Who is considering turning down a middle school magnet spot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you go to TP or Eastern magnet’s, that also opens doors in terms of applying to DCC-only application programs for high school, like the Wheaton biomed and engineering magnets and Blair CAP. These aren’t open to non DCC students unless they went to TP or Eastern magnets.

Where can we find more information? Can kids take the Blair bus

17:51 here. More info about what? Where can TP and EMS magnet kids apply? You can check each high school magnet program’s website. If you get into a Blair program, you can ride the Blair bus (the same ones the TP and EMS kids take). I know Wheaton doesn’t have a bus to the western part of the County so you’d have to drive to a bus stop in the DCC. You’d have to check each schoos’s website and bus route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean kids get bullied or beat up, or what’s happening at Eastern?

Our DC likes Eastern overall, and really likes the Magnet. He says the lunch room is loud, and the kids in his PE/health class mess around a ton. But, he doesn't notice much difference in his science and math classes (non-magnet) in terms of mis-behaving. No bullying or beating up to be reported.

I teach at Eastern. There aren’t fights or attacks between the magnet and comprehensive students. Last year, there were two fights between magnet students.

That is straight up not true. Or you are simply unaware.

I do know that admin at all schools likes to downplay incidents, so maybe that is influencing your viewpoint.

But there have definitely been issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have revised the HS app program so no more advantage coming from a middle magnet now...

There is still the "advantage" for kids at TPMS and EMS or other DCC middle schools to be eligible to apply for CAP, Wheaton Biomed etc.

[Anonymous]

