DC wants to withdraw from magnet program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s Clemente- I totally get it. We looked at applying to that program and didn’t because the school was too rough. I’ve heard that it’s rougher now with the split between MLK/Clemente. I’ve also heard the current English teacher at Clemente is terrible and the mixed ability classes are even more frustrating for the magnet kids. If your DC feels unsafe or bullied and you feel like home middle is a better place switch after first marking period.

Your kid isn't even at Clemente, you have no first-hand experience with Clemente, and yet you "totally get it"?

On the up side, the administrators as well as the home-school kids at Clemente are probably better off if they don't have to deal with parents who are scared of black and Hispanic 12-year-olds.

-parent of Clemente magnet kid

My kid is in a magnet HS program and we've heard the horror stories.

When my DD attended Clemente, this was not a problem. Non-magnet kids and magnet kids didn't mix much. She never had an issue in 3 years. Maybe that has changed.

Magnet kids and home-school kids at Clemente have non-magnet classes together. As they should.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s Clemente- I totally get it. We looked at applying to that program and didn’t because the school was too rough. I’ve heard that it’s rougher now with the split between MLK/Clemente. I’ve also heard the current English teacher at Clemente is terrible and the mixed ability classes are even more frustrating for the magnet kids. If your DC feels unsafe or bullied and you feel like home middle is a better place switch after first marking period.

Your kid isn't even at Clemente, you have no first-hand experience with Clemente, and yet you "totally get it"?

On the up side, the administrators as well as the home-school kids at Clemente are probably better off if they don't have to deal with parents who are scared of black and Hispanic 12-year-olds.

-parent of Clemente magnet kid

My kid is in a magnet HS program and we've heard the horror stories.

When my DD attended Clemente, this was not a problem. Non-magnet kids and magnet kids didn't mix much. She never had an issue in 3 years. Maybe that has changed.

Magnet kids and home-school kids at Clemente have non-magnet classes together. As they should.

And it sounds like bullies are beating him up in the gym locker room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And it sounds like bullies are beating him up in the gym locker room.

Where has anybody said anything about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A month in the magnet program in 6th grade, DC wants to withdraw and go back to our home school...

Commute, curriculum, and homeworks are not the problems. The problems are the school environment. DC was bullied physically and verbally three times already. The noise level, dirty words, and screams in the gym, locker room, and cafeteria are a lot of stimulation. DC does not like the school, and didn't have much chance to make new friends with the busy schedule. DC understands the benefit of staying in the program, and admits the courses are great, but still wants to go back to our homeschool where is less crowded, less screaming, and friends are around.

I know it's too early to make decisions. I want to give DC more time to adjust, but want to ask around to see if anyone wants to share your or your friends' experience of withdrawing from the program. Thanks.

Wtf, that sounds awful. Plan A is report all of that each and every time with teacher and principal. Meanwhile gear up Plan B mentally to return to home school or apply for private school with 5 grade teacher recs. You may get phenomenal fin aid and be in a much better environment where it’s cool to be smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Wtf, that sounds awful. Plan A is report all of that each and every time with teacher and principal. Meanwhile gear up Plan B mentally to return to home school or apply for private school with 5 grade teacher recs. You may get phenomenal fin aid and be in a much better environment where it’s cool to be smart.

In middle school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry your child has been having troubles at her magnet school. Since she likes the classes, you might want to talk with the school counselor before you withdraw. The counselor might have some ideas on ways your child can find friends and integrate into the school.

I think it's great that you're being proactive on this and not letting it fester. I hope things get better soon for your daughter and that she finds happiness at whatever school she decides on.

Agree with this advice.
There are always a couple of students who leave typically at the end of 6th grade but if your child is miserable and knows she will be happier in her home school no need to wait. I wonder if it is worth having her spend a day shadowing in her home middle school if that can be arranged.
Please make sure the magnet coordinator and the Principal are aware of the situation for the sake of the other children in the school.
Also don’t let this experience dissuade her from considering a high school Magnet program. If she is accepted into one she can request to shadow a student for a few hours so she gets a sense of how stimulating, safe and well run the school is.
Good luck to your child

I am the PP. if this is Eastern MS please please report this to the principal even if you leave. Also know that for some reason the behavioral problems you observe at Eastern are largely absent at Blair high school so don’t rule out a Magnet HS without shadowing first

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry your child has been having troubles at her magnet school. Since she likes the classes, you might want to talk with the school counselor before you withdraw. The counselor might have some ideas on ways your child can find friends and integrate into the school.

I think it's great that you're being proactive on this and not letting it fester. I hope things get better soon for your daughter and that she finds happiness at whatever school she decides on.

Agree with this advice.
There are always a couple of students who leave typically at the end of 6th grade but if your child is miserable and knows she will be happier in her home school no need to wait. I wonder if it is worth having her spend a day shadowing in her home middle school if that can be arranged.
Please make sure the magnet coordinator and the Principal are aware of the situation for the sake of the other children in the school.
Also don’t let this experience dissuade her from considering a high school Magnet program. If she is accepted into one she can request to shadow a student for a few hours so she gets a sense of how stimulating, safe and well run the school is.
Good luck to your child

I am the PP. if this is Eastern MS please please report this to the principal even if you leave. Also know that for some reason the behavioral problems you observe at Eastern are largely absent at Blair high school so don’t rule out a Magnet HS without shadowing first

I wonder if that's because there are non-honors classes in HS so the worst of the worst aren't in any of their academic classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And it sounds like bullies are beating him up in the gym locker room.

Where has anybody said anything about that?

