DCC/Blair

[Anonymous]

We are zoned for Montgomery Blair High School and my oldest child is still in middle school. I have two questions:

1) If my DC applies to and is accepted to the CAP program, and then we move elsewhere in the DCC after DC starts there, would DC be able to automatically continue attending Blair or would we need to re-apply?

2) If this did happen, and DC were able to continue in the CAP program after we moved to a different area in the DCC, would my younger children have to apply separately to attend Blair, or does having an older sibling in that program automatically entitle a younger sibling (two years behind in school) to also attend the school? (Not necessarily in CAP, just on the same campus.)

Thank you for any insights!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are zoned for Montgomery Blair High School and my oldest child is still in middle school. I have two questions:

1) If my DC applies to and is accepted to the CAP program, and then we move elsewhere in the DCC after DC starts there, would DC be able to automatically continue attending Blair or would we need to re-apply?

2) If this did happen, and DC were able to continue in the CAP program after we moved to a different area in the DCC, would my younger children have to apply separately to attend Blair, or does having an older sibling in that program automatically entitle a younger sibling (two years behind in school) to also attend the school? (Not necessarily in CAP, just on the same campus.)

Thank you for any insights!

1)Yes, your DC would still continue to attend Blair CAP
2)No, the only way for your younger children to attend Blair would be to be accepted in either SMAC or CAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are zoned for Montgomery Blair High School and my oldest child is still in middle school. I have two questions:

1) If my DC applies to and is accepted to the CAP program, and then we move elsewhere in the DCC after DC starts there, would DC be able to automatically continue attending Blair or would we need to re-apply?

2) If this did happen, and DC were able to continue in the CAP program after we moved to a different area in the DCC, would my younger children have to apply separately to attend Blair, or does having an older sibling in that program automatically entitle a younger sibling (two years behind in school) to also attend the school? (Not necessarily in CAP, just on the same campus.)

Thank you for any insights!

1)Yes, your DC would still continue to attend Blair CAP
2)No, the only way for your younger children to attend Blair would be to be accepted in either SMAC or CAP.

Actually, I know someone in the DCC whose DC went to Blair on the coattails of his CAP sibling.

It is not guaranteed, but it is possible.

I agree with your response re: Question #1.

[Anonymous]

Call and ask the CAP program director.

[Anonymous]

Question 1 is definitely yes, but even if DC 1 started as a regular student at Blair, they could stay at Blair if you move within the DCC. Being in CAP might allow you to move outside of the DCC, but you should check the details. The sibling link for DC2 isn't really tied to the CAP program, would be possible at any DCC school DC1 attended. Sibling link is never automatic and doesn't apply outside the DCC, it depends on availability and rules are always subject to change. So for DC2 to attend Blair, being within boundaries is the only sure thing, applying to CAP second, sibling link third and applying by choice form least likely.

[Anonymous]

The CAP director will say what has been said here. It is possible that having a CAP sibling will matter in any given year and depending on other circumstances like enrollment.

I would think that a better case could be made for a sibling if you lived further away for example SMAC rather than CAP.

I think predicting this type of thing has never been more difficult because all programs are currently under one level of review/revision or another so new rules may apply in the future.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the advice. This is all pretty theoretical right now, and it may be that by the time it actually happens, protocols will have changed; but this is helpful guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The CAP director will say what has been said here. It is possible that having a CAP sibling will matter in any given year and depending on other circumstances like enrollment.

I would think that a better case could be made for a sibling if you lived further away for example SMAC rather than CAP.

I think predicting this type of thing has never been more difficult because all programs are currently under one level of review/revision or another so new rules may apply in the future.

Actually, not true. SMAC specifically does not have a sibling link, so it would be hard to get a COSA based on that and I haven't heard much talk of anyone doing it. On the other hand, I know many families who have had siblings of a CAP student get into Blair. This is really a special circumstance for the DCC because they are trying to balance interest at all five HS some preference is given to siblings being at the same HS to ease the burden on the family. CAP has some non-DCC students grandfathered in (anyone who attended the MS magnets can apply) but essentially it's a DCC program. SMAC is different, it's a county wide program (split between Blair and Poolesville). The only caveat is that Blair is consistently the most popular choice in the DCC, so space is limited. Also rules could change before the second child reaches HS.