RM IB Coordinator?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know... you sound like a "my kid can't get in so no one should" parent... envy and jealousy are not good for your health.

I think it's a valid point. IB should be available to all MCPS students, which it currently is not. And if IB were available to all MCPS students, what would be the reason for an additional test-in magnet program for IB?

The cohort? A lot of academically oriented kids enjoy going to school with kids who have the same interests and inclinations. I imagine this would be one of the main differences between RMIB and the IB program at Einstein or BCC. I know the social aspect of the magnet programs has been an unexpected plus for my kid over the years and one of the main reasons he would not want to be in his home school. Not in a snobbish way, just in a these kids (and teachers) get me kind of a way.

But is it actually? For example, there is a cohort in the Clarksburg HS signature program, APPS, which is not an exclusive program (within the boundaries of Clarksburg HS). You have to apply, but as far as I know, everybody who completes a proper application gets in, on the second application if not on the first. And APPS is a much less involved program than IB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know... you sound like a "my kid can't get in so no one should" parent... envy and jealousy are not good for your health.

I think it's a valid point. IB should be available to all MCPS students, which it currently is not. And if IB were available to all MCPS students, what would be the reason for an additional test-in magnet program for IB?

MCPS can't afford to have IB in all schools without increasing the budget significantly..

Why not? MCPS has AP classes in all schools.

no money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know... you sound like a "my kid can't get in so no one should" parent... envy and jealousy are not good for your health.

I think it's a valid point. IB should be available to all MCPS students, which it currently is not. And if IB were available to all MCPS students, what would be the reason for an additional test-in magnet program for IB?

The cohort? A lot of academically oriented kids enjoy going to school with kids who have the same interests and inclinations. I imagine this would be one of the main differences between RMIB and the IB program at Einstein or BCC. I know the social aspect of the magnet programs has been an unexpected plus for my kid over the years and one of the main reasons he would not want to be in his home school. Not in a snobbish way, just in a these kids (and teachers) get me kind of a way.

But is it actually? For example, there is a cohort in the Clarksburg HS signature program, APPS, which is not an exclusive program (within the boundaries of Clarksburg HS). You have to apply, but as far as I know, everybody who completes a proper application gets in, on the second application if not on the first. And APPS is a much less involved program than IB.

It is actually. It's truly hard to imagine the commitment, intensity, and drive these kids bring. But it's a soul sucking hard program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know... you sound like a "my kid can't get in so no one should" parent... envy and jealousy are not good for your health.

I think it's a valid point. IB should be available to all MCPS students, which it currently is not. And if IB were available to all MCPS students, what would be the reason for an additional test-in magnet program for IB?

The cohort? A lot of academically oriented kids enjoy going to school with kids who have the same interests and inclinations. I imagine this would be one of the main differences between RMIB and the IB program at Einstein or BCC. I know the social aspect of the magnet programs has been an unexpected plus for my kid over the years and one of the main reasons he would not want to be in his home school. Not in a snobbish way, just in a these kids (and teachers) get me kind of a way.

But is it actually? For example, there is a cohort in the Clarksburg HS signature program, APPS, which is not an exclusive program (within the boundaries of Clarksburg HS). You have to apply, but as far as I know, everybody who completes a proper application gets in, on the second application if not on the first. And APPS is a much less involved program than IB.

It is actually. It's truly hard to imagine the commitment, intensity, and drive these kids bring. But it's a soul sucking hard program.

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

because otherwise you won't have enough participants to sustain the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

because otherwise you won't have enough participants to sustain the program.

I thought it was based on international standards..

[Anonymous]

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

They teach to the same standards but it doesn't mean the results are the same - kids are different, teachers are different, and families' commitment to support is different. About 4 out of 10 kids in the program are National Merit Semi-Finalists; usually 35-45 kids out of ~100 kids or so. A lot of HS in MCPS doesn't even have one NMSF. So, it's a totally different ballgame. It's hard but kids LOVE it. Both of my kids consider RMIB as 4 best years of their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

They teach to the same standards but it doesn't mean the results are the same - kids are different, teachers are different, and families' commitment to support is different. About 4 out of 10 kids in the program are National Merit Semi-Finalists; usually 35-45 kids out of ~100 kids or so. A lot of HS in MCPS doesn't even have one NMSF. So, it's a totally different ballgame. It's hard but kids LOVE it. Both of my kids consider RMIB as 4 best years of their lives.

