friend at Blair and said the social scene there is not great, and wishes they went to RMIB but purely for the social scene. I guess there are more fun people at RMIB according to them.

[Anonymous]

I think socially it's like TPMS as compared with Eastern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is part of my fear especially after reading about the TPMS. This makes me sad as a parent! We want our kids to have a fulfilling high school experience with friendship and not to feel isolated. I am wondering if I should discourage her from accepting the Blair SMAC. Mine is not even coming from an MCPS middle school.

Does you kid play sport or do music or do some other activity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC has a friend at Blair and said the social scene there is not great, and wishes they went to RMIB but purely for the social scene. I guess there are more fun people at RMIB according to them.

RMIB does have a pretty high number of extroverts right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC has a friend at Blair and said the social scene there is not great, and wishes they went to RMIB but purely for the social scene. I guess there are more fun people at RMIB according to them.

My DC is a senior at Blair Magnet. They have an active social scene. The kids find their place - within a year or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is part of my fear especially after reading about the TPMS. This makes me sad as a parent! We want our kids to have a fulfilling high school experience with friendship and not to feel isolated. I am wondering if I should discourage her from accepting the Blair SMAC. Mine is not even coming from an MCPS middle school.

how many of the 100 kids are from TPMS?

No one will say this - this would give away how many of MoCo’s elite are given spots at Blair Magnet - and they think this level of rigor and excellence pervades the whole system! Lol! In recent times 25 slots are dedicated to TPMS kids from reading DCUM boards on the subject - so make sure salt is nearby. With all the issues with MCPS, likely this admin gave more slots to buy more top cover…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's true but someone was saying over 40 admitted from TPMS and most likely to go. We'll see at the open house.

That would make sense - definitely could see the need for 15 more scions of Moco liberal elite to find solace at Blair Magnet - esp as taxes head north to fix MCPS under the Blueprint for Maryland. No one is tracking on the serious increase in taxes that’s headed Moco’s way but it’s coming Bethesda and Potomac property owners, it’s coming.

As the now deceased senate president Mike Miller - likely one of the best purveyors of legally corrupt tactics in the history of state government said of Moco: their riches are the golden goose egg in Maryland politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's true but someone was saying over 40 admitted from TPMS and most likely to go. We'll see at the open house.

That would make sense - definitely could see the need for 15 more scions of Moco liberal elite to find solace at Blair Magnet - esp as taxes head north to fix MCPS under the Blueprint for Maryland. No one is tracking on the serious increase in taxes that’s headed Moco’s way but it’s coming Bethesda and Potomac property owners, it’s coming.

As the now deceased senate president Mike Miller - likely one of the best purveyors of legally corrupt tactics in the history of state government said of Moco: their riches are the golden goose egg in Maryland politics.

Oh, FFS, you sure didn't attend any magnet programs yourself, did ya?

Moco 'liberal elite' doesn't send their 'scions' to Blair magnet, their children are all in elite privates. Kids attending Blair magnet are mostly scions of Asan immigrants with advanced degrees.