I fear for the future of Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

No, that's not what's happening. And, please don't assume some of us don't know what MCYO is or have kids in MCYO or PVYO... Phil is not that hard to get into if your child is talented.

And, the issue is Northwood and Einstein DON'T have the academics, so its hard just to focus on that.

[Anonymous]

It seems like both Einstein and Northwood each have 5 performing arts teachers.

Einstein has
- 3 music teachers, one of which is also the theater teacher
- 2 dance teachers of which one is the academy coordinator

Northwood has
- 2 music teachers of which one is also a theater resource teacher
- 1 theater teacher who is also the academy head
- 2 dance teachers

It seems like the main difference with other schools (e.g. BCC/Blair) is that both Einstein and Northwood have dance teachers and the other schools do not offer dance. Would they move Einstein's two dance teachers to Northwood? What do people think is the main risk to Einstein?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like both Einstein and Northwood each have 5 performing arts teachers.

Einstein has
- 3 music teachers, one of which is also the theater teacher
- 2 dance teachers of which one is the academy coordinator

Northwood has
- 2 music teachers of which one is also a theater resource teacher
- 1 theater teacher who is also the academy head
- 2 dance teachers

It seems like the main difference with other schools (e.g. BCC/Blair) is that both Einstein and Northwood have dance teachers and the other schools do not offer dance. Would they move Einstein's two dance teachers to Northwood? What do people think is the main risk to Einstein?

If Einstein loses students, they lose staff which means cuts. When Einstein has cuts, its to the upper level and stem as well as the electives. So, yes, the risk is losing the arts and what limited academics are aready there. Students lose being able to lottery to other schools, so families will have to move, cosa or go private to get their kids needs met. Or, work out and provide transportation to other schools or MC for those classes. That isn't forced at most of the other schools, just the schools with limited classes and resources. Einstein's offerings are already limited. This will make it worse, and families will flee. We will go private.

[Anonymous]

The updated program proposal gives Einstein
- The criteria based medical science program and the interest based healthcare program
- The criteria based Visual Arts Center (reduced from countywide to regional) and interest based design program
- The criteria based music program

It also lists IB, VAPA and Academy of Finance as "local pathways" (caveated as "not an exhaustive list")

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way about Blair. Maybe Blair will still have STEM but that will not be SMAC as it exists now.

I agree. Blair is actually the long recognized crown jewel. Unfortunately, I believe these so-called "new strategic ideas" are more likely to drag everything down to a level of mediocrity rather than elevate the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The updated program proposal gives Einstein
- The criteria based medical science program and the interest based healthcare program
- The criteria based Visual Arts Center (reduced from countywide to regional) and interest based design program
- The criteria based music program

It also lists IB, VAPA and Academy of Finance as "local pathways" (caveated as "not an exhaustive list")

So they split up the performing arts?That’s so unhinged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way about Blair. Maybe Blair will still have STEM but that will not be SMAC as it exists now.

I agree. Blair is actually the long recognized crown jewel. Unfortunately, I believe these so-called "new strategic ideas" are more likely to drag everything down to a level of mediocrity rather than elevate the rest.

The w and bcc schools will be fine. They are bringing down the other schools further. How is this equity?

[Anonymous]

I’m confuse about all of this. How are they deciding which program goes where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confuse about all of this. How are they deciding which program goes where?

They made it up. They just made it up, moving programs around like puzzle pieces in some consultant’s office.

[Anonymous]

Just chiming in to say that “choosing” another school in the DCC was never a guarantee. Unless your interest matched the focus of your zoned school, it was always a lottery. You could be a stem-focused kid and not get into Blair or Wheaton. You could be an arts-focused kid and not get into Einstein or Northwood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just chiming in to say that “choosing” another school in the DCC was never a guarantee. Unless your interest matched the focus of your zoned school, it was always a lottery. You could be a stem-focused kid and not get into Blair or Wheaton. You could be an arts-focused kid and not get into Einstein or Northwood.

Correct but sometimes the schools work together to let kids do split days and other things
To make it work if parents transport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

No, that's not what's happening. And, please don't assume some of us don't know what MCYO is or have kids in MCYO or PVYO... Phil is not that hard to get into if your child is talented.

And, the issue is Northwood and Einstein DON'T have the academics, so its hard just to focus on that.

What are you talking about? Yes, they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The updated program proposal gives Einstein
- The criteria based medical science program and the interest based healthcare program
- The criteria based Visual Arts Center (reduced from countywide to regional) and interest based design program
- The criteria based music program

It also lists IB, VAPA and Academy of Finance as "local pathways" (caveated as "not an exhaustive list")

What is this updated program proposal? Link?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The updated program proposal gives Einstein
- The criteria based medical science program and the interest based healthcare program
- The criteria based Visual Arts Center (reduced from countywide to regional) and interest based design program
- The criteria based music program

It also lists IB, VAPA and Academy of Finance as "local pathways" (caveated as "not an exhaustive list")

What is this updated program proposal? Link?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DMHQPL6A4844/$file/Boundary%20Studies%20Program%20Analysis%20Update%20251016%20PPT.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

Good advice but I don’t think the parents here are open to listening to different perspectives. They are narrowly focused on what their kids want. Music, dance and theater are good enough at both schools. No one from Northwood or Einstein is making it to Broadway