Gifted & talented programs and magnet school opportunities in the public schools?

[Anonymous]

GT identification (SIPPI) is state-mandated, but matching local programming often is insufficient and certainly is inconsistent (funding, training, diverse needs, local school administration priorities).
-> Communities with active familiy involvement sometimes see cohorted treatment, and better in-class differentiation is more available where there are larger cohorts of high-ability (and/or highly prepped) students; this persists to availability of higher-level HS courses (and availability of grade-skipping class placement at a few ESs & MSs, along with certain path-favoring electives at a few MSs) due to an MCPS policy of allowing community pull/local-school administration decision to determine availability of such.

There are not enough magnet seats, generally, to match the population in need (or with interest).
-> A lottery is utilized for ES & MS magnets, and for some interest-based HS magnet programs.

Local norming of test scores are used for criteria-based ES & MS magnet lottery pool inclusion.
-> A higher-flying student at a higher-FARMS school may have a better chance of being included in the pool as an edge case if they have managed to be exposed (via outside enrichment or otherwise) to higher-level content despite the presumed more difficult cohort.

SIPPI/GT identification is a separate process from lottery qualification.
-> There is overlap, but no assurance of magnet lottery pool inclusion from GT identification.

Criteria-based HS programs can select students.
-> With the above-noted scarcity, the resulting competition favors those receiving outside enrichment, those having received better instruction with the above-noted locally dependent cohorting and/or those lucky enough to have been selected by lottery for earlier magnet programming.

There are local-only ES 4th/5th CES magnets (previously mentioned).
-> This confers a higher chance of being selected by lottery.

There are (some) local set-asides for ES/MS magnets.
-> This also confers a higher chance of being selected by lottery.

The current HS/MS program analysis aims to increase seats and distribute programs across the county, but commute times/transportation cost & related impacts (e.g., time for alternate activities, encumbered social interaction) will remain a consideration for many; in parallel, there is a boundary study for HS & MS that could impact the majority of the county; programs/boundaries/set-asides/selection paradigms are subject to change, but often jealously guarded by local/attending communities.
-> Location may matter, but pending or future changes may confound education-related domicile planning.

[Anonymous]

Look at Howard County schools instead if possible. Much better school system than MCPS these days.

[Anonymous]

The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

[Anonymous]

To OP: do you believe your kid(s) is truly gifted, talented, and self-determined? If yes, choose FCPS, and try to push them to TJ. If they can't get in, several FCPS HSs are still pretty good and competitive, but TJ is a a whole new level.

If you believe your kids are somewhat gifted but not one of a kind, choose Howard county. Marriotts Ridge, Centennial or Clarksville are all very descent.

If you believe your kids are probably just high-achiever, and hard to tell the long-term trend, and you want them to enjoy a happy easygoing life and you are satisfied with UMD, you can try Bethesda or Potomac.

We moved to MoCo for the true jewelry on the top: the magnet/RMIB. Our elder one is lucky enough to ride through it with maximizing their education experience. We observed the consistent decline of education over the past 15 years or so under the name of so many popular words. Now these only jewels are going to be removed soon. Don't come for a good education for gifted kids. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

Also, the magnets can be a big logistics challenge. My child turned down the MS magnet because the bus would take 1.5 hours in the morning and nearly the same in the evening. Don't underestimate the traffic and other challenges.

That said, my kids have had enrichment and accelerated courses at home schools and they have been great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

The Math pathways change is state-mandated, beginning with the change from the Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2 series to a 2-year Integrated Algebra series and following with 4 possible career- or college-major-related paths.

Nobody knows what the outcomes will be, and that includes whether or not any magnets become watered down (advocacy may be needed to ensure this doesn't happen as the needed additional capacity is plannned) and what the trajectory of current programs may be (continued/altered/sunset/moved/closed/etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

The Math pathways change is state-mandated, beginning with the change from the Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2 series to a 2-year Integrated Algebra series and following with 4 possible career- or college-major-related paths.

Nobody knows what the outcomes will be, and that includes whether or not any magnets become watered down (advocacy may be needed to ensure this doesn't happen as the needed additional capacity is plannned) and what the trajectory of current programs may be (continued/altered/sunset/moved/closed/etc.).

