Going to Richard Montgomery IB after Takoma Park MS

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader is worried that RMIB math/science will be disappointing after going to the STEM program at TPMS. Can anyone address her concern?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Disappointing in what way? DC thinks RM/IB will be too easy?

[Anonymous]

She should have worked harder and gotten selected to stay in the magnet program and this wouldn't be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should have worked harder and gotten selected to stay in the magnet program and this wouldn't be an issue.

Not OP but you are a jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should have worked harder and gotten selected to stay in the magnet program and this wouldn't be an issue.

RMIB is a very selective magnet...

[Anonymous]

lol op. does he have any idea how hard rm/ib is??

[Anonymous]

RMIB is much more difficult than any MS magnet.

[Anonymous]

I have a DC currently in RMIB. There are many students from TPMS in the IB program. The math is challenging (at least for my non-TPMS DC, who does very well in all the other subjects). My DC finds that there are plenty of opportunities for students who want rigorous math and science courses. I recommend that you go to the admitted students program- they will explain all the math options. The good thing about RMIB is that you learn to write about every subject, including math, which will serve your DC well in college.

[Anonymous]

DC took AP Stats in 10th, AP Calc BC in 11, and IB HL Math in 12th. Math is not IB's only focus and Blair probably has more advanced math classes but IB program math is not weak at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should have worked harder and gotten selected to stay in the magnet program and this wouldn't be an issue.

Not OP but you are a jerk.

That's not a jerky response; it's the truth.

To slam an IB program, which essentially mirrors a mini liberal arts degree, is ignorant and condescending. If OP's kid is not into the humanities, which is a big part of the DP program, the kid should have worked harder to get into Blair's magnet.

but more importantly? Kid should be grateful for being 1 of 100 accepted out of 900 who applied. If kid isn't happy, then kid should say no and open that slot up for a kid who REALLY wants it.

What gives with these kids today? totally self-absorbed and rude

[Anonymous]

OP, I hope you don't let these rude comments, from adults no less, having the gall to insult a child, bother you. I'm sure your daughter knows how to handle herself face to face with people who might not have been as fortunate as her in the admissions process.

[Anonymous]

I think it's rude and short-sighted to assume OP's child didn't get into Blair. Some kids apply to both and get into both. It is not unreasonable for a top student to want to a broader focus than the STEM magnets, but at the same time wondering how non-magnet math may compare to what she is used to.

[Anonymous]

I think it's hilarious that PP is making RMIB program - with 40% NMSF and 2250 SAT avg - sound like a second tier program.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Goodness, people. We haven't heard from Blair yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Goodness, people. We haven't heard from Blair yet.

Every year, there are a handful of kids from Eastern MS and Takoma MS (and I am sure several from non magnet MS) who get into both Blair and RMIB and have to choose. It is never an easy choice because while both programs are excellent they are not similar.
English and Social Studies will be better in RMIB and Math and Science will be better at SMAC. However, English and Social Studies at Blair will be just as strong as it would be at the best high schools in MCPS and Math and Science will be just as good at RMIB as they would be in any strong IB program. Math and Science will not be the same as it would be at SMAC though because the curriculum is unique and you have a group of very good teachers and a peer group that is highly engaged in these subject areas.
If your child does not get into SMAC, he/she will be assured of a wonderful education at RMIB but is likely to find the Math and Science offerings less exciting than the ones at Blair. If he/she gets into Blair and ends up accepting that spot, he/she will not get the same level of instruction in writing in particular.
I guess what I am trying to say is that there are clear tradeoffs but he/she will be challenged and get a fine education in either program.
If your child really only wants to go to Blair and does not get in, it is not obvious to me that he/she should attend RMIB. Yes it is an excellent program but it is extremely demanding and I imagine it would be pretty miserable to handle the heavy workload and stress unless you would thrive in a liberal arts program and love to write. I hope you can arrange for your child to shadow so he/she knows exactly what the four year experience would entail.
Also FWIW, according to friends who had one child at RMIB and one child at WJ, they felt the science and Math at WJ was better than those offerings at RMIB. RMIB was head and shoulders above WJ in the other subjects according to this same friend. She felt both kids made the right choice based on their interests. There are of course plenty of kids from RMIB who go onto study and excel in science and engineering in college and grad school so it is hardly a disadvantage for a child who wants to make a career in science to attend RMIB but if you are only interested in whether the four year experience at RMIB is ideal for a student who is passionate about math and science, you might want to consider SMAC or your home high school.