But that's a circular argument -- IB at RM is different because the kids are different because IB at RM is different.

It sounds to me like the thing that's unique about RM IB isn't the IB, or the existence of a cohort. It's the highly-selective test-in requirement. The RMIB program is what it is because lots of people apply but only a few are admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

They teach to the same standards but it doesn't mean the results are the same - kids are different, teachers are different, and families' commitment to support is different. About 4 out of 10 kids in the program are National Merit Semi-Finalists; usually 35-45 kids out of ~100 kids or so. A lot of HS in MCPS doesn't even have one NMSF. So, it's a totally different ballgame. It's hard but kids LOVE it. Both of my kids consider RMIB as 4 best years of their lives.

But that's a circular argument -- IB at RM is different because the kids are different because IB at RM is different.

It sounds to me like the thing that's unique about RM IB isn't the IB, or the existence of a cohort. It's the highly-selective test-in requirement. The RMIB program is what it is because lots of people apply but only a few are admitted.

Okay but I wasn't arguing. Those are the facts.

[Anonymous]

It's circular logic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's circular logic.

LOL. Okay... if you say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

They teach to the same standards but it doesn't mean the results are the same - kids are different, teachers are different, and families' commitment to support is different. About 4 out of 10 kids in the program are National Merit Semi-Finalists; usually 35-45 kids out of ~100 kids or so. A lot of HS in MCPS doesn't even have one NMSF. So, it's a totally different ballgame. It's hard but kids LOVE it. Both of my kids consider RMIB as 4 best years of their lives.

So you are saying the kids, teachers and families push the work level and requirements higher at RM than at the other schools. It is not that it is an IB program that makes it hard. It is that RMIB adds its own level of rigor not found with other 2 year IB programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it absolutely strange how non-magnet parents have an opinion about the program that does not take away from their children at all or impact them in any way. Would love some RMIB magnet parents to give their opinion about what is happening in the school.

Sometimes it is one person who can make or break a program. Hoover is/was the reason that the diploma rate is so high. The program is inclusive and the IB part is open to ANY student who wants to do it in the school. You would assume that everyone would jump at the opportunity to get in the magnet program or do the IB diploma. I guess the magnet IB workload and an extremely high achieving peer group dissuades many others from doing the program.

Unfortunately, there is no way the school can water down the program and still fulfill the IB requirement. MCPS mantra has been to lower capability, merit and achievement to create the illusion that students are not performing at different levels.

IB is open to kids within RM boundaries. Springbrook, Watkins Mill, Seneca Valley, BCC, Kennedy & Einstein have open enrollment, too - for those within the NEC & DCC consortia. This isn't the case for RM. it's a test in that skims off the top, which - as I've said before - is NOT inclusive.

So we either add IB to ALL high schools or end the magnet testing. In the non- test in school, the standards are exactly the same. It is an international program with set regulations. These teachers don't "water down" the program either.

I'm in the system, and while I'm not a magnet parent, I know of what I speak.

I don't know... you sound like a "my kid can't get in so no one should" parent... envy and jealousy are not good for your health.

My kids are in private.

Don't call me jealous.

Perhaps a hypocrite instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If the IB program at BCC less "soul sucking hard" If so, why?

They teach to the same standards but it doesn't mean the results are the same - kids are different, teachers are different, and families' commitment to support is different. About 4 out of 10 kids in the program are National Merit Semi-Finalists; usually 35-45 kids out of ~100 kids or so. A lot of HS in MCPS doesn't even have one NMSF. So, it's a totally different ballgame. It's hard but kids LOVE it. Both of my kids consider RMIB as 4 best years of their lives.

So you are saying the kids, teachers and families push the work level and requirements higher at RM than at the other schools. It is not that it is an IB program that makes it hard. It is that RMIB adds its own level of rigor not found with other 2 year IB programs?

Yes, I believe this to be the case. I went through the RMIB many years ago. My experience was different than my friends going through the same IB curriculum in other school districts and other countries.

[Anonymous]

The RMIB is a test-in program. A cohort of smart, competitive, and hard working students spend four years together learning, exploring, charlenge themsilves, and developing friendship. It is like an All-star team. I dont understand why some of the posters dont appreciate this magnet program. It is not for average students.