Workload at Richard Montgomery IB magnet program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But even if you are still managing your time well, it is 4-5hrs a homework like previous people stated? Is that weekends too.

You have to study on weekends too. I can't tell you how many hours but it's an intense program. When you attend the info session, make sure to ask the coordinator/current students. Technically speaking, HW might be only 2-3 hours per night but kids have to spend a lot of time "studying."

That is the main thing. You are not only doing homework for the toughest courses that the school can offer, but you are taking AP classes too (starting from 9th), you are also doing EC activities, volunteer work, studying for SATs (subject SATs). All these take time. You are working towards long term, medium term and short term goals.

You are also working towards an IB Diploma, MCPS graduation requirements, college admissions (and requirements), EC activities and maintaining a high GPA in school. [u] Thankfully, the IB office does an excellent job of breaking it all down and tracking these students to make sure no one is dropping the ball. I do think they do an exceptional job.

IB requirements for IB diploma is the following - and it has to be done in the 11th and 12th grades.

1)150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) - These are like SSL hours, but to be done in at least eleven discrete activities, over two years (11th and 12th grade). So 150 hours of theatre will not count towards 150 CAS hours .

2) 6 IB exams taken in - Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, History

3) Extended Essay (Sort of a dissertation on an assigned subject area, with an advisor assigned).


So, it is a lot of work. Most of these kids also take AP exams, SAT subject exams, work as interns, some have part-time jobs...

This is very helpful. I have to wonder though whether this would be any different at another school where children pursue the IB diploma and also have extra curricular activities and also have the option to take AP exams - BCC comes to mind. Are the IB diploma students there in the same situation as the ones at RBIM in terms of workload and stress? Why does RMIB have such a reputation for being a brutal, mind-numbing slog for four years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But even if you are still managing your time well, it is 4-5hrs a homework like previous people stated? Is that weekends too.

You have to study on weekends too. I can't tell you how many hours but it's an intense program. When you attend the info session, make sure to ask the coordinator/current students. Technically speaking, HW might be only 2-3 hours per night but kids have to spend a lot of time "studying."

That is the main thing. You are not only doing homework for the toughest courses that the school can offer, but you are taking AP classes too (starting from 9th), you are also doing EC activities, volunteer work, studying for SATs (subject SATs). All these take time. You are working towards long term, medium term and short term goals.

You are also working towards an IB Diploma, MCPS graduation requirements, college admissions (and requirements), EC activities and maintaining a high GPA in school. [u] Thankfully, the IB office does an excellent job of breaking it all down and tracking these students to make sure no one is dropping the ball. I do think they do an exceptional job.

IB requirements for IB diploma is the following - and it has to be done in the 11th and 12th grades.

1)150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) - These are like SSL hours, but to be done in at least eleven discrete activities, over two years (11th and 12th grade). So 150 hours of theatre will not count towards 150 CAS hours .

2) 6 IB exams taken in - Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, History

3) Extended Essay (Sort of a dissertation on an assigned subject area, with an advisor assigned).

So, it is a lot of work. Most of these kids also take AP exams, SAT subject exams, work as interns, some have part-time jobs...

This is very helpful. I have to wonder though whether this would be any different at another school where children pursue the IB diploma and also have extra curricular activities and also have the option to take AP exams - BCC comes to mind. Are the IB diploma students there in the same situation as the ones at RBIM in terms of workload and stress? Why does RMIB have such a reputation for being a brutal, mind-numbing slog for four years?

Many schools offer IB within MCPS. Even in RM, there is always an option for non RMIB magnet students to take an IB course, take the exam and get credits for that. Sort of doing IB à la carte.

For the diploma, you have to do the extras listed above, as well as in the exams you have to score at a certain level. IB exams have a score of 1 to 7. (http://www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/become-an-ib-school/dp-general-regulatioin-2014.pdf )

RM IB is more difficult than any other IB because -
- Everyone strives for the diploma. Everyone also strives for the IB recognition of scoring very high in the IB exams.
- Not only their curriculum is harder, they are being graded on a curve in a class of exceptionally bright peers. So earning a 4.0 in the GPA is very hard. Only a handful of IB kids had a 4.0 GPA from MCPS.
- To differentiate from a cohort of high achievers, you have to be exceptionally good in a lot of EC activities.
- The effort to fulfill the diploma requirements coincides with the time when students are applying for colleges.
- The resumes of everyone is stacked to the brim. Even a student who is not very involved in EC (as compared to an average RMIB student) will be in all kinds of Honor Societies, they will be part of a few prestigious clubs, winner of some national competition, active in SGA, activism, interning, working... Each one is capable of (and would have) been a valedictorian in an ordinary HS for the amount of work they put in.
- Taking AP courses (even by self study) is a normal path for most students. A lot of them double up on AP exams as well as IB exams (because AP exams are deemed easier than IB, since AP is multiple choice and easier).

