Upper NW DC or Takoma Park schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

This whole post is written like some weird advertisement for parents of the gifted and talented. The ES magnet at TPES was discontinued a couple of years ago. I think that upper NW elementaries are generally going to be better than DCC elementary schools mostly because the PTA's are able to raise a ton of money and can hire extra staffing. TPMS is the best DCC middle school. Is it better than Deal? You'd have to find someone that has had kids at both. Blair vs. JR? My guess is that they are a similar experience. Blair is a very large school, so can offer a lot of different classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

This whole post is written like some weird advertisement for parents of the gifted and talented. The ES magnet at TPES was discontinued a couple of years ago. I think that upper NW elementaries are generally going to be better than DCC elementary schools mostly because the PTA's are able to raise a ton of money and can hire extra staffing. TPMS is the best DCC middle school. Is it better than Deal? You'd have to find someone that has had kids at both. Blair vs. JR? My guess is that they are a similar experience. Blair is a very large school, so can offer a lot of different classes.

It was only a matter of time until Blair envy reared its ugly head. TPMS is the best MS in the county period, and the TPES magnet is closed in name only. The school still has additional STEM content and enriched math well beyond other MCPS elementary schools. Blair is a fantastic school with the best college outcomes of any school in the county, according to the data published in Bethesda Beat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

This out of date. There hasn’t been an elementary magnet at TPES in years though they do offer math enrichment to some extent and there is only 1 CES classroom at PBES and always has been with the exception of one disastrous year three years ago. Other than that accurate.

We moved to TKPK for the schools from DC and would do it again.

[Anonymous]

TPMS is excellent and head and shoulders above Deal and we have experience with both. Deal is excellent for DCPS but MCPS has a much higher bar. Overall more opportunities and better administration at TPMS. I’ve been less impressed with Piney Branch - it’s basically too big and would benefit from being K-5 instead of 3-5. Blair is the most popular school in the DCC and the kids are very lucky to have so many options. I’d also pick Blair over Jackson Reed. The Blair magnet is also better than anything you’d find in private, but obviously very competitive.

[Anonymous]

We moved to TKPK for the schools too and have been very happy.

Our child was in the TPES magnet (which isn't really a magnet, the school just offers enrichment in math and some LA), the CES at PBES (yes, that "disastrous year" with two classes), and the magnet at TPMS (the last year it wasn't a total lottery). Next year they are headed to CAP at Blair.

We moved hoping this would happen and thought our DC would benefit from selective and challenging programs. That was a gamble but it's worked out. We have been very pleased with the programs and opportunities and curriculums and cohorts. And I realize we are lucky.

My friends whose children have not been in magnets are less satisfied on the whole. And sometimes, kids who should be in magnets don't get in. Especially now with the lottery approach that makes an initial cut then just draws #s (my child was part of groups that made initial cuts then were looked at in some mystifying process).

I would choose MCPS again, and I would choose either the same pyramid we have now or a "good" pyramid in Bethesda/Potomac for a sure bet. That said, the diversity in Takoma Park can't be beat, and I am not interested in sending my kid into a setting that doesn't look more like the real world (meaning Bethesda/Potomac are pretty elite and segregated in many ways).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

What is cogat? I’m not following the implication

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

What is cogat? I’m not following the implication

The point is that the weird advertising post that sounds like it’s copy and paste from somewhere else is out of date. COGAT is an IQ test that kids took in 2nd (I think) and 5th grade and was used to inform selection to CES and middle school magnets. It’s been suspended since the pandemic. Now MAP scores are the only standardized test considered. It’s unclear if that might change for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

In name only. They continue to provide enriched math and additional STEM pullouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

What is cogat? I’m not following the implication

The point is that the weird advertising post that sounds like it’s copy and paste from somewhere else is out of date. COGAT is an IQ test that kids took in 2nd (I think) and 5th grade and was used to inform selection to CES and middle school magnets. It’s been suspended since the pandemic. Now MAP scores are the only standardized test considered. It’s unclear if that might change for next year.

I know it's so annoying that Takoma gets all these great things. We pay so much more in taxes in Potomac but lack all these fantastic opportunities. Despite our W feeders offering so much more than every place but Takoma, I'm utterly jealous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

What is cogat? I’m not following the implication

The point is that the weird advertising post that sounds like it’s copy and paste from somewhere else is out of date. COGAT is an IQ test that kids took in 2nd (I think) and 5th grade and was used to inform selection to CES and middle school magnets. It’s been suspended since the pandemic. Now MAP scores are the only standardized test considered. It’s unclear if that might change for next year.

No, CogAT is not an IQ test, which measures intelligence. CogAT measures reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

Not sure I follow the CogAT comment either, especially since the poster mentioned the lottery in that context.

The last year they used it was 2019 because the test owner wouldn't let them administer it remotely during the deadly global pandemic.

It's probably for the best since tests like this and SATs have fallen out of favor for a good reason. They are mainly a way to keep out less affluent students and don't provide new information that isn't already evident from the other existing metrics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

Thank you so much for the detailed information. This was super helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park schools are recognized for their diverse student body and racial and socioeconomic diversity. While this may result in lower test averages compared to more segregated areas, these schools still provide the best educational opportunities available in Montgomery County.

TPES stands out for hosting the county's only elementary school magnet program, which includes enriched and accelerated math courses. Additionally, TPES is a focus school with smaller class sizes than other schools. For instance, their kindergarten class previously had only 16 students during DC's tenure.

PBES, on the other hand, offers an exceptional local CES program that provides an outstanding learning experience for students. With only 1-2 classes per grade and around 200 students in each grade, there is ample space for 15%-25% of the students to participate. However, the program remains competitive, and even students who score highly on the CogAT can be waitlisted due to the lottery system.

TPMS is the home of the highly-regarded MS STEM magnet program, providing selected students with enriched math, science, and computer science courses. With only 100 seats available, it's a highly competitive program. However, an additional 25 seats are set aside for in-boundary students. About a third of the TPMS magnet students end up at Blair SMSC STEM magnet. The TPMS math team is also a highly regarded EC. Students compete at the highest levels often in high-school contests. Many of these opportunities aren't available at other schools.

Blair High School, which serves the Takoma Park area. The TPMS magnet does a fantastic job preparing students for the Blair STEM magnet. Nevertheless, (any) students who meet the prerequisites can take advanced magnet classes in 11th and 12th grades, such as Cell Biology, Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, or AI Programming. Interestingly, white students at Blair had the highest average SAT score of any MCPS school, averaging 1326. Some claim this was due to the magnet, which seems unlikely since it's primarily Asian. Blair remains a fine school with numerous opportunities for academic enrichment. People often remark that it's very well organized and run.

The magnet programming at TPES ended several years ago.

And they haven’t taken COGAT in MCPS since 2019.

What is cogat? I’m not following the implication

The point is that the weird advertising post that sounds like it’s copy and paste from somewhere else is out of date. COGAT is an IQ test that kids took in 2nd (I think) and 5th grade and was used to inform selection to CES and middle school magnets. It’s been suspended since the pandemic. Now MAP scores are the only standardized test considered. It’s unclear if that might change for next year.

No, CogAT is not an IQ test, which measures intelligence. CogAT measures reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

Yes, that poster is misinformed and suffers from a bad case of Blair envy. They gave a version of the CogAT 3rd and 5th before the pandemic. I don't see the need for more testing either. With MCAP and MAP they have enough standardized tests to make informed decisions.