CAP vs. RMIB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't want something that will bore them potentially like CAP, but you don't want to overwhelm them either.

I don't know how you can say CAP is boring. it's not a terrible grind, but not boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear IB not really hard till 11/12th grades

IB is hard all 4 years.

- parent of IB senior

+ 1.
- Another parent of IB senior.

Our own experience has been that while 11th and 12th were hard, the biggest shock to the system came from 9th grade. In 12th grade the biggest stressor should have been the college essays - and for the IB kids it did not even register. These kids can handle anything that college throws at them now because nothing they will do can be as hard as IB.

It does not matter if my kid was happy or not. You have to look at your kid. Do they want to do the RMIB program? If there is any doubt in your child, do not choose this program.

Sorry, meant to write 'Parent of another IB senior'. I am certainly not related to pp.

[Anonymous]

RMIB is not an equivalent of CAP. Do not make this mistake.

It is both a Science and Humanities program (minus comp sci).

HEAVILY focussed on analysis and writing.

[Anonymous]

At the CAP info meeting the person who runs the program said that students have an average of two hours of homework every day - that is for ALL classes (not just CAP). That's how much my kid does right now in middle school (Eastern magnet). That seems like a pretty light load in high school. The RM program does seem highly demanding. I wish there was a program that was a happy medium- perhaps a regular IB program at BCC or Einstein or an AP scholars program like "APEX" at Walter Johnson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the CAP info meeting the person who runs the program said that students have an average of two hours of homework every day - that is for ALL classes (not just CAP). That's how much my kid does right now in middle school (Eastern magnet). That seems like a pretty light load in high school. The RM program does seem highly demanding. I wish there was a program that was a happy medium- perhaps a regular IB program at BCC or Einstein or an AP scholars program like "APEX" at Walter Johnson?

Keep in mind, though, program administrators try to down play "HW/study time" during info sessions. They don't want to scare kids too much. I can tell you, regardless of where your DC goes, doing 2 hours of work per day won't cut it in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the CAP info meeting the person who runs the program said that students have an average of two hours of homework every day - that is for ALL classes (not just CAP). That's how much my kid does right now in middle school (Eastern magnet). That seems like a pretty light load in high school. The RM program does seem highly demanding. I wish there was a program that was a happy medium- perhaps a regular IB program at BCC or Einstein or an AP scholars program like "APEX" at Walter Johnson?

Keep in mind, though, program administrators try to down play "HW/study time" during info sessions. They don't want to scare kids too much. I can tell you, regardless of where your DC goes, doing 2 hours of work per day won't cut it in HS.

+ 1.

And if your kid is going to magnet HS from a non-magnet MS, the time and work management skills can be a bit lacking. Speaking from personal example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the CAP info meeting the person who runs the program said that students have an average of two hours of homework every day - that is for ALL classes (not just CAP). That's how much my kid does right now in middle school (Eastern magnet). That seems like a pretty light load in high school. The RM program does seem highly demanding. I wish there was a program that was a happy medium- perhaps a regular IB program at BCC or Einstein or an AP scholars program like "APEX" at Walter Johnson?

Yeah, this isn't accurate. My CAP 9th grader isn't a hard worker at all and he frequently has a lot more homework than this. Part of it is that there's a block schedule at Blair -- they have one CAP class every day but the rest are every other day. So my kid has one day where his classes include French, gym, math and CAP photo ... not classes with a lot of homework (he breezes through the math). So he slacks on those days and kills himself on the days where he has English, U.S. history, and physics. He could manage his time better!

My friend's DD is in RM as a ninth grader, and she has been really upset at the cutthroat and grade focused attitude of the kids -- they are always competing with each other, refusing to share notes if a kid is sick, etc. It's an extremely stressful environment for some kids. CAP seems very supportive. So I think you have to figure out where your kid will thrive. Personally, I cannot see my DS being happy in a high stress environment that's so much work. I can't imagine basing a decision on how much homework there is! But I wouldn't call CAP a "light load" at all.

[Anonymous]

I am 40 and still kind of regret doing the IB program rather than CAP! (Or, my good home school). I was a real grind, all four years and not very intellectually fulfilling, whereas I loved Eastern. That said, having not done the CAP program, I have no idea what I'd have thought of it. And I was really very well prepared for college and didn't struggle with the work or work load at all.

For a fairly competitive personality that wants to do advanced classes in math, sciences and humanities it's a good option, though and skirts the either/or nature of either the Blair Math Science Magnet or the CAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 40 and still kind of regret doing the IB program rather than CAP! (Or, my good home school). I was a real grind, all four years and not very intellectually fulfilling, whereas I loved Eastern. That said, having not done the CAP program, I have no idea what I'd have thought of it. And I was really very well prepared for college and didn't struggle with the work or work load at all.

