Middle School Magnet Consortium (Argyle, Parkland, Loiderman)
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Anonymous
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So, have they changed the MSMC to be open county-wide? Was that always the case? Is that new for this year's 4th graders? I thought that it was limited to families within those school catchments choosing between the three schools but now both the website and an e-mail we got as parents of a 4th grader seem to indicate it's open county-wide. Anyone know anything about this?
https://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/msmagnet/ From that website "Admission is based upon a Choice process open to all Montgomery County students who are currently in Grade 5." |
Anonymous
| In-boundary students are guaranteed a spot at one of the three schools. Out-of-boundary students (from the rest of the county) can apply to a lottery for a spot. I don't think it's changed from previous years; the language on the website looks the same to me as it did earlier this year. FWIW, as the parent of a 5th grader this year, we know one kid who got in during the first round of the lottery, and a couple of others who got places later on (but only one student we know is accepting, as the others got into the test-in magnets as well and are attending those). |
Anonymous
| Just FYI there is no transportation provided for out of boundary kids. |
Anonymous
| Thanks, this was helpful. |
Anonymous
| Why would anyone OOB want to attend these schools? |
Anonymous
Why not? I know several kids who are or were at Parkland. It's a long trip from where we are, and it's not something I would choose to do, but their families are happy with the choice. |
Anonymous
Yes Parkland is a popular choice for kids who do not want to travel to TP magnet or did not get in..also hear positive reviews. |
Anonymous
| Loiederman is the only visual/performing arts magnet in the county. If you have a child who big into the arts, having so many arts elective choices is a big deal. DD is only in 3rd grade now, but already dreaming of Loiederman. |
Anonymous
Courses that are not available in other schools. Eight courses with a block (longer individual periods) schedule - four courses every day and they alternate. If you are from out of DCC, by attending one of these programs you become a DCC middle school student and become eligible to apply for HS programs - like Wheaton Bioscience and Engg magnets, Blair CAP - available only for DCC MS students. (Downside - you have to provide own transportation.) |
Anonymous
+1 My child is involved in local student theater and many of his castmates are Loiderman students. I think that it seems to be a great fit for kids who aren't sure whether they will have a "peer group" in the actual social sense of the word, rather than the academic sense. We passed on applying because the distance was prohibitive and my child DID have a "peer group" of similarly arts-oriented kids at our home middle school. |
Anonymous
Exactly! I had a child attend Parkland from Montgomery Village. Perfectly met his needs and interests and far more challenging than home middle school. Well worth the commute. |
Anonymous
My child is attending Loiederman in the fall from OOB (RM cluster). If your child has an interest in one of the subject areas it can be a good decision as others have commented. Block scheduling means 8 classes instead of 7. At Parkland that means 2 science classes - kids who are really into STEM can thrive there. At Loiederman a child with visual or performing arts interests can take 3 years of dance, theater, music, and visual arts options that aren't available anywhere else at the middle school level. Loiederman has a competitive dance troupe and 2 extra curricular a capella teams. Plus kids can get high school credit for theater classes, take digital music, Chambers chorus, etc which are usually only offered in high school. Plus an arts integrated curriculum. |
Anonymous
| These are great options for students. Hope this model spreads. Transportation should be added though. Maybe the purple line would be a way to decide locations. SSIMS will be a purple line stop. Add a MSM there and kids from Bethesda have an easy commute. |
Anonymous
The schools were picked based on poverty levels at the chosen schools and there is no transportation because it would be cost prohibitive. Many families arrange carpools to make it work. |
Anonymous
This isn’t a REAL magnet. Those students at Loiederman possess no talent. A real visual and performing arts magnet holds AUDITIONS. That’s why it’s such a mediocre school you’re mixing students with potential with kids who have no business on a stage. MCPS when are you going to stop caring about less deserving students feelings and start having audition for these arts programs. |