blair magnet quesiton

[Anonymous]

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It’s so bizarre that someone is so set on making these claims again and again. Especially as everyone, literally everyone, knows that white, wealthy TKPK kids go to CAP in huge numbers and tend not to get in to the magnet (to the same extent).

I’m not even sure what the point she is trying to make. Except that it’s completely at odds with the reality of the composition of the magnet, which is not primarily white UMC kids from Takoma by any stretch.

Going to CAP is so ubiquitous in Takoma Park that neighbors literally assume your kid is going to CAP or wants to.

We heard you the first 8 times you posted this. Now move along...

Just stop. You don’t now when to stop do you? Let’s hear about those 8 local kids again. I know you want to tell us one more time. (Not the PP above, but someone fed up with you)

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I know of at least 2 magnet kids with high gpa’s/test scores, at least one is a National Merit Semi, and rejected from UMD this year. Anyone who thinks UMD is a slam dunk (especially for STEM) is delusional.

Then honestly, what do they need to do? My kid (8th grade) is going to the magnet next year. I don't want her to have a nervous breakdown because it's that difficult to even get into UMD.

I literally don't get it. They are already taking a very difficult course load. I have heard don't even bother releasing your Sat scores until it's > 1500. Everyone gets straight A's, or else. We don't have the money for private.

Honestly this whole thread is just making me depressed. My kid is smart but she's not going to win any national awards.

She need to not go to UMD. They only admit a few kids from Blair, so it’s super tough because you are competing against other magnet kids. If she applies to any other school, she will do fine.

Thi is completely wrong. UMD admits over 100 kids from Blair every year

But there are 750 students and 200 from
magnet. The non-magnet class also gets UMD offers. I assume majority of magnet students would apply for UMD, even as a safety school. That would mean many magnet students get rejected.

Last year UMD CP accepted 157 of 367 Blair applicants, and 71 enrolled.

Many magnet kids don't bother applying to UMD as a safety, because they have ED1, or rich parents (as most magnet parents are rich) happy to pay for our of state schools.

https://moco360.media/2023/09/13/where-montgomery-county-high-school-graduates-are-going-to-college/

About 40% of magnet grads have gone to UMD in recent years because their families are working class/MD and do not have the money to send them to more expensive private colleges. Most magnet parents aren't rich. What a ridiculous thing to say.

40% not rich means most are rich. Potomac and Bethesda dominate magnet attendance.

Not DC's experience. Most of the kids are from DCC with a noticeable group from Potomac, many fewer from Bethesda. I think once they got rid of teacher recs and made the application process easier they got a more diverse group of applicants in many dimensions including geography.

The manget directory suggests this notion that the magnet is mostly W kids is a myth. The largest feeder is actually Blair itself. That was also the case at TPMS.

It is a myth created by the W parents. A few years ago, MCPS distributed a report showing how many students each HS lost/sent to the magnets. The W didn't lose that many to the magnets, with Wootton having lost the most and Whitman the least. If I remember correctly, Whitman only lost 8 students to the magnets.

There is only 100 slots. 8 from a single school is a lot.

I see reading comprehension is not your forte. I said magnets, with a "s". It included all the magnets i.e SMCS, RMIB, CAP etc...

It's funny DC is an in-boundary 8th grader at TPMS, and there are around 8 neighborhood kids going to SMCS next year.

That’s a big change then. Typically the TKPK kids go to CAP. Very few in the magnet.

Do you even know what you're talking about? Do you even live in the county?
TPMS (not TKPK) always sends the most kids to SMCS, while Eastern sends most to CAP.

Yes, I know exactly what I’m talking about and apparently you don’t. I didn’t say TPMS (the school) I said TKPK (the city). That was very clear from the language I used and also even more so if you bothered to follow the specific thread I was responding to (re in bound TPMS kids). It’s very clear that TKPK families send their kids to CAP and not SMCS in large numbers. If you actually lived there you’d know that and wouldn’t be lecturing me.

Very clear.

It's clear what they're saying. May have even been true 20 years ago just not recently.

That's what I've observed as well.

