I fear for the future of Einstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

Many kids slow down math and do ab, then bc and statistics as it’s not offered and make do with what is offered. There is a group who should be doing BC directly but it’s discouraged. There are a few students who are going to MC and other schools but it’s not an easy thing to arrange. It’s not a huge problem right now as the more academic kids try to get into Blair or Wheaton but if students don’t have those options it will be a bigger problem for those stem kids. If it were offered, more would take it in time. The other kids have to choose between arts and academics. So, the kids who choose the arts have to make what is available work or leave and go to MC or another school and drive themselves or their parents drive them as MCPS will not provide transportation. Go in the middle of the day and you can see students leaving for all different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

Why shouldn’t Einstein and the other schools have the same access to upper level math, science and other stem? Why should it only be at the wealthier schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

Why shouldn’t Einstein and the other schools have the same access to upper level math, science and other stem? Why should it only be at the wealthier schools?

They should all have access to high level courses. Can we stop with the wealthier schools trope, though? All schools should have the typical progression of challenging courses. But most kids in most schools are not on a trajectory for MVC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

Why shouldn’t Einstein and the other schools have the same access to upper level math, science and other stem? Why should it only be at the wealthier schools?

They should all have access to high level courses. Can we stop with the wealthier schools trope, though? All schools should have the typical progression of challenging courses. But most kids in most schools are not on a trajectory for MVC.

But, they don’t and that’s the point. And, this new plan only has advanced classes at specific schools so it’s separate and unequal at its finest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

Why shouldn’t Einstein and the other schools have the same access to upper level math, science and other stem? Why should it only be at the wealthier schools?

They should all have access to high level courses. Can we stop with the wealthier schools trope, though? All schools should have the typical progression of challenging courses. But most kids in most schools are not on a trajectory for MVC.

But, they don’t and that’s the point. And, this new plan only has advanced classes at specific schools so it’s separate and unequal at its finest.

That’s not true. Along with this program plan they are committing to having a base set of advanced classes at all schools. They may not be the niche classes you specifically want and they’re being a bit fuzzy about using virtual in certain cases, but it is in fact part of the new plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

Why shouldn’t Einstein and the other schools have the same access to upper level math, science and other stem? Why should it only be at the wealthier schools?

They should all have access to high level courses. Can we stop with the wealthier schools trope, though? All schools should have the typical progression of challenging courses. But most kids in most schools are not on a trajectory for MVC.

But, they don’t and that’s the point. And, this new plan only has advanced classes at specific schools so it’s separate and unequal at its finest.

No, it’s not being stupid and allocating scarce and finite resources to an edge case. It’s about a critical mass of demand being met with an appropriate allocation of resources. Does that mean some DD may, gasp, have to be mildly inconvenienced or unable to take certain math courses a few levels above what is generally considered an appropriate high school course offering? Well, yes, it does. If you disagree, move to a place offering what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

What did you base this off on? Neither children of mine go to either school but even I heard about Einstein theatre and music production.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to go out in a limb and suggest that if Einstein had a choice between spending money on a MVC teacher and spending money on making sure students are at grade level, they are going to spend that money on the more prevalent issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to go out in a limb and suggest that if Einstein had a choice between spending money on a MVC teacher and spending money on making sure students are at grade level, they are going to spend that money on the more prevalent issue.

Absolutely. I’m the PP making that point. This is an edge case, nothing more and not something a huge, bureaucratic public school district should be prioritizing.

[Anonymous]

People on here may or may not know it but a student from Wootton (not even in this discussion) went on to Broadway a few years ago and won the Tony Award for playing Michael Jackson in MJ the musical. I don't think it matters all that much who has the better musical theater or instrumental program. The reality is that the successful students (i.e., able to pursue the arts professionally) are coming from many different schools. Many of them participate in programs like YAA, MYPO etc., These are audition only programs that attract some amazing young talent. I've been blown away by some of these young performers. It would be great if MCPS had a true performing arts magnet program that was highly competitive and attracted the most talented performers (i.e., Duke Ellington in DC, LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts in NY-"FAME").

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure why MCPS is giving Whitman humanities when it needs to go to Northwood. Also splitting the performing arts is ridiculous. Give Einstein Performing Arts and Northwood Humanities so there’s not much disruption to the student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to go out in a limb and suggest that if Einstein had a choice between spending money on a MVC teacher and spending money on making sure students are at grade level, they are going to spend that money on the more prevalent issue.

Absolutely. I’m the PP making that point. This is an edge case, nothing more and not something a huge, bureaucratic public school district should be prioritizing.

+1 this is a big money pit distraction from what would help make things equitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Northwood is a better performing arts program and that’s why they are getting the criteria program. Einstein has a better visual arts program. Both schools will keep local programs too. I don’t know why this is so complicated for Einstein parents except they are have prejudice against other schools which makes no sense because Einstein is no blue ribbon school either.

Does Northwood split Guitar 1 and Guitar institute separate classes (same question for piano)? If not, I’m not at all impressed. Einstein also combines these courses and it’s painful for experienced students. Especially if you’re coming from a MS where you already took guitar and piano or have private lessons.

Does Northwood have 2 curricular jazz bands? Does their marching band do community parades? How many students from Northwood end up in All State and Honors ensembles?