This sounds horrible. It's a top-down decision from State? I believe currently all students can reach Calculus at least by graduation with one solid year dedicated to geometry. Now they think geometry is not necessary and they can combine with Algebra? Then what? What does career-related path mean? If you could point to a source to read docs about these pathways, it would be wonderful. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

The Math pathways change is state-mandated, beginning with the change from the Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2 series to a 2-year Integrated Algebra series and following with 4 possible career- or college-major-related paths.

Nobody knows what the outcomes will be, and that includes whether or not any magnets become watered down (advocacy may be needed to ensure this doesn't happen as the needed additional capacity is plannned) and what the trajectory of current programs may be (continued/altered/sunset/moved/closed/etc.).

This sounds horrible. It's a top-down decision from State? I believe currently all students can reach Calculus at least by graduation with one solid year dedicated to geometry. Now they think geometry is not necessary and they can combine with Algebra? Then what? What does career-related path mean? If you could point to a source to read docs about these pathways, it would be wonderful. Thanks

See the overview of the 4 pathways beginning on page 32:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0225/Math-Policy-A.pdf

Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 proposed content:

https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/Math/revised/Integrated-Algebra-1-Crosswalk-5_7_25-A.pdf

https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/Math/revised/Integrated-Algebra-2-Crosswalk-5_8_25-A.pdf

MCPS touched on this (not deeply) at spring curriculum nights and had a minor brief, I think, at one or other spring BOE meeting (perhaps a committee meeting).

First DCUM discussion, I think, here:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1253352.page

You'd need to read that to the end, as the stuff before early March contains a lot of conjecture (e.g., 3 year sequence, as adopted in some other states), being prior to the release of the MSDE draft policy for review. Also in several other math- or program-related threads that followed.

Things are still being fleshed out, especially for MCPS and other local school jurisdictions tasked with implementation of the MSDE policy. Google "MSDE 'Integrated Algebra'" for a number of articles, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

The Math pathways change is state-mandated, beginning with the change from the Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2 series to a 2-year Integrated Algebra series and following with 4 possible career- or college-major-related paths.

Nobody knows what the outcomes will be, and that includes whether or not any magnets become watered down (advocacy may be needed to ensure this doesn't happen as the needed additional capacity is plannned) and what the trajectory of current programs may be (continued/altered/sunset/moved/closed/etc.).

This sounds horrible. It's a top-down decision from State? I believe currently all students can reach Calculus at least by graduation with one solid year dedicated to geometry. Now they think geometry is not necessary and they can combine with Algebra? Then what? What does career-related path mean? If you could point to a source to read docs about these pathways, it would be wonderful. Thanks

See the overview of the 4 pathways beginning on page 32:

https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2025/0225/Math-Policy-A.pdf

Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 proposed content:

https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/Math/revised/Integrated-Algebra-1-Crosswalk-5_7_25-A.pdf

https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/DCAA/Math/revised/Integrated-Algebra-2-Crosswalk-5_8_25-A.pdf

MCPS touched on this (not deeply) at spring curriculum nights and had a minor brief, I think, at one or other spring BOE meeting (perhaps a committee meeting).

First DCUM discussion, I think, here:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1253352.page

You'd need to read that to the end, as the stuff before early March contains a lot of conjecture (e.g., 3 year sequence, as adopted in some other states), being prior to the release of the MSDE draft policy for review. Also in several other math- or program-related threads that followed.

Things are still being fleshed out, especially for MCPS and other local school jurisdictions tasked with implementation of the MSDE policy. Google "MSDE 'Integrated Algebra'" for a number of articles, etc.

Thanks! Bookmarked! Highly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

Thx. I am the OP and this lottery system for G&T really worries me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at Howard County schools instead if possible. Much better school system than MCPS these days.

BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To OP: do you believe your kid(s) is truly gifted, talented, and self-determined? If yes, choose FCPS, and try to push them to TJ. If they can't get in, several FCPS HSs are still pretty good and competitive, but TJ is a a whole new level.

If you believe your kids are somewhat gifted but not one of a kind, choose Howard county. Marriotts Ridge, Centennial or Clarksville are all very descent.

If you believe your kids are probably just high-achiever, and hard to tell the long-term trend, and you want them to enjoy a happy easygoing life and you are satisfied with UMD, you can try Bethesda or Potomac.

We moved to MoCo for the true jewelry on the top: the magnet/RMIB. Our elder one is lucky enough to ride through it with maximizing their education experience. We observed the consistent decline of education over the past 15 years or so under the name of so many popular words. Now these only jewels are going to be removed soon. Don't come for a good education for gifted kids. Period.

