Recent Experiences at Loiderman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just came on here to ask the same thing, except that our home MS is Banneker. My kid is so excited, me a little less so after what I read here. WWYD?

What specifically is your child excited about? I have a kid at Banneker now, and while it’s been fine in many ways, the instrumental music and performing arts opportunities aren’t great. There isn’t a school play or drama club, for example. The band program is okay, but the orchestra is small and this year had to combine all levels into one class, which is frustrating for more advanced students. I hear good things about the choir. I’d suggest comparing class offerings and extracurriculars at the two schools to help make your decision,

Thanks for your reply. My child is excited for a couple of reasons. First and foremost because she is in the CES program and will have to be leaving most of her close friends if she goes to Banneker. Some of them have been accepted to Loiederman as well. She plays an instrument but is in no way a prodigy or even close. She likes to sing and is interested in drama but is inexperienced. I have no concerns about the neighborhood and have a relative who lives nearby. I know that either program (LMS/BBMS) will likely be a “step down” academically from the CES program, which is a bummer. I just want her to be happy and challenged, and have a decent peer group.
I will take your advice and look closely at electives/activities!

[Anonymous]

My DC was offered a spot at Eastern and turned it down for Loiederman because of the arts focus, a decision that we as the parents respected and agreed with (come at me, y'all!). DC has not been disappointed, and is being kept busy and learning: in fact, they love Loiederman.

Do I think that this is the most challenging possible educational experience for DC (who is a reading/writing kid rather than a STEM kid)? No, I know DC can work harder than they are working right now. Eastern's more intensive focus on writing (from what I know from the outside only) would likely have expected more, possibly even much more. But DC is only in grade 6, and there will likely be more and harder to come. I'm willing to await what's next and guide DC to do their best possible work and learn as much as possible from it.

I personally don't want MS to become some kind of grueling preparation for a grueling path through HS. I am pretty confident that DC will be able to find a HS opportunity within MCPS that works for them, do decently there, and get into a good college. Maybe I should be "pushing" harder, but DH and I have pretty extensive knowledge and experience to back up our more relaxed attitudes. If DC develops a more competitive or workaholic streak, we will support as long as the attitude remains constructive, productive, and kind. But for now we want DC first and foremost to get through MS with a healthy sense of self, some developing interests, some cool experiences, and a few good friends. Is that possible at Loiederman? Absolutely. We are happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just came on here to ask the same thing, except that our home MS is Banneker. My kid is so excited, me a little less so after what I read here. WWYD?

What specifically is your child excited about? I have a kid at Banneker now, and while it’s been fine in many ways, the instrumental music and performing arts opportunities aren’t great. There isn’t a school play or drama club, for example. The band program is okay, but the orchestra is small and this year had to combine all levels into one class, which is frustrating for more advanced students. I hear good things about the choir. I’d suggest comparing class offerings and extracurriculars at the two schools to help make your decision,

Thanks for your reply. My child is excited for a couple of reasons. First and foremost because she is in the CES program and will have to be leaving most of her close friends if she goes to Banneker. Some of them have been accepted to Loiederman as well. She plays an instrument but is in no way a prodigy or even close. She likes to sing and is interested in drama but is inexperienced. I have no concerns about the neighborhood and have a relative who lives nearby. I know that either program (LMS/BBMS) will likely be a “step down” academically from the CES program, which is a bummer. I just want her to be happy and challenged, and have a decent peer group.
I will take your advice and look closely at electives/activities!

My kid at Banneker also went there after the CES. It was sad that most of her friends scattered to many different middle schools, but she has made a good group of friends at Banneker and has had good teachers. It is not as challenging as the CES (or the middle school magnets, which we have experience with from older kids), but there's been some challenging assignments and opportunties it's been fine overall. All that to say that Banneker is a reasonable choice, but Loiederman may have advantages for you with friend group and music/drama opportunities. Good luck wtih your choice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC was offered a spot at Eastern and turned it down for Loiederman because of the arts focus, a decision that we as the parents respected and agreed with (come at me, y'all!). DC has not been disappointed, and is being kept busy and learning: in fact, they love Loiederman.

Do I think that this is the most challenging possible educational experience for DC (who is a reading/writing kid rather than a STEM kid)? No, I know DC can work harder than they are working right now. Eastern's more intensive focus on writing (from what I know from the outside only) would likely have expected more, possibly even much more. But DC is only in grade 6, and there will likely be more and harder to come. I'm willing to await what's next and guide DC to do their best possible work and learn as much as possible from it.

I personally don't want MS to become some kind of grueling preparation for a grueling path through HS. I am pretty confident that DC will be able to find a HS opportunity within MCPS that works for them, do decently there, and get into a good college. Maybe I should be "pushing" harder, but DH and I have pretty extensive knowledge and experience to back up our more relaxed attitudes. If DC develops a more competitive or workaholic streak, we will support as long as the attitude remains constructive, productive, and kind. But for now we want DC first and foremost to get through MS with a healthy sense of self, some developing interests, some cool experiences, and a few good friends. Is that possible at Loiederman? Absolutely. We are happy there.

I really appreciate this perspective. It's refreshing, especially for DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just came on here to ask the same thing, except that our home MS is Banneker. My kid is so excited, me a little less so after what I read here. WWYD?

