Trying to decide about the magnet program at Eastern MS - any advice?

[Anonymous]

My daughter got into the magnet program at Eastern MS and while the curriculum seems great, the school itself was not impressive, and I've heard that there are fights in the hallways and lots of "bad language". I can't imagine that kids don't swear at other middle schools, too!, but when we toured Westland MS, we really did get a different feel... Well-lit, friendly, smiling teachers, etc. Also, at Westland the art options seem better, and the general resources seem better as well... gym, after school clubs, etc.

My question is: how much does all the "extra" stuff (like school 'feel' or 'vibe' and extracurriculars) matter when choosing a school? Eastern would be better in terms of the humanitiies curriculum, but does it trump all the other negatives of the school, when our daughter could get a reasonably good education at Westland anyway?

I'm not concerned about HS at this point, so that's not factoring into our discussion, but I would be really grateful to hear what some thoughts about what 'matters' when choosing a school. In particular, does great accelerated curriculum trump everything else?

Thank you in advance!

[Anonymous]

I do not feel that accelerated curriculum trumps everything, especially for middle school -- I'd look at the school as a whole. My kids went to a middle school which had a lot of problem kids, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned for their safety at times. Consider lunchtime, gym, before and after school, and clubs -- these are the times when a lot of fights, bullying, etc. occur.

Think about where your DD will be happier and more comfortable, OP. Having sent several children off to college, I can tell you that the middle school years have very, very little bearing on the overall picture when it comes time to apply to colleges, and those years from grade 6-8 can be some tough years in any child's life, so keep all of that in mind when making your decision.

[Anonymous]

I didn't start this tread, but PP, I like your tone and advice. Good things to think about.

[Anonymous]

We lasted one year. Our leaving had nothing to do with fights etc. It was simply too far. My daughter caught bus to Blair and waited for another. She was doing close to 11 hour days and then had 2 sometimes 3 hours homework. It was a great program but now at Farquhar we don't feel there has been a drop off in level of instruction. Perhaps only major difference is a lot less homework. Good luck in your decision. It truly is a family commitment.

[Anonymous]

What's your daughter's preference?

For us, choosing one of the magnets matched the child. It was a clear choice. Not only do the academics match his personality, the peer group are "his people." The friend base is what matters most.

I've known several folks who have had issues with Westland, so don't think that the pretty building means that it's nirvana. It really depends on your child's personality and interests.

[Anonymous]

OP here, THank you for your comments! I have the same gut feeling - that curriculum DOESN'T trump everything, but am getting heavy pressure from my daughter's current and former teachers, as well as friends who are amazed that we'd consider turning it down. Really appreciate your taking the time to write....

[Anonymous]

I have one child at Westland and one child at Eastern so I can give you some good feedback!

Westland is a great school -- very well run and responsive. There's plenty of cursing and social bullying though, just like at any middle school. But you are right -- the feel of the school is great, and my child loves that part of it.

However, the regular MCPS curriculum -- even taught at Westland where there are a lot of motivated and prepared kids -- doesn't hold a candle to what the kids get at Eastern in terms of challenge and depth. And the peer group is really good for bright kids, especially if they are what you'd call quirky. I feel like there's less room for that at Westland.

If your child craves something really in depth and challenging, I wouldn't pass up the chance to try Eastern.
I agree that the commute can be really hard but I would give it a try.

[Anonymous]

NP. DC is at Eastern although our home school is Westland. I would agree with what PP said about the difference in terms of challenge and depth and peer group in the magnet at Eastern. In particular, I think the peer group is a major reason to send a kid to Eastern. It's not just that they are all smart, but that they all have deep interests in different areas and encourage each other. Over the course of 3 years they bond into a pretty tight and supportive group. The friendships my DC will leave with are deep ones with people that really "get" DC.

I think there is a lot of social pressure at Westland that kids in the Eastern magnet escape to a greater extent. Per my DC, kids at Westland are more focused on dating, conformity and material things to a much greater extent than in the magnet at Eastern. That's an aspect to consider.

Another thing, IMO, is how emotionally tough and independent your child is. The magnet is great is some respects -- great projects, real room to do research and grow personal interests. But, although the program is "challenging" in a substantive, academic sense, it is also challenging in terms of lack of clarity in assignment expectations and deadlines, harsh feedback, and little positive emotional support. Some kids can handle this. Some kids can't. Some parents don't want their kids to have to handle this. By comparison, I don't know how Westland rates on the teacher warmth and compassion scale, but it can't be worse than Eastern in this respect.