You said your kid got into both programs, yeah? I can't speak for eastern, but my DD's an 8th grader at TPMS. I'll try my best to describe the experience there.
DD is very ambitious. I feel like the social pressure of being around kids who've already taken Geometry at Dr. Li's and have been Blair-bound since birth can be overwhelming sometimes. It's so sad because she's really bright, but she lets kids who are already studying math concepts beyond even a high school level get her down. DH always tells her she should just take initiative and get ahead herself, but I honestly disagree with this. She can't teach herself math- she's tried, and she struggled, even with concepts her own level. She's really stressed about her grades because she doesn't want to be considered an "underachiever" and she's been scared about Blair and RMIB results. Overall, however, despite some added stress from the 'cohort' at her school, I don't it think made her any different than she would have been at her home middle.
She got into Eastern, too, but ended up choosing TPMS because it's the 'better' school. The workload isn't very heavy- in fact, I think non-magnet teachers try to compensate for this mythological 'heavy magnet workload' by giving out way more work than other schools. But she handles it. Overall she says her non-magnet classes are extremely easy. She pulls good grades in all her classes, and sometimes she struggles in math and science, but otherwise she seems to be doing relatively well. I don't think your child will struggle much in magnet, even if they aren't the best at math. If they were good enough to get accepted, they should be fine.
In terms of the neighborhood kids, most of them seem alright. Some are a little less 'refined', if you will, but DD says they don't pick on magnet kids anyway. I feel like the way non-magnet kids(or nonmags, as my child affectionately refers to them) are discussed on this board, one would think they're vulgar, savage animals that pick on the meek little nerds in the magnet. Are they? No. They're people, just like magnet kids. A lot of them are very bright as well. They just didn't get into the magnet/didn't apply, because maybe it's not their thing. They're not any different from your standard kid at, say, Frost. They're just normal kids. Yes, even the ones from the 'deep hood'. They've all got their little cliques, some are nerds, some hang out with magnet kids, some are in the 'popular' group, some are loners, and they all stay in their own lanes. Some might be disrespectful, but they're respectful enough to keep it within their own group. I know that some magnet and nonmag groups overlap, too.
Overall, I think there is a fair amount of toxicity within the magnet, but while my daughter is exposed to it in her classes, she chose her friends wisely and ended up with a group of sweet, like-minded kids. She still has a lot of 'decent' friends or borderline acquaintances in both the magnet and neighborhood, and she says that whenever she hangs out with them, despite being in different cliques, they always seem to get along harmoniously.
People overestimate magnet kids. they seem to think that they're all extremely mature geniuses, whereas for the most part, they're just normal kids who got a good test score or do well in school. While there are some uuber-overachievers who come from cram centers like aplus and Dr. Li's, for most kids the magnet is not their only character trait- it's just something that they happen to be, you know? like how it's not 'autistic kids' anymore, but 'kids with autism'. It's not really 'magnet kids', it's more like 'kids in the magnet'. Even the unapproachable and intimidatingly smart kids can be really nice when you get to know them. Yes, even the not-so-humble ones!
As for Eastern, I would assume it's the same for the most part, just with more cockroaches.
The bus ride for DD is an hour and a half each way. Her bus leaves at 6:30 and gets home at 4:30. She says she enjoys her bus ride, but people don't really 'interact' much. for her, it's mostly high schoolers, but she said there are 2 other 8th graders(one from eastern) and one 6th grader, and no one really cares anyway because they're all asleep or on their phones. She does homework and texts friends on the bus, for the most part. I thought it would be a problem, but she gets home around the time after school activities end at her home school, so it's really not that bad. She'd probably get the same amount of sleep if she went to her home school, anyway, with the sleep deprivation epidemic in teens.
I've met all her magnet teachers and they're all very pleasant people. The teachers seem to get better the higher up you go. Unfortunately, both of DD's previous computer science teachers left this year(one of which she said she struggled with, the other I'm surprised hasn't been discussed on this forum at all, given the amount of comical ironic worship of him). I haven't met the new 7th grade teacher yet but the new 6th grade teacher seems amazing compared to her previous 6th grade compsci teacher. The math program is excellent, and I've noticed that they've been doing a lot of enrichment lately, which I love. The science teachers are all amazing and seemingly universally loved.
Finally, remember, it's still your kid's decision in the long run. You can voice your doubts about the program, but I think they should have the final say in it, since it's their future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You said your kid got into both programs, yeah? I can't speak for eastern, but my DD's an 8th grader at TPMS. I'll try my best to describe the experience there.
DD is very ambitious. I feel like the social pressure of being around kids who've already taken Geometry at Dr. Li's and have been Blair-bound since birth can be overwhelming sometimes. It's so sad because she's really bright, but she lets kids who are already studying math concepts beyond even a high school level get her down. DH always tells her she should just take initiative and get ahead herself, but I honestly disagree with this. She can't teach herself math- she's tried, and she struggled, even with concepts her own level. She's really stressed about her grades because she doesn't want to be considered an "underachiever" and she's been scared about Blair and RMIB results. Overall, however, despite some added stress from the 'cohort' at her school, I don't it think made her any different than she would have been at her home middle.
She got into Eastern, too, but ended up choosing TPMS because it's the 'better' school. The workload isn't very heavy- in fact, I think non-magnet teachers try to compensate for this mythological 'heavy magnet workload' by giving out way more work than other schools. But she handles it. Overall she says her non-magnet classes are extremely easy. She pulls good grades in all her classes, and sometimes she struggles in math and science, but otherwise she seems to be doing relatively well. I don't think your child will struggle much in magnet, even if they aren't the best at math. If they were good enough to get accepted, they should be fine.
In terms of the neighborhood kids, most of them seem alright. Some are a little less 'refined', if you will, but DD says they don't pick on magnet kids anyway. I feel like the way non-magnet kids(or nonmags, as my child affectionately refers to them) are discussed on this board, one would think they're vulgar, savage animals that pick on the meek little nerds in the magnet. Are they? No. They're people, just like magnet kids. A lot of them are very bright as well. They just didn't get into the magnet/didn't apply, because maybe it's not their thing. They're not any different from your standard kid at, say, Frost. They're just normal kids. Yes, even the ones from the 'deep hood'. They've all got their little cliques, some are nerds, some hang out with magnet kids, some are in the 'popular' group, some are loners, and they all stay in their own lanes. Some might be disrespectful, but they're respectful enough to keep it within their own group. I know that some magnet and nonmag groups overlap, too.
Overall, I think there is a fair amount of toxicity within the magnet, but while my daughter is exposed to it in her classes, she chose her friends wisely and ended up with a group of sweet, like-minded kids. She still has a lot of 'decent' friends or borderline acquaintances in both the magnet and neighborhood, and she says that whenever she hangs out with them, despite being in different cliques, they always seem to get along harmoniously.
People overestimate magnet kids. they seem to think that they're all extremely mature geniuses, whereas for the most part, they're just normal kids who got a good test score or do well in school. While there are some uuber-overachievers who come from cram centers like aplus and Dr. Li's, for most kids the magnet is not their only character trait- it's just something that they happen to be, you know? like how it's not 'autistic kids' anymore, but 'kids with autism'. It's not really 'magnet kids', it's more like 'kids in the magnet'. Even the unapproachable and intimidatingly smart kids can be really nice when you get to know them. Yes, even the not-so-humble ones!
As for Eastern, I would assume it's the same for the most part, just with more cockroaches.
The bus ride for DD is an hour and a half each way. Her bus leaves at 6:30 and gets home at 4:30. She says she enjoys her bus ride, but people don't really 'interact' much. for her, it's mostly high schoolers, but she said there are 2 other 8th graders(one from eastern) and one 6th grader, and no one really cares anyway because they're all asleep or on their phones. She does homework and texts friends on the bus, for the most part. I thought it would be a problem, but she gets home around the time after school activities end at her home school, so it's really not that bad. She'd probably get the same amount of sleep if she went to her home school, anyway, with the sleep deprivation epidemic in teens.
I've met all her magnet teachers and they're all very pleasant people. The teachers seem to get better the higher up you go. Unfortunately, both of DD's previous computer science teachers left this year(one of which she said she struggled with, the other I'm surprised hasn't been discussed on this forum at all, given the amount of comical ironic worship of him). I haven't met the new 7th grade teacher yet but the new 6th grade teacher seems amazing compared to her previous 6th grade compsci teacher. The math program is excellent, and I've noticed that they've been doing a lot of enrichment lately, which I love. The science teachers are all amazing and seemingly universally loved.
Finally, remember, it's still your kid's decision in the long run. You can voice your doubts about the program, but I think they should have the final say in it, since it's their future.

