Any feedback on Loiderman, Argyle or Parkland Magnet Programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Magnets aren't necessarily "fancy." All it means is a school that draws students from other areas.

That’s one type of magnet: Another type of "magnet school" or "magnet program" emerged in the United States in the 1970s[1] as one means of remedying racial segregation in public schools, and they were written into law in Section 5301 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization.[2] Demographic trends following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education US Supreme Court decision revealed a pattern later characterized as white flight, the hypersegregation of blacks and whites, as the latter moved to the suburbs.[3][4] This second type of magnet can often take the form of "a school within a school," meaning that the school may have no competitive admissions for the majority of the school population, and even the magnet program itself may not have fully competitive admissions. This is consistent with the equity-based objectives of such programs.

The “school within a school” part is the most concerning because this is happening all over MCPS but people only focus on the overall demographics of a school. This is akin to separate but equal IMO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

Junior All State starts in grade 7, not 6. And audtions haven't happened yet. Besides, if you're an instrumentalist, you have to have been playing for many years already, outside of school, to get to that level anyway. Apples and oranges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

The band director is terrible. Very few are in private or MCPS ensembles. Few take private lessons, or the ones whose parents can afford it. You are better off at your home school and go to pvyo or mcyo.

[Anonymous]

Think ahead to high school when your kid most likely has to head back to the neighborhood HS after not being in class with their peer group for 3 years.

[Anonymous]

My kid likes Parkland. The administration is good. We had some initial issues that were promptly addressed. Kid likes the electives and after school club.

Cons - grade inflation. The most advanced Math class (AIM) doesn't seem challenging. The lowest (regular) Math class (I have 2 kids there) seems like a dumbed down class. Kid already learned those concepts at home elementary school. At open house I didn't see many parents in some classes. Makes me think parents may not be as involved.

If your kid likes science, this school will be good for the electives and the extra science class (they have planet orb and mission earth in 6th grade).

My kid likes the Imagineering tech class. Also liked the Intro to Robotics class. Kid didn't care for Digital art class or the digital literacy class(which is a whole year). If you don't like an elective don't wait too long to change it. Robotics club is by audition and very few get in. Heard good things about CAP but kid chose another club.

Other than the science nothing extra special in Parkland, but kid still likes it. You have to see if it's worth the extra 1 hour drive to and fro.

[Anonymous]

PP again. Racial demographic - The school has a majority of black and Hispanic kids. You will see a small set of south Asian kids from Clarksburg or Gaithersburg area. Very few white kids. Building is a very old building. It is not really that diverse since majority of the kids are black or Hispanic.

Administration is very good and that is a big plus for Parkland.

[Anonymous]

Also Parkland has a block schedule - they have 4 classes only per day. Even days and Odd days. If you take time off, you miss quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Magnets aren't necessarily "fancy." All it means is a school that draws students from other areas.

That’s one type of magnet: Another type of "magnet school" or "magnet program" emerged in the United States in the 1970s[1] as one means of remedying racial segregation in public schools, and they were written into law in Section 5301 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization.[2] Demographic trends following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education US Supreme Court decision revealed a pattern later characterized as white flight, the hypersegregation of blacks and whites, as the latter moved to the suburbs.[3][4] This second type of magnet can often take the form of "a school within a school," meaning that the school may have no competitive admissions for the majority of the school population, and even the magnet program itself may not have fully competitive admissions. This is consistent with the equity-based objectives of such programs.

The “school within a school” part is the most concerning because this is happening all over MCPS but people only focus on the overall demographics of a school. This is akin to separate but equal IMO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_school

How is this relevant to the MSMC? They aren't school within a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We applied to all 3 MSMC choice programs as we really liked the idea of the focus areas + the all school magnet for middle school.

Any feedback on strengths and challenges in these programs (strength of magnet classes, learning environment, leadership at the school)?
Thanks in advance!

My son did Argyle ( unfortunately started in 2020 so Covid made experience hard ) The school allows for lots of Engineering classes and other technical classes not available at other middle schools. Going to school with kids of a variety of races and socio economic backgrounds I think is a plus. But really the best part of going to the lottery schools is it opens you up to much more choices for High School. You don't just get the choices in your area but you get all the schools in Down Consortium giving you higher chance of attending a "real" magnet program. My son is now at Wheaton Engineering Magnet which is yes one you have to apply to and be accepted as in "real magnet".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We applied to all 3 MSMC choice programs as we really liked the idea of the focus areas + the all school magnet for middle school.

Any feedback on strengths and challenges in these programs (strength of magnet classes, learning environment, leadership at the school)?
Thanks in advance!

My son did Argyle ( unfortunately started in 2020 so Covid made experience hard ) The school allows for lots of Engineering classes and other technical classes not available at other middle schools. Going to school with kids of a variety of races and socio economic backgrounds I think is a plus. But really the best part of going to the lottery schools is it opens you up to much more choices for High School. You don't just get the choices in your area but you get all the schools in Down Consortium giving you higher chance of attending a "real" magnet program. My son is now at Wheaton Engineering Magnet which is yes one you have to apply to and be accepted as in "real magnet".