I have seen that while the IB office does a great job of letting the kids and parents know what to expect, the children who do well are also those who are clued in as to what to do when. These are kids who have a good idea of the timeline of IB as well as the timeline of college applications and pace themselves well. I know of a number of students who were done with SAT/ACT in their sophomore and junior years. Preparation is the key. If you are not well prepared and hit the ground running, you will be the one who will feel overwhelmed. So, make use of the IB office and chart out the long, medium and short term goals and make a timeline.

Most of these kids had already done the MCPS graduation of 75 hours of SSL in middle school itself. They are that prepared. They are usually graduating with hundred of hours of SSL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Most of these kids had already done the MCPS graduation of 75 hours of SSL in middle school itself. They are that prepared. They are usually graduating with hundred of hours of SSL.

75 SSL hours in middle school doesn't really require much preparation. My kid had 75 by the end of the first quarter of seventh grade, and while she's generally organized, she is by no means a speedy or efficient worker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most of these kids had already done the MCPS graduation of 75 hours of SSL in middle school itself. They are that prepared. They are usually graduating with hundred of hours of SSL.

75 SSL hours in middle school doesn't really require much preparation. My kid had 75 by the end of the first quarter of seventh grade, and while she's generally organized, she is by no means a speedy or efficient worker.

I agree the 75 SSL hours in MS is not that big a deal. Especially for those who have earned it. You would think that this is such a low lying fruit that most kids would have this under their belt. The truth is that come HS graduation, and the kids wearing that special sash/tassel that signifies that they finished 75 hours of SSL in middle school, over their graduation gown/cap are few and far between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It sounds to me like RMIB will encourage efficiency, writing, analysis, communication, and factual understanding (all good things) -- but not creativity, because there is no time or space for it.

Not true - there are many options of IB arts classes students can choose from to fulfill their sixth subject area. And with courses like Theory of Knowledge, and with the interdisciplinary approach, students DO have time and space for creativity.

Additional classes and classwork are not what provides time and space for creativity.

You do not know the program but...



+10000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a great thread to read today...

-a parent who is not sure that she wants her child to get in to a magnet.

That it is.
I have a smart girl and when she was applying for high schools I called some parents of kids in various public magnet programs.
One mom told me that the 'special program' at our local high school wasn't good enough because the kids 'have time for things like sports' whereas in the magnet programs they don't. What? I was shocked at how these parents thought their child being stressed out and overwhelmed was the ultimate badge of honor.
Another program (not a magnet) was described as a 'full time job' with papers 'of length rather than substance' that needed to be churned out every day.
Kind of like having a bad desk job as an adult? She said her child needed a gap year and some meds to recover from the stress.

We ended up sending DD to a private school that has a great program but that has learned to scale down the excessive work so that there is balance.
It's been great for her.
I wonder why some of the public programs don't consider this? Is it because the parents would wig out about the lack of work?

It's not a race - kids don't have to do college level work starting at age 13 so that college is easy. Not only that but you have a lot more free time in college as you are never in classes from 8-2 every day (it's more like 11-1).

I View this similarly to you, and wonder what private school did you find that you were happy with? We are considering that Avenue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But even if you are still managing your time well, it is 4-5hrs a homework like previous people stated? Is that weekends too.

You have to study on weekends too. I can't tell you how many hours but it's an intense program. When you attend the info session, make sure to ask the coordinator/current students. Technically speaking, HW might be only 2-3 hours per night but kids have to spend a lot of time "studying."

That is the main thing. You are not only doing homework for the toughest courses that the school can offer, but you are taking AP classes too (starting from 9th), you are also doing EC activities, volunteer work, studying for SATs (subject SATs). All these take time. You are working towards long term, medium term and short term goals.

You are also working towards an IB Diploma, MCPS graduation requirements, college admissions (and requirements), EC activities and maintaining a high GPA in school. [u] Thankfully, the IB office does an excellent job of breaking it all down and tracking these students to make sure no one is dropping the ball. I do think they do an exceptional job.

IB requirements for IB diploma is the following - and it has to be done in the 11th and 12th grades.

1)150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) - These are like SSL hours, but to be done in at least eleven discrete activities, over two years (11th and 12th grade). So 150 hours of theatre will not count towards 150 CAS hours .

