Is the quality of the Blair Magnet Program going down?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a stupd and destructive thread, and for the record I don't have a kid at either school. But ...

a quick check shows that Blair had eight semifinalists and one regional finalist in the Siemens competition, one Davison Fellow, and 38 National Merit Semifinalists. It had eight Intel Science Competition semifinalists (finalists announced tomorrow!), a winnder of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, 1st and 3rd place winnders of the UMD Math Competition (and 23 additional kids who won Honorable Mentions).

A quick glance at the Poolesville website doesn't list comparable honors and contest winners. That doesn't mean there aren't any! But the results cited above don't really indicate that Blair is in the going downhill.

As for the non-magnet classes ... Blair has lots of really smart high achievers and plenty of AP and other advanced classes. I know some kids who are amazing artists, writers, etc. who go to Blair.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Sorry for the typos -- of course I meant to write "winner"!

[Anonymous]

Hint of urban fear here?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well I wouldn't move to the area based on the magnet, since there is no guarantee that your child would get in.

True, though based on current performance in a magnet program, there is a reasonable possibility. Reading DCUM and what I've learned from friends makes me concerned enough to ask.

Move to Poolesville. Much better school, kids know everyone else, and a stronger magnet.

This is nuts. It is nuts to move from Silver Spring to a rural area 37 miles from DC because you heard on DCUM the school was better. Commute matters, community matters, many many other things matter than which magnet school your kid may or may not get into.

[Anonymous]

No urban fear would be if I made a statement that was thought to be true about urban areas and assuming it is true for all urban areas. Saying that they have more police in 4 corners when school lets out is a fact. Call Silver Spring police department if you don't believe. me.

Anonymous wrote:Hint of urban fear here?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well I wouldn't move to the area based on the magnet, since there is no guarantee that your child would get in.

True, though based on current performance in a magnet program, there is a reasonable possibility. Reading DCUM and what I've learned from friends makes me concerned enough to ask.

Move to Poolesville. Much better school, kids know everyone else, and a stronger magnet.

This is nuts. It is nuts to move from Silver Spring to a rural area 37 miles from DC because you heard on DCUM the school was better. Commute matters, community matters, many many other things matter than which magnet school your kid may or may not get into.

This goes for moving to the Blair district. There are so many things that go into choosing a place to live than a magnet school and this area might not be ideal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

There is an extra police presence at our high school in Bethesda when the schools let out too. They help direct traffic, control the bus lanes, etc. Their presence gives me comfort, not fear.

According to the Gazette, Poolesville had 7 NMSFs in 2012, compared to Blair's 38. It is certainly possible that Poolesville is on the ascent, and that would be a great thing, but that doesn't mean that Blair has to descend in order for that to happen. The county needs more high performing schools and magnet options - they are in high demand and there are plenty of smart kids to populate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

There is an extra police presence at our high school in Bethesda when the schools let out too. They help direct traffic, control the bus lanes, etc. Their presence gives me comfort, not fear.

According to the Gazette, Poolesville had 7 NMSFs in 2012, compared to Blair's 38. It is certainly possible that Poolesville is on the ascent, and that would be a great thing, but that doesn't mean that Blair has to descend in order for that to happen. The county needs more high performing schools and magnet options - they are in high demand and there are plenty of smart kids to populate them.

Oy!!! Find the number of students in each program and then check the %s. If the 7 were out of 10 and the 38 were out of a hundred (just examples), it'll change your conclusion wouldn't it?

The police presence at Four Corners was for a different reason. Find out why and then rant.

By the way, which HS in Bethesda has police presence?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are trying really hard to stir the pot. I am at 4 Corners Starbucks alot, the high school kids are fine. A number of my neighbors' children in Takoma Park/Silver Spring attend Blair--magnet as well as nonmagnet. All rave about the school, esp. the high-quality of teaching. You know not of what you speak.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

There is an extra police presence at our high school in Bethesda when the schools let out too. They help direct traffic, control the bus lanes, etc. Their presence gives me comfort, not fear.

According to the Gazette, Poolesville had 7 NMSFs in 2012, compared to Blair's 38. It is certainly possible that Poolesville is on the ascent, and that would be a great thing, but that doesn't mean that Blair has to descend in order for that to happen. The county needs more high performing schools and magnet options - they are in high demand and there are plenty of smart kids to populate them.

Oy!!! Find the number of students in each program and then check the %s. If the 7 were out of 10 and the 38 were out of a hundred (just examples), it'll change your conclusion wouldn't it?

The police presence at Four Corners was for a different reason. Find out why and then rant.

By the way, which HS in Bethesda has police presence?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you are trying really hard to stir the pot. I am at 4 Corners Starbucks alot, the high school kids are fine. A number of my neighbors' children in Takoma Park/Silver Spring attend Blair--magnet as well as nonmagnet. All rave about the school, esp. the high-quality of teaching. You know not of what you speak.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

There is an extra police presence at our high school in Bethesda when the schools let out too. They help direct traffic, control the bus lanes, etc. Their presence gives me comfort, not fear.

