Hypothetical MoCo HS Magnet STEM Options

[Anonymous]

I wanted to post this before the actual selection results come out. (I'm a parent of a current 7th grader, so this will apply to us next year.) Let's say, hypothetically, that a student applied to, and was accepted in, all of Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed. Which would you choose and why?

(Our child wants to do something in STEM (current TMPS magnet, both parents went to top college and expect the same of our kids). I listed only those three programs because we live in the DCC too far for the bus ride to Poolesville Global Ecology. Unless another magnet program would still have a good math/science education (RMIB?). We're really trying to understand the options here.)

[Anonymous]

I don't think we can answer this unless we know what type of kid that you have.

For example if your child is an outstanding trumpet player and an outstanding student- choose RMIB because they have the best fine art program.

If your child is a math genius and loves competitions choose SMACs etc.

[Anonymous]

OP here, like I said, our child wants to do something in STEM, which is why I listed only Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed originally.

(FWIW, my child has no real interest in arts (and doesn't plan on making a career of it). He's quite good in other subjects, but wants to do STEM.)

[Anonymous]

SMACS, of course! The most top college admissions among the 3. Wheaton (either program) is for the DCC kids who couldn't get into SMACS.

[Anonymous]

I’m not aware of Wheaton magnet college admissions info and my kid goes there. Do you have this info?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to post this before the actual selection results come out. (I'm a parent of a current 7th grader, so this will apply to us next year.) Let's say, hypothetically, that a student applied to, and was accepted in, all of Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed. Which would you choose and why?

(Our child wants to do something in STEM (current TMPS magnet, both parents went to top college and expect the same of our kids). I listed only those three programs because we live in the DCC too far for the bus ride to Poolesville Global Ecology. Unless another magnet program would still have a good math/science education (RMIB?). We're really trying to understand the options here.)

As a DCC resident, you are not qualified to apply to the Poolesville magnet program.

I'm not familiar with the Wheaton programs, but people seem very happy with them. My DC has done very well at the Blair SMACS program - if your DC is highly motivated to study math and science, it's a great program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SMACS, of course! The most top college admissions among the 3. Wheaton (either program) is for the DCC kids who couldn't get into SMACS.

This is not really true, but ok.

Half of the Blair magnet goes to UMD-CP every year. The goal isn't "top college admissions."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to post this before the actual selection results come out. (I'm a parent of a current 7th grader, so this will apply to us next year.) Let's say, hypothetically, that a student applied to, and was accepted in, all of Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed. Which would you choose and why?

(Our child wants to do something in STEM (current TMPS magnet, both parents went to top college and expect the same of our kids). I listed only those three programs because we live in the DCC too far for the bus ride to Poolesville Global Ecology. Unless another magnet program would still have a good math/science education (RMIB?). We're really trying to understand the options here.)

Definitely SMACS - There are plenty of great Engineering and Biomed options at Blair. Of course, my kid went through before the Cohort BS so I'm not sure whether it's going to be watered down moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to post this before the actual selection results come out. (I'm a parent of a current 7th grader, so this will apply to us next year.) Let's say, hypothetically, that a student applied to, and was accepted in, all of Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed. Which would you choose and why?

(Our child wants to do something in STEM (current TMPS magnet, both parents went to top college and expect the same of our kids). I listed only those three programs because we live in the DCC too far for the bus ride to Poolesville Global Ecology. Unless another magnet program would still have a good math/science education (RMIB?). We're really trying to understand the options here.)

RMIB has a well-rounded program that can be tailored to fit a strong math-science student. There is a strong cohort of med-school bound students who will take IB Biology, IB Chemistry, AP Physics C, and HL Math (often after AP BC Calc, and MVC). Another cohort of kids lean more towards Physical Science/computer science and will pair IB Enviro or Comp Sci with IB Chemistry, AP Physics C, and HL Math. And of course there are IB diploma students whose passion lies elsewhere besides math and science and they emphasize other courses. RM has a strong Science Olympiad team (2nd in state last year) and a good collection of other active science clubs/competitions. Definitely consider RMIB.

When you compare Wheaton PLTW and Blair SMACS you are talking about very different styles of learning and education. If your kid is a hands-on, project focused kid, Wheaton will likely be a better fit. If your kids is super academic and mathy, Blair may be a better fit. Wheaton does offer a lot of partnership opportunities for internships. Wheaton also plays out differently when you are applying to colleges. You are not competing as much within your own cohort for the same schools and there are some pretty impressive lists of kids getting scholarships and full rides.