For a fairly competitive personality that wants to do advanced classes in math, sciences and humanities it's a good option, though and skirts the either/or nature of either the Blair Math Science Magnet or the CAP.

In practical terms this is what RMIB is essentially -
1) It is like doing BOTH the magnet programs - SMACS and Humanities - or in IBspeak "well rounded and world class"
2) Add in the requirements of the IB diploma - an Extended Essay (dissertation), 150 hours of CAS hours (not SSL) in 11th and 12th grade etc...
3) Most IB kids double up on the AP exams as well for all the IB exams they take. And build up an impressive list of SAT 2 subject exams, APs and IBs.

All of this comes when they are also applying for colleges. So, fun times!

Having said that, 9th grade is the hardest because kids are still operating with the attitude of competitiveness in grades, and so peer support is minimal. So, I agree with what another PP had said, Trust me, that by the 11th grade they are in SURVIVAL mode, and these kids are helping each other as much as time allows! You are worthy of respect just because you survived RMIB. And considering that almost all make it till the very end with great results - that is saying something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 40 and still kind of regret doing the IB program rather than CAP! (Or, my good home school). I was a real grind, all four years and not very intellectually fulfilling, whereas I loved Eastern. That said, having not done the CAP program, I have no idea what I'd have thought of it. And I was really very well prepared for college and didn't struggle with the work or work load at all.

For a fairly competitive personality that wants to do advanced classes in math, sciences and humanities it's a good option, though and skirts the either/or nature of either the Blair Math Science Magnet or the CAP.

Although this is true to a point, it is also true that the magnet math/science/CS classes at the Blair magnet do not exist anywhere else in the county (and likely exist only in a few other places in the country). A very math-oriented student can take IB and AP math classes at RMIB, but these do not compare to the Blair magnet math classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 40 and still kind of regret doing the IB program rather than CAP! (Or, my good home school). I was a real grind, all four years and not very intellectually fulfilling, whereas I loved Eastern. That said, having not done the CAP program, I have no idea what I'd have thought of it. And I was really very well prepared for college and didn't struggle with the work or work load at all.

For a fairly competitive personality that wants to do advanced classes in math, sciences and humanities it's a good option, though and skirts the either/or nature of either the Blair Math Science Magnet or the CAP.

In practical terms this is what RMIB is essentially -
1) It is like doing BOTH the magnet programs - SMACS and Humanities - or in IBspeak "well rounded and world class"
2) Add in the requirements of the IB diploma - an Extended Essay (dissertation), 150 hours of CAS hours (not SSL) in 11th and 12th grade etc...
3) Most IB kids double up on the AP exams as well for all the IB exams they take. And build up an impressive list of SAT 2 subject exams, APs and IBs.

All of this comes when they are also applying for colleges. So, fun times!

Having said that, 9th grade is the hardest because kids are still operating with the attitude of competitiveness in grades, and so peer support is minimal. So, I agree with what another PP had said, Trust me, that by the 11th grade they are in SURVIVAL mode, and these kids are helping each other as much as time allows! You are worthy of respect just because you survived RMIB. And considering that almost all make it till the very end with great results - that is saying something.

This is just not accurate. I have one kid at the Blair magnet and another who graduated from RMIB a year ago. The math at RMIB does not begin to compare to the math at the Blair magnet. Doing math at RMIB is NOT like doing the magnet at Blair. Not even close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 40 and still kind of regret doing the IB program rather than CAP! (Or, my good home school). I was a real grind, all four years and not very intellectually fulfilling, whereas I loved Eastern. That said, having not done the CAP program, I have no idea what I'd have thought of it. And I was really very well prepared for college and didn't struggle with the work or work load at all.

For a fairly competitive personality that wants to do advanced classes in math, sciences and humanities it's a good option, though and skirts the either/or nature of either the Blair Math Science Magnet or the CAP.

In practical terms this is what RMIB is essentially -
1) It is like doing BOTH the magnet programs - SMACS and Humanities - or in IBspeak "well rounded and world class"
2) Add in the requirements of the IB diploma - an Extended Essay (dissertation), 150 hours of CAS hours (not SSL) in 11th and 12th grade etc...
3) Most IB kids double up on the AP exams as well for all the IB exams they take. And build up an impressive list of SAT 2 subject exams, APs and IBs.

All of this comes when they are also applying for colleges. So, fun times!

Having said that, 9th grade is the hardest because kids are still operating with the attitude of competitiveness in grades, and so peer support is minimal. So, I agree with what another PP had said, Trust me, that by the 11th grade they are in SURVIVAL mode, and these kids are helping each other as much as time allows! You are worthy of respect just because you survived RMIB. And considering that almost all make it till the very end with great results - that is saying something.

This is just not accurate. I have one kid at the Blair magnet and another who graduated from RMIB a year ago. The math at RMIB does not begin to compare to the math at the Blair magnet. Doing math at RMIB is NOT like doing the magnet at Blair. Not even close.

