Deciding between magnets

[Anonymous]

Just wondering what people with choices are deciding..

We are debating RM and Blair. Will probably choose RM based on logistics. Like Blair's program a lot though..

[Anonymous]

We're having a tough time deciding between Eastern and Takoma Par for DD, especially since Takoma has cancelled their orientation meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wondering what people with choices are deciding..

We are debating RM and Blair. Will probably choose RM based on logistics. Like Blair's program a lot though..

Then go to Blair.

[Anonymous]

Which Blair program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wondering what people with choices are deciding..

We are debating RM and Blair. Will probably choose RM based on logistics. Like Blair's program a lot though..

I will tell you my perspective as a parent who was in your shoes 4 years back:

DC had the choice of RM IB and Blair SMACS - dissuaded by the intensity of Blair's focus on science and engineering and total lack of interest for humanities subjects like Economics/Philosophy etc. DC was not sure about career path (and still is not) chose RM IB. 4 years later DC is an average student at RM - burned out from the course load in senior year. DC is not an organized kid, procrastinates a lot, while is super smart is not supercharged to perform constantly. So, DC is not standout at RM. What RM has given DC are critical thinking skills; s(he) has an extremely open mind, can debate/discuss very respectfully and intelligently. In the long run, these skills will come to good use, however in the short run s(he) would have been better served at Blair where the possibility of lighter senior year was available. This is just our experience. Please read between the lines to figure out how it applies to you.

[Anonymous]

That is great feedback PP..Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wondering what people with choices are deciding..

We are debating RM and Blair. Will probably choose RM based on logistics. Like Blair's program a lot though..

I will tell you my perspective as a parent who was in your shoes 4 years back:

DC had the choice of RM IB and Blair SMACS - dissuaded by the intensity of Blair's focus on science and engineering and total lack of interest for humanities subjects like Economics/Philosophy etc. DC was not sure about career path (and still is not) chose RM IB. 4 years later DC is an average student at RM - burned out from the course load in senior year. DC is not an organized kid, procrastinates a lot, while is super smart is not supercharged to perform constantly. So, DC is not standout at RM. What RM has given DC are critical thinking skills; s(he) has an extremely open mind, can debate/discuss very respectfully and intelligently. In the long run, these skills will come to good use, however in the short run s(he) would have been better served at Blair where the possibility of lighter senior year was available. This is just our experience. Please read between the lines to figure out how it applies to you.

What a strange thing to hide the sex of your anonymous kid on an anonymous message board, but if you want to, it should be (s)he not s(he).

[Anonymous]

OP - you also need to think about being an "average kid" in magnet vs. being a "top kid" in home high school. Pros and cons of each and how it fits your DC's plan for college and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Don't "define" your kids too early. They are still young and still have a lot to grow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're having a tough time deciding between Eastern and Takoma Par for DD, especially since Takoma has cancelled their orientation meeting.

I have one on each and each would have been miserable in the other program . It could down to whether your child is more interest in math and science and wants to learn programming or is interested in reading/writing/ research. The programs are vastly different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're having a tough time deciding between Eastern and Takoma Par for DD, especially since Takoma has cancelled their orientation meeting.

Why did they cancel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't "define" your kids too early. They are still young and still have a lot to grow.

I am the PP who wrote about my "average kid". If this post is addressing my comment, I understand what you are saying. I am learning how to not define my kid when all external forces - college ranking, college acceptance, acceptance within community to among peers is defined by these terms. I have evolved as a parent over last 4 years, but still have a lot to grow. However, I still feel my average kid will contribute a whole lot to the society from the education (s)he has received at RM IB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't "define" your kids too early. They are still young and still have a lot to grow.

I am the PP who wrote about my "average kid". If this post is addressing my comment, I understand what you are saying. I am learning how to not define my kid when all external forces - college ranking, college acceptance, acceptance within community to among peers is defined by these terms. I have evolved as a parent over last 4 years, but still have a lot to grow. However, I still feel my average kid will contribute a whole lot to the society from the education (s)he has received at RM IB.

I am sure your DC will be more than fine with your support and guidance.

- parent of 2 RMIB graduates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're having a tough time deciding between Eastern and Takoma Par for DD, especially since Takoma has cancelled their orientation meeting.

Why did they cancel?

The meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night, but got cancelled because of schools being closed. TP has decided not to reschedule.

We missed the open house in the fall, figured we would have an opportunity to visit if DD got in. DD is into both humanities and math/science and especially programming.

[Anonymous]

I imagine it will be hard for my high performing child to see his grades sink at RMIB..but a good life lesson I think. He is too used to an easy A and being a top student.