Blair Magnet Program

[Anonymous]

I hear there is a lot of work in the math and science magnet program at Blair. Questions: (1) How stressed out are the students? (2) Is the work "over the top" difficult? or just too much? (3) What are the problems at the school?

[Anonymous]

There is a ton of work at the Blair magnet. There is also a ton of work at the Blair CAP program and at the Richard Montgomery IB program. (We know kids in all these programs.) Your kid may be stressed out, but whether it's hell on earth will depend on how much he or she likes math and science. If he or she loves math and science, it will be more enjoyable.

[Anonymous]

Some students are more prepared than others to handle the workload. Preparedness starts in elementary and middle school -- and not upon admission to a high school magnet program in math and sciences (les jeux sont faits).

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. The ES and MS magnets prepare kids for this with long term projects and other tasks to help them learn to manage their time. I think it would be hard to jump into one of these programs in HS, from a time management standpoint alone.

[Anonymous]

Are you saying that only students who attended magnant middle schools will do well in a magnant high school? Incoming students and families were told that after the first year at Blair you can't tell which students attended a middle magnant program and which did not. Is this true? Or are the students from Takoma Park middle school the students always at the top of the class?

How are the non-magnant classes at Blair? English, World Studies, Spanish, P.E., etc.?

[Anonymous]

MAGNET not magnant

Come on.

[Anonymous]

Are you saying that only students who attended magnant middle schools will do well in a magnant high school? Incoming students and families were told that after the first year at Blair you can't tell which students attended a middle magnant program and which did not. Is this true? Or are the students from Takoma Park middle school the students always at the top of the class?

How are the non-magnant classes at Blair? English, World Studies, Spanish, P.E., etc.?

1) No
2) No
3) No
4) Depends on whether you take Regular, Honors or AP classes (of increasing challenge).

[Anonymous]

The list of colleges attended by magnet graduates is impressive. Do only the top magnet students get admitted into the ivys/top colleges? Since many of the students who are not in the top of the class in the magnet program would likely have been in the top of their class in their home school, would they have gotten into a better college if they stayed in their home school? Do many of the magnet students receive academic scholarships not based on family income? (Are all academic scholarships based on income/networth?)

[Anonymous]

Over 1/2 of them are National Merit Semifinalists and commended scholars. Admission to the schools in questions will depend on class rank, SAT scores, GPA, recommendations, extracurricular activities, recommendations to name a few variables. The colleges in question turn down a number of class valedictorians, 4.0 GPAs and perfect SAT scores. The most selective schools could fill their classes just with 4.0 gpas and perfect SAT scores but they don't. Students with these numbers alone are not what these schools consider the best students who may likely make the most contributions to their campuses over 4 years, society and mankind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAGNET not magnant

Come on.

DIPSHIT not DEEEP SHIT

[Anonymous]

Well then!

My opinion is that some really bright kids are ill prepared for the workload and study habits required in the magnet. It's pretty common for these kids in the early years to go unchallenged. If they aren't challenged they will not need to develop study habits, time management and organizational skills because they can just coast along. Then once they finally get into a challenging program it's a disaster.

My advice is if you have a really bright kid to make sure that he or she is challenged enough in elementary school. If your child is prepared with the necessary skills they will manage the workload just fine in the upper grades.

[Anonymous]

How safe are the students at Blair? We hear that there are gang members at the school and that theft is a problem. Are there any other issues to be aware of? Is the magnet program worth these problems?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]The list of colleges attended by magnet graduates is impressive. Do only the top magnet students get admitted into the ivys/top colleges? Since many of the students who are not in the top of the class in the magnet program would likely have been in the top of their class in their home school, would they have gotten into a better college if they stayed in their home school? Do many of the magnet students receive academic scholarships not based on family income? (Are all academic scholarships based on income/networth?)[/quote]

IS there a link to the list of colleges attended by Blair Magnet Program graduates? TIA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The list of colleges attended by magnet graduates is impressive.

IS there a link to the list of colleges attended by Blair Magnet Program graduates? TIA

I'd like to see that list too. Would you please post a link?

[Anonymous]

The magnet kids are pretty much ignored and are left alone by the "bad seeds". I don't think this should be a big concern. The only way I'd be concerned if is your child is at risk of getting sucked in to a bad crowd....then you should worry.