High expectation and no stress-- which high school in mcps is best ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair just won the National Science Bowl.


QO, Sherwood, Northwest, Blake, Richard Montgomery (non-magnet) seem like good balanced options to me.

I'd also add Northwood to the list. I think it's generally underrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blair just won the National Science Bowl.

Also has the highest admission rates to top universities of any Montgomery County HS from the data in the 2015 issue of Bethesda Magazine.

Yes, we know the Blair magnet kids do quite well, but are you trying to imply that these kids have low stress?????

Magnets are fine for certain kids who thrive and can handle fast paced environment. For most, it's not the right fit.

[Anonymous]

If kids can't handle HS stress, how will they handle college stress? It will be much more stressful than HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Acadamic excellence needs to make students work hard to reach their potential, but at the same time many oarents are complaining their kids are under too much pressure to take APs or other highly challenge classes and too much homework in ES and MS. Is there a way to achieve excellence without too much homework/stress? Looking for a school cluster is balanced.

There is not a cluster or school that will be perfect. The only balance you can give your child is to NOT feel pressure by you, the school, or anyone else to overwhelm his or her potential. My daughter dropped out of two honors courses because she needed a little bit more of a life. 3 season of sports and some clubs were more important than the top tier class. Would you as a parent be okay with that? If not, it won't matter where you send your kid. You will pressure them.

While I disagree with the specifics above (sports over academics), I agree with the overall argument. Your child will be fine in a competitive environment as long as you can help them get off the "hamster wheel" if that is what they want, and as long as you don't get caught up in it (your self worth isn't tied to your kid's achievements).

I will also echo the other posters that said the Ws aren't that challenging for their kids. If your kid really should be in those top classes - they will be fine. The kids that struggle are those that are pushed to take higher (or more higher level classes) than they can really handle.

But you don't agree with the argument because you are no different than any other parent. You want the highest classes but still want your kids involved in all the activities. They can't do it and feel mentally well balanced. Have a moment to breath on their own. You think think kids should take the highest classes possible, even if means not being a part of any sports, theater, arts, or clubs? If a child can take 3 AP courses without any outside activities (getting home at 2:30pm), do you think that same child could take those same courses not getting home until 6-7pm every night after sports and still have a normal life? The kids that are faltering are getting 5 hours of sleep trying to fit everything in. So basically you are saying kids should drop sports and outside interests to take the highest classes possible? They shouldn't balance their high school life more appropriately?

Would you stay in your job if it required you over 12 hours a day, no time to see your kids, go to the gym or do any other outside interests? Just work and come home and work 3-4 hours more by yourself, go to bed and do the same again the next day? High school is much more than the top academic classes. There is theater, art classes, sports team, being a sports manager, various clubs, student council, debate, etc.... Parents only seem to be interested in any of those so long as their kid is taking top honors and AP classes. THAT is the problem. YOU are the problem. It is not wrong for kids to say they don't want to overdue it so they can enjoy being in the school's drama productions or because they want to be on the football team that doesn't get them home until 7pm. They should be able to choose those things. It isn't like kids are opting for remedial classes with no homework and not giving a shit. They just shouldn't have to take all honors and AP classes just to justify being in outside activities. This pressure to be perfect at everything isn't natural. Let the kids that ONLY want to do academics take that heavy course load because that is what they want to do. 97% of the student body shouldn't be, especially with outside activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/September-October-2015/College-Admissions-Chart/index.php?cparticle=3&siarticle=2#artanc

Here's the link to the Bethesda Magazine data that shows actual education outcomes. I find this more useful than relying on the SES rankings provided by the Great Schools websites.

Depends on how you define "outcome." Many kids who cannot afford e.g. Harvard or Yale go to UMD - not because that was the only place they could be admitted, but because that is what the family finances dictate.

BS

I bet there isn't a a handful (5) kids in all of MD freshman class that was admitted to an IVY that turned it down for MD, 5 might be pushing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Acadamic excellence needs to make students work hard to reach their potential, but at the same time many oarents are complaining their kids are under too much pressure to take APs or other highly challenge classes and too much homework in ES and MS. Is there a way to achieve excellence without too much homework/stress? Looking for a school cluster is balanced.

There is not a cluster or school that will be perfect. The only balance you can give your child is to NOT feel pressure by you, the school, or anyone else to overwhelm his or her potential. My daughter dropped out of two honors courses because she needed a little bit more of a life. 3 season of sports and some clubs were more important than the top tier class. Would you as a parent be okay with that? If not, it won't matter where you send your kid. You will pressure them.

While I disagree with the specifics above (sports over academics), I agree with the overall argument. Your child will be fine in a competitive environment as long as you can help them get off the "hamster wheel" if that is what they want, and as long as you don't get caught up in it (your self worth isn't tied to your kid's achievements).

I will also echo the other posters that said the Ws aren't that challenging for their kids. If your kid really should be in those top classes - they will be fine. The kids that struggle are those that are pushed to take higher (or more higher level classes) than they can really handle.

