Focus on Woodward - Looks like the Magnet Arts option is coming into focus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are folks so sure that MCPS wouldn't keep a portfolio-based VISUAL arts program at Einstein and create an audition-based PERFORMING arts magnet at Woodward?

To the question of why not use Einstein for performing arts, I'm guessing the answer lies in the specialized facilities needed for a performing arts magnet. At a minimum, multiple dance studios, sound-proofed rehearsal rooms for individuals and chamber groups, and significantly upgraded performance spaces.

If they are gutting/building out Woodward already, it makes sense to build to spec.

I think one person keeps posting and implying there is a performing arts magnet at Einstein. There is not. Einstein has a great performing arts program, but it is not a magnet. The visual arts program is a portfolio based magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are folks so sure that MCPS wouldn't keep a portfolio-based VISUAL arts program at Einstein and create an audition-based PERFORMING arts magnet at Woodward?

To the question of why not use Einstein for performing arts, I'm guessing the answer lies in the specialized facilities needed for a performing arts magnet. At a minimum, multiple dance studios, sound-proofed rehearsal rooms for individuals and chamber groups, and significantly upgraded performance spaces.

If they are gutting/building out Woodward already, it makes sense to build to spec.

I think one person keeps posting and implying there is a performing arts magnet at Einstein. There is not. Einstein has a great performing arts program, but it is not a magnet. The visual arts program is a portfolio based magnet.

And from the website, it's a very space-limited program, and bussing is only available to DCC students. Any student outside the DCC would be on the hook for his/her own transportation.

I've heard great things about the program, but it benefits very few students compared to the many more students at Einstein who would benefit from being in a not-overcrowded and new school at Woodward, whatever kind of magnet program if any it ends up with. It seems from the comments here that there's at least implicit opposition from the Einstein visual arts magnet supporters to having an arts magnet at Woodward, and I really don't get that opposition from the point of view that Einstein crowding really needs to be relieved.

More generally, why does Woodward need to be one thing? It could follow the Poolesville model of having houses available to zoned students and a house available to test-in magnet students as well.

[Anonymous]

And from the website, it's a very space-limited program, and bussing is only available to DCC students. Any student outside the DCC would be on the hook for his/her own transportation.

I've heard great things about the program, but it benefits very few students compared to the many more students at Einstein who would benefit from being in a not-overcrowded and new school at Woodward, whatever kind of magnet program if any it ends up with. It seems from the comments here that there's at least implicit opposition from the Einstein visual arts magnet supporters to having an arts magnet at Woodward, and I really don't get that opposition from the point of view that Einstein crowding really needs to be relieved.

More generally, why does Woodward need to be one thing? It could follow the Poolesville model of having houses available to zoned students and a house available to test-in magnet students as well.

I agree with this. Logistically, Einstein does not have the physical space to expand or grow its Visual OR Performing arts programs. Visual Arts classrooms need space, sinks, ventilation, workbenches and more square footage per student then traditional classrooms. Conversely, VA classes can be held in rooms that have odd shapes that don't work for traditional classrooms. It makes far more sense to house both a Visual and Performing Arts in a new building than keeping at Einstein because a smaller version was already there. It will still benefit talented kids that live in the Einstein cluster and the bus ride to Woodward would not be very far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And from the website, it's a very space-limited program, and bussing is only available to DCC students. Any student outside the DCC would be on the hook for his/her own transportation.

I've heard great things about the program, but it benefits very few students compared to the many more students at Einstein who would benefit from being in a not-overcrowded and new school at Woodward, whatever kind of magnet program if any it ends up with. It seems from the comments here that there's at least implicit opposition from the Einstein visual arts magnet supporters to having an arts magnet at Woodward, and I really don't get that opposition from the point of view that Einstein crowding really needs to be relieved.

More generally, why does Woodward need to be one thing? It could follow the Poolesville model of having houses available to zoned students and a house available to test-in magnet students as well.

I agree with this. Logistically, Einstein does not have the physical space to expand or grow its Visual OR Performing arts programs. Visual Arts classrooms need space, sinks, ventilation, workbenches and more square footage per student then traditional classrooms. Conversely, VA classes can be held in rooms that have odd shapes that don't work for traditional classrooms. It makes far more sense to house both a Visual and Performing Arts in a new building than keeping at Einstein because a smaller version was already there. It will still benefit talented kids that live in the Einstein cluster and the bus ride to Woodward would not be very far.

People are already fighting over who should get to have the Visual Arts program?!

[Anonymous]

At least MCPS is focused on the arts now. For that, we should be grateful.

[Anonymous]

People are already fighting over who should get to have the Visual Arts program?!

