Takoma Park ES STEM Magnet?
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Anonymous
Then why are parents so obsessed with it? |
Anonymous
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There is great confusion on this thread, generated by the subject line. Hopefully I can clear it up.
Takoma Park ELEMENTARY school offers what it calls a "gifted and talented magnet," though it's really not a true magnet in that it has very openings for out-of-boundary kids. So it's mostly for in-bound kids. Kids test for this program in K. I think there are literally only like 10-15 spots for out-of-bound kids. Takoma Park MIDDLE school offers a true STEM magnet that draws countywide--well, 1/2 of the county, there is another magnet for up-county kids. Kids must test-in for this highly competitive program. There are approx 120 spots, I think, with about 20 of those spots reserved for in-boundary kids. Why do Takoma Park kids get such preference? Beats me. |
Anonymous
This is just not true. I have one child in an HGC and another at Eastern. The work is far more rigorous than at the home school. |
Anonymous
They are trying to provide more enrichment in under privileged areas. I don't begrudge them this even though we live on the western side of MoCo, and the commute is 1 hr to TP. I do wish they would provide a magnet on the western side, though. |
Anonymous
It does grate a little that Takoma Park Elementary is probably has the highest HHI of the schools on the East side of the county, and also has the only gifted magnet program, and one that only accepts a tiny number of kids from outside the neighborhood. |
Anonymous
I'm gonna take a leap here, and say that they probably put it in TPES because though it has a higher % of low SES than most of Western MoCo schools, it is not so high that there are other needs in the school that would detract from such a program, and parents from higher SES wouldn't balk as much because it is not *that* bad. This is just my opinion. |
Anonymous
| My understanding is that the magnet means almost nothing for in boundary kids. If you test in from out of bounds, you get the accelerated instruction and junior great books curriculum, etc... If you are in bounds then your child, theoretically, gets what he or she needs regardless of their label. There are no classrooms organized by magnet or not, but reading groups are leveled and math is too. There are a few other programs the kids may do. It's really nothing to worry about unless you're out of the boundary and want it. It just runs like a school for mostly very bright kids. |
Anonymous
Then why doesn't the Eastern MS magnet offer in-boundary preference slots? |
Anonymous
It is not equitable. But I think it's historical- TPMS wouldn't agree to the magnet without the additional slots. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminate the elementary magnet as a result of the choice study. Seems odd to offer this program in only one school on one side of the county. |
Anonymous
Was it part of the study? I don't think that they will eliminate the HGCs or MS Magnets. I would be very surprised. |
Anonymous
Not PP. Good point, I don't recall if the ES program was mentioned specifically. If not there will probably be very little feedback on it given how little known it is. Really seems like the program was eliminated long ago, about the only funding it has must be the bussing, and I guess the application process. Really just a place for 1st - 3rd graders to congregate before applying to HGCs. |
Anonymous
It's actually just 1st-2nd because the school ends in 2nd. I think that is why many people don't think it's worth it to apply. |
Anonymous
Yes, but some follow the cohort to Piney Branch in 3rd. So there's the possibility of going to four different ESs before it's all done. |
Anonymous
Oh, and the MS magnets used to be only 7th and 8th, too. So everyone went to their home MS for one year and then applied for the 2 year programs. |