Blair magnet

[Anonymous]

My DD attended and found it wonderful. She took Geo in 8th so not really so ahead in Math. Work load was not easy but she is a kid who was focused on school...though she also did track and xc for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some classes are more intense than others. Functions has always had more homework, so unless kid loves math, the regular track would be better. My kid's year, they had a student comp sci teacher who was relentless-- gave them problems he couldn't always solve. Hopefully, he mellowed. He's at Poolesville now, I think. That experience was crazy and turned her off from compsci, but it was a one-off. Lots of classes are not intense, and many of the teachers are unparalleled.
Some kids are hyper competitive, and there is def some bias (gender and race) from some of these "mag bros." But, teachers are largely great. And Blair added a class on bias in stem that was very interesting. I think the biggest contribution to burnout might be the 8 period day. In some ways, it was great, but it did take a toll. An occasional study hall can be a great thing for moderating the intensity, and it doesn't show up on the transcript, so no worries for college apps. I also think Ostrander encourages realism and moderation and dissuades hyper competition amongst students and families.

How do you know study hall doesn't show up on the transcript?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some classes are more intense than others. Functions has always had more homework, so unless kid loves math, the regular track would be better. My kid's year, they had a student comp sci teacher who was relentless-- gave them problems he couldn't always solve. Hopefully, he mellowed. He's at Poolesville now, I think. That experience was crazy and turned her off from compsci, but it was a one-off. Lots of classes are not intense, and many of the teachers are unparalleled.
Some kids are hyper competitive, and there is def some bias (gender and race) from some of these "mag bros." But, teachers are largely great. And Blair added a class on bias in stem that was very interesting. I think the biggest contribution to burnout might be the 8 period day. In some ways, it was great, but it did take a toll. An occasional study hall can be a great thing for moderating the intensity, and it doesn't show up on the transcript, so no worries for college apps. I also think Ostrander encourages realism and moderation and dissuades hyper competition amongst students and families.

How do you know study hall doesn't show up on the transcript?

Only classes that carry credit show on the transcript.

[Anonymous]

dc is a current junior. it's competitive for sure, but i dont think it's cutthroat. the math classes are notoriously much better than the "normal" math classes. your kid will be fine + develop time management skills + be exposed to opportunities you wouldnt have otherwise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You won’t find anything comparable in private.

Has your kid actually ever stepped foot into a private school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, physics is one period for one semester but it’s a whole credit, but research, which is also one period for one semester but it’s 0.25 credits?

Yes, that’s right. Most HS courses are .5 credits per semester, so 1 credit for a full year course. Physics (and later Chem) is a full year course condensed into one semester, so it’s a full credit. I can’t remember why R&E is .25 credits, but it really doesn’t matter. The kids will end up with way more credits than they need to graduate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was accepted to Blair magnet. Our home school is Churchill and have also applied to some privates for 9th grade. Will be attending the Blair open house to get more information. For those that have experience with the program, can you speak to how challenging it is and how your child handled it? Have heard horror stories from one parent we know through sports that her son who is at Blair now is constantly doing homework, all the kids in the magnet are 3-4 years ahead in math, and it is a pressure cooker, competitive and cut throat environment. Looking to challenge my DC but don't want to crush them or ruin their mental health. TIA !

Not true. Most students are on the track that finishes precalculus midway through grade 10.

This is only 2.5 years ahead of "on level"; 1.5 years ahead of "Algebra for All"/ "honors/AP non-STEM" track. And there are "horizontal" math electives for student who don't want to go past Analysis 1 (Calc BC) in calculus.

A minority are another 0.5years ahead of that, and count in one hand the even more accelerated students.

The courses are more intense than normal at each level, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t recognize the program that you’re describing. My son’s experience has been positive , graduating this year. Great teachers, good options, has made good friends. I would definitely recommend it - privates can’t give you the level of math and science instruction that the magnet can.

Magnet students often will say that college is easier than high school was.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I’m a magnet student currently and I would highly recommend. I was one year ahead in math when I came but that became somewhat irrelevant after a year or two. It’s also definitely not “cutthroat,” there is nothing to compete for. As for the number of credits, it doesn’t really matter since in the end you have all you need to graduate, the rest is just whatever you want to take for fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t recognize the program that you’re describing. My son’s experience has been positive , graduating this year. Great teachers, good options, has made good friends. I would definitely recommend it - privates can’t give you the level of math and science instruction that the magnet can.

agree with this 100%

If your kid loves math and science it’s not a grind or too hard or whatever. My son played a sport and an instrument and didn’t seem to be doing too much homework and got all As. The teaching is great and you will never get that kind of the stem instruction/advancement in a private.

That said, there were a group of gunners who my son avoided. Kids who did clubs just to have them on their college applications and talked about their scores. But there was an equally big group of guys who did NOT.

My son graduated last year and it was a great, happy experience for him. If you have a kid who is truly gifted and loves math and science, it’s a great place.

[Anonymous]

My daughter really enjoyed it and also did 3 seasons of a sport each year. It is however only fur a kid that is academically focused. My other kid would have hated it. They are both successful adults today

[Anonymous]

Anyone who says there isn’t much home work is lying. My kid does three hours or more most nights. It’s not possible to scrimp on the homework, the volume is too high to do it quicker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who says there isn’t much home work is lying. My kid does three hours or more most nights. It’s not possible to scrimp on the homework, the volume is too high to do it quicker.

I’m not lying. My just graduated kid absolutely did NOT do three hours of homework a night!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who says there isn’t much home work is lying. My kid does three hours or more most nights. It’s not possible to scrimp on the homework, the volume is too high to do it quicker.

I’m not lying. My just graduated kid absolutely did NOT do three hours of homework a night!

Mine either...I mean not that it never happened but it was not a regular thing. Different kids work at different rates and of course class selection matters. Mine did not take functions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who says there isn’t much home work is lying. My kid does three hours or more most nights. It’s not possible to scrimp on the homework, the volume is too high to do it quicker.

I’m not lying. My just graduated kid absolutely did NOT do three hours of homework a night!

Mine either...I mean not that it never happened but it was not a regular thing. Different kids work at different rates and of course class selection matters. Mine did not take functions.

Your kids were working the system and doing the bare minimum. It’s simply not possible to get the work done quicker if you do it all.