Hmm. I have a feeling parents are going to get triggered about this, mainly because they are going to think that the "cram center" comments about arrogant kids are about their pathetic lily-white nerdy and probably autistic son who got in without any prep because they live in Bethesda and are privileged AF instead of the children of Asian tiger parents. But hey, "racism", am I right?
Yea, nah. My kid went to Eastern and can attest to the fact that these are all Asian kids. Especially the Asian boys. While not all of them are like this, a lot of them are big bullies and think all other magnet kids are below them!
But we have to hand it to them when their parents make them feel worthless every day for not getting into TPMS, right?
This is going to get taken down, but I digress. Quote me so that the facts can stay on here!

[Anonymous]

19:32 thanks for the thoughtful response

DS got into Tacoma and we have some real reservations especially regarding the bus ride and being pulled away from the great community we have at our neighborhood school. I’m curious how your daughter found the social transition, as well as whether you think the magnet experience places her in a better position for high school (either by way of having engaged her more academically, or with regard to school placement options In the county, which admittedly I know little about)

Really torn between letting my kid be a kid without a stressful commute and seizing an opportunity that might not be there again and could open up doors for him (he’s smart and reasonably motivated, but pretty much just a normal kid)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean kids get bullied or beat up, or what’s happening at Eastern?

Our DC likes Eastern overall, and really likes the Magnet. He says the lunch room is loud, and the kids in his PE/health class mess around a ton. But, he doesn't notice much difference in his science and math classes (non-magnet) in terms of mis-behaving. No bullying or beating up to be reported.

I teach at Eastern. There aren’t fights or attacks between the magnet and comprehensive students. Last year, there were two fights between magnet students.

That is straight up not true. Or you are simply unaware.

I do know that admin at all schools likes to downplay incidents, so maybe that is influencing your viewpoint.

But there have definitely been issues.

DP. Like what? Could you pleasay more about this? My DC is timid and therefore the academics aren’t the only factor for us.

[Anonymous]

How does the social stuff work if everybody is taking long bus rides to school? How do the kids get together to socialize outside of school? It seems like a lot of kids would just be too geographically spread out. How does it work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean kids get bullied or beat up, or what’s happening at Eastern?

Our DC likes Eastern overall, and really likes the Magnet. He says the lunch room is loud, and the kids in his PE/health class mess around a ton. But, he doesn't notice much difference in his science and math classes (non-magnet) in terms of mis-behaving. No bullying or beating up to be reported.

I teach at Eastern. There aren’t fights or attacks between the magnet and comprehensive students. Last year, there were two fights between magnet students.

That is straight up not true. Or you are simply unaware.

I do know that admin at all schools likes to downplay incidents, so maybe that is influencing your viewpoint.

But there have definitely been issues.

DP. Like what? Could you pleasay more about this? My DC is timid and therefore the academics aren’t the only factor for us.