It’s right there on the OP. Why are you replying to a thread without reading at least the first post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And it sounds like bullies are beating him up in the gym locker room.

Where has anybody said anything about that?

It’s right there on the OP. Why are you replying to a thread without reading at least the first post

Here's the OP. Where is the part about bullies beating up OP's (gender-nonspecified) child in the gym locker room?

A month in the magnet program in 6th grade, DC wants to withdraw and go back to our home school...

Commute, curriculum, and homeworks are not the problems. The problems are the school environment. DC was bullied physically and verbally three times already. The noise level, dirty words, and screams in the gym, locker room, and cafeteria are a lot of stimulation. DC does not like the school, and didn't have much chance to make new friends with the busy schedule. DC understands the benefit of staying in the program, and admits the courses are great, but still wants to go back to our homeschool where is less crowded, less screaming, and friends are around.

I know it's too early to make decisions. I want to give DC more time to adjust, but want to ask around to see if anyone wants to share your or your friends' experience of withdrawing from the program. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, if OP says she wants to give her dc more time to adjust, then I don’t think this child has been suffered 3 beatings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A month in the magnet program in 6th grade, DC wants to withdraw and go back to our home school...

Commute, curriculum, and homeworks are not the problems. The problems are the school environment. DC was bullied physically and verbally three times already. The noise level, dirty words, and screams in the gym, locker room, and cafeteria are a lot of stimulation. DC does not like the school, and didn't have much chance to make new friends with the busy schedule. DC understands the benefit of staying in the program, and admits the courses are great, but still wants to go back to our homeschool where is less crowded, less screaming, and friends are around.

I know it's too early to make decisions. I want to give DC more time to adjust, but want to ask around to see if anyone wants to share your or your friends' experience of withdrawing from the program. Thanks.

That's just basically middle school.

Middle school without your friends because of Tiger moms who push their kids into these programs and don't give a crap about their social and mental well being. The magnets are a complete waste of time, buses, and resources for a limited group. Not to mention increases the traffic congestion and is bad for the environment. Once you get to high school, take the classes you can take. NOTHING in middle school matters for college - nothing. Let them just be happy kids with their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry your child has been having troubles at her magnet school. Since she likes the classes, you might want to talk with the school counselor before you withdraw. The counselor might have some ideas on ways your child can find friends and integrate into the school.

I think it's great that you're being proactive on this and not letting it fester. I hope things get better soon for your daughter and that she finds happiness at whatever school she decides on.

Agree with this advice.
There are always a couple of students who leave typically at the end of 6th grade but if your child is miserable and knows she will be happier in her home school no need to wait. I wonder if it is worth having her spend a day shadowing in her home middle school if that can be arranged.
Please make sure the magnet coordinator and the Principal are aware of the situation for the sake of the other children in the school.
Also don’t let this experience dissuade her from considering a high school Magnet program. If she is accepted into one she can request to shadow a student for a few hours so she gets a sense of how stimulating, safe and well run the school is.
Good luck to your child

I am the PP. if this is Eastern MS please please report this to the principal even if you leave. Also know that for some reason the behavioral problems you observe at Eastern are largely absent at Blair high school so don’t rule out a Magnet HS without shadowing first

That is a straight up lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry your child has been having troubles at her magnet school. Since she likes the classes, you might want to talk with the school counselor before you withdraw. The counselor might have some ideas on ways your child can find friends and integrate into the school.

I think it's great that you're being proactive on this and not letting it fester. I hope things get better soon for your daughter and that she finds happiness at whatever school she decides on.

Agree with this advice.
There are always a couple of students who leave typically at the end of 6th grade but if your child is miserable and knows she will be happier in her home school no need to wait. I wonder if it is worth having her spend a day shadowing in her home middle school if that can be arranged.
Please make sure the magnet coordinator and the Principal are aware of the situation for the sake of the other children in the school.
Also don’t let this experience dissuade her from considering a high school Magnet program. If she is accepted into one she can request to shadow a student for a few hours so she gets a sense of how stimulating, safe and well run the school is.
Good luck to your child

I am the PP. if this is Eastern MS please please report this to the principal even if you leave. Also know that for some reason the behavioral problems you observe at Eastern are largely absent at Blair high school so don’t rule out a Magnet HS without shadowing first

That is a straight up lie.

Well, let's not bother with details... LOL

[Anonymous]

Is there anyway she can do a trial at her home school to see if it’s better? It’s possible the environment is better for her or, it could be the same as her current school (typical middle school place).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Middle school without your friends because of Tiger moms who push their kids into these programs and don't give a crap about their social and mental well being. The magnets are a complete waste of time, buses, and resources for a limited group. Not to mention increases the traffic congestion and is bad for the environment. Once you get to high school, take the classes you can take. NOTHING in middle school matters for college - nothing. Let them just be happy kids with their friends.

My kid is in a MS magnet program, and I haven't met any mothers (or fathers) of any ethnic background who don't care about their children's social and mental well-being. I may not agree with everyone's choices and priorities (and I'm sure they don't all agree with mine), but they don't care any less (or more) about their children's social and mental well-being than any other parents.

Also, chances are that a kid ends up making new friends in middle school, whether the kid stays at the home middle school with other kids from the home elementary school, or whether the kid goes to a magnet middle school. Friendships are in flux at this stage of life. It's normal adolescent development.

And if you're worried about traffic congestion, then you should focus on the many parents who drive their kids to/from school instead of having them walk, bike, take a school bus, or take RideOn/Metrobus (free for kids). That's a major issue. School buses aren't.