According to the Gazette, Poolesville had 7 NMSFs in 2012, compared to Blair's 38. It is certainly possible that Poolesville is on the ascent, and that would be a great thing, but that doesn't mean that Blair has to descend in order for that to happen. The county needs more high performing schools and magnet options - they are in high demand and there are plenty of smart kids to populate them.

Oy!!! Find the number of students in each program and then check the %s. If the 7 were out of 10 and the 38 were out of a hundred (just examples), it'll change your conclusion wouldn't it?

The police presence at Four Corners was for a different reason. Find out why and then rant.

By the way, which HS in Bethesda has police presence?

been to the shops at 4 corners, seen the signs about Blair kids, and the recent police presence. kids go to Blair and KNOW that you know not what you speak.

[Anonymous]

Go to McDonalds not Starbucks.

Not trying to stir a pot but giving everything is rosey picture is not fair to people trying to make decisions for their kids.

To be fair, if you work in DC living in Poolesville is a major committment. But it is magnet so you don't actually have to live in Poolesville.

Also, there is RM magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not either PP, but someone in a policy position could know a lot about both schools without having kids at either. I'm sure there are stats somewhere showing actual performance of both schools.

Right! Someone in a policy position (or an informed individual) may be aware that there have been pedestrian safety related issues at Blair. A Blair student was featured on the safety ads on local buses. Believe me, some of us know of what we speak. DCUMers, just don't put everyone down.

Or that there is extra police presence in 4 corners when school lets out.

There is an extra police presence at our high school in Bethesda when the schools let out too. They help direct traffic, control the bus lanes, etc. Their presence gives me comfort, not fear.

According to the Gazette, Poolesville had 7 NMSFs in 2012, compared to Blair's 38. It is certainly possible that Poolesville is on the ascent, and that would be a great thing, but that doesn't mean that Blair has to descend in order for that to happen. The county needs more high performing schools and magnet options - they are in high demand and there are plenty of smart kids to populate them.

Oy!!! Find the number of students in each program and then check the %s. If the 7 were out of 10 and the 38 were out of a hundred (just examples), it'll change your conclusion wouldn't it?

The police presence at Four Corners was for a different reason. Find out why and then rant.

By the way, which HS in Bethesda has police presence?

Okay, so Poolesville has 7 NMSF out of 1200 kids, or 300 seniors, for 2.3%. All 1200 are magnet kids right? Blair has 38 out of 2800 kids, or 700 seniors, for 5.4%, more than double the rate. And all 1200 of Poolesville's kids are in the magnets right? Only a small proportion of Blair's 2800 are in the magnets, although I don't know the number. So Poolesville should have a better starting point. Plus there is a relationship between income and PSAT/SAT scores - Poolesville has only 5% FARMS to Blair's 35%. So something is driving Blairs numbers well above expectations and it's no doubt the strength of the kids in the magnet program. Again, not to detract from Poolesville since 7 is a great number, but I am not sure why you feel the need to attack Blair.

BTW, I posted the quoted comment but did not post the subsequent comments about the safety issues. I've only been to Blair for sports events (at their fabulous turf field) and am not normally hanging around in Silver Spring at 2:10 so have no views on those issues. But I don't understand how safety issues impact the quality of the magnet program at the school. Heck several Ivy League colleges are in kind of crappy urban areas and yet they still seem to provide a fine education to their students.

[Anonymous]

Is it true, as PP implies above, that Poolesville has a whole school magnet?

So podunk Montgomery Cty exurb has 1200 magnet spots?!

That doesn't seem fair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Okay, so Poolesville has 7 NMSF out of 1200 kids, or 300 seniors, for 2.3%. All 1200 are magnet kids right? Blair has 38 out of 2800 kids, or 700 seniors, for 5.4%, more than double the rate. And all 1200 of Poolesville's kids are in the magnets right? Only a small proportion of Blair's 2800 are in the magnets, although I don't know the number. So Poolesville should have a better starting point. Plus there is a relationship between income and PSAT/SAT scores - Poolesville has only 5% FARMS to Blair's 35%. So something is driving Blairs numbers well above expectations and it's no doubt the strength of the kids in the magnet program. Again, not to detract from Poolesville since 7 is a great number, but I am not sure why you feel the need to attack Blair.

BTW, I posted the quoted comment but did not post the subsequent comments about the safety issues. I've only been to Blair for sports events (at their fabulous turf field) and am not normally hanging around in Silver Spring at 2:10 so have no views on those issues. But I don't understand how safety issues impact the quality of the magnet program at the school. Heck several Ivy League colleges are in kind of crappy urban areas and yet they still seem to provide a fine education to their students.

I'd check the accuracy of pretty much everything you've said and check your logic. I bet you believe everything the Post writes about MCPS too.