MS magnet meetings for prospective families

[Anonymous]

Are they worthwhile? Did you bring your 5th grader or are they for parents?

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about MoCo magnet MS? If so, I recommend you and your DC to attend.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The Eastern coordinator spoke at DC's school to the 5th graders already so I wasn't sure if DC should attend.

[Anonymous]

It's up to you and DC then. I'd ask him and take him if he wants to go.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

What is useful about the meeting?

[Anonymous]

It should give good overview on magnet program, selection process, bus pick up, and other "nice to know" info. If you miss, not the end of anything but if you have time and your DC is interested in magnet, it should be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Isn't that all on the website?

[Anonymous]

Last year they had a kids' session the same time as the parents' session.

[Anonymous]

I would take my child - they need to make the decision about whether or not they want to do it. It is a big commitment in terms of work and time spent commuting. My child found it very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anecdotally (just my experience) -

All info for all programs is on the MCPS website and I suggest that you read everything there.

The actual reality of the program (time commitment and work) - can never be fathomed until you are in the program and actually doing it. And it varies from family to family, child to child.

So, I did go to one info session for DC1 and found it to be a complete waste of time. Nothing important or unique is divulged that is not on their webpage. When you apply AND get it THEN you will get all the info anyways.

I am a SAHM and find it tiresome. I cannot imagine how working parents find time to go to these info sessions.

[Anonymous]

We could not attend the HGC sessions a couple of years ago. Child got in and we got to tour once he was admitted. I don't think we missed out on anything. Someone told me that the MS magnet sessions give info about the test but there is already a booklet about the tests online so I am not certain what additional info is provided.

[Anonymous]

You can just go to the meetings if they get in, better sense of the school from that anyhow....

[Anonymous]

16:21 here - I still recommend, if your schedule permits, it wouldn't hurt to attend. There may not be "new" info from the session but listening to the administrators, teachers and the current students will give you a sense of whether it's the right program for your DC. You know the "feel" aspect... My 2cents.

[Anonymous]

Your kid needs to write essays about why the magnet is a good fit and how he can work in diverse groups. Listening to the magnet folks can help him figure out what they're looking for in the essays.