Einstein only has two where as other schools have more. Einstein marching band doesn’t compete. The teacher at Einstein runs all state so they take their students. I wouldn’t look at that as criteria. I’d look at how many students participate in other competitive groups. Very few at both schools.

I'd like to weigh in here as a music parent, even though I don't have kids in any of the schools mentioned. My kids are now 20 and 15.

For music, you need years of private lessons with a great teacher to get into All-State regularly and do well in similar or higher level auditions or regional or international competitions. The caliber of the public school program doesn't matter at all. It's negligible.

My youngest kid was at Westland MS, which has a jazz band, and three orchestras, and sends students to junior All-State regularly: the level of the highest musical ensembles was not comparable to what my kid was doing in her private music lessons and private youth orchestra (MCYO). Now she's at BCC HS, and again, even though there's a nice jazz department, and multiple orchestras and bands and whatnots (it's a reputable program, as public schools go)... the level of the top philharmonic orchestra, which my kid is in, is not comparable to the music she does outside of school. All these school ensembles win top prizes at national events *for public schools* in Chicago or Nashville or New York every year. But compared to the real stuff that goes in the world of music, the public school music level is abysmal. There's no other word. We love all the teachers, they're great! But they're dealing with kids who don't have private lessons, or who don't have many years of private lessons. They're limited in what they can do. It's not their fault. The level of a public school music program is never going to impress a college admissions officer.

The kids who are going to Senior All-State didn't get there because of their public schools. They are required to sign up for music class in public school to be *eligible* for All-State. This is how public schools retain talent to boost music programs. Talent that is built on years of private lessons paid for by parents.

I want to explain this so that you stop wringing your hands and comparing two public school music programs. The differences between them are NEGLIGIBLE. Truly.

I cannot comment about other art forms, but in general academics are what's most important when choosing a school. This is really what's going to matter in life: developing critical thinking skills, that are mostly taught through higher-level math and analytical reading and writing. The arts enhance critical understanding and cultural development, but if the core academics aren't there... they cannot replace them.

Please focus on your kids' academics. And I say this as a parent whose kids spent years in music and really loved it. One of my kids started their instrument at 3 and did two private lessons every week, year round, won international competitions and performed solo at Carnegie Hall. Math and writing are still more important.

What an unhelpful comment. "if you are wealthy like me, you can put you children into even BETTER programs beyond what is available MCPS! Who cares about those poor, public schools!" Study math, it's important.

This is not useful to most people. Everyone is already focusing on" your kids academics". We know that math is important. That is not the point of all of this. The point is that schools that have interesting and successful program are being destroyed. No one is mentioning this, but the IB program--a rigorous, internationally-recognized curriculum) at Einstein is also being dismantled. Why?

Kids at Einstein want to study math but they have to go outside Einstein to other schools to do anything beyond BC. MCPS is not offering anything more than what is already there. Not all kids want IB. Poll the students and ask them what they want.

How many kids leave Einstein for higher level math than BC? I have a kid at Einstein and am not aware of any, so am curious how big a problem this is.

+1. There's one poster here who is obsessed with MVC not being at Einstein and posts about it over and over.

Why shouldn’t Einstein and the other schools have the same access to upper level math, science and other stem? Why should it only be at the wealthier schools?

They should all have access to high level courses. Can we stop with the wealthier schools trope, though? All schools should have the typical progression of challenging courses. But most kids in most schools are not on a trajectory for MVC.

But, they don’t and that’s the point. And, this new plan only has advanced classes at specific schools so it’s separate and unequal at its finest.

No, it’s not being stupid and allocating scarce and finite resources to an edge case. It’s about a critical mass of demand being met with an appropriate allocation of resources. Does that mean some DD may, gasp, have to be mildly inconvenienced or unable to take certain math courses a few levels above what is generally considered an appropriate high school course offering? Well, yes, it does. If you disagree, move to a place offering what you want.

It's easy to say that when your kids have access to the classes they need to graduate and be successful, but what if they didn't? We aren't moving and shouldn't have to move to get what your kids get. By the time I spend $200-300K, I will choose private, which is what we will do. We like our home and community. We don't to be in a community like yours that self-segregates and looks down on others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People on here may or may not know it but a student from Wootton (not even in this discussion) went on to Broadway a few years ago and won the Tony Award for playing Michael Jackson in MJ the musical. I don't think it matters all that much who has the better musical theater or instrumental program. The reality is that the successful students (i.e., able to pursue the arts professionally) are coming from many different schools. Many of them participate in programs like YAA, MYPO etc., These are audition only programs that attract some amazing young talent. I've been blown away by some of these young performers. It would be great if MCPS had a true performing arts magnet program that was highly competitive and attracted the most talented performers (i.e., Duke Ellington in DC, LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts in NY-"FAME").

To be in MCYO, there is no MYPO, or are you thinking PVYO, and YYA? You have to be in school and take private lessons, so they are only attracting the more comfortable. There is financial help available once you are accepted, but you won't be accepted without a strong background. They do make rare exceptions but the expectation is to be in school arts as well. The difference between the schools is significant in terms of opportunities. A duke Ellington would be great but I don't think their academics are strong.