HS Choice Programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/ib.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

[Anonymous]

What makes RMIB special is the peer group since the curriculum is a standard IB curriculum.
Blair SMAC and Poolesville are special because of their peer group and their specialized curriculum These go together as you cannot get through an extremely rigorous, advanced fast paced and intense course of study without a group of highly able and hardworking students. If you tinker with the Admissions criteria the program will wither away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/ib.aspx

Clarksburg isn’t on the list at this link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes RMIB special is the peer group since the curriculum is a standard IB curriculum.
Blair SMAC and Poolesville are special because of their peer group and their specialized curriculum These go together as you cannot get through an extremely rigorous, advanced fast paced and intense course of study without a group of highly able and hardworking students. If you tinker with the Admissions criteria the program will wither away

No reason to believe there can’t be sufficient additional talented and motivated students to fill 4 more programs. Perhaps students who might otherwise choose early college will select these new magnets. I also people who moved to VA before MS to give their students more options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes RMIB special is the peer group since the curriculum is a standard IB curriculum.
Blair SMAC and Poolesville are special because of their peer group and their specialized curriculum These go together as you cannot get through an extremely rigorous, advanced fast paced and intense course of study without a group of highly able and hardworking students. If you tinker with the Admissions criteria the program will wither away

Again, the memo says MCPS will use the same admissions criteria. They will pick the top kids in the RM region to attend, top students in the second region, third....

You are making the assumption that there are only 100 kids countywide that are highly able and hardworking. That is BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

I know that upcounty Watkins Mill will be the expanded IB program, not Seneca Valley. SV will be adding Project Lead the Way and Upcounty vocational training, which is plenty for special programs at one school.

Not sure why you would put region C as Kennegy or Einstein. I'd pick BCC because it is farther from Springbrook. Besides, every magnet season there are multiple threads on "Why should my kid go to RMIB when we have IB here at BCC?" I think there is already a large population in the school that would meet the magnet criteria, but just don't choose to come to RM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

I know that upcounty Watkins Mill will be the expanded IB program, not Seneca Valley. SV will be adding Project Lead the Way and Upcounty vocational training, which is plenty for special programs at one school.

Not sure why you would put region C as Kennegy or Einstein. I'd pick BCC because it is farther from Springbrook. Besides, every magnet season there are multiple threads on "Why should my kid go to RMIB when we have IB here at BCC?" I think there is already a large population in the school that would meet the magnet criteria, but just don't choose to come to RM.

I forgot about Project Lead the Way, so yes, Watkins makes sense. Regarding Region C, I am leaning toward Kennedy because of the planned expansion and in previous threads, people reported rumors that Kennedy was getting a magnet program. However, Kennedy could be the sight of a new regional STEM program (although this is close to Wheaton's engineering program) and BCC would make more sense as an IB regional program as Einstein would be geographically close to Blair for a regional STEM and CAP program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

I know that upcounty Watkins Mill will be the expanded IB program, not Seneca Valley. SV will be adding Project Lead the Way and Upcounty vocational training, which is plenty for special programs at one school.

Not sure why you would put region C as Kennegy or Einstein. I'd pick BCC because it is farther from Springbrook. Besides, every magnet season there are multiple threads on "Why should my kid go to RMIB when we have IB here at BCC?" I think there is already a large population in the school that would meet the magnet criteria, but just don't choose to come to RM.

I forgot about Project Lead the Way, so yes, Watkins makes sense. Regarding Region C, I am leaning toward Kennedy because of the planned expansion and in previous threads, people reported rumors that Kennedy was getting a magnet program. However, Kennedy could be the sight of a new regional STEM program (although this is close to Wheaton's engineering program) and BCC would make more sense as an IB regional program as Einstein would be geographically close to Blair for a regional STEM and CAP program.

Not a single regional IB center on the west sude of I270? Maybe QCHS can have a new IB center?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

I know that upcounty Watkins Mill will be the expanded IB program, not Seneca Valley. SV will be adding Project Lead the Way and Upcounty vocational training, which is plenty for special programs at one school.

Not sure why you would put region C as Kennegy or Einstein. I'd pick BCC because it is farther from Springbrook. Besides, every magnet season there are multiple threads on "Why should my kid go to RMIB when we have IB here at BCC?" I think there is already a large population in the school that would meet the magnet criteria, but just don't choose to come to RM.

I forgot about Project Lead the Way, so yes, Watkins makes sense. Regarding Region C, I am leaning toward Kennedy because of the planned expansion and in previous threads, people reported rumors that Kennedy was getting a magnet program. However, Kennedy could be the sight of a new regional STEM program (although this is close to Wheaton's engineering program) and BCC would make more sense as an IB regional program as Einstein would be geographically close to Blair for a regional STEM and CAP program.

