Does MCPS MS curriculum alone prepare students for the math/science magnets?

[Anonymous]

I thought there were only 100 spots. Did they expand it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought there were only 100 spots. Did they expand it?

There are 100 spots at Blair and 50 spots @PHS.

[Anonymous]

I asked myself the same question many times before as I saw lots of kids have extracurricular programs and it was not clear to me if kids who make it in to the selective programs are the kids who do extracurricular math or reading or just school. I did not wanted to “let my kid down” by not enrolling them when I could and at the same time I did not wanted to pay for something she may not have needed. Plus, I wanted to leave some free time for her. Childhood is important. She did not do any academic extracurricular.

Long story short, she ended up being accepted in all Poolesville and RMIB programs. She was at 99th percentile with reading and math at that time. No competitions, no major engagements. What I think has made a difference is her essay as her friends did not had the same results with similar stacks.


Now my younger one is capable, but needs to have more teacher time, smaller group sizes. Meaning if she does not feel expectation, she won’t deliver even if she can. We all know that MCPS expectations are non existent, hence some kids who are not terribly motivated gradually relax and take a back seat in their education. She is in 8th grade now and I had her in various academic extracurriculars for number of years now. With that being said, she is a straight A student, but not hitting that 99th percentile mark. We are awaiting the magnet results, but I won’t be surprised if she will not get in. Looking at my older one in IB program, I am not sure if my younger one will be able to pull that rigor even if accepted.

[Anonymous]

"Long story short, she ended up being accepted in all Poolesville and RMIB programs. She was at 99th percentile with reading and math at that time. No competitions, no major engagements. What I think has made a difference is her essay as her friends did not had the same results with similar stacks."

Could you share how her essay was different from her friends who didn't have the same results for acceptance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Long story short, she ended up being accepted in all Poolesville and RMIB programs. She was at 99th percentile with reading and math at that time. No competitions, no major engagements. What I think has made a difference is her essay as her friends did not had the same results with similar stacks."

Could you share how her essay was different from her friends who didn't have the same results for acceptance?

Different poster here, but my kid was in the same situation. I think their essay was attention getting with an clear hook and spoke to their strengths. It demonstrated passion, team work, enthusiasm, motivation and academic success while also showing some interests that were different from the crowd. It was also in their voice and didn’t sound pompous or like a parent had written it. There was a good balance between being humble and showcasing their abilities. I don’t know what was in the other kids essays with similar stats that didn’t get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you aware that there are kids out there with 99% MAP-M several grades up? Yes there are kids doing this with outside enrichment, but there are those truly bright kids that can do without.

Yes, I'm aware, and I really didn't mean for this to be about my individual child's chances. Perhaps I wrote my original post poorly. I was mostly curious about whether a highly capable, "truly bright" kid (not necessarily my kid) that attends a "regular" middle school that doesn't have math or science-oriented clubs or teams has a reasonable chance at admission and success, especially compared to students from schools that do provide those opportunities. It sounds like the answer is yes, and that's good. I've definitely spent too much time reading DCUM threads about things like math team competitions and robotics clubs at some schools, and I'm glad to get this reality check.

TBH, admission is largely due to test scores at the HS magnets. If your kid has scores higher than most of the kids from his school/cluster, he has a good chance of being admitted even without extra currics in math and science.

Remember, there are only so many seats, and there are many more highly qualified students. In fact, many kids who apply to Blair magnet from Takoma Park Math and Science magnet don't get in. I know two, with good graces who didn't. One was very precocious in math and was advanced quickly by his local home HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you aware that there are kids out there with 99% MAP-M several grades up? Yes there are kids doing this with outside enrichment, but there are those truly bright kids that can do without.

Yes, I'm aware, and I really didn't mean for this to be about my individual child's chances. Perhaps I wrote my original post poorly. I was mostly curious about whether a highly capable, "truly bright" kid (not necessarily my kid) that attends a "regular" middle school that doesn't have math or science-oriented clubs or teams has a reasonable chance at admission and success, especially compared to students from schools that do provide those opportunities. It sounds like the answer is yes, and that's good. I've definitely spent too much time reading DCUM threads about things like math team competitions and robotics clubs at some schools, and I'm glad to get this reality check.

TBH, admission is largely due to test scores at the HS magnets. If your kid has scores higher than most of the kids from his school/cluster, he has a good chance of being admitted even without extra currics in math and science.

Remember, there are only so many seats, and there are many more highly qualified students. In fact, many kids who apply to Blair magnet from Takoma Park Math and Science magnet don't get in. I know two, with good graces who didn't. One was very precocious in math and was advanced quickly by his local home HS.

Agree - For past Blair acceptance, it appeared that the minimum MAP-M would be at 99%. For past RMIB acceptance, not sure what percentile for MAP-R would be.

[Anonymous]

I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Long story short, she ended up being accepted in all Poolesville and RMIB programs. She was at 99th percentile with reading and math at that time. No competitions, no major engagements. What I think has made a difference is her essay as her friends did not had the same results with similar stacks."

Could you share how her essay was different from her friends who didn't have the same results for acceptance?

