Eastern MS Magnet Program: Need Info

[Anonymous]

Seems like Eastern is a great fit for a kid really into writing/reading/media production who is fine with group projects and doesn't mind less elective choice and no orchestra in MS?

[Anonymous]

My kid has been accepted into the program, and we enjoyed the open house. Does anyone have had an experience going through the AIM+ pathway - Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra 2, at Eastern?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has been accepted into the program, and we enjoyed the open house. Does anyone have had an experience going through the AIM+ pathway - Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra 2, at Eastern?

My child was not on this trajectory but close friends were and it was fine. Eastern may or may not have enough kids to offer Algebra 2 in 8th grade at the middle school (it depends on who accepts the invitation, and what kids in the comprehensive program are a year ahead of even accelerated math) but it is not uncommon for a small number of kids to go to Blair for the HS first period and then return to Eastern.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, this is helpful!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has been accepted into the program, and we enjoyed the open house. Does anyone have had an experience going through the AIM+ pathway - Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra 2, at Eastern?

My child was not on this trajectory but close friends were and it was fine. Eastern may or may not have enough kids to offer Algebra 2 in 8th grade at the middle school (it depends on who accepts the invitation, and what kids in the comprehensive program are a year ahead of even accelerated math) but it is not uncommon for a small number of kids to go to Blair for the HS first period and then return to Eastern.

[Anonymous]

It's Eastern so most of those kids going to Blair take language, not math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid has been accepted into the program, and we enjoyed the open house. Does anyone have had an experience going through the AIM+ pathway - Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra 2, at Eastern?

k

PP, how did you know your kid qualifies for Algebra 1 in 6th? Is this a choice for 6th at all MCPS middle schools?

[Anonymous]

We were informed by the home elementary school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid has been accepted into the program, and we enjoyed the open house. Does anyone have had an experience going through the AIM+ pathway - Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, and Honors Algebra 2, at Eastern?

k

PP, how did you know your kid qualifies for Algebra 1 in 6th? Is this a choice for 6th at all MCPS middle schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worry that some of the warnings on this thread (including mine!) downplay the incredible elements of the Eastern magnet.

For a kid whose passions really lie in reading, analyzing literature, deep history dives, and learning how to communicate through writing and video production, it's an incredible life-changing middle school experience.

The teachers work together very closely to align the curriculum, which makes it much more of a wrap-around experience than a regular MS or even TPMS where kids might be spread across three levels of math.

My child is a HS senior now, and their closest friends are still the ones they made at Eastern.

Ditto. My DC just went to an informal EMS Magnet reunion - and she graduated 10+ years ago. She was so happy - still a great group.

She says it was the single best educational decision we made for her. Fabulous integrated curriculum, interesting projects, interesting peers and interested teachers.

IDRP is the most important reason to go. DC learned to research and write a proper 10+ page paper, a skill which took her all the way through college and into the workplace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worry that some of the warnings on this thread (including mine!) downplay the incredible elements of the Eastern magnet.

For a kid whose passions really lie in reading, analyzing literature, deep history dives, and learning how to communicate through writing and video production, it's an incredible life-changing middle school experience.

The teachers work together very closely to align the curriculum, which makes it much more of a wrap-around experience than a regular MS or even TPMS where kids might be spread across three levels of math.

My child is a HS senior now, and their closest friends are still the ones they made at Eastern.

Ditto. My DC just went to an informal EMS Magnet reunion - and she graduated 10+ years ago. She was so happy - still a great group.

She says it was the single best educational decision we made for her. Fabulous integrated curriculum, interesting projects, interesting peers and interested teachers.

IDRP is the most important reason to go. DC learned to research and write a proper 10+ page paper, a skill which took her all the way through college and into the workplace.

Yep. Most AP classes don't have the time or scope to assign a research paper like this, and the MCPS honors-for-all classes typically don't either. And Eastern kids who do an IB diploma in high school generally find the research papers and extended essay are a piece of cake, or at least don't struggle with them as much as their non-Eastern peers.

So unless they take IB classes in high school, students are likely to go to college wholly unprepared to write an extended formal research paper with structured formatting and citations. The IDRP process walks them through it step by step, breaking it down into chunks, each with their own due dates. Mine actually found the IB papers easier, because she could use her own research and note-taking strategies. But it was helpful because she'd already discovered what did and didn't work for her, so she could dive straight in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick question, my kid also made it to the pool. She is a strong reader but has ADHD and has trouble focus and write at school. She writes beautifully at home if someone explains to her what is the topic and expectations, and gives her a quiet environment. Will she survive in Eastern?

No. There’s no quiet environment. The sixth grade Magnet classes are very large this year (~28).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like Eastern is a great fit for a kid really into writing/reading/media production who is fine with group projects and doesn't mind less elective choice and no orchestra in MS?

+1000

[Anonymous]

ADHD kids can survive Eastern but it won't be easy. Expect late assignments and frustrations, especially as they get used to the workload. Be understanding when they get Bs instead of the As that they're used to getting. It helps if they like to write or write well. They'll find a way to manage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD kids can survive Eastern but it won't be easy. Expect late assignments and frustrations, especially as they get used to the workload. Be understanding when they get Bs instead of the As that they're used to getting. It helps if they like to write or write well. They'll find a way to manage.

Acknowledge it is a heavy workload, but set your child up for success. Prioritize finishing the assignments over sports, private music, and other activities. Do not normalize trying to catch up on months old work in the last few days before the end of the grading period.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for providing the expectations on Eastern for ADHD. Do they have 504 accommodations for those kids during the group discussion and writing period?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone for providing the expectations on Eastern for ADHD. Do they have 504 accommodations for those kids during the group discussion and writing period?

What do you mean? Can you elaborate? 504 accommodations are customized for the child. What do you think your child needs? Before the lottery there were very few kids with 504s, usually 1-2 per grade.