Yes, please list the specific incidents of fights between the two populations. Don’t name names, but since you have such certainty, you can tell grade levels, approximate dates, and locations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does the social stuff work if everybody is taking long bus rides to school? How do the kids get together to socialize outside of school? It seems like a lot of kids would just be too geographically spread out. How does it work?

On their phones, just like with the non-magnet kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does the social stuff work if everybody is taking long bus rides to school? How do the kids get together to socialize outside of school? It seems like a lot of kids would just be too geographically spread out. How does it work?

I think you’re overthinking it. My kid is in an elementary language magnet and he has a longish bus ride. He has friends on our block who he sees pretty regularly, friends who would be in his home school zone, who he sees on the weekend here and there, friends from farther away, who, again, he sees on weekends, and friends from his sports team. Sometimes his buddies from school take the bus home with him to hang out and vice verse. It’s no big deal.

[Anonymous]

I do think this is an issue. DC is in a CES and it's closer than the MS magnets to us. DC has a lot of friends but rarely sees them on the weekends because there's so much else going on and it's a real pain to plan in advance and drive. DC sees neighborhood kids all the time and it's always impromptu. Just walk/bike over. Kids stop by randomly. It is not the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean kids get bullied or beat up, or what’s happening at Eastern?

Our DC likes Eastern overall, and really likes the Magnet. He says the lunch room is loud, and the kids in his PE/health class mess around a ton. But, he doesn't notice much difference in his science and math classes (non-magnet) in terms of mis-behaving. No bullying or beating up to be reported.

I teach at Eastern. There aren’t fights or attacks between the magnet and comprehensive students. Last year, there were two fights between magnet students.

That is straight up not true. Or you are simply unaware.

I do know that admin at all schools likes to downplay incidents, so maybe that is influencing your viewpoint.

But there have definitely been issues.

DP. Like what? Could you pleasay more about this? My DC is timid and therefore the academics aren’t the only factor for us.

Yes, please list the specific incidents of fights between the two populations. Don’t name names, but since you have such certainty, you can tell grade levels, approximate dates, and locations.

There have definitely been incidents in the 6th grade, during lunch. Multiple incidents. Enough that parents have approached admin.

You don’t have to believe me. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just that it’s a tough school environment and that it’s something to consider, depending on how your 11 year old might react to that kind of environment.

Some kids just let it roll off their backs and some kids have a harder time (especially with the racially charged language).

