Churchhill vs. RM IB program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think your child is going to do extremely well (say, top few) at Churchill, there is no point going to RMIB. But if she really hates math (which makes it a bit hard to become really the top at the local HS), going to RM and getting the IB diploma would probably be quite useful for her college application.

Thanks!! Could she avoid hard math courses at RMIB?

She doesn’t know. She never had a kid in IB program.

[Anonymous]

OP, what does your kid want? Is it really just about a top 20 college, or is it about having a good high school experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think your child is going to do extremely well (say, top few) at Churchill, there is no point going to RMIB. But if she really hates math (which makes it a bit hard to become really the top at the local HS), going to RM and getting the IB diploma would probably be quite useful for her college application.

Thanks!! Could she avoid hard math courses at RMIB?

What is "hard math" courses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what does your kid want? Is it really just about a top 20 college, or is it about having a good high school experience?

Both good college and good experence at high school! (friends, nice teachers, interesting course works, epecially she loves to write, write, write...) We applied IB out of miscoception that math will be easier and she could better develop her interest in literacy, history etc. But I was told now she probably needs to take calculus bc in the junior year since 4 year math is required and she might not be able to go to a college she desires...she aims at a good LAC. She loves reading and writing. Is IB a good choice or churchhill which offers several APs for English, literacy, history etc....

[Anonymous]

Check the IB course list on RM's website, OP. I think you'll find that she doesn't have to take calc bc junior year. She can take calc ab.
If she got into Blair CAP or any of the other humanities programs, those might be the best fit for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check the IB course list on RM's website, OP. I think you'll find that she doesn't have to take calc bc junior year. She can take calc ab.
If she got into Blair CAP or any of the other humanities programs, those might be the best fit for her.

Too late to apply now.

[Anonymous]

Churchill is not even close to the quality of a magnet. Also the kids are often stoned.

[Anonymous]

In terms of college admittance/attendance for RMIB students in particular, not all of RMHS, I found this link on the RMIB website with data for the last three graduating classes:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/rmhs/ib/IB%20Colleges%2016-18.pdf

The course bulletin is here and it shows potential pathways for the required subjects:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CE4dwbdkn9GYIOKu3lKVn9_GIY4AFgrv/view

For math, it looks like you can go hard core with AP Calc BC junior year and a higher-level class senior year, but it also looks like there are less aggressive paths that lead to AP Calc AB, Honors Calculus, or AP Stats instead.

OP, we are in the same boat -- DD accepted to RMIB but our alternative is WJ APEX which has been a great program for our older kid who has put together a rigorous and well-rounded program. I am positive that RMIB is incredibly rigorous and will result in DD getting a fantastic education and she is super keen to go but we as her parents still have questions about the cost-benefit with other aspects of her life (music, a sport, sleep.....). We are definitely going to the open house and signing her up to shadow a current student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In terms of college admittance/attendance for RMIB students in particular, not all of RMHS, I found this link on the RMIB website with data for the last three graduating classes:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/rmhs/ib/IB%20Colleges%2016-18.pdf

The course bulletin is here and it shows potential pathways for the required subjects:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CE4dwbdkn9GYIOKu3lKVn9_GIY4AFgrv/view

For math, it looks like you can go hard core with AP Calc BC junior year and a higher-level class senior year, but it also looks like there are less aggressive paths that lead to AP Calc AB, Honors Calculus, or AP Stats instead.

OP, we are in the same boat -- DD accepted to RMIB but our alternative is WJ APEX which has been a great program for our older kid who has put together a rigorous and well-rounded program. I am positive that RMIB is incredibly rigorous and will result in DD getting a fantastic education and she is super keen to go but we as her parents still have questions about the cost-benefit with other aspects of her life (music, a sport, sleep.....). We are definitely going to the open house and signing her up to shadow a current student.

That first link is crazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In terms of college admittance/attendance for RMIB students in particular, not all of RMHS, I found this link on the RMIB website with data for the last three graduating classes:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/rmhs/ib/IB%20Colleges%2016-18.pdf

The course bulletin is here and it shows potential pathways for the required subjects:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CE4dwbdkn9GYIOKu3lKVn9_GIY4AFgrv/view

For math, it looks like you can go hard core with AP Calc BC junior year and a higher-level class senior year, but it also looks like there are less aggressive paths that lead to AP Calc AB, Honors Calculus, or AP Stats instead.

