Is Einstein getting totally screwed in the boundary and program study proposals?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

Einstein families know the farms when we choose the school. Things aren't going to change with more wealthy families and there are a lot of very comfortable families at Einstein, but most aren't showy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

Einstein families know the farms when we choose the school. Things aren't going to change with more wealthy families and there are a lot of very comfortable families at Einstein, but most aren't showy.

Again the problem is not the kids, I agree we chose this community and love it. But we also chose a school community with resources that allow our kids to pursue their interests and that is going away..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

IB is already weak! Only 60some kids in the whole school on the IB diploma track. That is embarrassing.

900 kids in VAPA courses. That’s what people should be waking up about! Only 200 spots available at the Northwood criteria based performing arts academy in that region. If Casement doesn't move, students might still register for music classes.

We need Einstein data on how many kids currently enrolled in VAPA classes are currently zoned for Einstein. Wheaton is our hoke school but my kid chose Einstein for the music classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have the same strong offerings at every school. Having speciality programs at different schools is silly if students don’t get school choose and each school doesn’t have equal strong offerings. Taylor and the BOE clearly ditched equity and student needs. How many kids want a teacher academy. They reduced the current program a few years ago. How about a poll asking parents, teachers and students what they want at these schools. People are going to bail from Einstein if they can and either move or go private. It and Kennedy will be the weak links.

+1

The DCC is what keeps wealthier kids in public schools. DH and I have just discussed upping our 529 contributions so we can afford private if need be.

Having a standardized base of strong offerings at all schools is part of the plan. Funny how most people are not asking questions or focused on that piece.

We don't buy it because MCPS has caveated it with saying they will offer courses "if there is interest" which is a circular way of saying they won't actually offer that strong base or will have it be virtual in the lower income schools, which will lead wealthy families to flee public schools.

The more comfortable families will leave Einstein and the FARM rate will likely rise. The school gained students for its VAPA program, but many academically strong students now choose magnets or lottery into Blair or Wheaton due to Einstein's limited advanced course offerings. The principal claims there's no demand for higher-level classes, but demand is low because the classes aren't offered. Students are often pushed through AB, BC, then Stats, with no alternatives. MCPS offers no virtual high school math options and has no plans to. Students are left with three choices: take what is available, drive their kids to another school, or to Montgomery College for the classes they need. There is no excuse for MCPS not providing enough math to meet graduation requirements. The minimum at each school should be MVC as then students can take Statistics after MVC if they need an extra math class.

DP - I think you’re overstating how many families will leave Einstein (and how many inbounds kids currently choose Blair or Wheaton). There are a lot of highly educated parents here (e.g., Feds and academics with PhDs) who don’t necessarily have the money to shell out for private nor to move. And a lot of us who are willing to work to improve our school, inasmuch as it needs improving. I don’t love the proposed changes, but they’re not untenable with some modifications along the lines of what people have proposed.

If MVC is the minimum, most high schools shouldn’t go much farther than that. It’s *high school*. We’d be better served by pushing the BOE hard on offering robust programs at all schools, i.e., increasing parity, than arguing for super advanced classes.

Had Einstein ever offered AP calculus-based physics? That’s something I was able to take in HS 30 years ago!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

IB is already weak! Only 60some kids in the whole school on the IB diploma track. That is embarrassing.

900 kids in VAPA courses. That’s what people should be waking up about! Only 200 spots available at the Northwood criteria based performing arts academy in that region. If Casement doesn't move, students might still register for music classes.

We need Einstein data on how many kids currently enrolled in VAPA classes are currently zoned for Einstein. Wheaton is our hoke school but my kid chose Einstein for the music classes.

Kids will always take music classes. Vapa will probably still exist. If it’s a test in program not that many may even make it from Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have the same strong offerings at every school. Having speciality programs at different schools is silly if students don’t get school choose and each school doesn’t have equal strong offerings. Taylor and the BOE clearly ditched equity and student needs. How many kids want a teacher academy. They reduced the current program a few years ago. How about a poll asking parents, teachers and students what they want at these schools. People are going to bail from Einstein if they can and either move or go private. It and Kennedy will be the weak links.

+1

The DCC is what keeps wealthier kids in public schools. DH and I have just discussed upping our 529 contributions so we can afford private if need be.

Having a standardized base of strong offerings at all schools is part of the plan. Funny how most people are not asking questions or focused on that piece.

We don't buy it because MCPS has caveated it with saying they will offer courses "if there is interest" which is a circular way of saying they won't actually offer that strong base or will have it be virtual in the lower income schools, which will lead wealthy families to flee public schools.