FWIW, the after school program at Eastern is terrible. Most of the offerings are geared to support "at risk" kids -- programs that consist of some mixture of extra academic support and "role modeling". There's really little that's appropriate for a kid (magnet or comprehensive student) who doesn't have bad grades. By contrast, Westland seems to have an amazing after school program. This is partially due to wealth differences, but also due to lack of imagination on the part of the Eastern staff. Sports are available in 7th grade and after.

We were able to set up a morning carpool, and DC takes the bus in the afternoon. IMO, the commute isn't that bad, unless, perhaps, you live very near to Westland.

For our DC, both Westland and Eastern had significant downsides. In the end we chose Eastern, and I think that was the right choice for this child in retrospect. Not sure I would send my other DC, who has a somewhat fragile academic self-esteem and who needs helpful teachers.

[Anonymous]

OP here, This is my first time posting on DCUM and I am thrilled with the feedback you all have given me. It is really enormously helpful. Thank you!

Our daughter is on the fence, and is hoping we will make the decision for her. She would have friends at both schools, which is really great, but was turned off when we visited Eastern both times because it was evening, and the lights were off in unused hallways and it seemed dark and foreboding! She is sensitive to 'ambience', I guess, and really hates big, institutional feeling places (will not stay in a mall for more than 20 min, for example). She visited Westland on a sunny morning, on the other hand, and was impressed with the art on the walls (that's an interest).

I love the idea of helping her to find a strong peer group, but she's definitely not one of those kids who's a fish out of water right now. Happy enough with her friends at her regular school... Her self-esteem seems to hinge on art and music rather than academics. She's not a kid who needs to be the smartest in the room, pretty quiet.

I know she'd love the classes at Eastern though, and we would like to give her an academic challenge at some point...Just wondering whether now's the time, if she's happy enough with, and doing well with, MCPS business as usual. Or should we wait to apply to the magnet programs at the HS level.

My husband and I go back and forth (daily, sometimes hourly) on this. He benefited from a special, small gifted school, while I managed to float along with regular fare at schools like Westland and BCC, and we can see the pros/cons of both!

Again, I really appreciate your taking the time to offer me your experiences. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, This is my first time posting on DCUM and I am thrilled with the feedback you all have given me. It is really enormously helpful. Thank you!

Our daughter is on the fence, and is hoping we will make the decision for her. She would have friends at both schools, which is really great, but was turned off when we visited Eastern both times because it was evening, and the lights were off in unused hallways and it seemed dark and foreboding! She is sensitive to 'ambience', I guess, and really hates big, institutional feeling places (will not stay in a mall for more than 20 min, for example). She visited Westland on a sunny morning, on the other hand, and was impressed with the art on the walls (that's an interest).

I love the idea of helping her to find a strong peer group, but she's definitely not one of those kids who's a fish out of water right now. Happy enough with her friends at her regular school... Her self-esteem seems to hinge on art and music rather than academics. She's not a kid who needs to be the smartest in the room, pretty quiet.

I know she'd love the classes at Eastern though, and we would like to give her an academic challenge at some point...Just wondering whether now's the time, if she's happy enough with, and doing well with, MCPS business as usual. Or should we wait to apply to the magnet programs at the HS level.

My husband and I go back and forth (daily, sometimes hourly) on this. He benefited from a special, small gifted school, while I managed to float along with regular fare at schools like Westland and BCC, and we can see the pros/cons of both!

Again, I really appreciate your taking the time to offer me your experiences. Thank you!

OP, I wish you the best with whatever you decide. Both of my kids attended the TPMS magnet, and it was wonderful for them (in particular w/regard to the peer group). But of course, only you and your DD can know what is best for her.

One thought: She could choose the magnet on the understanding that she will commit to e.g. one semester. Worst-case, she doesn't like it and can then go to Westland. She cannot, OTOH, attend Westland and then change her mind re: the magnet program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lasted one year. Our leaving had nothing to do with fights etc. It was simply too far. My daughter caught bus to Blair and waited for another. She was doing close to 11 hour days and then had 2 sometimes 3 hours homework. It was a great program but now at Farquhar we don't feel there has been a drop off in level of instruction. Perhaps only major difference is a lot less homework. Good luck in your decision. It truly is a family commitment.

My daughter has loved Eastern and I have LOVED the friends she has made there. Bright, self-confident girls and boys from all races and socio-economic backgrounds. I have really treasured that -- our home middle school is academically excellent but the kids are well-off and there is too much of a focus on material possessions. My daughter is a bright, quiet child and Eastern has brought her personality out more. Thank you Eastern! The friends she has made will be LIFE-LONG.