Current 9th grade has very few kids from Takoma Park (the area) in the magnet. Most kids are from elsewhere, large contingent from Rockville and Gaithersburg, but also parts of Silver Spring. Large contingent from TPMS, but not local to Takoma Park. Don’t know about 20 years ago, or even last year but that’s how it is this year.

Lots and lots of Takoma Park 9th graders in CAP though.

Of my neighbors in TP, I know several families with kids in SMCS but only one in CAP.

You keep saying that. None of them are in 9th grade though, are they?

DP but the poster said " families with kids in SMCS but only one in CAP". Where do you think SMCS and CAP are? Or should I say 'what grade do you think SMCS and CAP' start with?

In response to specific info about current 9th graders in these programs. (Dors no one read the thread anymore? It would help.) Which itself was in response to the same person posting again and again and again with claims about 8 local kids in 8th grade. It’s clear there’s only one person who claims this and they just won’t let it drop.

The poster said " I know several families with kids in SMCS but only one in CAP", clearly that poster was not talking about local kids in 8th grade.

Read back further, she’s referenced these mythical 8th graders about 6 times.

I don't think it is the same poster.

I thought the same. The poster lashing out seems to have reading comprehension issues.

It’s the same person.

[Anonymous]

This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This is a weird subthread, but to detangle a bit:

1) Someone up thread said the SMCS program is mostly kids from Potomac and Bethesda, which is patently false, per both anecdotal reports and the actual magnet directory, which shows Blair as the home school for the largest number of SMCS kids.

2) When that was noted, the PP moved the goalposts from "most kids in SMCS are from Potomac" to "Most kids winning national-level science and math competitions are from Potomac." A quiz tour of the SMCS "awards" page showed a bunch of kids from Rockville, but perhaps even more relevant, a lot of kids whose parents are scientists in the same field the kid won an award in.

3) On CAP vs. SMCS, there probably are more TkPk kids in CAP than in SCMS, but that's not necessarily a function of either interest or aptitude. It's a function of SMCS pulling from the entire down county while CAP is only open to DCC kids, and kids who went to MS in the DCC. The universe of SMCS kids is larger, so the percentage pulled from Takoma Park in particular will be lower.

4) At any rate, hopefully OP has seen her question answered and moved on.

It's interesting that there were as many TKPK kids going to SMCS as there were kids from the entire Wootton pyramid, which was the basis for poster's claim about SMCS being mainly W students. I remember reading through the magnet directory and saw it was mostly DCC kids which was contrary to popular belief.

DCC kids, yes, even kids with Blair as a home school, maybe, but no to kids from Takoma Park being over represented. Absolutely not.

DC is a TKPK kid who accepted SMCS earlier this month. They have 7-8 friends from the neighborhood and even attended TPES/PBES with who were accepted. I think 1 or 2 may go to a different program but that's about as many as the earlier poster claimed came from Wootton.

Earlier poster claimed 8 people from Whitman went to magnets. Wootton sent over 40.

Not sure why Wootton kids are so interested in Blair

For the magnet math and science options, including acceleration and electives and the nationally competitive math and science teams. And, despite controversy over whether it helps or hurts college apps, Blair magent is prestigious for students and parents of 8th graders.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

It's not. Kids bite as much as they want to chew, and they love their classes and peers, except for the occasional nasty teacher like everywhere.

[Anonymous]

TLDR: Two or more posters have shared their direct experiences, which another poster feels threatened by and has spent ten pages complaining about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

Actually, this whole tangent began it all started with a poster boasting about Whitman and Wootton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

Actually, this whole tangent began it all started with a poster boasting about Whitman and Wootton.

Now it all makes sense. W parents have the worst case of Blair Envy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

It's not. Kids bite as much as they want to chew, and they love their classes and peers, except for the occasional nasty teacher like everywhere.

I think the program is stressful for most students. There's been a recent DCUM poster who claims it's been really easy going for her kid (who I think she said already learned a lot of the content in enrichment activities) but that's really the exception based on our DC's experience and DC's friends and their parents. Even some of DC's friends who are top math kids and take a class called functions in 9th are stressed out sometimes. I still think it's worth it for a kid who loves STEM because the classes are so much more interesting and at a different level than regular classes.

