Any feedback on Loiderman, Argyle or Parkland Magnet Programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

All State and Honors ensembles are a separate thing from school. Not all students want to participate in those

Each school is given a set number of spots in honors chorus, etc. based on enrollment numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

All State and Honors ensembles are a separate thing from school. Not all students want to participate in those

Each school is given a set number of spots in honors chorus, etc. based on enrollment numbers.

This is only true for All-County

For All-State and Honor ensembles, there is actual audition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

All State and Honors ensembles are a separate thing from school. Not all students want to participate in those

Each school is given a set number of spots in honors chorus, etc. based on enrollment numbers.

This is only true for All-County

For All-State and Honor ensembles, there is actual audition

Jr Honor Band/Orchestra (7th-9th grade) audition is tonight. Based on the info, number of students from:
Loiederman MS =1
Cabin John MS = 20
Wood MS =1
Eastern MS = 4
Key MS =1
Gaithersburg MS = 2
Hallie Wells MS = 5
Frost MS = 35
Pyle MS = 32

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

My child went to Loiederman and we pulled them. The band program was far from impressive, and even the higher level band/orchestra was very basic. Kids like mine have taken private lessons for years and participate in private music groups outside. Those groups are impressive. The band director did very little teaching nor engaged the kids. They did no extra performances or competitions. But, then again people think our high school stuff is impressive too when its not. And, kids like mine don't ascend through the levels. They start at the top level and are stuck in the same class for the years they are at the school.

The advanced math track was the only positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

All State and Honors ensembles are a separate thing from school. Not all students want to participate in those

Each school is given a set number of spots in honors chorus, etc. based on enrollment numbers.

This is only true for All-County

For All-State and Honor ensembles, there is actual audition

Jr Honor Band/Orchestra (7th-9th grade) audition is tonight. Based on the info, number of students from:
Loiederman MS =1
Cabin John MS = 20
Wood MS =1
Eastern MS = 4
Key MS =1
Gaithersburg MS = 2
Hallie Wells MS = 5
Frost MS = 35
Pyle MS = 32

You had to beg the Loiederman band director to refer your kid. This isn’t surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

Loiederman smoked the Honors Chorus auditions this year and placed like a dozen kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are not real magnets. They are lotteries. MCPs is too cheap to staff interesting electives at every MA so they pick and choose what ends up in each of the DCC middle schools under the guise of a “magnet”. A true magnet would involve an application, and in the case of the performing arts, an audition.

A magnet is a school with offerings which attract students from outside its attendance area.

They are using it to entice students to go from other schools that are brighter and have higher test scores. It's not a magnet and just offering specialty classes. Past few years multiple students have gone back to their home schools from Loiederman. The arts program is meh.

Which is what magnets often do.

Yes, but the programs are not for smart or gifted and very basic. Its not a real magnet. Its a fancy name for specializing.

Do you or did you have a kid at one of these schools? Because I know some pretty smart, gifted, and talented kids at Loiederman. And the arts program there is manifestly not meh or basic. The problem is rather the reverse: the standards are high and so it can be harder to get into the shows for theater (whether spoken or musical), which _are_ auditioned through a rigorous process. Theater classes, however, are available to all students. Dance company is also auditioned, although dance classes are open to everyone. Kids ascend through levels in band, orchestra, and chorus, and each higher one is obviously a great deal better than the last. So the program is really for kids who want to work quite hard at something they love and improve at it year over year. Just because it's not math doesn't mean it's not difficult or worthwhile, and just because it's not auditioned for entrance into the school doesn't mean there are no expectations.

This is a long post about theatre, but the performing arts include band, orchestra and chorus. I think they are considerably less impressive. Where are all the Loiederman kids in All State and Honors ensembles?

All State and Honors ensembles are a separate thing from school. Not all students want to participate in those

Each school is given a set number of spots in honors chorus, etc. based on enrollment numbers.

Nope. MS Honors Chorus is all auditioned and individual schools can have wildly different numbers year to year. That "spots per school" system is ES only.

[Anonymous]

If you want M band in the DCC, I recomend Newport Mill. They’ve had a jazz program for years and feeds into Einstein which has a terrific music program