Magnets don't belong to the individual schools. The individual schools are just housing them. MCPS can move them whenever they want. It doesn't even require a study. You buy into a school district not a school with an perpetual entitlement to have a particular magnet inside it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

People are already fighting over who should get to have the Visual Arts program?!

Magnets don't belong to the individual schools. The individual schools are just housing them. MCPS can move them whenever they want. It doesn't even require a study. You buy into a school district not a school with an perpetual entitlement to have a particular magnet inside it.

In other words: yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are folks so sure that MCPS wouldn't keep a portfolio-based VISUAL arts program at Einstein and create an audition-based PERFORMING arts magnet at Woodward?

To the question of why not use Einstein for performing arts, I'm guessing the answer lies in the specialized facilities needed for a performing arts magnet. At a minimum, multiple dance studios, sound-proofed rehearsal rooms for individuals and chamber groups, and significantly upgraded performance spaces.

If they are gutting/building out Woodward already, it makes sense to build to spec.

I think one person keeps posting and implying there is a performing arts magnet at Einstein. There is not. Einstein has a great performing arts program, but it is not a magnet. The visual arts program is a portfolio based magnet.

There is also zero actual information to support that Woodward will be PERFORMING arts. People are assuming that, but the article just says arts.

[Anonymous]

How is Einstein part of the discussion? They have several great programs but everyone slams it for being such a bad school and many slam not wanting their kids to go to Woodward so this should be a non-issue if it is mainly for downcountry kids.

[Anonymous]

1. Einstein parents don't want to lose something that makes their school desirable even if in reality it doesn't serve many kids due to space limitations. Einstein parents should be more worried about whether the higher income neighborhoods will be moving to Woodward.

2. Woodward isn't being set up as a DCC school so the idea that a new arts magnet would be for the DCC only is unlikely.

3. WJ is mostly wealthy and a top school. For WJ parents any move out of WJ to anywhere other than Whitman or Churchill would be downward but the overcrowding is so bad someone has to move. No one wants to lose all the equity in their home due to a school boundary change and its scaring off new buyers.

4. Einstein is a pretty poor school but the areas adjacent to Woodward are the higher income ones for Einstein. If Woodward pulls from these areas and areas from WJ it emerges in the league of maybe BCC and at least QO. Throw in a portfolio and performance test in arts magnet and now you've got a pretty attractive school- maybe not at the level of the 4 Ws but pretty close. Einstein parents that move here wont mind getting a big bump in equity.

5. Einstein ends up without anything special and a higher % of poverty. Another STEM magnet isn't going to happen because you already have STEM oriented programs at Blair and Wheaton. Blair isn't going to want to give up CAPS so there goes a humanities option. What Einstein students could really use is more vocational and remedial catch up programs for college readiness but this isn't what the DCUM Einstein posters are hoping to get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Einstein parents don't want to lose something that makes their school desirable even if in reality it doesn't serve many kids due to space limitations. Einstein parents should be more worried about whether the higher income neighborhoods will be moving to Woodward.

2. Woodward isn't being set up as a DCC school so the idea that a new arts magnet would be for the DCC only is unlikely.

3. WJ is mostly wealthy and a top school. For WJ parents any move out of WJ to anywhere other than Whitman or Churchill would be downward but the overcrowding is so bad someone has to move. No one wants to lose all the equity in their home due to a school boundary change and its scaring off new buyers.

4. Einstein is a pretty poor school but the areas adjacent to Woodward are the higher income ones for Einstein. If Woodward pulls from these areas and areas from WJ it emerges in the league of maybe BCC and at least QO. Throw in a portfolio and performance test in arts magnet and now you've got a pretty attractive school- maybe not at the level of the 4 Ws but pretty close. Einstein parents that move here wont mind getting a big bump in equity.

5. Einstein ends up without anything special and a higher % of poverty. Another STEM magnet isn't going to happen because you already have STEM oriented programs at Blair and Wheaton. Blair isn't going to want to give up CAPS so there goes a humanities option. What Einstein students could really use is more vocational and remedial catch up programs for college readiness but this isn't what the DCUM Einstein posters are hoping to get.

Or even better put a remedial catch-up program and vocational school at Woodward and keep the expand on the arts program already at Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, think this is great news... we need something like Duke Ellington in MoCo. The link with Strathmore is also an interesting use of our cultural resources. I know it's still a wish and a prayer, but it is promising (even though its a good 7-9 years away since it looks like Northwood will be there for duration).

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/arts-magnet-program-considered-for-woodward-high-school/

This is ridiculous, clearly the parents who think Einstein isn’t “big enough” clearly don’t know anything about the school and just don’t like the school..

1. Why are we pretending that a PA school is in such demand? A few months ago I saw a musical theatre teacher begging and singing for the county not to cut the arts budget, and now you’re telling me they’re opening a whole magnet school for it while Einstein holds the VAC/VAPA down the street.