Between my own kids and family friends/neighbors, I know of multiple kid's experiences in all of these programs. I know kids that turned down Wheaton for Blair, and kids that turned down Blair for Wheaton. I know kids that have really enjoyed all three programs and been happy with their choice. I know one kid not so happy with their experience in SMACS and one not so happy with RMIB. In both of those cases, it seems to me that kids (& parents) were more focused on prestige of program, than fit for kid. Apply for all, go to all the tours, and really consider fit (which includes your home high school - all of which offer strong APs). In addition to academic fit, you have to consider travel and the rest of the high school experience (sports, clubs, events.) Academics may be fantastic, but if you have to travel 45 min- 1 hr each way to school, your child is giving up a lot of time for travel and may not be able to participate in the "rest" of highschool as fully.

[Anonymous]

Is the cohort admission process coming to high school?

[Anonymous]

Hey, OP. I also have a 7th grader at TPMS looking at the same programs! (I'll bet we know each other). Additionally, I have a 9th grader (currently at Blair SMACS) who applied and got into Blair, RMIB, Wheaton BioMed & Engineering and CAP. Like a previous poster said, the decision should be made based on how your kid works (& practical factors). My eldest was also at TPMS magnet but is really an all arounder who is passionate about math. I thought RMIB would be the program for her, but the long commute plus friend upkeep (few friends were going there) plus lower math level plus rigid requirements all pushed her towards Blair. She also chose Blair over Wheaton for distance, flexibility, math & reputation. She is a type A kid and super studious, but Blair has been tough, and the extra period plus extensive and intense workload have taken their toll. My 2nd (currently 7th) is not as studious as her sister & less excited about school overall but more passionate about tech courses. She will apply for both Wheatons and Blair. If she gets into Blair, she will not take hardest paths & she will utilize older sis for help. She will not apply to RMIB because of the intense workload there + distance. We have a friend at Wheaton (Biomed) who is enjoying the program and doesn't seem as tapped out as my Blair kid. If #2 gets into Blair & Wheaton, she would probably take Blair due to distance and sibling being there, but I would be hoping that her enthusiasm for the subject matter would help her find the extra energy to tackle the extra work. I think she would enjoy Wheaton Engineering. (We went to info sessions on all the programs DD #1 got into, and they all seemed wonderful). #2 will probably also apply to CAP in case she doesn't get into the others (or if interests shift). All the programs will have more in-depth info sessions if your dc gets accepted. they are helpful. I found the most helpful was the student volunteers -- I asked our student guides tons of questions, & they were very candid. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

A lot of RMIB kids do STEM majors in college including two of my kids. DD got her PhD in engineering from arguably one of the best engineering schools in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to post this before the actual selection results come out. (I'm a parent of a current 7th grader, so this will apply to us next year.) Let's say, hypothetically, that a student applied to, and was accepted in, all of Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed. Which would you choose and why?

(Our child wants to do something in STEM (current TMPS magnet, both parents went to top college and expect the same of our kids). I listed only those three programs because we live in the DCC too far for the bus ride to Poolesville Global Ecology. Unless another magnet program would still have a good math/science education (RMIB?). We're really trying to understand the options here.)

As a DCC resident, you are not qualified to apply to the Poolesville magnet program.

I'm not familiar with the Wheaton programs, but people seem very happy with them. My DC has done very well at the Blair SMACS program - if your DC is highly motivated to study math and science, it's a great program.

Humanities House is only available to local Poolesville students. Global Ecology is available to all student in MoCo. See https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/poolesvillehs/magnet/application.aspx#who

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SMACS, of course! The most top college admissions among the 3. Wheaton (either program) is for the DCC kids who couldn't get into SMACS.

Not true Wheaton is only for DCC kids. DS is at Wheaton Biomed and there are kids from all over MoCo - Potomac, Olney, Bethesda. Only requirement is that they went to a DCC middle school, so many are from TPMS magnet. Great program — the magnet is small and the school is really committed to its success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SMACS, of course! The most top college admissions among the 3. Wheaton (either program) is for the DCC kids who couldn't get into SMACS.

Not true Wheaton is only for DCC kids. DS is at Wheaton Biomed and there are kids from all over MoCo - Potomac, Olney, Bethesda. Only requirement is that they went to a DCC middle school, so many are from TPMS magnet. Great program — the magnet is small and the school is really committed to its success.

Kids from outside the DCC area qualify if they attended a MSMC school. Parkland and Argyle feed a lot of kids into Wheaton PLTW.