Newport mill and Einstein input?

[Anonymous]

Newport Mill and Einstein have been terrific for my child. Music programs are especially great. He’s a junior now and seems challenged enough in 3 AP/IB classes, and did a couple more in 9th and 10th. He has solid career goals and hopes to head to UMD or equivalent. So if that’s the level of accomplishment that you’re cool with, it’s probably a good place to be. All of Einstein probably only has 3 or 4 Ivy matriculations per year, plus a handful of those Ivy equivalent SLACs. If that’s your goal, you may want a different school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all, I'm seeking input on Newport Mill MS and Einstein HS. I'm wondering about homework load, level of support from teachers and staff (including w/ 504 plans but also just in general), academic culture (high pressure, lot of focus on getting into "good" colleges, class ranks, etc from staff or peer culture around this), addressing bullying or other problems. Main issues that are of concern that would be helpful to know about before choosing to live in this school feeder zone? I understand that it is diverse and that brings rankings down so I'm not so concerned about rankings and think diversity is a pro. Considering moving to Frederick for a more laid back academic culture than MoCo but I want to make sure that I'm not trying to leave something that isn't a concern at this school. I'm a psychologist and have heard enough from the kids to be concerned about the high homework loads and pressure, but also know that there may be significant differences between schools so want to be well informed.

Thanks!

It's pretty much the same at all MCPS schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newport Mill and Einstein have been terrific for my child. Music programs are especially great. He’s a junior now and seems challenged enough in 3 AP/IB classes, and did a couple more in 9th and 10th. He has solid career goals and hopes to head to UMD or equivalent. So if that’s the level of accomplishment that you’re cool with, it’s probably a good place to be. All of Einstein probably only has 3 or 4 Ivy matriculations per year, plus a handful of those Ivy equivalent SLACs. If that’s your goal, you may want a different school.

I didn't even apply to any Ivies because I wasn't going to get any need-based aid and my parents could not afford to pay full tuition. I did get merit scholarships at several private universities (but not at any SLACs). I suspect differences in family resources (even between White UMC families in W clusters vs White UMC families in the DCC) make a big difference in terms of how many Ivy matriculations there are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“We also have a younger child who is a lot less academically inclined. Does fine in school, but must be reminded/encouraged to do homework and needs more encouragement and help to get through the school year. But is extremely into the arts. We could see this child taking some AP/IP classes in favored subjects but not in others, and I don't see her pursuing an IB diploma. We would like her to be able to go to a high school where that is also supported and where she can take a more average course load, get lots of opportunities to explore art”

To this poster: Einstein will not provide academic support or executive function coaching. They will just let her get Cs and Ds and most teachers will not notify you that she is not turning in assignments. Unless things change, you also won’t necessarily be able to tell if she is turning everything in because ParentVue is often not updated. You will eventually see the grades but it’s not easy to tell whether a student has turned something in.

I'm this PP and I wouldn't expect that of a high school. When I say our youngest needs more encouragement and reminders -- we do that. I wouldn't expect a high school to provide executive function coaching? We know with this kid that we have to work with her more closely to make sure school work gets done, and also that she has to have external motivators (rewards like a special dinner. dinner out, or getting to go to a week of a specialty dance camp, for staying on top of school work). Our older child doesn't need this -- she loves doing school work and will seek out more work and reading on her own once it's done. But she needs encouragement to try non-academic things, to explore new social situations, etc.

We specifically want to avoid a school that thinks it's job is to push every child to the highest possible academic achievement. I think it would be too stressful for our youngest, but also fail to provide more well rounded opportunities for our oldest. Einstein sounds like a good fit.

Are you the poster who says you have a junior at Einstein? It honestly sounds like you are just mad you couldn't get into Blair or another more intensely academic school. I'm going to be honest -- your approach is the type of thing we are looking to avoid for our kids.

Wow. DP, but your response is rude and unnecessary. The PP is providing good feedback and your response is way out of line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all, I'm seeking input on Newport Mill MS and Einstein HS. I'm wondering about homework load, level of support from teachers and staff (including w/ 504 plans but also just in general), academic culture (high pressure, lot of focus on getting into "good" colleges, class ranks, etc from staff or peer culture around this), addressing bullying or other problems. Main issues that are of concern that would be helpful to know about before choosing to live in this school feeder zone? I understand that it is diverse and that brings rankings down so I'm not so concerned about rankings and think diversity is a pro. Considering moving to Frederick for a more laid back academic culture than MoCo but I want to make sure that I'm not trying to leave something that isn't a concern at this school. I'm a psychologist and have heard enough from the kids to be concerned about the high homework loads and pressure, but also know that there may be significant differences between schools so want to be well informed.

Thanks!

Newport Mill has a great principal. I’ve heard good things about Einstein’s principal too, but no personal experience, yet. Kids are happy learning and enjoy going to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Einstein is part of the DCC so if Einstein is not a good fit, in 8th grade you get to rank your choices within the consortium and then it's a lottery. There are also specialized programs kids can apply to.

Kids being stressed will depend on the courses and track they choose. There will be a huge difference in regular/honors track and the honors/AP track.

Yes but you aren’t guaranteed to get any other placement. (It’s very difficult to get Blair, for example.). If you’re moving here, you need to be okay with Einstein because there is a good chance that’s where you will be.

Einstein is a lot of kids' #2 choice so it's a good home school to have OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh also - at Einstein she will have to choose between honors classes which aren’t really honors classes because there basically are no non honors classes, or more demanding AP or IB classes. So either she’s in classes with students who are at the bottom of the class, or she is taking AP and IB classes.

My kid doesn't go to Einstein but that is the same at all schools in MoCo.

There are a few "standard" sciences and math classes (like grade-level math for kids who aren't Algebra ready), but all English classes for grades 9 & 10 are called "Honors English" and unless you school has a special cohort, they are stuck with kids who are not ready for honors-level work (and need a LOT of support, which they don't get). MCPS even offers "honors" health though there is no regular health. It is simply for grade inflation, as honors and AP and IB courses are weighted. Once kids get to 10th grade they can load up on APs—then they begin to feel challenged at their level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Newport Mill and Einstein have been terrific for my child. Music programs are especially great. He’s a junior now and seems challenged enough in 3 AP/IB classes, and did a couple more in 9th and 10th. He has solid career goals and hopes to head to UMD or equivalent. So if that’s the level of accomplishment that you’re cool with, it’s probably a good place to be. All of Einstein probably only has 3 or 4 Ivy matriculations per year, plus a handful of those Ivy equivalent SLACs. If that’s your goal, you may want a different school.

I didn't even apply to any Ivies because I wasn't going to get any need-based aid and my parents could not afford to pay full tuition. I did get merit scholarships at several private universities (but not at any SLACs). I suspect differences in family resources (even between White UMC families in W clusters vs White UMC families in the DCC) make a big difference in terms of how many Ivy matriculations there are.

What are SLACs?