RMIB vs Regional IB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cynic in me says that MCPS would like to distribute RMIB-caliber students to the newer IB programs in an effort to boost numbers (test results, etc) in the new IB programs. Then they can say the newer IB programs are "working" (they're still in evaluation phase, I think), then convert RMIB to regional.

While the curriculum might be the same, I'd look at fidelity of implementation of said curriculum and training and experience of the teachers in the program.

There's not a fixed number of "RMIB-caliber" students who were applying to distribute to other schools. The regional programs were created for two reasons
1. There were many more IB caliber students applying than RM could accept.
2. There were many IB cliber students who didn't apply because RM was just too far away, but a regional IB school would be close enough to attend.

All of the programs are magnet programs - they attract students to the program from other schools. Part of what made RMIB strong was the cohorting of the 9th and 10th grade students together. The regional IB programs are now doing this with the accepted students both from other schools and the interested and qualified students from their home school. It will take a couple of years to see the improvements in the programs - this is only the 3rd year after the change, and the pandemic definitely threw a wrench into the works.

RMIB magnet is for highly gifted students. My child was accepted, and it seemed to require across the board 99th percentile scores. Students without scores like that can excel in IB, but the highly gifted have different academic needs than others, including those considered gifted. We have one highly gifted and one gifted, and there is a huge difference in their academic needs. I agree that a regional IB would be good in the area but not at the expense of meeting the needs of these "outlier" kids.

I think you are exaggerating. RM neighborhood kids cab join without any application process in 11th grade. That is on top of the 25:spots which go to JWs to start with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cynic in me says that MCPS would like to distribute RMIB-caliber students to the newer IB programs in an effort to boost numbers (test results, etc) in the new IB programs. Then they can say the newer IB programs are "working" (they're still in evaluation phase, I think), then convert RMIB to regional.

While the curriculum might be the same, I'd look at fidelity of implementation of said curriculum and training and experience of the teachers in the program.

There's not a fixed number of "RMIB-caliber" students who were applying to distribute to other schools. The regional programs were created for two reasons
1. There were many more IB caliber students applying than RM could accept.
2. There were many IB cliber students who didn't apply because RM was just too far away, but a regional IB school would be close enough to attend.

All of the programs are magnet programs - they attract students to the program from other schools. Part of what made RMIB strong was the cohorting of the 9th and 10th grade students together. The regional IB programs are now doing this with the accepted students both from other schools and the interested and qualified students from their home school. It will take a couple of years to see the improvements in the programs - this is only the 3rd year after the change, and the pandemic definitely threw a wrench into the works.

RMIB magnet is for highly gifted students. My child was accepted, and it seemed to require across the board 99th percentile scores. Students without scores like that can excel in IB, but the highly gifted have different academic needs than others, including those considered gifted. We have one highly gifted and one gifted, and there is a huge difference in their academic needs. I agree that a regional IB would be good in the area but not at the expense of meeting the needs of these "outlier" kids.

I think you are exaggerating. RM neighborhood kids cab join without any application process in 11th grade. That is on top of the 25:spots which go to JWs to start with.

+1. Tell yourself what you want to think about your kid and their amazing intellect, but the IB curriculum was not created for the gifted. IB high schools are supposed to offer the IB program to all students (which RM does).

[Anonymous]

Ordinry kids all over the planet follow IB curriculum. And yet somehow RMIB kids are more special than special? Brighter than bright? More driven? More motivated? Where does that thought even come from?

MCPS took a school that was on its way down and spruced it up with a "test in" magnet. And it worked! It worked so well that it is being reworked to offer more students the same caliber of courses closer to their homes. And after a few years MCPS will have several schools like this.

There will not be one that is "more special than special" They will all follow the same IB curriculum and all of their students will benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cynic in me says that MCPS would like to distribute RMIB-caliber students to the newer IB programs in an effort to boost numbers (test results, etc) in the new IB programs. Then they can say the newer IB programs are "working" (they're still in evaluation phase, I think), then convert RMIB to regional.

While the curriculum might be the same, I'd look at fidelity of implementation of said curriculum and training and experience of the teachers in the program.

There's not a fixed number of "RMIB-caliber" students who were applying to distribute to other schools. The regional programs were created for two reasons
1. There were many more IB caliber students applying than RM could accept.
2. There were many IB cliber students who didn't apply because RM was just too far away, but a regional IB school would be close enough to attend.

