Any Parkland MS Magnet parents? Wondering if we should apply?
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Anonymous
Thank you. We are also looking at Takoma Park but she is resistant to consider it because the kids at her school who will be applying will likely include all the super competitive ones that really bother her. We are hoping that Parkland might offer a better balance of kids interested in science/math without the focus on good scores/high grades/winning competitions. I think there was a DCUM thread in the past year or so where the mom found that her child's disabilities effectively counted against him for admission to TKMS that gave me some concern. I know TKMS has a good reputation for 2e kids but wonder if something might have changed to make it less so now. TKMS is also a really miserable commute and I really wish we had the option of Roberto Clemente (with parents providing transportation). I know Parkland is technically lottery admission but I believe they balance admission based on gender and socio-economic status of sending school - so a girl from a high SES elementary would have a better chance of getting in. [n.b. to clarify I am not the OP with child currently in private school, just another parent looking at Parkland as option for DD.] |
Anonymous
I'm the PP who recommended TPMS. You could ask the county about the option of Clemente and see what they say. One of mine is a 2e boy at TPMS. The special ed coordinator for IEPs left this year (which I think of as good news, as I had a bad experience involving the department). But some of the magnet teachers, in particular, have been great at understanding child's issues and making adjustments that helped tremendously. She can always apply to both TPMS and Parkland and see what choices exist and who actually gets in. That's what we did, and we ended up with both TPMS and Parkland as options. |
Anonymous
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I have two 2e kids who went through TPMS and we live in W cluster.
Both kids are socially awkward but were happy at Takoma. Of course we had some challenges, but that was expected. We did not attend Parkland. We applied for one of the kids and were easily accepted, but turned it down. It was not brainer for us. However, given that one of my kids copied all bad behavior in Takoma "to fit in", I only can imagine what it would be in Parkland... My advice, if you can afford private and can find good fit, stay with it. Unfortunately W schools and any regular public school, are not good fit for 2e kids. 2e kids are not well received by both students and teachers. If my kids would not be in Magnets (test in), I can't imagine what would happen. My kids had difficult to fit in socially even in ESs. The only way for 2e kids to be successful and reach full potential are magnets (test in only!), some privates and homeschooling. There is no other way around. I would try to stay away from all other options at any cost, including W schools! Unfortunately many kids are angry creatures and do not like when somebody is different. Only magnet kids (who study next to many weird kids) and some private school kids, who are directly systematically taught to be accepting, would tolerate and accept "as is" 2e kids... I would stay away from Parkland in your case. Parkland has many kids from low SES, so focus of the school to keep kids out of trouble through the program. Teachers would focus on troubled kids and there would be many. They will not be able to find time for your 2e child who definitely will need extra support. To make educated decision, ask to visit school on random day. Try to imagine your DD in school environment, would she fit? Speak with counselors and teachers. Ask how many kids in school they have with accommodations. If there are many, then you know that there is no time to spend with your child. |
Anonymous
| Yet they offer algebra II and physics for HS credit for 8th graders. Hard to imagine a bright child would not have a good cohort there. |
Anonymous
Bright cohort not necessary = accepting 2e kids ... There are many bright kids at W schools too. If bright cohort is very tiny, she may have many problems. How many will take Algebra II in 2017-2018 (next year, when compacted kids will start 8th grade)? I bet less than 10. I know for a fact that at most 4 kids will take Algebra II in Takoma in 2017-2018. That is because only 4 where allowed to take Algebra 1 in 6th grade last year (say thank you to MCPS Compacted Math)...They also stopped Science for HS in Takoma, I guess again per MCPS request... So do not assume something that was at school yesterday, will stay tomorrow... We are closing achievement gap here, so everyone is equal and there would be less and less opportunities to advance until HS. |
Anonymous
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How is it that someone whose kids never attended Parkland is so sure that the school is full of troubled kids and that all attention is paid to problem students? This simply has not been my experience. This was the case at my kids' elementary school, so I am aware of this issue and pitfalls. At Parkland the staff is incredibly dedicated to the school and the kids. Many teachers have been there for more than a decade. Some of the science teachers have Master and PhD degrees. There is not a bullying issue at Parkland. If your child is taking the advanced classes, your child will be in classes with other advanced students. These are hard working, successful kids. Parents drive from all over the county so their kids can have this experience.