But you don't agree with the argument because you are no different than any other parent. You want the highest classes but still want your kids involved in all the activities. They can't do it and feel mentally well balanced. Have a moment to breath on their own. You think think kids should take the highest classes possible, even if means not being a part of any sports, theater, arts, or clubs? If a child can take 3 AP courses without any outside activities (getting home at 2:30pm), do you think that same child could take those same courses not getting home until 6-7pm every night after sports and still have a normal life? The kids that are faltering are getting 5 hours of sleep trying to fit everything in. So basically you are saying kids should drop sports and outside interests to take the highest classes possible? They shouldn't balance their high school life more appropriately?

Would you stay in your job if it required you over 12 hours a day, no time to see your kids, go to the gym or do any other outside interests? Just work and come home and work 3-4 hours more by yourself, go to bed and do the same again the next day? High school is much more than the top academic classes. There is theater, art classes, sports team, being a sports manager, various clubs, student council, debate, etc.... Parents only seem to be interested in any of those so long as their kid is taking top honors and AP classes. THAT is the problem. YOU are the problem. It is not wrong for kids to say they don't want to overdue it so they can enjoy being in the school's drama productions or because they want to be on the football team that doesn't get them home until 7pm. They should be able to choose those things. It isn't like kids are opting for remedial classes with no homework and not giving a shit. They just shouldn't have to take all honors and AP classes just to justify being in outside activities. This pressure to be perfect at everything isn't natural. Let the kids that ONLY want to do academics take that heavy course load because that is what they want to do. 97% of the student body shouldn't be, especially with outside activities.

I'm sorry, I honestly didn't mean to upset you. If you read through my post and your response carefully, I think you will see that I was the one saying it is the parents that are causing the issue, by demanding too much than their kids can give. You are the one insisting that they have to do it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/September-October-2015/College-Admissions-Chart/index.php?cparticle=3&siarticle=2#artanc

Here's the link to the Bethesda Magazine data that shows actual education outcomes. I find this more useful than relying on the SES rankings provided by the Great Schools websites.

Depends on how you define "outcome." Many kids who cannot afford e.g. Harvard or Yale go to UMD - not because that was the only place they could be admitted, but because that is what the family finances dictate.

BS

I bet there isn't a a handful (5) kids in all of MD freshman class that was admitted to an IVY that turned it down for MD, 5 might be pushing it.

It is very common at e.g. the Blair magnet, where many of the kids come from families who neither qualify for need-based aid, nor can afford the full price of an Ivy or similar school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Acadamic excellence needs to make students work hard to reach their potential, but at the same time many oarents are complaining their kids are under too much pressure to take APs or other highly challenge classes and too much homework in ES and MS. Is there a way to achieve excellence without too much homework/stress? Looking for a school cluster is balanced.

There is not a cluster or school that will be perfect. The only balance you can give your child is to NOT feel pressure by you, the school, or anyone else to overwhelm his or her potential. My daughter dropped out of two honors courses because she needed a little bit more of a life. 3 season of sports and some clubs were more important than the top tier class. Would you as a parent be okay with that? If not, it won't matter where you send your kid. You will pressure them.

While I disagree with the specifics above (sports over academics), I agree with the overall argument. Your child will be fine in a competitive environment as long as you can help them get off the "hamster wheel" if that is what they want, and as long as you don't get caught up in it (your self worth isn't tied to your kid's achievements).

I will also echo the other posters that said the Ws aren't that challenging for their kids. If your kid really should be in those top classes - they will be fine. The kids that struggle are those that are pushed to take higher (or more higher level classes) than they can really handle.

But you don't agree with the argument because you are no different than any other parent. You want the highest classes but still want your kids involved in all the activities. They can't do it and feel mentally well balanced. Have a moment to breath on their own. You think think kids should take the highest classes possible, even if means not being a part of any sports, theater, arts, or clubs? If a child can take 3 AP courses without any outside activities (getting home at 2:30pm), do you think that same child could take those same courses not getting home until 6-7pm every night after sports and still have a normal life? The kids that are faltering are getting 5 hours of sleep trying to fit everything in. So basically you are saying kids should drop sports and outside interests to take the highest classes possible? They shouldn't balance their high school life more appropriately?

Would you stay in your job if it required you over 12 hours a day, no time to see your kids, go to the gym or do any other outside interests? Just work and come home and work 3-4 hours more by yourself, go to bed and do the same again the next day? High school is much more than the top academic classes. There is theater, art classes, sports team, being a sports manager, various clubs, student council, debate, etc.... Parents only seem to be interested in any of those so long as their kid is taking top honors and AP classes. THAT is the problem. YOU are the problem. It is not wrong for kids to say they don't want to overdue it so they can enjoy being in the school's drama productions or because they want to be on the football team that doesn't get them home until 7pm. They should be able to choose those things. It isn't like kids are opting for remedial classes with no homework and not giving a shit. They just shouldn't have to take all honors and AP classes just to justify being in outside activities. This pressure to be perfect at everything isn't natural. Let the kids that ONLY want to do academics take that heavy course load because that is what they want to do. 97% of the student body shouldn't be, especially with outside activities.