All of the programs are magnet programs - they attract students to the program from other schools. Part of what made RMIB strong was the cohorting of the 9th and 10th grade students together. The regional IB programs are now doing this with the accepted students both from other schools and the interested and qualified students from their home school. It will take a couple of years to see the improvements in the programs - this is only the 3rd year after the change, and the pandemic definitely threw a wrench into the works.

RMIB magnet is for highly gifted students. My child was accepted, and it seemed to require across the board 99th percentile scores. Students without scores like that can excel in IB, but the highly gifted have different academic needs than others, including those considered gifted. We have one highly gifted and one gifted, and there is a huge difference in their academic needs. I agree that a regional IB would be good in the area but not at the expense of meeting the needs of these "outlier" kids.

I think you are exaggerating. RM neighborhood kids cab join without any application process in 11th grade. That is on top of the 25:spots which go to JWs to start with.

I think PP is correct about the top 60% or so of RMIB students. There is definitely variance below that, and a big difference between the diploma vs. non-diploma track.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at RMIB in 10th grade. I can't speak to the application process this year, but I think 2 years ago (when the regional IB programs were just starting) they used them as sort of a backup for kids that didn't get into RMIB. So, for instance, all the kids that I knew applied listed RMIB as their first choice. Some got into RMIB, others got into Einstein IB. No one who listed RMIB as their first choice got into Einstein and not RM, which led me to conclude that they filled the RMIB class, and then took the kids who hadn't been accepted into RMIB and offered them the regional IB for their area.
The people I know at Einstein IB seem happy with it.

[Anonymous]

You should survey the classmates to find out how many are driving past a regional IB each school day to get to RMIB. Especially this year's ninth graders

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at RMIB in 10th grade. I can't speak to the application process this year, but I think 2 years ago (when the regional IB programs were just starting) they used them as sort of a backup for kids that didn't get into RMIB. So, for instance, all the kids that I knew applied listed RMIB as their first choice. Some got into RMIB, others got into Einstein IB. No one who listed RMIB as their first choice got into Einstein and not RM, which led me to conclude that they filled the RMIB class, and then took the kids who hadn't been accepted into RMIB and offered them the regional IB for their area.
The people I know at Einstein IB seem happy with it.

I think you mean Kennedy rather than Einstein. Einstein's IB isn't a regional application program. It's open to anyone enrolled at Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cynic in me says that MCPS would like to distribute RMIB-caliber students to the newer IB programs in an effort to boost numbers (test results, etc) in the new IB programs. Then they can say the newer IB programs are "working" (they're still in evaluation phase, I think), then convert RMIB to regional.

While the curriculum might be the same, I'd look at fidelity of implementation of said curriculum and training and experience of the teachers in the program.

There's not a fixed number of "RMIB-caliber" students who were applying to distribute to other schools. The regional programs were created for two reasons
1. There were many more IB caliber students applying than RM could accept.
2. There were many IB cliber students who didn't apply because RM was just too far away, but a regional IB school would be close enough to attend.

All of the programs are magnet programs - they attract students to the program from other schools. Part of what made RMIB strong was the cohorting of the 9th and 10th grade students together. The regional IB programs are now doing this with the accepted students both from other schools and the interested and qualified students from their home school. It will take a couple of years to see the improvements in the programs - this is only the 3rd year after the change, and the pandemic definitely threw a wrench into the works.

RMIB magnet is for highly gifted students. My child was accepted, and it seemed to require across the board 99th percentile scores. Students without scores like that can excel in IB, but the highly gifted have different academic needs than others, including those considered gifted. We have one highly gifted and one gifted, and there is a huge difference in their academic needs. I agree that a regional IB would be good in the area but not at the expense of meeting the needs of these "outlier" kids.

I think you are exaggerating. RM neighborhood kids cab join without any application process in 11th grade. That is on top of the 25:spots which go to JWs to start with.

I think PP is correct about the top 60% or so of RMIB students. There is definitely variance below that, and a big difference between the diploma vs. non-diploma track.

my kid is at RMIB. The kids who join in 11th grade have a lower diploma rate than the kids who joined in 9th grade. That's to be expected since these kids are not as used to the rigor and volume of work.

remember that to earn the diploma, you have to pass at least 3 HL exams, and something like 3 SL exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is at RMIB in 10th grade. I can't speak to the application process this year, but I think 2 years ago (when the regional IB programs were just starting) they used them as sort of a backup for kids that didn't get into RMIB. So, for instance, all the kids that I knew applied listed RMIB as their first choice. Some got into RMIB, others got into Einstein IB. No one who listed RMIB as their first choice got into Einstein and not RM, which led me to conclude that they filled the RMIB class, and then took the kids who hadn't been accepted into RMIB and offered them the regional IB for their area.
The people I know at Einstein IB seem happy with it.