Not a single regional IB center on the west sude of I270? Maybe QCHS can have a new IB center?

Yes, I noticed that; however, the memo said the expansion in 2020 will be at existing IB programs, which currently doesn't exist west of I270. This may happen after 2020-2021 as the rollout will happen over a 5 year period until 2025.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

I know that upcounty Watkins Mill will be the expanded IB program, not Seneca Valley. SV will be adding Project Lead the Way and Upcounty vocational training, which is plenty for special programs at one school.

Not sure why you would put region C as Kennegy or Einstein. I'd pick BCC because it is farther from Springbrook. Besides, every magnet season there are multiple threads on "Why should my kid go to RMIB when we have IB here at BCC?" I think there is already a large population in the school that would meet the magnet criteria, but just don't choose to come to RM.

I forgot about Project Lead the Way, so yes, Watkins makes sense. Regarding Region C, I am leaning toward Kennedy because of the planned expansion and in previous threads, people reported rumors that Kennedy was getting a magnet program. However, Kennedy could be the sight of a new regional STEM program (although this is close to Wheaton's engineering program) and BCC would make more sense as an IB regional program as Einstein would be geographically close to Blair for a regional STEM and CAP program.

Not a single regional IB center on the west sude of I270? Maybe QCHS can have a new IB center?

Yes, I noticed that; however, the memo said the expansion in 2020 will be at existing IB programs, which currently doesn't exist west of I270. This may happen after 2020-2021 as the rollout will happen over a 5 year period until 2025.

Seneca Valley is west of 270.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will RMIB magnet still open to whole county or just serve as one of the four regional center? Which HSs offer IB? I only know a few:
BCC
RM
Rockville
Witkin Mill
Einstein
Clarksburg
?
?

If I am reading the memo correctly, I think RMIB will only serve as a regional center beginning in 2020-2021. So yes, there will be 4 regional centers that will use the same application process and criteria, according to the memo, that RMIB historically used. This is a good question to ask at the board meeting on 5/30 if MCPS doesn't clarify.

The eight schools are:

BCC
Einstein
Kennedy
RM
Rockville
Seneca Valley
Springbrook
Watkins Mill

That means that 3 additional schools from the above list (excluding RM) will become test-in/application IB programs in 2020-2021. My guess based on boundary maps is that the schools will be:

Region A: RM
Region B: Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley
Region C: Kennedy or Einstein
Region D: Springbrook

I know that upcounty Watkins Mill will be the expanded IB program, not Seneca Valley. SV will be adding Project Lead the Way and Upcounty vocational training, which is plenty for special programs at one school.

Not sure why you would put region C as Kennegy or Einstein. I'd pick BCC because it is farther from Springbrook. Besides, every magnet season there are multiple threads on "Why should my kid go to RMIB when we have IB here at BCC?" I think there is already a large population in the school that would meet the magnet criteria, but just don't choose to come to RM.

I forgot about Project Lead the Way, so yes, Watkins makes sense. Regarding Region C, I am leaning toward Kennedy because of the planned expansion and in previous threads, people reported rumors that Kennedy was getting a magnet program. However, Kennedy could be the sight of a new regional STEM program (although this is close to Wheaton's engineering program) and BCC would make more sense as an IB regional program as Einstein would be geographically close to Blair for a regional STEM and CAP program.

Not a single regional IB center on the west sude of I270? Maybe QCHS can have a new IB center?

Yes, I noticed that; however, the memo said the expansion in 2020 will be at existing IB programs, which currently doesn't exist west of I270. This may happen after 2020-2021 as the rollout will happen over a 5 year period until 2025.

Seneca Valley is west of 270.

Yes, but as a PP noted, Seneca is getting two other programs so doubtful it will also host application IB program.

[Anonymous]

Regional test-in magnets replacing the RM, Blait SMACs and Poolesville has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. To be clear this is 100% the direction that this is going. Do not think for one second that this will end at IB programs. There is a whole initiative to change the magnet program that is being released in drips and drabs.

Pros -

1.) Cheaper and more logistical. The current routes and costs for bussing kids all over the county to serve so few students is insane.
2.) Shorter commutes for high schoolers. MCPS already starts too early and the long bus rides are horrible for teenagers.
3.) More seats -this should allow for substantially more seats.
4. ) More equitable. Right now the magnet eligibility map is just bizarre. Some schools have very few options while others have many. With regional centers, every kid regardless of geography in the system should have access to the same programs.

Cons

1.) The quality of these regional magnets will differ based on the region. Regions with a higher concentration of the smartest kids (and sorry DCC people, this is not you despite your obsession) will be substantially better than regions with fewer gifted kids. You see this scenario now with RM. RM is stronger than any of the other IB programs in the county despite having the same IB curriculum. The difference is the combination of the IB curriculum and top students from a much large area.

