Loiderman’s Performing Arts Magnet Program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids work professionally in theatre, and we only know of one Loiderman kid who worked, and that was like 8 years ago. Not to say that there isn't a Loiderman kid or two out there working, be mine have worked at most major venues and haven't heard of any. Most kids working in pro theatre in this area train with extra curricular programs or with coaches.

I would see if i could find bios for the teachers, if I were you. Where did they train? What degrees/experience do they have? What successes have their students achieved?

I was wary of the talent/training/drive disparity that comes from a lottery program. I think success and great experiences are still possible with some variety of talent and training, but the possible lack of passion/drive could really drag things down. If you had a sense of the teachers' credentials, that might help.

Yeah, this is an apples-to-oranges comparison. MOST kids interested in theater don't have thousands to drop at AT's pre-professional program, or the flexibility to commit to a rehearsal schedule at Ford's Theatre for A Christmas Carol.

You are comparing the most privileged sliver of DCUM to a public middle school program.

Not really. Just trying to keep expectations realistic. The assertion was made that Loidermann kids work professionally. Just saying that I have not seen that. Also, as a sidenote, it is possible to train without dropping a ton of money. Tricky, but possible. We do it. It doesn't have to be through ATMTC, and if you like them, they do have some scholarships for some of their programs. But, my point wasn't about how to work in theatre, just that I wouldn't expect Loiderman's program to result in it.

Please share your ideas about how to train without spending a lot of money! I know that ATMTC has scholarships, but they are probably intended for very low income students. DD has participated in community theatre before, and that is a lovely opportunity, as it is free. We funnel our small funds into voice lessons, as singing is a hobby that can last a lifetime (and a trained voice is so lovely to listen to).

Totally agree about voice training. As for acting training: ATMTC's scholarships are not entirely need based. They require an audition. We are not super poor and qualified for one. They sometimes offer a significant reduction. Round House is more affordable (not sure how much they get into acting technique, though -- they seem based in devising). City of Takoma Park works w/ On Stage Takoma (independent teacher) who teaches acting theory/technique classes and music theatre. Other city & county rec depts may have similar offerings? There are also programs through TheatreLab and Studio (not sure of the cost on those, though). Community theatre is a great way to get performing experience, but learning technique and how to approach "becoming" a character is really useful (& relates to writing/literary analysis work for school).

[Anonymous]

Wondering if anyone with a child currently at Loiderman coming from out-of-bounds can comment on whether they feel this program is worth the travel/logistics, moving away from home school, etc?

My child's home school is Julius West and we are trying to decide whether the benefits of the program (my child really loves performing arts as well as fiction writing) outweigh the negatives of commute/transporation issues, having to make all new friendships, etc. How much arts-based learning are the children getting? What is the rigor of the academic classes? How have the enriched humanities and math classes been implemented this year (my child would likely be eligible for those classes). Do you feel that this program made a difference for your child that they would not have received if they had stayed at their home school?

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Also really interested in any and all impressions on the regular academics at Loiederman. Does the school have placement options for advanced math/English, for example? Our daughter would be so energized by the arts opportunities, but she’s in the gifted program in elementary school and I don’t know what to make of the academic landscape at Loiederman.

[Anonymous]

Look at the test scores of your home school compared to Loiderman. It is a CHOICE school (get in by lottery) not a MAGNET school (get in by testing in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also really interested in any and all impressions on the regular academics at Loiederman. Does the school have placement options for advanced math/English, for example? Our daughter would be so energized by the arts opportunities, but she’s in the gifted program in elementary school and I don’t know what to make of the academic landscape at Loiederman.

Yes they have advanced placement. I found that to be good and bad. My 6th grader had classes with 8th graders. She’s super small, and they (the other students) treated her either as a child genius, or were flat out mean. The teacher was aware and said they can be a tough group, but did nothing to change it. We pulled her mid year. One of her two friends also left mid year for similar reasons.The commute, lackadaisical response from the teacher and counselor, and mean older students were too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at the test scores of your home school compared to Loiderman. It is a CHOICE school (get in by lottery) not a MAGNET school (get in by testing in).

You seem to spend a lot of time making sure everyone knows that you don't consider Loiederman a magnet school. The students at Loiederman who participate in the arts magnet classes are arts magnet students. If there were test scores for the arts, they would be above most students at non-arts magnet schools. Fortunately, the families who "choose" Loiederman for its magnet program don't give a shit about your definition of what constitutes a magnet school. A. Mario Loiederman Magnet Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts is a magnet school.

[Anonymous]

Magnet schools are schools that pull kids in from other school zones. You know, like a magnet pulls things to it. Whether by choice or competitive tests, it’s still pulling in kids from other areas. So it’s a magnet.
I don’t get all the energy some folks put into arguing that choice magnets aren’t magnets. People on DCUM argue and compete over the stupidest sh!t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if anyone with a child currently at Loiderman coming from out-of-bounds can comment on whether they feel this program is worth the travel/logistics, moving away from home school, etc?

My child's home school is Julius West and we are trying to decide whether the benefits of the program (my child really loves performing arts as well as fiction writing) outweigh the negatives of commute/transporation issues, having to make all new friendships, etc. How much arts-based learning are the children getting? What is the rigor of the academic classes? How have the enriched humanities and math classes been implemented this year (my child would likely be eligible for those classes). Do you feel that this program made a difference for your child that they would not have received if they had stayed at their home school?