OP, we are in the same boat -- DD accepted to RMIB but our alternative is WJ APEX which has been a great program for our older kid who has put together a rigorous and well-rounded program. I am positive that RMIB is incredibly rigorous and will result in DD getting a fantastic education and she is super keen to go but we as her parents still have questions about the cost-benefit with other aspects of her life (music, a sport, sleep.....). We are definitely going to the open house and signing her up to shadow a current student.

Thanks for the links!

[Anonymous]

The point of the IB Diploma is to be well-rounded in 6 subjects, including math and science (which heavily relies on math). Yes, there are slightly less mathy and sciency paths to take (just as there are paths to emphasize math and science). The question is, does your daughter want to challenge herself in weaker areas (when surrounded by strong students in those areas), or will she be more comfortable picking and choosing for her strengths in her home school.

Also, RMIB is not just about the diploma - there are a ton of extra curricular activities that IB students are heavily involved in. If your daughter isn't interested in these, then why leave your home school, your current friends, and your neighborhood with easy access to your local high school's events? There is a lot to be said for the neighborhood school high school experience.

If you are thinking about RMIB just because someone said it's the best school - don't come. If you are thinking about RMIB because your daughter is passionate about all of the opportunities, to the point that she will work through challenges (tough classes, missing friends) - then do come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Churchill is not even close to the quality of a magnet. Also the kids are often stoned.

As opposed to the RMIB kids popping Adderall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The point of the IB Diploma is to be well-rounded in 6 subjects, including math and science (which heavily relies on math). Yes, there are slightly less mathy and sciency paths to take (just as there are paths to emphasize math and science). The question is, does your daughter want to challenge herself in weaker areas (when surrounded by strong students in those areas), or will she be more comfortable picking and choosing for her strengths in her home school.

Also, RMIB is not just about the diploma - there are a ton of extra curricular activities that IB students are heavily involved in. If your daughter isn't interested in these, then why leave your home school, your current friends, and your neighborhood with easy access to your local high school's events? There is a lot to be said for the neighborhood school high school experience.

If you are thinking about RMIB just because someone said it's the best school - don't come. If you are thinking about RMIB because your daughter is passionate about all of the opportunities, to the point that she will work through challenges (tough classes, missing friends) - then do come.

What are the extra curricular activities RMIBbstudents are heavily involved in? Do RMIB students find it manageable to participate in both a sport and deal with the homework?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point of the IB Diploma is to be well-rounded in 6 subjects, including math and science (which heavily relies on math). Yes, there are slightly less mathy and sciency paths to take (just as there are paths to emphasize math and science). The question is, does your daughter want to challenge herself in weaker areas (when surrounded by strong students in those areas), or will she be more comfortable picking and choosing for her strengths in her home school.

Also, RMIB is not just about the diploma - there are a ton of extra curricular activities that IB students are heavily involved in. If your daughter isn't interested in these, then why leave your home school, your current friends, and your neighborhood with easy access to your local high school's events? There is a lot to be said for the neighborhood school high school experience.

If you are thinking about RMIB just because someone said it's the best school - don't come. If you are thinking about RMIB because your daughter is passionate about all of the opportunities, to the point that she will work through challenges (tough classes, missing friends) - then do come.

What are the extra curricular activities RMIBbstudents are heavily involved in? Do RMIB students find it manageable to participate in both a sport and deal with the homework?

I won’t lie to you. Kids manage but sleep suffers. Lack of sleep is probably the most problematic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The point of the IB Diploma is to be well-rounded in 6 subjects, including math and science (which heavily relies on math). Yes, there are slightly less mathy and sciency paths to take (just as there are paths to emphasize math and science). The question is, does your daughter want to challenge herself in weaker areas (when surrounded by strong students in those areas), or will she be more comfortable picking and choosing for her strengths in her home school.

Also, RMIB is not just about the diploma - there are a ton of extra curricular activities that IB students are heavily involved in. If your daughter isn't interested in these, then why leave your home school, your current friends, and your neighborhood with easy access to your local high school's events? There is a lot to be said for the neighborhood school high school experience.

If you are thinking about RMIB just because someone said it's the best school - don't come. If you are thinking about RMIB because your daughter is passionate about all of the opportunities, to the point that she will work through challenges (tough classes, missing friends) - then do come.

What are the extra curricular activities RMIBbstudents are heavily involved in? Do RMIB students find it manageable to participate in both a sport and deal with the homework?

IB requires extra curricular activities in addition to classwork. They have to fall in to different categories.