The more comfortable families will leave Einstein and the FARM rate will likely rise. The school gained students for its VAPA program, but many academically strong students now choose magnets or lottery into Blair or Wheaton due to Einstein's limited advanced course offerings. The principal claims there's no demand for higher-level classes, but demand is low because the classes aren't offered. Students are often pushed through AB, BC, then Stats, with no alternatives. MCPS offers no virtual high school math options and has no plans to. Students are left with three choices: take what is available, drive their kids to another school, or to Montgomery College for the classes they need. There is no excuse for MCPS not providing enough math to meet graduation requirements. The minimum at each school should be MVC as then students can take Statistics after MVC if they need an extra math class.

DP - I think you’re overstating how many families will leave Einstein (and how many inbounds kids currently choose Blair or Wheaton). There are a lot of highly educated parents here (e.g., Feds and academics with PhDs) who don’t necessarily have the money to shell out for private nor to move. And a lot of us who are willing to work to improve our school, inasmuch as it needs improving. I don’t love the proposed changes, but they’re not untenable with some modifications along the lines of what people have proposed.

If MVC is the minimum, most high schools shouldn’t go much farther than that. It’s *high school*. We’d be better served by pushing the BOE hard on offering robust programs at all schools, i.e., increasing parity, than arguing for super advanced classes.

Had Einstein ever offered AP calculus-based physics? That’s something I was able to take in HS 30 years ago!

I heard rumors that they did have more ap classes but they’ve been removed by the current principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have the same strong offerings at every school. Having speciality programs at different schools is silly if students don’t get school choose and each school doesn’t have equal strong offerings. Taylor and the BOE clearly ditched equity and student needs. How many kids want a teacher academy. They reduced the current program a few years ago. How about a poll asking parents, teachers and students what they want at these schools. People are going to bail from Einstein if they can and either move or go private. It and Kennedy will be the weak links.

+1

The DCC is what keeps wealthier kids in public schools. DH and I have just discussed upping our 529 contributions so we can afford private if need be.

Having a standardized base of strong offerings at all schools is part of the plan. Funny how most people are not asking questions or focused on that piece.

We don't buy it because MCPS has caveated it with saying they will offer courses "if there is interest" which is a circular way of saying they won't actually offer that strong base or will have it be virtual in the lower income schools, which will lead wealthy families to flee public schools.

The more comfortable families will leave Einstein and the FARM rate will likely rise. The school gained students for its VAPA program, but many academically strong students now choose magnets or lottery into Blair or Wheaton due to Einstein's limited advanced course offerings. The principal claims there's no demand for higher-level classes, but demand is low because the classes aren't offered. Students are often pushed through AB, BC, then Stats, with no alternatives. MCPS offers no virtual high school math options and has no plans to. Students are left with three choices: take what is available, drive their kids to another school, or to Montgomery College for the classes they need. There is no excuse for MCPS not providing enough math to meet graduation requirements. The minimum at each school should be MVC as then students can take Statistics after MVC if they need an extra math class.

DP - I think you’re overstating how many families will leave Einstein (and how many inbounds kids currently choose Blair or Wheaton). There are a lot of highly educated parents here (e.g., Feds and academics with PhDs) who don’t necessarily have the money to shell out for private nor to move. And a lot of us who are willing to work to improve our school, inasmuch as it needs improving. I don’t love the proposed changes, but they’re not untenable with some modifications along the lines of what people have proposed.

If MVC is the minimum, most high schools shouldn’t go much farther than that. It’s *high school*. We’d be better served by pushing the BOE hard on offering robust programs at all schools, i.e., increasing parity, than arguing for super advanced classes.

Had Einstein ever offered AP calculus-based physics? That’s something I was able to take in HS 30 years ago!

By calculus-based physics, I mean AP Physics C, not AP Physics 1. Pre-engineering students really need AP Calculus C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have the same strong offerings at every school. Having speciality programs at different schools is silly if students don’t get school choose and each school doesn’t have equal strong offerings. Taylor and the BOE clearly ditched equity and student needs. How many kids want a teacher academy. They reduced the current program a few years ago. How about a poll asking parents, teachers and students what they want at these schools. People are going to bail from Einstein if they can and either move or go private. It and Kennedy will be the weak links.

+1

The DCC is what keeps wealthier kids in public schools. DH and I have just discussed upping our 529 contributions so we can afford private if need be.

Having a standardized base of strong offerings at all schools is part of the plan. Funny how most people are not asking questions or focused on that piece.

