What are middle school magnet admissions based on?

[Anonymous]

Parent of a current 4th grader here. I'm reading the posts about MS magnets and wondering what's involved. Are there tests? Which ones and when are they taken? Do the kids have to write anything (application of some sort)? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Go to the MCPS website for starters.

[Anonymous]

You get a letter early in 5th grading saying "We've evaluated ALL 5th graders and we do/do not recommend your child to the the CogAT and therefore be screened for middle school magnets." Do nothing to accept the decision, write them to say "No, I want my child to do the opposite of what you recommend" (if they recommend your child take the test, opt out; if they don't recommend testing, opt in.").

Late Fall: Your child takes the test, or doesn't. During the few days of testing, there's a short essay they write. Apparently also a questionnaire that is not the CogAT. No biggie...it's like PARCC.

Mid-January: You get a letter saying whether your child is recommended, waitlisted, or not recommended for the magnets. If accepted, you have a deadline. If waitlisted, you wait. If not recommended, you might still have the option to take enriched classes.

That's it.

[Anonymous]

If you are curious what info they consider look at the website.
However, it is a bit of a mystery what they are really looking for. And I say that as the parent of a child selected under the “new” criteria from a high performing, w feeder middle school. I don’t get it.

[Anonymous]

They are looking at numbers. That's all they have.
7,400 5th graders screened for testing.
~4000 tested (based on last year's numbers.) Assigned MCPS percentiles based on SES of school.
~1000 identified as possible candidates by computer program.
Then everything is reviewed by real people.
First review includes report card, MAP, PARCC. Score is assigned.
Second review Cogat is added. Score is modified or kept the same.
For the ones recommended there's a full committee review. They look at gender balance, ESOL, FARMS, elementary school, and all that good stuff to try to get a diverse group.

Probably those who were under consideration by the committee but didn't make the cut due to some of this effort towards diversity get in the wait pool.

[Anonymous]

MAP score- the only one in 5th grade or all MAP on record ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are looking at numbers. That's all they have.
7,400 5th graders screened for testing.
~4000 tested (based on last year's numbers.) Assigned MCPS percentiles based on SES of school.
~1000 identified as possible candidates by computer program.
Then everything is reviewed by real people.
First review includes report card, MAP, PARCC. Score is assigned.
Second review Cogat is added. Score is modified or kept the same.
For the ones recommended there's a full committee review. They look at gender balance, ESOL, FARMS, elementary school, and all that good stuff to try to get a diverse group.

Probably those who were under consideration by the committee but didn't make the cut due to some of this effort towards diversity get in the wait pool.

I also wonder if they also looked at the 3rd grade CogAt screener, to see if there's a pattern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAP score- the only one in 5th grade or all MAP on record ?

PP, nobody knows that for a fact, save for those who were on the committee. If you're genuinely interested, email MCPS and ask them directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are looking at numbers. That's all they have.
7,400 5th graders screened for testing.
~4000 tested (based on last year's numbers.) Assigned MCPS percentiles based on SES of school.
~1000 identified as possible candidates by computer program.
Then everything is reviewed by real people.
First review includes report card, MAP, PARCC. Score is assigned.
Second review Cogat is added. Score is modified or kept the same.
For the ones recommended there's a full committee review. They look at gender balance, ESOL, FARMS, elementary school, and all that good stuff to try to get a diverse group.

Probably those who were under consideration by the committee but didn't make the cut due to some of this effort towards diversity get in the wait pool.

This is more detail than I’ve ever seen. Where did you get this

[Anonymous]

It seems like this year they try to recruit equal number of students from every elementary schools. It’s easier to get in from local schools than from CES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like this year they try to recruit equal number of students from every elementary schools. It’s easier to get in from local schools than from CES.

Kids from regional CESs are not being compared to the other students in their CES. It goes by home school. In fact, I think it goes by home middle school rather than home elementary school, but it’s definitely a school you’re zoned for.

[Anonymous]

Kids from regional CESs are not being compared to the other students in their CES. It goes by home school. In fact, I think it goes by home middle school rather than home elementary school, but it’s definitely a school you’re zoned for.

Right on!

[Anonymous]

OP - many suggested looking at the website which is a good start. This FAQ document is posted there has a lot of information and it is from January 2020 so it's up to date.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/specialprograms/middle/FAQs%202020.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the MCPS website for starters.

Yes, the criteria are well documented on the MCPS website.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, they are based on how much you as a parent prep your child to be ready for the tests they use to decide.