blair magnet quesiton

[Anonymous]

Wow. Pretty wild to see this thread. I graduated from the magnet in the late 90s. We had maybe 3-4 kids with a 4.0 (UW) and down to the last, they ended up at HYP MIT/Cal Tech. Even the kids placing semifinalist in Westinghouse (now Intel) didn't have straight A's. I had a 3.75 and I ranked 30/100. Magnet kids back then got B's all the time, C's even and some kids actually failed (and got kicked out).

The distribution of present day grades is shocking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC was invited to join the Blair math/science magnet - we attended the open house, we are not from TPMS magnet program. From doing research and talking to current families we have heard something to the effect of " don't come here if you want perfect grades and/or elite college admissions". What does the 'average/not superstar' Blair math/science student trajectory look like - do they get mostly B/C grades? Is it incredibly stressful to keep up with the pace of the classes? Are they able to do any extracurriculars or do they have to spend all their time studying? What kinds of colleges are they accepted to? Is it a disadvantage to be in the program as an average student for college admissions because the cohort is so strong? TIA !

My DC graduated from Blair magnet recently. I think I can answer your questions. I wouldn't say it is incredibly stressful, but the level of stress may be a more than home school due to longer hours, more commute, and more rigorous classes. But if you choose your schedule in a balanced way it can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, because you can take very interesting electives in your area of interest from very interesting teachers. I have been especially pleased with most of the teachers who are passionate about their subject areas. In my view teachers and interesting electives were the biggest pros of Blair magnet. In terms of grades, I think B's are not uncommon, but saying that students get mostly B's and C's would probably be exaggeration. In terms of college acceptances, a big chunk of students matriculate to either top colleges or UMD STEM with generous awards. But in my opinion the biggest advantage is not in terms of college matriculation, but rather in terms of college preparedness. My DC is having a successful college experience mostly due to Blair magnet background. I think being academically well-prepared when they are in college is especially important, because being away from home (even though that is something that may look attractive when they are in HS) is something they need to adjust initially. Struggling academically on top of that would make it more challenging. So Blair magnet is a big help in that aspect. Good luck.

Yes, it can be hard. I've heard only 30% of the SMCS students have an UW 4.0 which is much lower than most home schools.

That’s not accurate. The actual numbers for the class of 2024 are in this document: https://old.mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/ParentResources/MagnetProfile.pdf

About half have an UW 4.0 and 85% have 4.75 or higher weighted.

I feel this letter is negatively impacting the chance of college admission. Anyone who has below or around 4.75 gpa would actually appear to be the bottom of the class. Even if they get 4.8-4.9, colleges would think it’s not hard to achieve.

But they kind of are at the bottom of their class. It's just a matter of grade inflation. A 4.5 there today is like a 3.3 back in my day.

Does that mean a couple Bs would make the students the bottom of their class?

No. College don't split hairs like that.

Aside from perhaps a couple of students per year who are getting multiple Cs, every single student in the program is an EXCEPTIONAL student and getting some Bs is not going to make a difference in college admissions over someone with all As. Colleges know one might have had a harsher grading teacher or that three Bs in very challenging math will not make a difference. We know multiple students with Bs who have gotten into better colleges than kids with As. If you're going to stress out about that it's going to be a terrible experience for your child and for you so stop it.

Agree with this. Mine is one of them! 2 semester Bs. At T10. (Also got 1/2 tuition plus NM award plus department money at UMD).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC was invited to join the Blair math/science magnet - we attended the open house, we are not from TPMS magnet program. From doing research and talking to current families we have heard something to the effect of " don't come here if you want perfect grades and/or elite college admissions". What does the 'average/not superstar' Blair math/science student trajectory look like - do they get mostly B/C grades? Is it incredibly stressful to keep up with the pace of the classes? Are they able to do any extracurriculars or do they have to spend all their time studying? What kinds of colleges are they accepted to? Is it a disadvantage to be in the program as an average student for college admissions because the cohort is so strong? TIA !

