What are my child's chances of getting into the IB program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

B-CC does not offer “pre-IB” classes and doesn’t cohort 9th and 10th grade kids any differently from non-IB MCPS HS. Not sure about the other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

B-CC does not offer “pre-IB” classes and doesn’t cohort 9th and 10th grade kids any differently from non-IB MCPS HS. Not sure about the other schools.

My kid applied for and was offered a spot at Kennedy IB program (as well as RM). They credibly have the impression that it was a cohosted program starting in 9th for both programs. (He ultimately declined them both for Blair SMCS.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

B-CC does not offer “pre-IB” classes and doesn’t cohort 9th and 10th grade kids any differently from non-IB MCPS HS. Not sure about the other schools.

My kid applied for and was offered a spot at Kennedy IB program (as well as RM). They credibly have the impression that it was a cohosted program starting in 9th for both programs. (He ultimately declined them both for Blair SMCS.)

I think it would be helpful if people distinguished between "IB program" (which is identical at every school that offers it, and is only for 11th and 12th grade) and "application magnet IB program" (which possibly includes cohorted non-IB classes in 9th and 10th grade - but if you're at that school, you can do the IB program in 11th and 12th grade without going through the application magnet program).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

B-CC does not offer “pre-IB” classes and doesn’t cohort 9th and 10th grade kids any differently from non-IB MCPS HS. Not sure about the other schools.

My kid applied for and was offered a spot at Kennedy IB program (as well as RM). They credibly have the impression that it was a cohosted program starting in 9th for both programs. (He ultimately declined them both for Blair SMCS.)

I think it would be helpful if people distinguished between "IB program" (which is identical at every school that offers it, and is only for 11th and 12th grade) and "application magnet IB program" (which possibly includes cohorted non-IB classes in 9th and 10th grade - but if you're at that school, you can do the IB program in 11th and 12th grade without going through the application magnet program).

+1

The IB diploma programme is the same at all schools that offer it
The IB magnet programme creates a cohort and offers additional enhanced classes in the 9th and 10th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

This is not true. I don't know what the application programs do, but in the home-school programs, you just start taking the IB Diploma Programme calsses in 11th grade. By definition, IB Diploma Programme classes are only in 11th and 12th grade.

I don't know how you could possibly know whether RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS.

Ok. Fair enough. My experience is at Kennedy, which is a regional program and very much does have cohorts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

I don’t know about any of the other programs, but I do know that Einstein does not start IB until 11th grade. They used to have “preIB” classes but two years ago they were told that they had to stop doing that because they are not a middle years IB program. (Also, my child was in those preIB classes and they were not great, similar to all of the other classes there).

There is definitely not a cohort in 9-10 of students who will eventually be in the IV program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t know about the probability, but it’s a good fit for language oriented kids that don’t mind a ton of reading, research, and writing, so your DD should do well there. An IB diploma is A LOT
of work though, so hopefully your DD has good work ethic and executive functioning skills as well.

She's certainly capable when she's motivated (e.g. skipping foreign language) but her time management is absolutely horrid.

No, no, no. Seriously no. Executive function skills are imperative to succeed in the program, at least equally as important as academic ability in grades 11-12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

B-CC does not offer “pre-IB” classes and doesn’t cohort 9th and 10th grade kids any differently from non-IB MCPS HS. Not sure about the other schools.

Einstein also does not. They used to have "pre-IB" English that offered a cohorted experience for kids who expressed an interest, but MCPS forcibly removed that option over the objections of staff and administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

I don’t know about any of the other programs, but I do know that Einstein does not start IB until 11th grade. They used to have “preIB” classes but two years ago they were told that they had to stop doing that because they are not a middle years IB program. (Also, my child was in those preIB classes and they were not great, similar to all of the other classes there).

There is definitely not a cohort in 9-10 of students who will eventually be in the IV program.

Right. B-CC and Einstein have been told they cannot cohort until 11th grade.

Kennedy, Springbrook, and Watkins Mills have cohorted classes for kids in the regional IB program, which is a criteria-based program. RMIB of course has cohorted classes for kids in the country-wide program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 8 high schools in MCPS that offer the IB program: B-CC, Einstein, Kennedy, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill.

