Yorktown vs WL — Ranking vs word on street

[Anonymous]

Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

Surprise surprise. As a WL-zoned parent, you have no problem with the policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

Disagree. I don’t like the program because MANY STUDENTS CANNOT GO TO IB FROM WAKEFIELD AND YORKTOWN. I know many children who want to do IB and have not been admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

Disagree. I don’t like the program because MANY STUDENTS CANNOT GO TO IB FROM WAKEFIELD AND YORKTOWN. I know many children who want to do IB and have not been admitted.

They weren’t admitted bc they either didn’t have the grades or didn’t take the prerequisites. So we’re supposed to dismantle/rearrange the entire IB program for them? I don’t think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

Disagree. I don’t like the program because MANY STUDENTS CANNOT GO TO IB FROM WAKEFIELD AND YORKTOWN. I know many children who want to do IB and have not been admitted.

They weren’t admitted bc they either didn’t have the grades or didn’t take the prerequisites. So we’re supposed to dismantle/rearrange the entire IB program for them? I don’t think so.

If they don't have the grades or didn't take the prerequisites maybe they should be tossed out of W-L, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

Disagree. I don’t like the program because MANY STUDENTS CANNOT GO TO IB FROM WAKEFIELD AND YORKTOWN. I know many children who want to do IB and have not been admitted.

They weren’t admitted bc they either didn’t have the grades or didn’t take the prerequisites. So we’re supposed to dismantle/rearrange the entire IB program for them? I don’t think so.

If they don't have the grades or didn't take the prerequisites maybe they should be tossed out of W-L, too.

Tossed out of WL? Why would students be tossed out of their zoned HS???

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't know 1 person who applied to the IB program and didn't get in - even with waitlist numbers in the 60s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don't know 1 person who applied to the IB program and didn't get in - even with waitlist numbers in the 60s.

And there's even more space now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

Disagree. I don’t like the program because MANY STUDENTS CANNOT GO TO IB FROM WAKEFIELD AND YORKTOWN. I know many children who want to do IB and have not been admitted.

They weren’t admitted bc they either didn’t have the grades or didn’t take the prerequisites. So we’re supposed to dismantle/rearrange the entire IB program for them? I don’t think so.

If they don't have the grades or didn't take the prerequisites maybe they should be tossed out of W-L, too.

This doesn't make any sense. If they go to WL and can't get in IB, they just do regular classes, like the kids at the other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is this so hard?
My kid is graduating from W-L this year and is in the IB Diploma program. She is a transfer from Wakefield. She has many friends (also transfers) who chose partial IB (3 classes per year). Partial IB is an option for those who don't want to go the full IB route. They weren't sent back to their home schools.

It's not hard, basically one PP didn't know that partial IB was permitted per the policy so now wants the whole IB system to be overhauled or gotten rid of entirely.

This. And not only has the 3 classes/year partial IB always been allowed, in times when capacity wasn't super tight, I understand that students who had to drop down to less than the 2 were also allowed to stay. They are pretty flexible.

I do think from a capacity balancing standpoint, it would make sense to do a lottery across all of the high schools where everyone ranks their choices. But not because there's anything unfair about the IB situation. We're zoned WL and my kids have no interest in doing the IB program. So far DS took one IB class, purely because it wasn't offered as an AP.

That’s how the DCC in MCPS works. You rank your high school choices in grade 8 and there’s a lottery. Blair, Northwood, Einstein, Wheaton and a couple others are part of the consortium. Notably, if you rank your neighborhood or walk zone high school first, you are guaranteed admission there. Admission to the highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs are separate: IB at RM and the science and tech magnet at Blair.

THAT is what the "PP who wants to overhaul or eliminate IB" has been saying it should be. But people who don't care or aren't bothered by the current policy and practice seem utterly unable to grasp this concept.

Why is it better to have only highly competitive admissions-based magnet programs? The way it is now, more students have the chance to take IB classes to delve more deeply into subjects they like without having to commit to a full diploma. Why should everything have to be high stress, uber competitive? That is not the APS way - that's why we don't have AAP and why HB is a lottery not a magnet.

Literally the only people who have a problem with the current system is the very few parents of kids at YHS or WHS who want to take only 1-2 IB classes (not 3, because as has been said many times, you can transfer to WL and only take 3 per year).

Disagree. I don’t like the program because MANY STUDENTS CANNOT GO TO IB FROM WAKEFIELD AND YORKTOWN. I know many children who want to do IB and have not been admitted.

They weren’t admitted bc they either didn’t have the grades or didn’t take the prerequisites. So we’re supposed to dismantle/rearrange the entire IB program for them? I don’t think so.

If they don't have the grades or didn't take the prerequisites maybe they should be tossed out of W-L, too.

This doesn't make any sense. If they go to WL and can't get in IB, they just do regular classes, like the kids at the other schools.

Except, apparently, when an AP version isn't offered. Then they get to take the IB version. Whereas, at the other high schools, if an AP version of a class isn't offered, they don't take it at all or take a regular or intensified version.