2.) It will remove the truly top level magnet options like Blair SMACs from the system. There simply are not that many kids capable of thriving in a program like this and certainly not enough to fill four regional centers. The STEM magnets can be good but they will never be anything like Blair is today pulling the top students from a large area. Since MD has nothing like TJ, kids in Montgomery County will not have the same opportunity for a top level magnet anymore.

3.) Schools like Watkins Mill/Seneca Valley and Kennedy will struggle to attract whites and asians with only the offer a regional magnet. No one is going to choose an IB program at Kennedy over Blair CAPS. If people from NW and QO who used to go to RM only have access to magnet programs at Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley, they'll just stay in private or their home school. Kennedy/WM/SV have too many problems no matter how many incidents MCPS suppresses from being reported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regional test-in magnets replacing the RM, Blait SMACs and Poolesville has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. To be clear this is 100% the direction that this is going. Do not think for one second that this will end at IB programs. There is a whole initiative to change the magnet program that is being released in drips and drabs.

Pros -

1.) Cheaper and more logistical. The current routes and costs for bussing kids all over the county to serve so few students is insane.
2.) Shorter commutes for high schoolers. MCPS already starts too early and the long bus rides are horrible for teenagers.
3.) More seats -this should allow for substantially more seats.
4. ) More equitable. Right now the magnet eligibility map is just bizarre. Some schools have very few options while others have many. With regional centers, every kid regardless of geography in the system should have access to the same programs.

Cons

1.) The quality of these regional magnets will differ based on the region. Regions with a higher concentration of the smartest kids (and sorry DCC people, this is not you despite your obsession) will be substantially better than regions with fewer gifted kids. You see this scenario now with RM. RM is stronger than any of the other IB programs in the county despite having the same IB curriculum. The difference is the combination of the IB curriculum and top students from a much large area.

2.) It will remove the truly top level magnet options like Blair SMACs from the system. There simply are not that many kids capable of thriving in a program like this and certainly not enough to fill four regional centers. The STEM magnets can be good but they will never be anything like Blair is today pulling the top students from a large area. Since MD has nothing like TJ, kids in Montgomery County will not have the same opportunity for a top level magnet anymore.

3.) Schools like Watkins Mill/Seneca Valley and Kennedy will struggle to attract whites and asians with only the offer a regional magnet. No one is going to choose an IB program at Kennedy over Blair CAPS. If people from NW and QO who used to go to RM only have access to magnet programs at Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley, they'll just stay in private or their home school. Kennedy/WM/SV have too many problems no matter how many incidents MCPS suppresses from being reported.

I think MCPS will probably add only 1 more STEM magnet near Bethesda. Poolesville, Wheaton and Blair will most likely be the other regional centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regional test-in magnets replacing the RM, Blait SMACs and Poolesville has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. To be clear this is 100% the direction that this is going. Do not think for one second that this will end at IB programs. There is a whole initiative to change the magnet program that is being released in drips and drabs.

Pros -

1.) Cheaper and more logistical. The current routes and costs for bussing kids all over the county to serve so few students is insane.
2.) Shorter commutes for high schoolers. MCPS already starts too early and the long bus rides are horrible for teenagers.
3.) More seats -this should allow for substantially more seats.
4. ) More equitable. Right now the magnet eligibility map is just bizarre. Some schools have very few options while others have many. With regional centers, every kid regardless of geography in the system should have access to the same programs.

Cons

1.) The quality of these regional magnets will differ based on the region. Regions with a higher concentration of the smartest kids (and sorry DCC people, this is not you despite your obsession) will be substantially better than regions with fewer gifted kids. You see this scenario now with RM. RM is stronger than any of the other IB programs in the county despite having the same IB curriculum. The difference is the combination of the IB curriculum and top students from a much large area.

2.) It will remove the truly top level magnet options like Blair SMACs from the system. There simply are not that many kids capable of thriving in a program like this and certainly not enough to fill four regional centers. The STEM magnets can be good but they will never be anything like Blair is today pulling the top students from a large area. Since MD has nothing like TJ, kids in Montgomery County will not have the same opportunity for a top level magnet anymore.

3.) Schools like Watkins Mill/Seneca Valley and Kennedy will struggle to attract whites and asians with only the offer a regional magnet. No one is going to choose an IB program at Kennedy over Blair CAPS. If people from NW and QO who used to go to RM only have access to magnet programs at Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley, they'll just stay in private or their home school. Kennedy/WM/SV have too many problems no matter how many incidents MCPS suppresses from being reported.

Good post