2. The article said nothing about performing arts. It said “arts” program which could be communication arts or really anything.

3. Do you know how PA schools work? You don’t get in because you child love to paint or sing. PA schools are extremely competitive and base their decisions on talent and promise so space should be the last thing we’re thinking about.

4. Do you know how big of a deal Einstein is in the arts community? The have over 70k views on a dance flash mob video. Theatre company went to Scotland for an international theatre festival, and VAC is one of the most respected art magnet in the nations. Their senior class earn millions in scholarship. Why would I want to send my child to this new school with no experience over Einstein? People please think. If any school deserves to be an audition base PA magnet, it’s Einstein. The truth is these W parents just don’t like Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Einstein parents don't want to lose something that makes their school desirable even if in reality it doesn't serve many kids due to space limitations. Einstein parents should be more worried about whether the higher income neighborhoods will be moving to Woodward.

2. Woodward isn't being set up as a DCC school so the idea that a new arts magnet would be for the DCC only is unlikely.

3. WJ is mostly wealthy and a top school. For WJ parents any move out of WJ to anywhere other than Whitman or Churchill would be downward but the overcrowding is so bad someone has to move. No one wants to lose all the equity in their home due to a school boundary change and its scaring off new buyers.

4. Einstein is a pretty poor school but the areas adjacent to Woodward are the higher income ones for Einstein. If Woodward pulls from these areas and areas from WJ it emerges in the league of maybe BCC and at least QO. Throw in a portfolio and performance test in arts magnet and now you've got a pretty attractive school- maybe not at the level of the 4 Ws but pretty close. Einstein parents that move here wont mind getting a big bump in equity.

5. Einstein ends up without anything special and a higher % of poverty. Another STEM magnet isn't going to happen because you already have STEM oriented programs at Blair and Wheaton. Blair isn't going to want to give up CAPS so there goes a humanities option. What Einstein students could really use is more vocational and remedial catch up programs for college readiness but this isn't what the DCUM Einstein posters are hoping to get.

Or even better put a remedial catch-up program and vocational school at Woodward and keep the expand on the arts program already at Einstein.

This would certainly improve the economic diversity within the county! Maybe put a vocational magnet at one of the other W's too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
People are already fighting over who should get to have the Visual Arts program?!

Magnets don't belong to the individual schools. The individual schools are just housing them. MCPS can move them whenever they want. It doesn't even require a study. You buy into a school district not a school with an perpetual entitlement to have a particular magnet inside it.

In other words: yes.

A brand new visual and performing arts center at Woodward would be a big win for the county. There simply is not any extra money to retrofit it into Einstein. Woodward would be so much more cost effective. Its a shame that some Einstein parents will fight it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, think this is great news... we need something like Duke Ellington in MoCo. The link with Strathmore is also an interesting use of our cultural resources. I know it's still a wish and a prayer, but it is promising (even though its a good 7-9 years away since it looks like Northwood will be there for duration).

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/arts-magnet-program-considered-for-woodward-high-school/

This is ridiculous, clearly the parents who think Einstein isn’t “big enough” clearly don’t know anything about the school and just don’t like the school..

1. Why are we pretending that a PA school is in such demand? A few months ago I saw a musical theatre teacher begging and singing for the county not to cut the arts budget, and now you’re telling me they’re opening a whole magnet school for it while Einstein holds the VAC/VAPA down the street.

2. The article said nothing about performing arts. It said “arts” program which could be communication arts or really anything.

3. Do you know how PA schools work? You don’t get in because you child love to paint or sing. PA schools are extremely competitive and base their decisions on talent and promise so space should be the last thing we’re thinking about.

4. Do you know how big of a deal Einstein is in the arts community? The have over 70k views on a dance flash mob video. Theatre company went to Scotland for an international theatre festival, and VAC is one of the most respected art magnet in the nations. Their senior class earn millions in scholarship. Why would I want to send my child to this new school with no experience over Einstein? People please think. If any school deserves to be an audition base PA magnet, it’s Einstein. The truth is these W parents just don’t like Einstein.

No, the truth is that people who believe they will be sent to Woodward want Woodward to be an attractive option. Why does this have to be a zero sum game? Einstein can be attractive AND another school can be attractive for performing arts. Last I checked Einstein in ONLY available for DCC. This would be a whole-county magnet. Just like RMIB can be attractive AND Blair STEM/CAP or BCCiB or WJ Apex or Poolesville can be attractive. I personally think that there aren't enough options for gifted performing artists in HS in MoCo compared to the several options for gifted academics. Also, it's not really "anything" when the person heading up the process is from Strathmore - that seems to point pretty significantly to looking at a performing arts focus.