[Anonymous]

going back to OP's initial concerns, my 9th grader is enjoying the challenging magnet classes. He definitely has had to work harder to earn his grades. I think if he started getting Cs on his homework and assessments, I would be concerned. And, if he couldn't get these grades up, I would strenuously lobby to move back to home school for an easier load. We are still in the first year, but so far it has been challenging but manageable. Stress has been at just the right level to rise to meet the challenge but not break the spirit. Above all, he is enjoying it.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

It's not. Kids bite as much as they want to chew, and they love their classes and peers, except for the occasional nasty teacher like everywhere.

I think the program is stressful for most students. There's been a recent DCUM poster who claims it's been really easy going for her kid (who I think she said already learned a lot of the content in enrichment activities) but that's really the exception based on our DC's experience and DC's friends and their parents. Even some of DC's friends who are top math kids and take a class called functions in 9th are stressed out sometimes. I still think it's worth it for a kid who loves STEM because the classes are so much more interesting and at a different level than regular classes.

What percentage of students take functions? I’m concerned that 2-3 hours of homework a day from functions only are reported here. Would it look bad for the students who don’t take functions and be viewed as not challenging themselves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

It's not. Kids bite as much as they want to chew, and they love their classes and peers, except for the occasional nasty teacher like everywhere.

I think the program is stressful for most students. There's been a recent DCUM poster who claims it's been really easy going for her kid (who I think she said already learned a lot of the content in enrichment activities) but that's really the exception based on our DC's experience and DC's friends and their parents. Even some of DC's friends who are top math kids and take a class called functions in 9th are stressed out sometimes. I still think it's worth it for a kid who loves STEM because the classes are so much more interesting and at a different level than regular classes.

What percentage of students take functions? I’m concerned that 2-3 hours of homework a day from functions only are reported here. Would it look bad for the students who don’t take functions and be viewed as not challenging themselves?

It’s not bad if you don’t take functions. Many kids drop out of functions and there is no difference in outcomes between those who do or don’t take functions. It just opens up space for more math later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

It's not. Kids bite as much as they want to chew, and they love their classes and peers, except for the occasional nasty teacher like everywhere.

I think the program is stressful for most students. There's been a recent DCUM poster who claims it's been really easy going for her kid (who I think she said already learned a lot of the content in enrichment activities) but that's really the exception based on our DC's experience and DC's friends and their parents. Even some of DC's friends who are top math kids and take a class called functions in 9th are stressed out sometimes. I still think it's worth it for a kid who loves STEM because the classes are so much more interesting and at a different level than regular classes.

What percentage of students take functions? I’m concerned that 2-3 hours of homework a day from functions only are reported here. Would it look bad for the students who don’t take functions and be viewed as not challenging themselves?

It’s not bad if you don’t take functions. Many kids drop out of functions and there is no difference in outcomes between those who do or don’t take functions. It just opens up space for more math later.

Although my kids are really good at middle school math, I still don’t think they need to take linear algebra or discrete math at high school. It seems a little too much. They could learn them in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument needs to die but FWIW my kid’s grade at Blair there ere only 2 or3 kids from Takoma Park butlots from TPMS

I seriously don’t care about how many kids are from Takoma park. Can we go back to how stressful SMAC is for an average magnet kid?

It's not. Kids bite as much as they want to chew, and they love their classes and peers, except for the occasional nasty teacher like everywhere.

I think the program is stressful for most students. There's been a recent DCUM poster who claims it's been really easy going for her kid (who I think she said already learned a lot of the content in enrichment activities) but that's really the exception based on our DC's experience and DC's friends and their parents. Even some of DC's friends who are top math kids and take a class called functions in 9th are stressed out sometimes. I still think it's worth it for a kid who loves STEM because the classes are so much more interesting and at a different level than regular classes.

What percentage of students take functions? I’m concerned that 2-3 hours of homework a day from functions only are reported here. Would it look bad for the students who don’t take functions and be viewed as not challenging themselves?

It’s not bad if you don’t take functions. Many kids drop out of functions and there is no difference in outcomes between those who do or don’t take functions. It just opens up space for more math later.

Functions mainly gets you a semester ahead so you can take more electives later on. In general it's recommended for students who have already completed Algebra 2. Regardless, if you don't want two more hours of homework a night on top of the 2-3 that most have already, functions isn't a good choice.