Or, you could just live in the area you want your child to go to school. Its funny you choose not to live in an area like this but then want to use the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We applied to all 3 MSMC choice programs as we really liked the idea of the focus areas + the all school magnet for middle school.

Any feedback on strengths and challenges in these programs (strength of magnet classes, learning environment, leadership at the school)?
Thanks in advance!

My son did Argyle ( unfortunately started in 2020 so Covid made experience hard ) The school allows for lots of Engineering classes and other technical classes not available at other middle schools. Going to school with kids of a variety of races and socio economic backgrounds I think is a plus. But really the best part of going to the lottery schools is it opens you up to much more choices for High School. You don't just get the choices in your area but you get all the schools in Down Consortium giving you higher chance of attending a "real" magnet program. My son is now at Wheaton Engineering Magnet which is yes one you have to apply to and be accepted as in "real magnet".

Or, you could just live in the area you want your child to go to school. Its funny you choose not to live in an area like this but then want to use the schools.

Maybe they couldn’t afford it or there weren’t any available homes in that area at the time of purchase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We applied to all 3 MSMC choice programs as we really liked the idea of the focus areas + the all school magnet for middle school.

Any feedback on strengths and challenges in these programs (strength of magnet classes, learning environment, leadership at the school)?
Thanks in advance!

My son did Argyle ( unfortunately started in 2020 so Covid made experience hard ) The school allows for lots of Engineering classes and other technical classes not available at other middle schools. Going to school with kids of a variety of races and socio economic backgrounds I think is a plus. But really the best part of going to the lottery schools is it opens you up to much more choices for High School. You don't just get the choices in your area but you get all the schools in Down Consortium giving you higher chance of attending a "real" magnet program. My son is now at Wheaton Engineering Magnet which is yes one you have to apply to and be accepted as in "real magnet".

Or, you could just live in the area you want your child to go to school. Its funny you choose not to live in an area like this but then want to use the schools.

Maybe they couldn’t afford it or there weren’t any available homes in that area at the time of purchase.

You do realize these are lower cost areas so your post makes absolutely no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

It’s not apples and oranges. MCPS kids can all start an instrument in 4th grade. Every instrumental music director can nominate the same amount of students for MS All County ensembles and other county wide events like the mass MS band for the MCPS marching band showcase (which is conducted by the Parkland director). You won’t see a strong showing of Loeiderman kids at these events for many reasons. What I’m trying to say is don’t go to Loeiderman if you expect to be transformed into a great musician or get all of your instrumental music dreams fulfilled. Don’t discount schools line Parkland for the performing Arts just because they aren’t a magnet for the performing arts

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

Junior All State starts in grade 7, not 6. And audtions haven't happened yet. Besides, if you're an instrumentalist, you have to have been playing for many years already, outside of school, to get to that level anyway. Apples and oranges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We applied to all 3 MSMC choice programs as we really liked the idea of the focus areas + the all school magnet for middle school.

Any feedback on strengths and challenges in these programs (strength of magnet classes, learning environment, leadership at the school)?
Thanks in advance!

My son did Argyle ( unfortunately started in 2020 so Covid made experience hard ) The school allows for lots of Engineering classes and other technical classes not available at other middle schools. Going to school with kids of a variety of races and socio economic backgrounds I think is a plus. But really the best part of going to the lottery schools is it opens you up to much more choices for High School. You don't just get the choices in your area but you get all the schools in Down Consortium giving you higher chance of attending a "real" magnet program. My son is now at Wheaton Engineering Magnet which is yes one you have to apply to and be accepted as in "real magnet".

A plus for whom? Tons of research showing the benefits of said diversity for wealthy white kids but not so much for kids of color

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We applied to all 3 MSMC choice programs as we really liked the idea of the focus areas + the all school magnet for middle school.

Any feedback on strengths and challenges in these programs (strength of magnet classes, learning environment, leadership at the school)?
Thanks in advance!

My son did Argyle ( unfortunately started in 2020 so Covid made experience hard ) The school allows for lots of Engineering classes and other technical classes not available at other middle schools. Going to school with kids of a variety of races and socio economic backgrounds I think is a plus. But really the best part of going to the lottery schools is it opens you up to much more choices for High School. You don't just get the choices in your area but you get all the schools in Down Consortium giving you higher chance of attending a "real" magnet program. My son is now at Wheaton Engineering Magnet which is yes one you have to apply to and be accepted as in "real magnet".

Or, you could just live in the area you want your child to go to school. Its funny you choose not to live in an area like this but then want to use the schools.

Maybe they couldn’t afford it or there weren’t any available homes in that area at the time of purchase.

You do realize these are lower cost areas so your post makes absolutely no sense.

You do realize there are low income families, right? Get out of your bubble!