I think you mean Kennedy rather than Einstein. Einstein's IB isn't a regional application program. It's open to anyone enrolled at Einstein.

Oh, you are absolutely right! That's what I get for writing things at midnight. Kennedy and Einstein don't even have much in common, other than being mid-20th-century white guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RM IB is test in county wide program that is what makes it magnet.
By bringing high performing students together you can create
fast moving and interesting class room environment.
The neighborhood IB are mixed ability students who like to challenge themselves.

+1 we decided not to apply to Kennedy because we felt the peer cohort would not be the same. It may well be in time, or close enough, but I think the program is still too new there. But we would consider it for a younger sib, who is bright and would do well in IB, but doesn’t quite have the stats for RMIB (his older brother has always been a 99percentile straight A everything, and needs a challenging cohort and curriculum for growth.)

There are other things about the Kennedy program that are "not the same" and need to get fixed - example, no activity buses for out of zone kids. Limits options to become.full members of the Kennedy community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RM IB is test in county wide program that is what makes it magnet.
By bringing high performing students together you can create
fast moving and interesting class room environment.
The neighborhood IB are mixed ability students who like to challenge themselves.

The regional IB is criteria based (just like RM- no test this year) regional program- they are all magnets - the regional programs pull from smaller regions, the RM countywide pulls from the entire county.

As a PP stated upthread, the regionals were created to
1) expand available b/c there were more qualified students than seats
2) shorten the bus ride and make it so students who didn't participate b/c of distance had the opportunity

The only reason RM remained "county wide" is parents who thought it was "more prestigious" wanted to be able to say their kids went to the "better" magnet.

Kind of... Regional IB programs are somewhat criteria based in that certain coursework needs to be completed prior to entering high school. However, acceptance rate is much higher, if not close to 100%. I heard of one of the locations reaching out to encourage students to apply in order to keep the program running. Regional IBs aren’t comparable to RM’s IB program.

Can confirm that they are doing a program at my MS to encourage applications to regional IB

[Anonymous]

The regional IB program our sophomore is in is very, very good. I've said it before and would be happy to address any specific questions or concerns... but I realize it's also important for our poor RMIB parents to have a safe space from which they can comfortably assert the superiority of their own children.

So if there are specific questions? Please ask.

Otherwise, do go on. I am sure everyone else is just as fascinated to hear more about how Larlx can't function without an extra special cohort as I am!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RM IB is test in county wide program that is what makes it magnet.
By bringing high performing students together you can create
fast moving and interesting class room environment.
The neighborhood IB are mixed ability students who like to challenge themselves.

+1 we decided not to apply to Kennedy because we felt the peer cohort would not be the same. It may well be in time, or close enough, but I think the program is still too new there. But we would consider it for a younger sib, who is bright and would do well in IB, but doesn’t quite have the stats for RMIB (his older brother has always been a 99percentile straight A everything, and needs a challenging cohort and curriculum for growth.)

There are other things about the Kennedy program that are "not the same" and need to get fixed - example, no activity buses for out of zone kids. Limits options to become.full members of the Kennedy community.

Yes, true. I really didn't look into Kennedy at all because of the transportation issue, even before getting to its 'newness.' Although we thought our kid was an ideal fit for RMIB, even that transportation is a hassle with our jobs. Kennedy would not have been viable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The regional IB program our sophomore is in is very, very good. I've said it before and would be happy to address any specific questions or concerns... but I realize it's also important for our poor RMIB parents to have a safe space from which they can comfortably assert the superiority of their own children.

So if there are specific questions? Please ask.

Otherwise, do go on. I am sure everyone else is just as fascinated to hear more about how Larlx can't function without an extra special cohort as I am!

Glad to hear your child is happy in a regional IB program! Speaking of peer cohorts, what were his/her stats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The regional IB program our sophomore is in is very, very good. I've said it before and would be happy to address any specific questions or concerns... but I realize it's also important for our poor RMIB parents to have a safe space from which they can comfortably assert the superiority of their own children.

So if there are specific questions? Please ask.

Otherwise, do go on. I am sure everyone else is just as fascinated to hear more about how Larlx can't function without an extra special cohort as I am!

My kid is considering the Springbrook IB program, which would be much more convenient than RM -- after 3 years of taking the magnet bus, kid would be happy to not need a ride to/from the bus stop. Could you talk about the homework load for your sophomore in the regional IB? And what extracurriculars or electives they are fitting in to the IB schedule?