2) 6 IB exams taken in - Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, History

3) Extended Essay (Sort of a dissertation on an assigned subject area, with an advisor assigned).

So, it is a lot of work. Most of these kids also take AP exams, SAT subject exams, work as interns, some have part-time jobs...

This is very helpful. I have to wonder though whether this would be any different at another school where children pursue the IB diploma and also have extra curricular activities and also have the option to take AP exams - BCC comes to mind. Are the IB diploma students there in the same situation as the ones at RBIM in terms of workload and stress? Why does RMIB have such a reputation for being a brutal, mind-numbing slog for four years?

Many schools offer IB within MCPS. Even in RM, there is always an option for non RMIB magnet students to take an IB course, take the exam and get credits for that. Sort of doing IB à la carte.

For the diploma, you have to do the extras listed above, as well as in the exams you have to score at a certain level. IB exams have a score of 1 to 7. (http://www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/become-an-ib-school/dp-general-regulatioin-2014.pdf )

RM IB is more difficult than any other IB because -
- Everyone strives for the diploma. Everyone also strives for the IB recognition of scoring very high in the IB exams.
- Not only their curriculum is harder, they are being graded on a curve in a class of exceptionally bright peers. So earning a 4.0 in the GPA is very hard. Only a handful of IB kids had a 4.0 GPA from MCPS.
- To differentiate from a cohort of high achievers, you have to be exceptionally good in a lot of EC activities.
- The effort to fulfill the diploma requirements coincides with the time when students are applying for colleges.
- The resumes of everyone is stacked to the brim. Even a student who is not very involved in EC (as compared to an average RMIB student) will be in all kinds of Honor Societies, they will be part of a few prestigious clubs, winner of some national competition, active in SGA, activism, interning, working... Each one is capable of (and would have) been a valedictorian in an ordinary HS for the amount of work they put in.
- Taking AP courses (even by self study) is a normal path for most students. A lot of them double up on AP exams as well as IB exams (because AP exams are deemed easier than IB, since AP is multiple choice and easier).

I have seen that while the IB office does a great job of letting the kids and parents know what to expect, the children who do well are also those who are clued in as to what to do when. These are kids who have a good idea of the timeline of IB as well as the timeline of college applications and pace themselves well. I know of a number of students who were done with SAT/ACT in their sophomore and junior years. Preparation is the key. If you are not well prepared and hit the ground running, you will be the one who will feel overwhelmed. So, make use of the IB office and chart out the long, medium and short term goals and make a timeline.

Most of these kids had already done the MCPS graduation of 75 hours of SSL in middle school itself. They are that prepared. They are usually graduating with hundred of hours of SSL.

Wow - this is eye opening.
I did not realize they grade on a curve - no wonder these kids are under so much stress if they are competing with each other. It also sounds like a lot of the pressure is self generating - they are trying to distinguish themselves from their classmates on their college apps. I wonder if it is like this at Blair SMAC.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard that they grade on a curve..so for every A there is an F and the average in each class is a C. I am having a hard time believing that..

[Anonymous]

I don't know what "grade on a curve" means... but here is a little video clip of IB kids. hope it give you some sense of what kids are like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEbXRRdZ4P0

[Anonymous]

Anyone got into RMIB but considering not attending? Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone got into RMIB but considering not attending? Why?

DS is more interested in Blair SMAC - he said he got the impression (from the two info nights) that the kids there enjoy what they do more than the kids at RMIB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone got into RMIB but considering not attending? Why?

DC got into Blair SMAC, Blair CAP, and RMIB, and prefers Blair SMAC because his real interest is math, and because the commute to RMIB would eat up a lot of each day.

[Anonymous]

Considering Blair because RM does not seem as organized. Info night was a mess. Very little info in the acceptance package. Nothing about shadowing. Got a phone call from a Blair student this weekend for questions. But live much closer to RM

[Anonymous]

This is a great thread to read today...

-a parent who is not sure that she wants her child to get in to a magnet.

It does sound funny. But my daughter got into a magnet yet doesn't want to attend b/c so many kids end up with severe anxiety. She said her classes are challenging enough and she doesn't want to only focus on school.

Maybe I have the greatest underachiever??? But she certainly does well in school and obviously knows her threshold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering Blair because RM does not seem as organized. Info night was a mess. Very little info in the acceptance package. Nothing about shadowing. Got a phone call from a Blair student this weekend for questions. But live much closer to RM

You can't shadow if you're moving from public to public. Are you from a private?