At all 8 of these high schools, all you have to do to "get into" the IB program is register for the classes in 11th grade.

It's the same IB program at all 8 of these high schools: https://ibo.org/

Ugh. We've had this debate. It is not the same program. The magnet program has a cohort and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

All the schools listed also have cohorts and distinct classes for 9th and 10th grade.

The only difference is RM draws from across the county and these other schools either draw a set region (Kennedy/Springbrook/Watkins Mill) and or school specific (B-CC/Einstein/Seneca Valley).

There are also differences in outcome based on the quality of the staff, no doubt, RM has some of the best IB staff in MCPS. But the model is otherwise the same.

I don’t know about any of the other programs, but I do know that Einstein does not start IB until 11th grade. They used to have “preIB” classes but two years ago they were told that they had to stop doing that because they are not a middle years IB program. (Also, my child was in those preIB classes and they were not great, similar to all of the other classes there).

There is definitely not a cohort in 9-10 of students who will eventually be in the IV program.

Right. B-CC and Einstein have been told they cannot cohort until 11th grade.

Kennedy, Springbrook, and Watkins Mills have cohorted classes for kids in the regional IB program, which is a criteria-based program. RMIB of course has cohorted classes for kids in the country-wide program.

The "cohort" in 11th and 12th grade is the IB classes, which you either take or don't take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t know about the probability, but it’s a good fit for language oriented kids that don’t mind a ton of reading, research, and writing, so your DD should do well there. An IB diploma is A LOT
of work though, so hopefully your DD has good work ethic and executive functioning skills as well.

She's certainly capable when she's motivated (e.g. skipping foreign language) but her time management is absolutely horrid.

No, no, no. Seriously no. Executive function skills are imperative to succeed in the program, at least equally as important as academic ability in grades 11-12.

This is so true and why it’s a shame that MCPS doesn’t focus on this more in middle school and early HS. Those advisory periods could be used to build exec function skills; they are such a waste now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t know about the probability, but it’s a good fit for language oriented kids that don’t mind a ton of reading, research, and writing, so your DD should do well there. An IB diploma is A LOT
of work though, so hopefully your DD has good work ethic and executive functioning skills as well.

She's certainly capable when she's motivated (e.g. skipping foreign language) but her time management is absolutely horrid.

No, no, no. Seriously no. Executive function skills are imperative to succeed in the program, at least equally as important as academic ability in grades 11-12.

This is so true and why it’s a shame that MCPS doesn’t focus on this more in middle school and early HS. Those advisory periods could be used to build exec function skills; they are such a waste now.

+1 Those kids are whip smart, however, if they don't have good time management skills, that's when they start to suffer.

My DC has great time management skills. DC said RMIB was not difficult. Remember, those kids are super smart. However, DC said a lot of kids have really bad study habits and don't know how to buckle down and focus. Too many distractions. Not to mention that many have several activities they are involved in, and some have a long bus ride.

All of that means you need to have really good time management skills to do well in the program, have a life outside of school and do activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in 8th grade. She wants to go to the IB program at RM. She enjoys english and history class but doesn't like math. She also really enjoys her foreign language and she skipped level 2 of the language. Her spring map r was a 262 and her fall was 253 (don't know what happened there). Her extracurriculars are okay (should have pushed her more lol). However, I have heard that this program is very stressful and has a lot of work. It is also very hard to get in. Do you think it is a good fit for her and what are her chances of gettting in? (I'm hoping for at least 70%).

IB kids take high level math. it's not a STEM program but that doesn't mean IB is weak on STEM subjects. My kids (and many of their friends) took AP Cal BC in their junior years followed by high level IB math in senior year

How did they do that? The IB math classes are two-year classes.

Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL
Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/

The "two year" math is not taking IB HL math for two years. Rather, it is about taking the IB math exam after year 2. IB HL Math covers 2 years of math.

My DC did the same: Jr year AP BC Calc; senior year IB HL math and MVC/diffeq. Then took IB HL math exam senior year.

Yes, it is. You take IB math for two years. Then you take the IB math exam. That's what makes them two-year classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you live in the RM cluster

No we live in a different one.

IB is available at Kennedy if you live in the DCC.