The very top, talented, gifted kids in the area are in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GT identification (SIPPI) is state-mandated, but matching local programming often is insufficient and certainly is inconsistent (funding, training, diverse needs, local school administration priorities).
-> Communities with active familiy involvement sometimes see cohorted treatment, and better in-class differentiation is more available where there are larger cohorts of high-ability (and/or highly prepped) students; this persists to availability of higher-level HS courses (and availability of grade-skipping class placement at a few ESs & MSs, along with certain path-favoring electives at a few MSs) due to an MCPS policy of allowing community pull/local-school administration decision to determine availability of such.

There are not enough magnet seats, generally, to match the population in need (or with interest).
-> A lottery is utilized for ES & MS magnets, and for some interest-based HS magnet programs.

Local norming of test scores are used for criteria-based ES & MS magnet lottery pool inclusion.
-> A higher-flying student at a higher-FARMS school may have a better chance of being included in the pool as an edge case if they have managed to be exposed (via outside enrichment or otherwise) to higher-level content despite the presumed more difficult cohort.

SIPPI/GT identification is a separate process from lottery qualification.
-> There is overlap, but no assurance of magnet lottery pool inclusion from GT identification.

Criteria-based HS programs can select students.
-> With the above-noted scarcity, the resulting competition favors those receiving outside enrichment, those having received better instruction with the above-noted locally dependent cohorting and/or those lucky enough to have been selected by lottery for earlier magnet programming.

There are local-only ES 4th/5th CES magnets (previously mentioned).
-> This confers a higher chance of being selected by lottery.

There are (some) local set-asides for ES/MS magnets.
-> This also confers a higher chance of being selected by lottery.

The current HS/MS program analysis aims to increase seats and distribute programs across the county, but commute times/transportation cost & related impacts (e.g., time for alternate activities, encumbered social interaction) will remain a consideration for many; in parallel, there is a boundary study for HS & MS that could impact the majority of the county; programs/boundaries/set-asides/selection paradigms are subject to change, but often jealously guarded by local/attending communities.
-> Location may matter, but pending or future changes may confound education-related domicile planning.

There are not local set-asides for CES -- at least there are not for CCES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The magnet programs at all levels are outstanding. Unfortunately, for ES and MS you can only access them through a lottery so the vast majority of qualified students can’t join the programs, which have limited seats.

MCPS is about to change the upper ES/MS math pathways soon, so that’s up in the air.

And they are completely changing MS and HS magnets, as well, probably making more seats available but somewhat watered down programs, staff, and student criteria. No one knows what the outcomes will be, so any info we have on current programs will be obsolete by Fall 2027.

The curricular opportunities and enriched/accelerated offerings at regular home schools exist, but don’t really meet the needs of gifted students much of the time, particularly in middle school which is the weak link.

Thx. I am the OP and this lottery system for G&T really worries me.

It should. Do not count on winning hte lottery. Presume you won't and choose a home school that will best meet your needs (or go to another school system, as PPs have suggested). My child, who is gifted per external assessments, has never won the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To OP: do you believe your kid(s) is truly gifted, talented, and self-determined? If yes, choose FCPS, and try to push them to TJ. If they can't get in, several FCPS HSs are still pretty good and competitive, but TJ is a a whole new level.

If you believe your kids are somewhat gifted but not one of a kind, choose Howard county. Marriotts Ridge, Centennial or Clarksville are all very descent.

If you believe your kids are probably just high-achiever, and hard to tell the long-term trend, and you want them to enjoy a happy easygoing life and you are satisfied with UMD, you can try Bethesda or Potomac.

We moved to MoCo for the true jewelry on the top: the magnet/RMIB. Our elder one is lucky enough to ride through it with maximizing their education experience. We observed the consistent decline of education over the past 15 years or so under the name of so many popular words. Now these only jewels are going to be removed soon. Don't come for a good education for gifted kids. Period.

The very top, talented, gifted kids in the area are in MoCo.

DP. That may be the case, though I question that -- I imagine that truly gifted students (and it's rare) are in all the school systems listed. I think PP is talking about the likelihood of being served if you have a gifted child. The use of lotteries means that OP's child is less likely to be served in GT programming in MCPS.