TIA!

One of the benefits of the MSMC schools is that if kids are really interested in the focus of the school, they have access to a LOT of activities and classes that relate to the focus. The 8th period is a real benefit for advanced students to take a good strong course load (including language) while also exploring different electives. Your child will make new friendships with other students who also share the same passions. Loiederman really isn't that much of a commute, so you should easily have access to school events. My suggestion to students who aren't quite sure about a program is to go ahead and try it. If it really isn't a great fit, you can always simply return to your home school.

[Anonymous]

Have a 7th grader there. We love the block schedule and the arts enrichment. We have a neighbor carpool that helps with the commute.

[Anonymous]

https://www.schooldigger.com/go/MD/schools/0048001446/school.aspx

We applied two years ago. I initially was excited about the county offering more "magnet" options, but I was confused from the MoCo communications about Loiderman, and Parkland and Argyle, as to why there wasn't a testing component, so I decided to try an learn more from other parents' experiences. Once I read through the following two threads (DCUM & Great Schools), I realized that my child would probably be accepted, and *surprise* she was selected.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/553281.page

From https://www.greatschools.org/maryland/silver-spring/2557-A.-Mario-Loiederman-Middle-School/#Reviews:
***
Overall experience
We were forced to go to this school per Consortia "We are placing white males students there at this time" said it right in front of my kid when we had to meet with all his files, none of which they cracked. Decision for placement was made on sight within seconds. He has been slammed with racial slurs daily to no end since he got there. How to get the school to improve? Integrity.
***

The application is NOT a "magnet" application process, it is a selection process, and your child's application for consideration (selection) will be viewed through the lens of where you live and your child's race.

Nonetheless, the program sounds amazing so we were still open to considering it.

When we visited, as part of an "newly accepted families" group tour, another parent asked "How many times a week are the police called?" and the administrators answered, "Well it's middle school and there are a lot of hormones."--that was all they would say and they moved on the next question.

Two people in this thread posted that they pulled their kids midway through the year--that info is just as noteworthy as all the comments from people and kids who love the program.

We are 100% supportive of the MoCo offering and financially supporting the program, but would encourage every family who is accepted to visit and tour, and listen to the questions the other parents ask--it NEVER would have occurred to us to ask about how often the police are called to come to the school. Yes, lots and lots of people LOVE the school and program, but we did not proceed w enrollment.

[Anonymous]

I suspect the PP misunderstood the question about police being called (?!). When you look at the Safety and Security at a Glance for Loiederman it looks no different from Westland: a handful of calls in a year. And of course the administration laughed off the question because what the hell kind of accusation is that? When you have 1200 adolescent kids, sometimes the police are called. I do wonder whether this fear has anything to do with Loiederman’s demographics. Nobody seems worried that the police come to Westland so much.

[Anonymous]

Julius West has "Arts, Camera, Literacy" (ACL) offered all three years. The after school drama program seems pretty minimal however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at the test scores of your home school compared to Loiderman. It is a CHOICE school (get in by lottery) not a MAGNET school (get in by testing in).

You seem to spend a lot of time making sure everyone knows that you don't consider Loiederman a magnet school. The students at Loiederman who participate in the arts magnet classes are arts magnet students. If there were test scores for the arts, they would be above most students at non-arts magnet schools. Fortunately, the families who "choose" Loiederman for its magnet program don't give a shit about your definition of what constitutes a magnet school. A. Mario Loiederman Magnet Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts is a magnet school.

Not the PP, but just wondering why folks are so defensive when someone points out a fact.

I know folks who automatically (and mistakenly) think "magnet" means a test in school or program (like TPMS/Clemente/... programs) and hence the cohort will be very highly able. The PP was specifically responding to a poster who said his DD was coming from a highly gifted program, and was specifically asking about academic landscape and advanced courses (math/Englisth/etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also really interested in any and all impressions on the regular academics at Loiederman. Does the school have placement options for advanced math/English, for example? Our daughter would be so energized by the arts opportunities, but she’s in the gifted program in elementary school and I don’t know what to make of the academic landscape at Loiederman.

Yes they have advanced placement. I found that to be good and bad. My 6th grader had classes with 8th graders. She’s super small, and they (the other students) treated her either as a child genius, or were flat out mean. The teacher was aware and said they can be a tough group, but did nothing to change it. We pulled her mid year. One of her two friends also left mid year for similar reasons.The commute, lackadaisical response from the teacher and counselor, and mean older students were too much.

I know two families from the Olney/Brookeville area who also pulled their kids after 6th grade for similar reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also really interested in any and all impressions on the regular academics at Loiederman. Does the school have placement options for advanced math/English, for example? Our daughter would be so energized by the arts opportunities, but she’s in the gifted program in elementary school and I don’t know what to make of the academic landscape at Loiederman.

Yes they have advanced placement. I found that to be good and bad. My 6th grader had classes with 8th graders. She’s super small, and they (the other students) treated her either as a child genius, or were flat out mean. The teacher was aware and said they can be a tough group, but did nothing to change it. We pulled her mid year. One of her two friends also left mid year for similar reasons.The commute, lackadaisical response from the teacher and counselor, and mean older students were too much.

What does advanced placement mean in a middle school context? Are you talking about AP courses?

- Confused