We don't buy it because MCPS has caveated it with saying they will offer courses "if there is interest" which is a circular way of saying they won't actually offer that strong base or will have it be virtual in the lower income schools, which will lead wealthy families to flee public schools.

The more comfortable families will leave Einstein and the FARM rate will likely rise. The school gained students for its VAPA program, but many academically strong students now choose magnets or lottery into Blair or Wheaton due to Einstein's limited advanced course offerings. The principal claims there's no demand for higher-level classes, but demand is low because the classes aren't offered. Students are often pushed through AB, BC, then Stats, with no alternatives. MCPS offers no virtual high school math options and has no plans to. Students are left with three choices: take what is available, drive their kids to another school, or to Montgomery College for the classes they need. There is no excuse for MCPS not providing enough math to meet graduation requirements. The minimum at each school should be MVC as then students can take Statistics after MVC if they need an extra math class.

DP - I think you’re overstating how many families will leave Einstein (and how many inbounds kids currently choose Blair or Wheaton). There are a lot of highly educated parents here (e.g., Feds and academics with PhDs) who don’t necessarily have the money to shell out for private nor to move. And a lot of us who are willing to work to improve our school, inasmuch as it needs improving. I don’t love the proposed changes, but they’re not untenable with some modifications along the lines of what people have proposed.

If MVC is the minimum, most high schools shouldn’t go much farther than that. It’s *high school*. We’d be better served by pushing the BOE hard on offering robust programs at all schools, i.e., increasing parity, than arguing for super advanced classes.

Had Einstein ever offered AP calculus-based physics? That’s something I was able to take in HS 30 years ago!

I heard rumors that they did have more ap classes but they’ve been removed by the current principal.

This is true. I’ve addressed this in my letters to the BOE, Taylor and County Council. Secondary principals have too much power. They will flat out tell teachers and parents that Central Office policies are just recommendations and they can do whatever they want. If MCPS staffed secondary schools like they staff elementary than we wouldn’t be as worried about entire music programs disappear.

Remember, teacher allocations will go down at existing schools to staff the new buildings. It’s not like busses where they have to buy more busses to run simultaneously. If the Einstein principal has less teachers overall, he will absolutely combine even more courses into single class periods. Already Piano 1 and 2 are combined as is Guitar 1 and 2. The principal could cut the music department down 1 teacher to do it all like several MS principals have done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have the same strong offerings at every school. Having speciality programs at different schools is silly if students don’t get school choose and each school doesn’t have equal strong offerings. Taylor and the BOE clearly ditched equity and student needs. How many kids want a teacher academy. They reduced the current program a few years ago. How about a poll asking parents, teachers and students what they want at these schools. People are going to bail from Einstein if they can and either move or go private. It and Kennedy will be the weak links.

+1

The DCC is what keeps wealthier kids in public schools. DH and I have just discussed upping our 529 contributions so we can afford private if need be.

Having a standardized base of strong offerings at all schools is part of the plan. Funny how most people are not asking questions or focused on that piece.

We don't buy it because MCPS has caveated it with saying they will offer courses "if there is interest" which is a circular way of saying they won't actually offer that strong base or will have it be virtual in the lower income schools, which will lead wealthy families to flee public schools.

The more comfortable families will leave Einstein and the FARM rate will likely rise. The school gained students for its VAPA program, but many academically strong students now choose magnets or lottery into Blair or Wheaton due to Einstein's limited advanced course offerings. The principal claims there's no demand for higher-level classes, but demand is low because the classes aren't offered. Students are often pushed through AB, BC, then Stats, with no alternatives. MCPS offers no virtual high school math options and has no plans to. Students are left with three choices: take what is available, drive their kids to another school, or to Montgomery College for the classes they need. There is no excuse for MCPS not providing enough math to meet graduation requirements. The minimum at each school should be MVC as then students can take Statistics after MVC if they need an extra math class.

DP - I think you’re overstating how many families will leave Einstein (and how many inbounds kids currently choose Blair or Wheaton). There are a lot of highly educated parents here (e.g., Feds and academics with PhDs) who don’t necessarily have the money to shell out for private nor to move. And a lot of us who are willing to work to improve our school, inasmuch as it needs improving. I don’t love the proposed changes, but they’re not untenable with some modifications along the lines of what people have proposed.

If MVC is the minimum, most high schools shouldn’t go much farther than that. It’s *high school*. We’d be better served by pushing the BOE hard on offering robust programs at all schools, i.e., increasing parity, than arguing for super advanced classes.

Had Einstein ever offered AP calculus-based physics? That’s something I was able to take in HS 30 years ago!

