Is Blair SMAC ok for non-stem kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pushing SMAC kid to IB is one thing but I wouldn't do it the other way.

But what's an IB kid exactly? My DD loves math and science, but definitely enjoys history and explicitly says she wants to be a good writer. She is in at Blair SMAC but not at RMIB. Will she come out of SMAC being a strong writer and still enjoying history because those classes are still engaging and rigorous?

Our experience: Eng 9/10 just ok-- likely way short of RM, but AP Lang and Lit were both very good.

[Anonymous]

Don't send a non STEM kid to a STEM magnet.

[Anonymous]

OP- I'd let your kid decide. They must have had some interest, they applied. Is it that you or others don't think of them as a STEM kid, or maybe that they don't b/c of a lack of confidence? If the interest and desire is there, they should accept the spot, if not, decline- but on their own terms. I wouldn't pressure either way - tell them they will have a successful high school experience wherever they decide to go, work hard and do their best.

[Anonymous]

My Blair SMAC kid is most definitely not a math kid; she tolerates the math and CS because she loves science. She is a well-rounded kid who has found Blair's English and social studies classes to be plenty interesting and challenging. She is also taking electives like AP Environmental Science, Equity and Identity in STEM, and Origins of Math. It think it is a really amazing program and peer group.

[Anonymous]

My child is at Blair magnet and tests very well for math but does not love math like many magnet classmates. It has been a challenge but my kid does well in the science classes and really likes Blair overall.

So overall it is worth it but it helps that we live nearby. Not sure we would have stuck it out if an hour-long bus ride was required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was expecting RMIB, but only got invited by Blair SMAC. As a non-stem kid, will DC be unhappy if going to Blair SMAC?

SMAC mom here. SMAC is intense STEM education. The math/science/CS classes are accelerated and compressed, and the kids in the program tend to be obsessed with STEM subjects. Your child shouldn't go unless they have a passion for a STEM subject.

You don't mention your home HS, but if IB isn't an option, most HS offer many non-STEM AP classes, and there is the dual enrollment program with MC too. Your child could graduate HS with both a HS diploma and an AA degree from MC.

[Anonymous]

Did you go to admitted students night? What did you all think? If you got in & liked what you saw, I’d say go for it. The naysayers just want your spot. As someone with 2 kids who went to Blair (and also got into RMIB) they would have been fine either place, but thrived at Blair (even my one that everyone assumed would go to RMIB).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- I'd let your kid decide. They must have had some interest, they applied. Is it that you or others don't think of them as a STEM kid, or maybe that they don't b/c of a lack of confidence? If the interest and desire is there, they should accept the spot, if not, decline- but on their own terms. I wouldn't pressure either way - tell them they will have a successful high school experience wherever they decide to go, work hard and do their best.

Let your kid decide…most important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC was expecting RMIB, but only got invited by Blair SMAC. As a non-stem kid, will DC be unhappy if going to Blair SMAC?

SMAC mom here. SMAC is intense STEM education. The math/science/CS classes are accelerated and compressed, and the kids in the program tend to be obsessed with STEM subjects. Your child shouldn't go unless they have a passion for a STEM subject.

You don't mention your home HS, but if IB isn't an option, most HS offer many non-STEM AP classes, and there is the dual enrollment program with MC too. Your child could graduate HS with both a HS diploma and an AA degree from MC.

Mom or recent Blair magnet grad. Completely disagree about kids tending to be "obsessed " with stem. There are all sorts in the program. Mine did great in magnet science but didn't love it. That's ok. She really enjoyed the depth of math, but she also took a lot of arts and humanities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is going to tell you your kid won’t like it do theirs gets in. No one wants to go to RM right now. Don’t buy it. If your kid was strong enough to get in, go!

Why don’t people want RM now?

[Anonymous]

1200 kids applied to RM this year. 800 to Blair SMAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1200 kids applied to RM this year. 800 to Blair SMAC.

Only because RMIB open to the whole county. Blair SMAC only open to 1/2 the county

[Anonymous]

It still contradicts the idea that "not one wants to go to RM right now." 1200 kids do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It still contradicts the idea that "not one wants to go to RM right now." 1200 kids do.

Lot of kids would rather go a higher ranked school than their home school, or a program that contains more of what they want to study. My kids applied to both RMIB and Blair, and would’ve done well and gone to either if only acceptance to one, but since they got both choices, they both picked Blair. But, plenty of friends loved RMIB as much as they loved Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say try it. My 2, one at blair, one graduated, both got into RMIB too. Always figured one would go to RMIB. Nope, both decided on Blair. The humanities one embraced science and thrived. The Humanties teachers (English and social studies) at blair are fantastic too!

Blair does have a lot of great teachers but so do other HS. Magnet is very intense for STEM. If the child isn’t into it let someone on the wait list who really wants STEM take the slot.