Depending on where you live, it is, however, quite the family commitment -- well worth it but you and your child should calculate the time impact if she has to take the bus and/or your family impact if you drive both ways.

[Anonymous]

When I was a student in MCPS, long ago, we didn't have all these options; you went to your neighborhood school and that was it. Though I am certainly glad so many choices and opportunities exist for our kids today, there sure was less stress and anxiety back then, right?

Anyway, if I were in your position, OP, I would strongly lean toward giving Eastern a go. Only because if it doesn't work out, you can always return to your home school, but you'll never be able to do the reverse.

But they both seem like good options. I think you win either way. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, This is my first time posting on DCUM and I am thrilled with the feedback you all have given me. It is really enormously helpful. Thank you!

Our daughter is on the fence, and is hoping we will make the decision for her. She would have friends at both schools, which is really great, but was turned off when we visited Eastern both times because it was evening, and the lights were off in unused hallways and it seemed dark and foreboding! She is sensitive to 'ambience', I guess, and really hates big, institutional feeling places (will not stay in a mall for more than 20 min, for example). She visited Westland on a sunny morning, on the other hand, and was impressed with the art on the walls (that's an interest).

I love the idea of helping her to find a strong peer group, but she's definitely not one of those kids who's a fish out of water right now. Happy enough with her friends at her regular school... Her self-esteem seems to hinge on art and music rather than academics. She's not a kid who needs to be the smartest in the room, pretty quiet.

I know she'd love the classes at Eastern though, and we would like to give her an academic challenge at some point...Just wondering whether now's the time, if she's happy enough with, and doing well with, MCPS business as usual. Or should we wait to apply to the magnet programs at the HS level.

My husband and I go back and forth (daily, sometimes hourly) on this. He benefited from a special, small gifted school, while I managed to float along with regular fare at schools like Westland and BCC, and we can see the pros/cons of both!

Again, I really appreciate your taking the time to offer me your experiences. Thank you!

OP, I wish you the best with whatever you decide. Both of my kids attended the TPMS magnet, and it was wonderful for them (in particular w/regard to the peer group). But of course, only you and your DD can know what is best for her.

One thought: She could choose the magnet on the understanding that she will commit to e.g. one semester. Worst-case, she doesn't like it and can then go to Westland. She cannot, OTOH, attend Westland and then change her mind re: the magnet program.

If she ever opts to leave, she can let Eastern know on a Friday and be enrolled in her home school come Tuesday. At one point in 6th grade, my child thought the homework/commute/workload were too much with her outside activities -- so we investigated the transfer process. Super easy. So glad my child stayed. She said it was the best decision she ever made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one child at Westland and one child at Eastern so I can give you some good feedback!

Westland is a great school -- very well run and responsive. There's plenty of cursing and social bullying though, just like at any middle school. But you are right -- the feel of the school is great, and my child loves that part of it.

However, the regular MCPS curriculum -- even taught at Westland where there are a lot of motivated and prepared kids -- doesn't hold a candle to what the kids get at Eastern in terms of challenge and depth. And the peer group is really good for bright kids, especially if they are what you'd call quirky. I feel like there's less room for that at Westland.

If your child craves something really in depth and challenging, I wouldn't pass up the chance to try Eastern.
I agree that the commute can be really hard but I would give it a try.

I agree with the above post. Mu child is at Eastern and our home school is a "W" school. There are pros and cons to both. I don't think the "advanced" classes in Westland could compare to the ones offered at Eastern. I also think that the social environment within the magnet program is in many ways healthier than at a "W" school. The children are self-confident, support each other in and out of the classroom and we have not experienced or heard about cliques and so on. We've had several conversations about the bad language at Eastern - dc can't avoid it but should not use it himself. Not a bad lesson for a child to learn - that you don't have to conform!
We've made the commute work for our family but I know that can be a real stumbling block for some families. It is an amazing program and the kids are wonderful. FWIW the Math teachers are also great. Science has been disappointing but that might not be any better in Westland - the MCPS advanced science curriculum is a little lame.

[Anonymous]

If art is an interest, one thing to consider is that magnet kids at Eastern don't get to take an elective (unless they forgo taking a foreign language, which is unlikely for kids at this level). In sixth grade they have 2 extra required courses -- reading and media. In 7th grade they have to take media and usually start a foreign language.

If your child is interested in art or music, they won't be able to do it in the magnet program generally. (There were options to take language after school for credit, thereby freeing up a class period during the day for something else, but this is a lot of work. I don't know if it can still be done.) On the other hand, the media class allows for plenty of artistic expression. The kids learn a lot about composition, and I remember some beautifully drawn Greek myth cartoons in 6th grade.