Parkland was targeted twice-last year and three years ago-- by cell phone companies wanting to place a huge cell tower at the schools. They target low SES areas, but the engaged parents of Parkland stopped it both times. This was not easy, especially since cell phone companies are used to having an easier time at schools with out demographics, so the companies don't take parents complaints as seriously as they would at Wheaton or WC. I state this to point out, that you can't paint this broad brush that schools with challenging demographics are going to be automatically bad for your GT kid. Parkland has committed staff and parents. My child is starting 8th grade there and he is very happy, but he is also very much into space/science which is the focus of this school. I hope your daughter finds a good fit for middle school. |
Anonymous
We're zoned for Parkland via the MSMC. My son is in 6th grade at Parkland. There were THIRTEEN kids in his compacted math class last year. 13, at ONE SCHOOL. They're all pretty bright kids. If you're anti-Parkland and anything in this area for whatever reason, just own it instead of coming up with statements like these when you obviously have no experience in this area. |
Anonymous
| Compacted math gets you to algebra in 7th grade not 6th. |
Anonymous
To the poster who wrote this post: I need some help from you! DS is 2e and currently at an HGC. Our hope is that he gets into the TPMS but it is so competitive I don't know what his chances are. He's found his social group at the HGC. If he does not get into TPMS he will be going back to his W cluster home school for middle school and I really don't want that. Curious what private school you would recommend and/or any advice on the application process for TPMS and if you think it is worth applying to the Eastern magnet as an option (he actually does well in the humanities but is more interested in the math and science). I wish there were more options for him... |
Anonymous
I think you are confused. After compacted math in 4-5th, kids are taking IM in 6th, Algebra I in 7th, and then Geometry, NOT ALGEBRA II in 8th. Also 13 kids in Compacted math in one school is not that impressive. There were schools with 28-30 kids per grade in Compacted math. This year after requirements were relaxed, I believe almost everyone starts in Compacted Math. ( I may be wrong on that since my kids are older, but I believe new county approach is to let most capable kids to try Compacted Math and if they fail to move them down. ) I actually think this is GREAT. Compacted Math in not rocket science, and not that challenging, so everyone should have a chance. My youngest kids just finished Compacted Math, and I am not impressed... |
Anonymous
I'm glad your kids found their people at TPMS. But I'm wondering how you're sure that W middle schools are full of angry creatures who do not like when somebody is different and would therefore not tolerate and accept 2e kids. After all, you haven't had students attending any of those W middle schools. Your post reads as fearmongering. |
Anonymous
Please do not stone me, since you asked for my opinion... My research couple years ago did not provide good lead for TECHNICAL private schools in this area. All kids needs are different. We needed school with very advanced technical area and not strong humanities... TPMS is the only school that matched my child. Most private school are opposite: strong Liberal Arts and not strong technical. If your child is good for humanities and will not get to TPMS, try to find some good private schools in your area. I believe McLean (serves 2e kids) is not bad, but I have no experience . (http://www.mcleanschool.org/Page/ABOUT-McLEAN) I would not go for Eastern. They have some issues with Magnet vs. Non-Magnet kids, and with a 2e kid you probably will have more issues. To address your child's technical interests if you have means try: CTY (online language and summer camps, but they are very expensive.I would not use their math, since most are computer driven. AoPS is better in my opinion) ArtOfProblemSolving - very advanced instructor lead online math classes and reasonably priced Lego Robotics Team Find MathCount team Find Science Bowl Team For writing can also go to Writopia, but they are very pricey. Hope this helps a bit. To all bashers. You have no idea what means to raise 2e kids. They are different, very challenging, and provocative! Their interests usually are not met anywhere, except some rear special school. And special schools are usually not advanced enough for 2e technical kids plus cost fortune. I wish regular schools would work for my 2e kids, but they do not. |
Anonymous
Different poster here, but FWIW, not all HGC kids even decide to apply for magnet middle schools, and others apply but don't get in. In the cases I'm aware of, they seem happy at their home middle school nonetheless. I think it's a great idea to ask for advice about where your kid might fit it, but maybe take this PP's advice with a grain of salt, because his/her kids only seem to have experience with TPMS. |
Anonymous
Sorry, but I do have another "regular" kid who is in W middle school, so I can compare. |
Anonymous
Great. But do you have students at each of the W middle schools? |