By calculus-based physics, I mean AP Physics C, not AP Physics 1. Pre-engineering students really need AP Calculus C.

They have Calc bc, just not mvc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have the same strong offerings at every school. Having speciality programs at different schools is silly if students don’t get school choose and each school doesn’t have equal strong offerings. Taylor and the BOE clearly ditched equity and student needs. How many kids want a teacher academy. They reduced the current program a few years ago. How about a poll asking parents, teachers and students what they want at these schools. People are going to bail from Einstein if they can and either move or go private. It and Kennedy will be the weak links.

+1

The DCC is what keeps wealthier kids in public schools. DH and I have just discussed upping our 529 contributions so we can afford private if need be.

Having a standardized base of strong offerings at all schools is part of the plan. Funny how most people are not asking questions or focused on that piece.

We don't buy it because MCPS has caveated it with saying they will offer courses "if there is interest" which is a circular way of saying they won't actually offer that strong base or will have it be virtual in the lower income schools, which will lead wealthy families to flee public schools.

The more comfortable families will leave Einstein and the FARM rate will likely rise. The school gained students for its VAPA program, but many academically strong students now choose magnets or lottery into Blair or Wheaton due to Einstein's limited advanced course offerings. The principal claims there's no demand for higher-level classes, but demand is low because the classes aren't offered. Students are often pushed through AB, BC, then Stats, with no alternatives. MCPS offers no virtual high school math options and has no plans to. Students are left with three choices: take what is available, drive their kids to another school, or to Montgomery College for the classes they need. There is no excuse for MCPS not providing enough math to meet graduation requirements. The minimum at each school should be MVC as then students can take Statistics after MVC if they need an extra math class.

DP - I think you’re overstating how many families will leave Einstein (and how many inbounds kids currently choose Blair or Wheaton). There are a lot of highly educated parents here (e.g., Feds and academics with PhDs) who don’t necessarily have the money to shell out for private nor to move. And a lot of us who are willing to work to improve our school, inasmuch as it needs improving. I don’t love the proposed changes, but they’re not untenable with some modifications along the lines of what people have proposed.

If MVC is the minimum, most high schools shouldn’t go much farther than that. It’s *high school*. We’d be better served by pushing the BOE hard on offering robust programs at all schools, i.e., increasing parity, than arguing for super advanced classes.

Had Einstein ever offered AP calculus-based physics? That’s something I was able to take in HS 30 years ago!

I heard rumors that they did have more ap classes but they’ve been removed by the current principal.

This is true. I’ve addressed this in my letters to the BOE, Taylor and County Council. Secondary principals have too much power. They will flat out tell teachers and parents that Central Office policies are just recommendations and they can do whatever they want. If MCPS staffed secondary schools like they staff elementary than we wouldn’t be as worried about entire music programs disappear.

Remember, teacher allocations will go down at existing schools to staff the new buildings. It’s not like busses where they have to buy more busses to run simultaneously. If the Einstein principal has less teachers overall, he will absolutely combine even more courses into single class periods. Already Piano 1 and 2 are combined as is Guitar 1 and 2. The principal could cut the music department down 1 teacher to do it all like several MS principals have done.

They are doing that with academic classes too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

IB is already weak! Only 60some kids in the whole school on the IB diploma track. That is embarrassing.

900 kids in VAPA courses. That’s what people should be waking up about! Only 200 spots available at the Northwood criteria based performing arts academy in that region. If Casement doesn't move, students might still register for music classes.

We need Einstein data on how many kids currently enrolled in VAPA classes are currently zoned for Einstein. Wheaton is our hoke school but my kid chose Einstein for the music classes.

So based off of student interest. Einstein Educational Regional program should go to BCC. BCC Humanities Regional program should go to Northwood. Northwood Performing Arts Regional Program should go with Einstein Visual Arts Program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

IB is already weak! Only 60some kids in the whole school on the IB diploma track. That is embarrassing.

900 kids in VAPA courses. That’s what people should be waking up about! Only 200 spots available at the Northwood criteria based performing arts academy in that region. If Casement doesn't move, students might still register for music classes.

We need Einstein data on how many kids currently enrolled in VAPA classes are currently zoned for Einstein. Wheaton is our hoke school but my kid chose Einstein for the music classes.

So based off of student interest. Einstein Educational Regional program should go to BCC. BCC Humanities Regional program should go to Northwood. Northwood Performing Arts Regional Program should go with Einstein Visual Arts Program.

