CAP Versus Regional IB program?

[Anonymous]

DC was accepted to both CAP and Regional IB program (but not RM IB program). Looking for feedback on the relevant merits of either option. For what it's worth, the regional IB program is at Kennedy (where I think the IB program will be new next year?)

[Anonymous]

What is the commute comparison? I might go with an established program all things being equal.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe the IB and the Blair CAP programs are meant to be comparable... but RMIB and the regional programs are (supposed to be) the same thing. As I understand it the regional IB programs were there already but will now be fleshed out to match RMIB? Maybe that is where half of RMIB's math department has disappeared to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the commute comparison? I might go with an established program all things being equal.

I agree. If the commute isn't onerous, choose CAP.

Beyond the specifics of the two programs, Blair as a school just offers more overall, especially for a CAP kid. A top-notch student newspaper, both print and online versions, a great broadcast operation, vibrant theater program, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe the IB and the Blair CAP programs are meant to be comparable... but RMIB and the regional programs are (supposed to be) the same thing. As I understand it the regional IB programs were there already but will now be fleshed out to match RMIB? Maybe that is where half of RMIB's math department has disappeared to?

I don't know where the math teachers went, however, I haven't heard anything (positive or negative) about Kennedy IB regional program. They only made it a regional program maybe two years ago.

[Anonymous]

There is some discussion on other threads about how the IB programs ramp up in junior and senior years, whereas the CAP-specific courses wind down the last two years. Winding down sounds better in light of college applications, SAT prep and AP exams. Plus, more flexibility in the student’s schedule to get an internship or classes that interest them during the last two years. Some say IB makes for a more well-rounded student, but CAP kids will be taking AP physics freshman year. My future CAP kid plans to take four years of math and world language in high school. And likely four years of science. So you can round them out in CAP too. Hopefully they’ll have time to do some extracurriculars too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe the IB and the Blair CAP programs are meant to be comparable... but RMIB and the regional programs are (supposed to be) the same thing. As I understand it the regional IB programs were there already but will now be fleshed out to match RMIB? Maybe that is where half of RMIB's math department has disappeared to?

I don't know where the math teachers went, however, I haven't heard anything (positive or negative) about Kennedy IB regional program. They only made it a regional program maybe two years ago.

Next year is the first year of the regional program

[Anonymous]

IB is a real thing with internationally known standards. CAP is an MCPS thing (supposed to be a good thing but not something that will be recognized beyond MCPS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is some discussion on other threads about how the IB programs ramp up in junior and senior years, whereas the CAP-specific courses wind down the last two years. Winding down sounds better in light of college applications, SAT prep and AP exams. Plus, more flexibility in the student’s schedule to get an internship or classes that interest them during the last two years. Some say IB makes for a more well-rounded student, but CAP kids will be taking AP physics freshman year. My future CAP kid plans to take four years of math and world language in high school. And likely four years of science. So you can round them out in CAP too. Hopefully they’ll have time to do some extracurriculars too.

My current CAP student is a three-season athlete and participates in other extracurricular activities, too. Many CAP kids have similar schedules. They seem to be remarkably good at time management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IB is a real thing with internationally known standards. CAP is an MCPS thing (supposed to be a good thing but not something that will be recognized beyond MCPS)

CAP is most certainly a "good thing" but you are right that it is also an MCPS thing and specific to one school. I'm sure the counselors there have boilerplate that helps explain it to college admissions officers. The school website lists some great college destinations for program graduates!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe the IB and the Blair CAP programs are meant to be comparable... but RMIB and the regional programs are (supposed to be) the same thing. As I understand it the regional IB programs were there already but will now be fleshed out to match RMIB? Maybe that is where half of RMIB's math department has disappeared to?

I don't know where the math teachers went, however, I haven't heard anything (positive or negative) about Kennedy IB regional program. They only made it a regional program maybe two years ago.

Next year is the first year of the regional program

Correct--next year is the first year of the regional program at Kennedy, but Kennedy has had an IB program since 2011, which has until now been available only to local and DCC students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe the IB and the Blair CAP programs are meant to be comparable... but RMIB and the regional programs are (supposed to be) the same thing. As I understand it the regional IB programs were there already but will now be fleshed out to match RMIB? Maybe that is where half of RMIB's math department has disappeared to?

I don't know where the math teachers went, however, I haven't heard anything (positive or negative) about Kennedy IB regional program. They only made it a regional program maybe two years ago.

Next year is the first year of the regional program

Correct--next year is the first year of the regional program at Kennedy, but Kennedy has had an IB program since 2011, which has until now been available only to local and DCC students.

MCPS has IB on offer at several schools. Some only have the diploma programme junior/senior year and some have the full four year cohort of students working through the "middle years" programme as well. RMIB was first in the eighties. Then Springbrook and BCC in the nineties and so on. They are all challenging and worthwhile because IB is challenging and worthwhile. The only "new" part here is that three schools that have been graduating IB students for the past 10-20 years are now competitive entry like RMIB and accepting commuter students like RMIB.

We looked at CAP also, BTW, and were really super excited by it... but that is not what played out for us. So congrats to your student!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe the IB and the Blair CAP programs are meant to be comparable... but RMIB and the regional programs are (supposed to be) the same thing. As I understand it the regional IB programs were there already but will now be fleshed out to match RMIB? Maybe that is where half of RMIB's math department has disappeared to?

I don't know where the math teachers went, however, I haven't heard anything (positive or negative) about Kennedy IB regional program. They only made it a regional program maybe two years ago.

Next year is the first year of the regional program

Correct--next year is the first year of the regional program at Kennedy, but Kennedy has had an IB program since 2011, which has until now been available only to local and DCC students.

MCPS has IB on offer at several schools. Some only have the diploma programme junior/senior year and some have the full four year cohort of students working through the "middle years" programme as well. RMIB was first in the eighties. Then Springbrook and BCC in the nineties and so on. They are all challenging and worthwhile because IB is challenging and worthwhile. The only "new" part here is that three schools that have been graduating IB students for the past 10-20 years are now competitive entry like RMIB and accepting commuter students like RMIB.

We looked at CAP also, BTW, and were really super excited by it... but that is not what played out for us. So congrats to your student!

Clarification: those three programs are competitive in their respective regions, unlike RMIB which is countywide.

[Anonymous]

RMIB remains countywide. At least for now.

RMIB committee was allowed to consider all of the applications regardless of the home school. The regionals could only receive applications from students in their high school clusters.

Every year there are dozens of high achieving students from WJ, B-CC, Churchill, Whitman, etc. that have excelled in and out of school, achieved the magic 97th+ percentile on the COGAT, and would thrive at RMIB if it had room for them. But it doesn't. Starting this year they can go together as a cohort to a complete four year IB program at one of the regionals... and by the time they graduate RMIB may well be a pure regional IB as well.

Really

[Anonymous]

What kind of scores did it take to get into the regional IB programs? My child didn't apply but curious if she could've gotten in.