My DC graduated from Blair magnet recently. I think I can answer your questions. I wouldn't say it is incredibly stressful, but the level of stress may be a more than home school due to longer hours, more commute, and more rigorous classes. But if you choose your schedule in a balanced way it can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, because you can take very interesting electives in your area of interest from very interesting teachers. I have been especially pleased with most of the teachers who are passionate about their subject areas. In my view teachers and interesting electives were the biggest pros of Blair magnet. In terms of grades, I think B's are not uncommon, but saying that students get mostly B's and C's would probably be exaggeration. In terms of college acceptances, a big chunk of students matriculate to either top colleges or UMD STEM with generous awards. But in my opinion the biggest advantage is not in terms of college matriculation, but rather in terms of college preparedness. My DC is having a successful college experience mostly due to Blair magnet background. I think being academically well-prepared when they are in college is especially important, because being away from home (even though that is something that may look attractive when they are in HS) is something they need to adjust initially. Struggling academically on top of that would make it more challenging. So Blair magnet is a big help in that aspect. Good luck.

DP. Agree with all of this (and our kids were probably same year)! One caveat is I think kids get mostly As, and a good chunk get straight As. But, a few Bs are not a deal breaker for college admissions (as my kid above w/2 Bs can attest to). It's not an arms race of a numbers game. It's really about how the student communicates who they are. Good guidance on the admissions process will be much more helpful than a fraction of a GPA point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no “average” kids in the program, but I’d consider my kid to be average among those in the program. He thinks he falls somewhere close to the mid point in relation to classmates (toward the top of the lower half). Didn’t take functions.

He’s introverted and there isn’t a lot of time or energy for socializing or hobbies outside of class with a long day and then homework. Homework and classes are very challenging but time consuming. Other kids manage sports or are very involved in several clubs (my kid stays after school for a club once or twice a week and doesn’t do a sport and gave up his instrument).

He has all As so far (sophomore year). Some of his friends have definitely had Bs (mostly in non magnet classes) but it seems all As is very common. The superstar kids are winning national and international competitions so all As isn’t a huge achievement.

Overall it’s a great place to be if your kid can cope with the work. Success requires a lot of motivation and organization as much as or more than academic brilliance.

That’s the issue concerning me. I know my kids will probably be getting mostly As, but I don’t think they will win any national and international competitions. Will they still be good fit for this school without feeling inferior to others? They won’t be superstars but rather average magnet students.

That's a personality question. If your kid can can't handle not being #1, think about what that means for choosing a college, or working at a career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC was invited to join the Blair math/science magnet - we attended the open house, we are not from TPMS magnet program. From doing research and talking to current families we have heard something to the effect of " don't come here if you want perfect grades and/or elite college admissions". What does the 'average/not superstar' Blair math/science student trajectory look like - do they get mostly B/C grades? Is it incredibly stressful to keep up with the pace of the classes? Are they able to do any extracurriculars or do they have to spend all their time studying? What kinds of colleges are they accepted to? Is it a disadvantage to be in the program as an average student for college admissions because the cohort is so strong? TIA !

My DC graduated from Blair magnet recently. I think I can answer your questions. I wouldn't say it is incredibly stressful, but the level of stress may be a more than home school due to longer hours, more commute, and more rigorous classes. But if you choose your schedule in a balanced way it can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, because you can take very interesting electives in your area of interest from very interesting teachers. I have been especially pleased with most of the teachers who are passionate about their subject areas. In my view teachers and interesting electives were the biggest pros of Blair magnet. In terms of grades, I think B's are not uncommon, but saying that students get mostly B's and C's would probably be exaggeration. In terms of college acceptances, a big chunk of students matriculate to either top colleges or UMD STEM with generous awards. But in my opinion the biggest advantage is not in terms of college matriculation, but rather in terms of college preparedness. My DC is having a successful college experience mostly due to Blair magnet background. I think being academically well-prepared when they are in college is especially important, because being away from home (even though that is something that may look attractive when they are in HS) is something they need to adjust initially. Struggling academically on top of that would make it more challenging. So Blair magnet is a big help in that aspect. Good luck.

Yes, it can be hard. I've heard only 30% of the SMCS students have an UW 4.0 which is much lower than most home schools.

That’s not accurate. The actual numbers for the class of 2024 are in this document: https://old.mbhs.edu/departments/magnet/ParentResources/MagnetProfile.pdf

About half have an UW 4.0 and 85% have 4.75 or higher weighted.