This could be good. Plus non of the local set asides for magnets. Kids who want and can get into these should have the same chance throughout the region.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In taking the suggestion to push the BOE hard on delaying the regional model implementation, I also think they should face a lot of pressure to either select Option B from the current slate or another one altogether that doesn’t significantly increase Einstein’s FARMS rate. They need to be pushed hard on both fronts.

Are the upcoming Facilities and Boundaries Hearings good places to do this?

Each of the four options have Einstein with a FARMS rate of 40-46%.

The current FARMS rate at Einstein is 37.5%. Option B is 40%. I’d say that’s better than the other options, wouldn’t you?

A little, but is it a meaningful difference? I don't know. Especially with BCC staying unchanged at 22.5%, it seems absurd that Einstein's rate should go up at all.

Stop trying to turn this into a conflict with BCC. BCC is not geographically adjacent to Woodward at all. Why does it matter to you what BCC’s FARMs rate is? It is not similar to Einstein currently so I don’t get why you think these schools must shuffle kids across town to get matching demographics starting in 2027?

Nobody has ever claimed MCPS should match demographics at all schools. But they should be utilizing their facilities effectively and in ways that help all students access appropriate educational opportunities. Instead they are pulling the highest achieving kids with the most resources to manage what I imagine will be limited transportation for magnets out of Einstein to BCC and other academic magnets. They should have moved Woodlin ES (which is not close to Einstein) to BCC and put ToK in Einstein. Instead of supercharging the existing segregation.

So, basically more of the same. There will not be many slots to bus kids. It’s all for show and making change for the sake of saying you did something. TOK has not been to Einstein in many years and moving them will not fix the issues.

It won't fix the issues but it will:
- stop bussing for ToK since we know bussing is bad!
- not make the issues worse.

Folks should realize at this point that TOK going to Einstein is a nonstarter. Focus on engaging with the work that’s been done so far to improve the outcome. At a minimum - highlight that option C disproportionately increases the FARMS rate at Einstein far more than other schools which is both unfair and bad policy, and that if VAPA isn’t going to be a regional magnet then Einstein should get a criteria based magnet current slated for BCC (so either IB or Humanities) in exchange for BCC getting the education magnet. Decisionmakers are more likely to align behind these easier fixes. Re: Option C - there are other problems with it as well, eg more split articulation than Options A and B and worse facility utilization than Option D.

+1 seriously listen to this poster. You are all spending a lot of time letting perfect be the enemy of the good. Advocate for what you can reasonably get, not something aspirational that will get turned down.

It's honestly bizarre that it isn't even being considered. Maybe the political forces against equity are too strong - but let's not let them gloss over that fact and pretend this is what all parents want.

Btw it took me a couple of hours of looking at the initial options to understand the pros and cons of each and write them into the survey, clicking back and forth between the maps and the tables. It's a process clearly designed for people with more time, education and technology. Of course they got more responses from the highest resourced neighborhoods. And I honestly think they trolled the west county folks a bit with Option 3. Instead of focusing on contiguous clusters they did stuff that any reasonable person would think is unreasonable But sending ToK to the high school located in Kensington is simply not unreasonable and shpuld be on the table minus poison pill sh$t like sending Farmland to Kennedy. I have to give it to MCPS, they sure set it up well to get the feedback they wanted.

+1 MCPS loves to say "equity" when they oppose different English classes for different abilities, but the idea of having Kensington kids attend the Kensington high school? That's a bridge too far.

Not all kids go to their local schools. There is no such thing as equity, which is why they took it out of their new moto. No one cares that the Town kids don't go to Einstein. Let them go to WJ.

Einstein families care when their FARMS rate is going up, as it is they have fewer advanced courses than wealthier schools, and their IB and VAPA programs are likely to be significantly weakened or eliminated. Wealthier people bring resources, even if some of them don't attend. We didn't care until we realized what MCPS plans to take away from our community.

IB is already weak! Only 60some kids in the whole school on the IB diploma track. That is embarrassing.

900 kids in VAPA courses. That’s what people should be waking up about! Only 200 spots available at the Northwood criteria based performing arts academy in that region. If Casement doesn't move, students might still register for music classes.

We need Einstein data on how many kids currently enrolled in VAPA classes are currently zoned for Einstein. Wheaton is our hoke school but my kid chose Einstein for the music classes.

So based off of student interest. Einstein Educational Regional program should go to BCC. BCC Humanities Regional program should go to Northwood. Northwood Performing Arts Regional Program should go with Einstein Visual Arts Program.

1+

This is much less disruptive to the current system.

[Anonymous]

The problem with all these little programs is they take away from regular academics at these schools and there is no more school choice so you are stuck.