What specifically is your child excited about? I have a kid at Banneker now, and while it’s been fine in many ways, the instrumental music and performing arts opportunities aren’t great. There isn’t a school play or drama club, for example. The band program is okay, but the orchestra is small and this year had to combine all levels into one class, which is frustrating for more advanced students. I hear good things about the choir. I’d suggest comparing class offerings and extracurriculars at the two schools to help make your decision,

Thanks for your reply. My child is excited for a couple of reasons. First and foremost because she is in the CES program and will have to be leaving most of her close friends if she goes to Banneker. Some of them have been accepted to Loiederman as well. She plays an instrument but is in no way a prodigy or even close. She likes to sing and is interested in drama but is inexperienced. I have no concerns about the neighborhood and have a relative who lives nearby. I know that either program (LMS/BBMS) will likely be a “step down” academically from the CES program, which is a bummer. I just want her to be happy and challenged, and have a decent peer group.
I will take your advice and look closely at electives/activities!

The academics will be hit or miss at any school as it depends on the teacher. If she just enjoys music and singing she can get that at any school, because they all have a band and choir. Loiederman isn't doing anything outside of school, like competitions and award winning. You are better off spending the money on outside activities to encourage her interests and saving the time/money with the commute.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your child, but I would take Loiederman over SSIMS. The purple line construction is such a mess and the SSIMS proximity to downtown Silver Spring creates challenges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Multiple kids left last year. Lots of staff turn over. Band/Orchestra teachers are not great.

Another new orch teacher this year. Great teachers at the elem feeders but not sure what’s going on in MS

I suspect it's the leadership. They got a new principal who everyone had high hopes for as she had been there for many years and very likable. But, several VPs and multiple staff left. Another orchestra teacher... thats a bad sign that the last one lasted a year.

Part of the music problem is the teachers. The other part is what another poster said about it not being test in so anyone can do the band or orchestra. They don't really do teaching with multiple instruments all in one class period in MS or HS so either a child has to be naturally talented and teach themselves or be in private lessons and/with private orchestra or other groups to really get good. The bands/orchestras that are good have kids from private lessons and the orchestras vs. a school being that good just because. We are another family who moved to the private music groups and the difference in quality is night and day.

Playing an instrument is a serious endeavor. It's not possible, at all, to be "good" at it if you do not have individual lessons. It's not like a sport or dance where you can mostly learn as a group and only need private coaching occasionally. Most music groups in schools absolutely suck because hardly any kid has private lessons. The wealthy neighborhoods have music groups that suck less because parents can afford to pay for private (individual) lessons.

My middle schooler plays the violin. Weekly private lessons at a school of music for a few years then $100/hr twice a week at a studio. She's been concertmaster of her youth orchestra. She's played every day, except a few days off for sickness and travel, for years. You can't replicate that in any school setting apart from a music conservatory.

So this idea of public magnets for certain skill sets definitely has its limits, especially when there is no talent selection and no requirement to train with professionals outside of school.

Oh my…us poor parents who have kids attending what you consider bad have our kids in private lessons and the same private orchestra as you do. You could replicate it with the right teacher and students. For sports and dance, many kids also do outside or have private lessons too. Don’t let your ego get in the way. Your child is in middle school. For as good as she is there is always someone better.

The former orchestra teacher is part of mcyo. She left for another school.

You're in the minority if you pay for private lessons, pay for MCYO and also self-identify as poor. Also, group music lessons are not the same as individual music lessons, and cannot take their place, ever - the skills learned are not the same. You need both. You desperately want to take offense at my post, so go ahead, but I've have a lot of experience (this middle schooler is my youngest and my other kids are in college), and I know what I'm talking about.

We aren't exactly poor but I was commenting to that poster acting like those of us not living in nice houses and pricey lifestyles are perfectly safe. We make sacrifices to allow our kids to explore the interests and pay for the activities. We choose to live in a not so nice house and we don't take vacations so we can afford those things. However, MCYO offers scholarships for both their program and private lessons. We've done both group and private. They both serve different purposes. The group worked fine for my kids in ES. If you want a child who enjoys music to thrive, you need to commit to doing both inside school and outside - private lessons, orchestra and other programs.

[Anonymous]

A big issue w commuting to this school is that you are setting your kid up to have few friends whenever they return to their home HS. There is no arts HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A big issue w commuting to this school is that you are setting your kid up to have few friends whenever they return to their home HS. There is no arts HS.

Depending on where you live, for the DCC, for the arts the kids go to Einstein. It makes more sense if you are mid-downcountry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A big issue w commuting to this school is that you are setting your kid up to have few friends whenever they return to their home HS. There is no arts HS.

Depending on where you live, for the DCC, for the arts the kids go to Einstein. It makes more sense if you are mid-downcountry.

I thought Blake was artsy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A big issue w commuting to this school is that you are setting your kid up to have few friends whenever they return to their home HS. There is no arts HS.

Depending on where you live, for the DCC, for the arts the kids go to Einstein. It makes more sense if you are mid-downcountry.

I thought Blake was artsy?

Blake does look like they have more and better offerings but they are not part of the dcc.

[Anonymous]

SSIMS for sure, OP

[Anonymous]

Blake is NEC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A big issue w commuting to this school is that you are setting your kid up to have few friends whenever they return to their home HS. There is no arts HS.

Depending on where you live, for the DCC, for the arts the kids go to Einstein. It makes more sense if you are mid-downcountry.

I thought Blake was artsy?

Blake doesn’t even have pit orchestras for their musicals. How can you claim to be the arts school of your consortium and used canned music for your shows? Really sad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A big issue w commuting to this school is that you are setting your kid up to have few friends whenever they return to their home HS. There is no arts HS.

Depending on where you live, for the DCC, for the arts the kids go to Einstein. It makes more sense if you are mid-downcountry.

I thought Blake was artsy?

Blake doesn’t even have pit orchestras for their musicals. How can you claim to be the arts school of your consortium and used canned music for your shows? Really sad

A Pitt orchestra is not everything. Not that many do Pitt orchestra. They have a lot more music classes so it depends on your focus. It would be nice if Einstein had that many.