I am not doubting you. However, I have seen kids with varying Math levels in RMIB. I know of one kid who did Geometry in 9th grade, and another who did Calculus BC in 10th grade. So, they will accommodate based on where the kid is in Math. However, RMIB is not the SMACS or CAPS program. It is different than these and the end goal is to get you the IB diploma and a rigorous all-round education, that includes elements of both Science/Math and Humanities. For a STEM student, this is an excellent chance to be exposed to a rigorous humanities curriculum and develop communication, analysis and critiquing skills. And the same for the Humanities student - they get an opportunity to be in a rigorous STEM program. Perhaps they will not have this opportunity once they go to college.

I do think that the students come out of RMIB capable of handling any subject in college and excelling.

Is it a beyond gruelling, hard program for 4 years of HS? Yes.

Do they sacrifice sleep and social life? Yes.

Don't push your kid into this program if they do not want to do this. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 40 and still kind of regret doing the IB program rather than CAP! (Or, my good home school). I was a real grind, all four years and not very intellectually fulfilling, whereas I loved Eastern. That said, having not done the CAP program, I have no idea what I'd have thought of it. And I was really very well prepared for college and didn't struggle with the work or work load at all.

For a fairly competitive personality that wants to do advanced classes in math, sciences and humanities it's a good option, though and skirts the either/or nature of either the Blair Math Science Magnet or the CAP.

In practical terms this is what RMIB is essentially -
1) It is like doing BOTH the magnet programs - SMACS and Humanities - or in IBspeak "well rounded and world class"
2) Add in the requirements of the IB diploma - an Extended Essay (dissertation), 150 hours of CAS hours (not SSL) in 11th and 12th grade etc...
3) Most IB kids double up on the AP exams as well for all the IB exams they take. And build up an impressive list of SAT 2 subject exams, APs and IBs.

All of this comes when they are also applying for colleges. So, fun times!

Having said that, 9th grade is the hardest because kids are still operating with the attitude of competitiveness in grades, and so peer support is minimal. So, I agree with what another PP had said, Trust me, that by the 11th grade they are in SURVIVAL mode, and these kids are helping each other as much as time allows! You are worthy of respect just because you survived RMIB. And considering that almost all make it till the very end with great results - that is saying something.

This is just not accurate. I have one kid at the Blair magnet and another who graduated from RMIB a year ago. The math at RMIB does not begin to compare to the math at the Blair magnet. Doing math at RMIB is NOT like doing the magnet at Blair. Not even close.

I am not doubting you. However, I have seen kids with varying Math levels in RMIB. I know of one kid who did Geometry in 9th grade, and another who did Calculus BC in 10th grade. So, they will accommodate based on where the kid is in Math. However, RMIB is not the SMACS or CAPS program. It is different than these and the end goal is to get you the IB diploma and a rigorous all-round education, that includes elements of both Science/Math and Humanities. For a STEM student, this is an excellent chance to be exposed to a rigorous humanities curriculum and develop communication, analysis and critiquing skills. And the same for the Humanities student - they get an opportunity to be in a rigorous STEM program. Perhaps they will not have this opportunity once they go to college.

I do think that the students come out of RMIB capable of handling any subject in college and excelling.

Is it a beyond gruelling, hard program for 4 years of HS? Yes.

Do they sacrifice sleep and social life? Yes.

Don't push your kid into this program if they do not want to do this. That's all.

I have no doubt that students' math levels vary and that these variations can be addressed via curriculum offerings at RM. True. But that is not the same as the above statement:

"It is like doing BOTH the magnet programs - SMACS and Humanities"

It is NOT like doing magnet math. Not at all. There is NO other MCPS school that offers the kind of math curriculum that Blair does.

My kids both got into both problems. In choosing one, each gave up something. Neither program covers what the other one does. But they both prepare students for college and life.

[Anonymous]

Above poster correct. RM's math/science higher than other schools EXCEPT BLAIR! And RM's comp Sci offerings a joke compared to Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Above poster correct. RM's math/science higher than other schools EXCEPT BLAIR! And RM's comp Sci offerings a joke compared to Blair.

You mean the Blair and Poolesville Math in the SMACS program is the most rigorous in MCPS. I assume it is comparable to what TJ offers.

RMIB kids take the AP Calc (bc) and IB Calc exams, and score well in them. So, not shoddy in my opinion. No, RMIB is not known for its Comp Sci offerings. However, it has a more well rounded education because STEM and Humanities both are covered. I am sure CAPS offers some unique Humanities courses for its students, just like SMACS offers some unique STEM classes. So, all these programs will appeal to different students.

I wanted my child's HS education to be balanced because I feel that once in college they have to decide on a major anyways. However, what if you have a kid who loves STEM or Humanities above everything else and SMACS and CAPS speak to them? You should let the child choose.