I feel this letter is negatively impacting the chance of college admission. Anyone who has below or around 4.75 gpa would actually appear to be the bottom of the class. Even if they get 4.8-4.9, colleges would think it’s not hard to achieve.

But they kind of are at the bottom of their class. It's just a matter of grade inflation. A 4.5 there today is like a 3.3 back in my day.

Does that mean a couple Bs would make the students the bottom of their class?

No. College don't split hairs like that.

Aside from perhaps a couple of students per year who are getting multiple Cs, every single student in the program is an EXCEPTIONAL student and getting some Bs is not going to make a difference in college admissions over someone with all As. Colleges know one might have had a harsher grading teacher or that three Bs in very challenging math will not make a difference. We know multiple students with Bs who have gotten into better colleges than kids with As. If you're going to stress out about that it's going to be a terrible experience for your child and for you so stop it.

Agree with this. Mine is one of them! 2 semester Bs. At T10. (Also got 1/2 tuition plus NM award plus department money at UMD).

What's department money at UMD?
Which departments do this? How much is available?

[Anonymous]

My kid is in SMCS and I can say it is a great program that works well for highly motivated students. Not every kid is going to be great at every subject so if the rigor is high, you should expect occasional B/C's here and there which is not a reflection on thier ability. It is a hard program - no doubt.

But honestly, the greatest pressure my kid feels is not from their peers. Sadly, its from me. I freak out when I see a bad score and pile on the pressure. So, as I have watched my DC learn to deal with the pressures of the program and me, I am equally working on trying to be less of a pain on them and trust that they have things under control and I should offer help when asked. So, my advice is to choose the program, stay out of the way of your kid and let them shine the way they are inevitably going to.

[Anonymous]

How is transportation to Blair from Rockville/North Bethesda? I currently have a 7th grader, zoned for WJ.

[Anonymous]

The word "average" stood out in your original post to me because the "average" magnet student represents probably 85-90 percent of the students. On the low end there are kids getting multiple Cs and there are usually only a few each year. The high end - like the genius kid who is in consideration for the Math Olympiad - is even more rare. There may be 1 or 2 of them in your child's grade or possibly none. If your child is "average" they are almost definitely highly gifted or PG and an incredibly hard worker and all those "average" magnet students do very well in college admissions if that's your concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no “average” kids in the program, but I’d consider my kid to be average among those in the program. He thinks he falls somewhere close to the mid point in relation to classmates (toward the top of the lower half). Didn’t take functions.

He’s introverted and there isn’t a lot of time or energy for socializing or hobbies outside of class with a long day and then homework. Homework and classes are very challenging but time consuming. Other kids manage sports or are very involved in several clubs (my kid stays after school for a club once or twice a week and doesn’t do a sport and gave up his instrument).

He has all As so far (sophomore year). Some of his friends have definitely had Bs (mostly in non magnet classes) but it seems all As is very common. The superstar kids are winning national and international competitions so all As isn’t a huge achievement.

Overall it’s a great place to be if your kid can cope with the work. Success requires a lot of motivation and organization as much as or more than academic brilliance.

That’s the issue concerning me. I know my kids will probably be getting mostly As, but I don’t think they will win any national and international competitions. Will they still be good fit for this school without feeling inferior to others? They won’t be superstars but rather average magnet students.

That's a personality question. If your kid can can't handle not being #1, think about what that means for choosing a college, or working at a career.

It’s not being #1. It’s being in the middle or even bottom of the class. There are 10+ or 20+ kids in every Blair SMAC class who win different types of national competitions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The word "average" stood out in your original post to me because the "average" magnet student represents probably 85-90 percent of the students. On the low end there are kids getting multiple Cs and there are usually only a few each year. The high end - like the genius kid who is in consideration for the Math Olympiad - is even more rare. There may be 1 or 2 of them in your child's grade or possibly none. If your child is "average" they are almost definitely highly gifted or PG and an incredibly hard worker and all those "average" magnet students do very well in college admissions if that's your concern.

Math Olympiad is not the only academic competition. There are physics Olympiad, chemistry Olympiad, computing Olympiad, biology Olympiad, science Olympiad, etc. Not to mention other non academic competitions like musical instruments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no “average” kids in the program, but I’d consider my kid to be average among those in the program. He thinks he falls somewhere close to the mid point in relation to classmates (toward the top of the lower half). Didn’t take functions.