I would definitely get in touch with some 6th grade parents and get input from them directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You said your kid got into both programs, yeah? I can't speak for eastern, but my DD's an 8th grader at TPMS. I'll try my best to describe the experience there.
DD is very ambitious. I feel like the social pressure of being around kids who've already taken Geometry at Dr. Li's and have been Blair-bound since birth can be overwhelming sometimes. It's so sad because she's really bright, but she lets kids who are already studying math concepts beyond even a high school level get her down. DH always tells her she should just take initiative and get ahead herself, but I honestly disagree with this. She can't teach herself math- she's tried, and she struggled, even with concepts her own level. She's really stressed about her grades because she doesn't want to be considered an "underachiever" and she's been scared about Blair and RMIB results. Overall, however, despite some added stress from the 'cohort' at her school, I don't it think made her any different than she would have been at her home middle.
She got into Eastern, too, but ended up choosing TPMS because it's the 'better' school. The workload isn't very heavy- in fact, I think non-magnet teachers try to compensate for this mythological 'heavy magnet workload' by giving out way more work than other schools. But she handles it. Overall she says her non-magnet classes are extremely easy. She pulls good grades in all her classes, and sometimes she struggles in math and science, but otherwise she seems to be doing relatively well. I don't think your child will struggle much in magnet, even if they aren't the best at math. If they were good enough to get accepted, they should be fine.
In terms of the neighborhood kids, most of them seem alright. Some are a little less 'refined', if you will, but DD says they don't pick on magnet kids anyway. I feel like the way non-magnet kids(or nonmags, as my child affectionately refers to them) are discussed on this board, one would think they're vulgar, savage animals that pick on the meek little nerds in the magnet. Are they? No. They're people, just like magnet kids. A lot of them are very bright as well. They just didn't get into the magnet/didn't apply, because maybe it's not their thing. They're not any different from your standard kid at, say, Frost. They're just normal kids. Yes, even the ones from the 'deep hood'. They've all got their little cliques, some are nerds, some hang out with magnet kids, some are in the 'popular' group, some are loners, and they all stay in their own lanes. Some might be disrespectful, but they're respectful enough to keep it within their own group. I know that some magnet and nonmag groups overlap, too.
Overall, I think there is a fair amount of toxicity within the magnet, but while my daughter is exposed to it in her classes, she chose her friends wisely and ended up with a group of sweet, like-minded kids. She still has a lot of 'decent' friends or borderline acquaintances in both the magnet and neighborhood, and she says that whenever she hangs out with them, despite being in different cliques, they always seem to get along harmoniously.
People overestimate magnet kids. they seem to think that they're all extremely mature geniuses, whereas for the most part, they're just normal kids who got a good test score or do well in school. While there are some uuber-overachievers who come from cram centers like aplus and Dr. Li's, for most kids the magnet is not their only character trait- it's just something that they happen to be, you know? like how it's not 'autistic kids' anymore, but 'kids with autism'. It's not really 'magnet kids', it's more like 'kids in the magnet'. Even the unapproachable and intimidatingly smart kids can be really nice when you get to know them. Yes, even the not-so-humble ones!
As for Eastern, I would assume it's the same for the most part, just with more cockroaches.
The bus ride for DD is an hour and a half each way. Her bus leaves at 6:30 and gets home at 4:30. She says she enjoys her bus ride, but people don't really 'interact' much. for her, it's mostly high schoolers, but she said there are 2 other 8th graders(one from eastern) and one 6th grader, and no one really cares anyway because they're all asleep or on their phones. She does homework and texts friends on the bus, for the most part. I thought it would be a problem, but she gets home around the time after school activities end at her home school, so it's really not that bad. She'd probably get the same amount of sleep if she went to her home school, anyway, with the sleep deprivation epidemic in teens.
I've met all her magnet teachers and they're all very pleasant people. The teachers seem to get better the higher up you go. Unfortunately, both of DD's previous computer science teachers left this year(one of which she said she struggled with, the other I'm surprised hasn't been discussed on this forum at all, given the amount of comical ironic worship of him). I haven't met the new 7th grade teacher yet but the new 6th grade teacher seems amazing compared to her previous 6th grade compsci teacher. The math program is excellent, and I've noticed that they've been doing a lot of enrichment lately, which I love. The science teachers are all amazing and seemingly universally loved.
Finally, remember, it's still your kid's decision in the long run. You can voice your doubts about the program, but I think they should have the final say in it, since it's their future.

Hmm. I have a feeling parents are going to get triggered about this, mainly because they are going to think that the "cram center" comments about arrogant kids are about their pathetic lily-white nerdy and probably autistic son who got in without any prep because they live in Bethesda and are privileged AF instead of the children of Asian tiger parents. But hey, "racism", am I right?
Yea, nah. My kid went to Eastern and can attest to the fact that these are all Asian kids. Especially the Asian boys. While not all of them are like this, a lot of them are big bullies and think all other magnet kids are below them!
But we have to hand it to them when their parents make them feel worthless every day for not getting into TPMS, right?
This is going to get taken down, but I digress. Quote me so that the facts can stay on here!

My child went to AoPS's math class last year, and that's what she observed. And that wasn't even a magnet but a paid enrichment program.
Funny but I thought Eastern magnet would consist, for the most part, of nerdy white girls - at least, that's the stereotype of a 'voracious reader' and an 'eager writer". Didn't even know there were many Asian boys at Eastern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care?

Their kid is on the waitlist and they are grasping.

Actually, my DC got into both Eastern and TPMS, but we’re thinking of turning down the spots and wondering if that’s crazy or unusual.

It’s not crazy or unusual given the new process. When there was a more involved application process, most people who applied were dying to go. Now many people get in who are somewhat indifferent, and also many kids get into both programs. As a result, fewer of the original admitted students have been choosing to attend, and more kids ultimately get in from waitlist and appeals.

If you’re happy with your home school and haven’t been dying for something else, then no it’s not crazy to turn down the spots - particularly if you are far away and DC is happy with neighborhood friends.

We went through this last year and knew of three kids from DD’s CES who declined spots. And one who went, but came back to the home school this year.

Not worth the commute and hassle for many families.

My daughter went CES one year and returned to school. Wanted no part of magnet either. If it was at her home school we would consider it, but forcing yourself child to leave their home school and friends is really tough. I drank the kool aid and we were not impressed, hated the commute times, and didn’t feel like part of a true community. The parents are freaking looney as heck too.