Best school (public or private) for STEM-interested kid
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Anonymous
| We have a child about to enter elementary school who has strong interest in science and math and I'd love to see him in a strong school where those interests are fostered. We're considering moving in the next few years and schools will be a top factor in where we land. If you love your school and think it's great for STEM-oriented kids, tell me about it. |
Anonymous
|
TJ.
there is a cluster where tiger moms move to realize their dreams of TJ. |
Anonymous
| OP here - I haven't looked into TJ extensively, but my understanding is that it's test-in and very selective. We're not that intense that we'd build our lives around a school so far down the road, which we're far from certain our kid will get in. I'm more looking for a solid school system from elementary up with a great STEM program. |
Anonymous
|
What are your commutes and budget? Are there any other children in the family with other needs?
There are plenty of excellent public options for STEM in this area. |
Anonymous
TJ is a bigger school with a single focus, but pound for pound the magnet program within Blair outperforms it. It seems likely this is because Blair's magnet admits the top 3% of applicants as opposed to the top 15% like TJ. |
Anonymous
| Students, not applicants! |
Anonymous
| Your 5-year-old's strong STEM interest is natural. Most schools will foster it. But look for elementary schools with strong outdoor programs who talk about hands-on science. Be careful of schools who focus on reading and math only and where science is only offered for half of the year in younger grades (if they have time). Look for the schools with dedicated science teachers, especially school s the departmentalize teachers (e.g., 4th grade has a teacher who only teachers science to the whole grade one period every day). |
Anonymous
| The interests of a 5 year old are not necessarily the same as the ones they will graduate with. |
Anonymous
TJ does not take 15% of fcps students. You are terribly misinformed if you believe that to be the case. |
Anonymous
|
OP here - My husband and I both work in DC. We'd like to keep our commute under an hour (but the shorter the better). Our ideal would be a strong public system (elementary to high school), but we are open to private. We'd like to see what the range of options are, and work from there.
To previous posters - thank you for the heads up about Blair. And about schools with a strong outdoor focus and hands-on science, that sounds perfect. Can anyone recommend schools that fit this description? I also completely agree with the poster who pointed out that the interests of a 5 year old can be fleeting. That's why we're looking for a strong, well-rounded school system, but also one where the STEM program is strong and those interests can be supported and developed for as long as they last. |
Anonymous
Budget? |
Anonymous
The point stands that Blair's magnet program is more selective. |
Anonymous
| Anne Arundel Co has STEM magnets for middle school and high school. They aren't guaranteed admission, but they are far more accessible than TJ or Blair. |
Anonymous
| In Prince William County there is a Governor's School at the GMU Campus for STEM. It's a part time program, so students take half their classes at their base school and half there. I really don't know much about it, but the only 2 kids I know of who attended were kids that turned down TJ because this program was closer. One is now at MIT and the other is at Columbia, although I'm sure these colleges aren't representative of what most students who go through the program attend. |
Anonymous
| What are thought to be the strongest school systems in Anne Arundel and Prince William counties? |