He’s introverted and there isn’t a lot of time or energy for socializing or hobbies outside of class with a long day and then homework. Homework and classes are very challenging but time consuming. Other kids manage sports or are very involved in several clubs (my kid stays after school for a club once or twice a week and doesn’t do a sport and gave up his instrument).

He has all As so far (sophomore year). Some of his friends have definitely had Bs (mostly in non magnet classes) but it seems all As is very common. The superstar kids are winning national and international competitions so all As isn’t a huge achievement.

Overall it’s a great place to be if your kid can cope with the work. Success requires a lot of motivation and organization as much as or more than academic brilliance.

That’s the issue concerning me. I know my kids will probably be getting mostly As, but I don’t think they will win any national and international competitions. Will they still be good fit for this school without feeling inferior to others? They won’t be superstars but rather average magnet students.

That's a personality question. If your kid can can't handle not being #1, think about what that means for choosing a college, or working at a career.

It’s not being #1. It’s being in the middle or even bottom of the class. There are 10+ or 20+ kids in every Blair SMAC class who win different types of national competitions.

You hope that what drives your child to the magnet is an inherent interest in STEM, research and problem solving. *Not* winning a competition or getting into a particular college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no “average” kids in the program, but I’d consider my kid to be average among those in the program. He thinks he falls somewhere close to the mid point in relation to classmates (toward the top of the lower half). Didn’t take functions.

He’s introverted and there isn’t a lot of time or energy for socializing or hobbies outside of class with a long day and then homework. Homework and classes are very challenging but time consuming. Other kids manage sports or are very involved in several clubs (my kid stays after school for a club once or twice a week and doesn’t do a sport and gave up his instrument).

He has all As so far (sophomore year). Some of his friends have definitely had Bs (mostly in non magnet classes) but it seems all As is very common. The superstar kids are winning national and international competitions so all As isn’t a huge achievement.

Overall it’s a great place to be if your kid can cope with the work. Success requires a lot of motivation and organization as much as or more than academic brilliance.

That’s the issue concerning me. I know my kids will probably be getting mostly As, but I don’t think they will win any national and international competitions. Will they still be good fit for this school without feeling inferior to others? They won’t be superstars but rather average magnet students.

That's a personality question. If your kid can can't handle not being #1, think about what that means for choosing a college, or working at a career.

It’s not being #1. It’s being in the middle or even bottom of the class. There are 10+ or 20+ kids in every Blair SMAC class who win different types of national competitions.

You hope that what drives your child to the magnet is an inherent interest in STEM, research and problem solving. *Not* winning a competition or getting into a particular college.

Of course, but still need to understand how that could impact self-esteem of a teenager. Multiple factors need to be considered before this decision. Mental health shouldn’t be taken lightly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in SMCS and I can say it is a great program that works well for highly motivated students. Not every kid is going to be great at every subject so if the rigor is high, you should expect occasional B/C's here and there which is not a reflection on thier ability. It is a hard program - no doubt.

But honestly, the greatest pressure my kid feels is not from their peers. Sadly, its from me. I freak out when I see a bad score and pile on the pressure. So, as I have watched my DC learn to deal with the pressures of the program and me, I am equally working on trying to be less of a pain on them and trust that they have things under control and I should offer help when asked. So, my advice is to choose the program, stay out of the way of your kid and let them shine the way they are inevitably going to.

You need to stop that right now. My kid has told me horrific stories of parents putting pressure on their kids in the magnet. Kids terrified to go home because they did poorly (where poorly is got a B) on a test, in tears because they don’t want to upset their parents, kids grounded because of a B in a non magnet class… parents who wrote their kids HS application for them, who won’t let their kids choose their own electives.. I could go on. It’s really sad for those kids.

[Anonymous]

I have a senior and it’s not a pressure cooker. He’s gotten all As and I think 2 Bs. He works hard but has a nice cohort to call to work on hard problems together. It’s an amazing program- great teachers, opportunities. So far my son is 4/6 in terms of college applications so it all works out. If you’re gunning for college in 9th grade and have a competitive kid, wanting to beat out peers etc, that’s not the vibe in my experience. definitely a neat place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is transportation to Blair from Rockville/North Bethesda? I currently have a 7th grader, zoned for WJ.

Long and slow.