You are so right. These "academics before athletics" parents really mean they want their kids excelling in tough academic courses AND taking a million activities. No time for sleep if you can do both. So then the kids that are just in AP's and not many outside activities feel they need to up the ante. Take on 6-7 courses. Viscous vicious cycle that parents allow. Teens shouldn't live like this and many parents end up regretting how hard they pushed their kids once they are gone off to college and back to average like everyone else. Realizing they lost a lot of time with their kids but kinda pushed them away too. Sad.

[Anonymous]

You are so right. These "academics before athletics" parents really mean they want their kids excelling in tough academic courses AND taking a million activities. No time for sleep if you can do both. So then the kids that are just in AP's and not many outside activities feel they need to up the ante. Take on 6-7 courses. Viscous vicious cycle that parents allow. Teens shouldn't live like this and many parents end up regretting how hard they pushed their kids once they are gone off to college and back to average like everyone else. Realizing they lost a lot of time with their kids but kinda pushed them away too. Sad.

Why is it sad? You raise your kids anyway you want to raise them and let others do the same. Just because you and I have different "values" doesn't mean only one is right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If kids can't handle HS stress, how will they handle college stress? It will be much more stressful than HS.

They can handle normal HS stress and are successful in college. That is why people are looking for normal HSs.

They just don't plan to make it crazy stressful with 4-5 APS, 5 ECs and 5 hours of sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You are so right. These "academics before athletics" parents really mean they want their kids excelling in tough academic courses AND taking a million activities. No time for sleep if you can do both. So then the kids that are just in AP's and not many outside activities feel they need to up the ante. Take on 6-7 courses. Viscous vicious cycle that parents allow. Teens shouldn't live like this and many parents end up regretting how hard they pushed their kids once they are gone off to college and back to average like everyone else. Realizing they lost a lot of time with their kids but kinda pushed them away too. Sad.

Why is it sad? You raise your kids anyway you want to raise them and let others do the same. Just because you and I have different "values" doesn't mean only one is right.

It sad because many look back and wish they did it differently or kids end up hating their parents and thei HS experience. It's sad because parents look around and follow the crowd, but realize later it was unhealthy.

People realize after all it did not make them more successful. It was all for naught.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You are so right. These "academics before athletics" parents really mean they want their kids excelling in tough academic courses AND taking a million activities. No time for sleep if you can do both. So then the kids that are just in AP's and not many outside activities feel they need to up the ante. Take on 6-7 courses. Viscous vicious cycle that parents allow. Teens shouldn't live like this and many parents end up regretting how hard they pushed their kids once they are gone off to college and back to average like everyone else. Realizing they lost a lot of time with their kids but kinda pushed them away too. Sad.

Why is it sad? You raise your kids anyway you want to raise them and let others do the same. Just because you and I have different "values" doesn't mean only one is right.

The fact that you are asking why the above comment is sad makes you the most clueless one of all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You are so right. These "academics before athletics" parents really mean they want their kids excelling in tough academic courses AND taking a million activities. No time for sleep if you can do both. So then the kids that are just in AP's and not many outside activities feel they need to up the ante. Take on 6-7 courses. Viscous vicious cycle that parents allow. Teens shouldn't live like this and many parents end up regretting how hard they pushed their kids once they are gone off to college and back to average like everyone else. Realizing they lost a lot of time with their kids but kinda pushed them away too. Sad.

Why is it sad? You raise your kids anyway you want to raise them and let others do the same. Just because you and I have different "values" doesn't mean only one is right.

The fact that you are asking why the above comment is sad makes you the most clueless one of all.

There are a lot of things I am sad about in life, kids pushing themselves is not one of them.

[Anonymous]

I'm the same poster from a few pages back who said my "W" school sophomore was ok with the stress level.

I'm responding now to the point about intense academics v. everything else that kids need/want to do. I agree with the point that it's crazy and counterproductive to expect kids to do absolutely everything to the highest level. You need to set your priorities, in consultation with your kid. My kid knows I care most about his school work. He does other stuff, but when it's crunch time he knows that he is going to half ass his way through non school work commitments and he has my blessing to do that. He even has my blessing to half ass his way through school assignments in classes where he can afford to get a less than great grade at that moment.

I don't think high school is too early to figure out how to prioritize your obligations. And part of our job as parents is to help our kids figure out how to make those calculations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If kids can't handle HS stress, how will they handle college stress? It will be much more stressful than HS.

They can handle normal HS stress and are successful in college. That is why people are looking for normal HSs.

They just don't plan to make it crazy stressful with 4-5 APS, 5 ECs and 5 hours of sleep.

not b/c of school work, but b/c all other "stuff" they do - games, FB, texting, surfing...etc.