The comparison is based on my child conversations with her friends who did not got in, but had the same scores. The essay is the only logical difference. My child essay focused on her experiences and personality and why magnet was for her. She is also a talented writer. It appears that her friends essays focused on listing achievements, while forgetting the individual person behind those achievements. I think this would be the same for any college essays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

The test score level varies by school/cluster. Many kids at TPMS magnet presumably score higher than some of the kids who got in from other schools, but MCPS realizes that magnet seats are a scarce resource which many kids can benefit from and so they are distributed approximately by highest test scores per school/cluster.

Other factors come into play like - if a kid is not accepted to a magnet HS, will they have a peer group and access to accelerated instruction at their home school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

The test score level varies by school/cluster. Many kids at TPMS magnet presumably score higher than some of the kids who got in from other schools, but MCPS realizes that magnet seats are a scarce resource which many kids can benefit from and so they are distributed approximately by highest test scores per school/cluster.

Other factors come into play like - if a kid is not accepted to a magnet HS, will they have a peer group and access to accelerated instruction at their home school

This was done for racial equity. MCPS didn't like the fact that the HT/Magnet programs were populated mostly by Asians with a handful of white kids. So they decided a scheme that would discriminate against Asian kids but maxing out the number of them that could get into these programs. It was a genius move. It is racist and terrible because tmit doesn't help the best and brightest. But progressives don't care about that. They care about equity which requires discrimination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

The test score level varies by school/cluster. Many kids at TPMS magnet presumably score higher than some of the kids who got in from other schools, but MCPS realizes that magnet seats are a scarce resource which many kids can benefit from and so they are distributed approximately by highest test scores per school/cluster.

Other factors come into play like - if a kid is not accepted to a magnet HS, will they have a peer group and access to accelerated instruction at their home school

This was done for racial equity. MCPS didn't like the fact that the HT/Magnet programs were populated mostly by Asians with a handful of white kids. So they decided a scheme that would discriminate against Asian kids but maxing out the number of them that could get into these programs. It was a genius move. It is racist and terrible because tmit doesn't help the best and brightest. But progressives don't care about that. They care about equity which requires discrimination.

"Best and brightest" based on which measures? Being able to afford test prep courses and tons of tutoring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

The test score level varies by school/cluster. Many kids at TPMS magnet presumably score higher than some of the kids who got in from other schools, but MCPS realizes that magnet seats are a scarce resource which many kids can benefit from and so they are distributed approximately by highest test scores per school/cluster.

Other factors come into play like - if a kid is not accepted to a magnet HS, will they have a peer group and access to accelerated instruction at their home school

This was done for racial equity. MCPS didn't like the fact that the HT/Magnet programs were populated mostly by Asians with a handful of white kids. So they decided a scheme that would discriminate against Asian kids but maxing out the number of them that could get into these programs. It was a genius move. It is racist and terrible because tmit doesn't help the best and brightest. But progressives don't care about that. They care about equity which requires discrimination.

Your tinfoil hat is too tight; loosening it up a little bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

The test score level varies by school/cluster. Many kids at TPMS magnet presumably score higher than some of the kids who got in from other schools, but MCPS realizes that magnet seats are a scarce resource which many kids can benefit from and so they are distributed approximately by highest test scores per school/cluster.

Other factors come into play like - if a kid is not accepted to a magnet HS, will they have a peer group and access to accelerated instruction at their home school

This was done for racial equity. MCPS didn't like the fact that the HT/Magnet programs were populated mostly by Asians with a handful of white kids. So they decided a scheme that would discriminate against Asian kids but maxing out the number of them that could get into these programs. It was a genius move. It is racist and terrible because tmit doesn't help the best and brightest. But progressives don't care about that. They care about equity which requires discrimination.

"Best and brightest" based on which measures? Being able to afford test prep courses and tons of tutoring?

Question for the equity brigade. Would you rather a heart surgeon who scored well on tests or a heart surgeon who didn't? How about a lawyer who was defending you? If you're honest, you'll say the ones who scored well on tests. But you're leftists so you can't be honest. You have to stick to the script.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think admission is largely based on test scores or else all those kids at Hoover and Cabin John would be getting in but they are not. Based on DC's knowledge - but it's not like kids have surveyed every other kid - it does seem like the minimum of 99th percentile is mostly accurate. But there are many more 99th percentile kids not getting in including half of TPMS magnet.

The test score level varies by school/cluster. Many kids at TPMS magnet presumably score higher than some of the kids who got in from other schools, but MCPS realizes that magnet seats are a scarce resource which many kids can benefit from and so they are distributed approximately by highest test scores per school/cluster.

Other factors come into play like - if a kid is not accepted to a magnet HS, will they have a peer group and access to accelerated instruction at their home school

This was done for racial equity. MCPS didn't like the fact that the HT/Magnet programs were populated mostly by Asians with a handful of white kids. So they decided a scheme that would discriminate against Asian kids but maxing out the number of them that could get into these programs. It was a genius move. It is racist and terrible because tmit doesn't help the best and brightest. But progressives don't care about that. They care about equity which requires discrimination.

Your tinfoil hat is too tight; loosening it up a little bit.

The numbers don't lie. There was a 20% drop in Asian acceptance rates the first year and another 20% the next year. But leftists don't like facts. You prefer lived experience which can be made up to suit your needs.