What are the most - and least - competitive MCPS high school programs (not in bounds, test in or lottery)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never ceased to be amazed at how coveted the “special” programs in MCPS are. I feel like we are fighting over crumbs. I’ve learned that the most competitive schools are the ones that receive the most applications and have the least spots to offer. It isn’t even a discussion about quality of teachers or facilities. Makes me sad for all the high achieving students who don’t make the cut because there are only 100 seats and not 125, or even larger. How is it that outside the US kids get higher levels of instruction than our kids without all these special programs? Just venting I guess!

Agree. The fact that it hasn't kept up with population increases is really problematic. I went to Blair a long time ago and we had 100 slots. It's pretty crazy it's still at 100 seats, 25 years later. My DD is going to PHS next year (some of you mock, but I think it's a black horse!) and there are way way more kids deserving of enrichment than 50 in these "boonie" parts

The whole system needs to be changed. I actually think a huge number could handle the magnet coursework with the proper teaching + supports. And therein lies the problem. Teachers have to spend half their time in classroom management and can't get to the accelerated cohort at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

The facts speak for themselves.



Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never ceased to be amazed at how coveted the “special” programs in MCPS are. I feel like we are fighting over crumbs. I’ve learned that the most competitive schools are the ones that receive the most applications and have the least spots to offer. It isn’t even a discussion about quality of teachers or facilities. Makes me sad for all the high achieving students who don’t make the cut because there are only 100 seats and not 125, or even larger. How is it that outside the US kids get higher levels of instruction than our kids without all these special programs? Just venting I guess!

Agree. The fact that it hasn't kept up with population increases is really problematic. I went to Blair a long time ago and we had 100 slots. It's pretty crazy it's still at 100 seats, 25 years later. My DD is going to PHS next year (some of you mock, but I think it's a black horse!) and there are way way more kids deserving of enrichment than 50 in these "boonie" parts

The whole system needs to be changed. I actually think a huge number could handle the magnet coursework with the proper teaching + supports. And therein lies the problem. Teachers have to spend half their time in classroom management and can't get to the accelerated cohort at all.

The education elite hate programs for high-achieving kids. They are only interested in the lowest-achievers and try to gear everything toward them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

They are pretty far out and those are among the lowest achieving high-schools in the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

They are pretty far out and those are among the lowest achieving high-schools in the county.

Yet another idiotic comment. Grow up! PHS is still #1 HS in MD (thanks to the kids from the “boonies”) where is Blair?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

They are pretty far out and those are among the lowest achieving high-schools in the county.

Yet another idiotic comment. Grow up! PHS is still #1 HS in MD (thanks to the kids from the “boonies”) where is Blair?

If by #1 you mean minimal SES and racial diversity then sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

They are pretty far out and those are among the lowest achieving high-schools in the county.

Yet another idiotic comment. Grow up! PHS is still #1 HS in MD (thanks to the kids from the “boonies”) where is Blair?

If by #1 you mean minimal SES and racial diversity then sure.

Boo hoo! Racial diversity my ass. Always a card stupid people choose to use. If you attended the Poolesville HS open house, you will see that the school is racially diverse.

[Anonymous]

It’s OK, pp. Let them have it: Wahoo! My DC’s Blair is the most competitive HS! YAY!
So what? It’s about parents’ egos. So silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

They are pretty far out and those are among the lowest achieving high-schools in the county.

Yet another idiotic comment. Grow up! PHS is still #1 HS in MD (thanks to the kids from the “boonies”) where is Blair?

If by #1 you mean minimal SES and racial diversity then sure.

You do realize that Germantown and Gaithersburg are one of the most diverse cities in the country, right? And these are the kids you are claiming low achieving, but yet these are the kids that are pulled into Poolesville.. which is the #1 HS in MD. What is Blair's ranking again??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair SMCS is the most competitive program in MCPS, mostly because it has the most applicants of any. Poolesville's program is similar in content but only half the size and has fewer applicants from less competitive pyramids.

How do you know there are fewer applicants in Poolesville SMCS, and less competitive pyramids? You must be a Blair parent tooting your own horn.

Don't worry pp. Just let them keep on assuming that. It's actually better for us, because it keeps our school smaller, people not wanting to move upcounty. These are folks that think every one point difference in MAP-M means their kids are smarter than ours.

It's not an assumption. MCPS has released this data in the past. Further, PHS STEM program has 50 slots whereas Blair has 100.

That makes sense because Poolesville's catchment area has about 17K HS students and Blair's has 34K.

Then this does not make Blaire MORE competitive.

Let's be honest the cream of the crop doesn't live way out in the boonies. The areas zoned for Blair's program include the more elite pyramids.

What an effed up mindset you have. So you're assuming that all kids from elite areas have the brains to be in magnet programs, and the kids who live in the boonies are less competitive? Yet, Poolesville is #1 in MD -- so maybe the kids in the boonies are A LOT SMARTER than your elite kids?

Half the kids at Poolesville HS aren't from Poolesville, and calling Germantown or Gaithersburg the boonies is a stretch. But the premise of the PP's post about "the cream of the crop" and "the elite pyramids" is also foolish.

They are pretty far out and those are among the lowest achieving high-schools in the county.

They are far out because Bethesda/Potomac/Silver Spring are too expensive for many families.

They are lower achieving because of lower median household incomes, which indicates overall less education in the families. And also less money for enrichment.

But the area is also highly immigrant, and that's a good thing, because no one works harder than immigrants and immigrants' children. I truly doubt the diversity of Blair's magnet reflects the diversity of its overall school. It's probably mainly Asian, just like PHS's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never ceased to be amazed at how coveted the “special” programs in MCPS are. I feel like we are fighting over crumbs. I’ve learned that the most competitive schools are the ones that receive the most applications and have the least spots to offer. It isn’t even a discussion about quality of teachers or facilities. Makes me sad for all the high achieving students who don’t make the cut because there are only 100 seats and not 125, or even larger. How is it that outside the US kids get higher levels of instruction than our kids without all these special programs? Just venting I guess!

Regional ibs is your answer