Magnet not "cool" enough?

[Anonymous]

That MAP score is fine. People don’t realize that Blair does NOT take only the top kids. They are tiered. There are 3 different math tracks- Magnet Geormetry, Mag Pre Cal and Functions. RM is the same. They take a variety of kids and many top kids don’t get in and many lower kids do. It’s a combination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Long story short, DD and I spoke and she said she'd be willing to apply now and worry later -- if she happens to get in.

I didn't mention two things:
1. This is only our second year in MCPS, so she is not eager to start over socially all over again
2. She is "2e" (I kind of hate that jargon,) but she is "gifted" and also has ADHD and some other learning issues. So she is the type to earn A's in challenging classes and struggle in the "easy" ones. (Those of you who spend time on the Special Ed board know what I'm talking about.)

FWIW, I don't think she's worried about getting in, I think she's preoccupied with *fitting in*, which strikes me as developmentally appropriate but just possibly shortsighted. She doesn't want to be "nerdy," different, or exceptional in any way if at all possible. I'm sure some of your kids are like this...? She wants to be just like everyone else -- and at the same time, she's trying to figure out who she is.

Anyway, thanks to those that provided some insight and shared your experience. Lots of possible good paths forward. Thanks!

Glad that she is willing to apply! Couple of points:

1. If she has not struggled so far in MCPS MS (in MCPS - generally speaking - academically advanced students are less likely to have their needs met in ES/MS compared to HS), she should be fine in home HS if she ends up going there.

2. Have her look into RMIB magnet - may be she will be more open to that because it might seem less "nerdy" to her

Forgot to add:

3. Ignore the posts on MAP scores; I am sure there are students in TPMS with scores of 300+. But definitely there are others who are not in that same league. DC went through TPMS magnet and did very well without a 300+ score in MAP and then got into Blair. It is not just the MAP score that determines admission. It is just one of many factors.

+1 Some PPs don't know what they are talking about. A 279 is a very high MAP score for 8th and it would make her a very competitive candidate for Blair.

Sure, If it makes you feel better, just trying to provide factual first hand info
279 is good, but not very competitive for Blair

No - this is not "factual" info; this is your opinion.

Fact: Admissions are based on multiple factors.
Fact: An RIT score of 279 for 7th/8th grades will put that student in 99th percentile.
Fact: There are students in that RIT score range who have been admitted to Blair.

There are not just some but many students accepted to Blair in that score range. She may not be in the top quarter or third of accepted kids but there are only 20-30 in that upper tier all kids in MCPS. How do I know? DC is a student there and many friends had around that score in 9th grade.
If you compare OP's DD to kids who are shoo-ins for functions maybe her score is not that competitive. But for the regular Blair magnet? Yes, it's competitive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Long story short, DD and I spoke and she said she'd be willing to apply now and worry later -- if she happens to get in.

I didn't mention two things:
1. This is only our second year in MCPS, so she is not eager to start over socially all over again
2. She is "2e" (I kind of hate that jargon,) but she is "gifted" and also has ADHD and some other learning issues. So she is the type to earn A's in challenging classes and struggle in the "easy" ones. (Those of you who spend time on the Special Ed board know what I'm talking about.)

FWIW, I don't think she's worried about getting in, I think she's preoccupied with *fitting in*, which strikes me as developmentally appropriate but just possibly shortsighted. She doesn't want to be "nerdy," different, or exceptional in any way if at all possible. I'm sure some of your kids are like this...? She wants to be just like everyone else -- and at the same time, she's trying to figure out who she is.

Anyway, thanks to those that provided some insight and shared your experience. Lots of possible good paths forward. Thanks!

Glad that she is willing to apply! Couple of points:

1. If she has not struggled so far in MCPS MS (in MCPS - generally speaking - academically advanced students are less likely to have their needs met in ES/MS compared to HS), she should be fine in home HS if she ends up going there.

2. Have her look into RMIB magnet - may be she will be more open to that because it might seem less "nerdy" to her

Forgot to add:

3. Ignore the posts on MAP scores; I am sure there are students in TPMS with scores of 300+. But definitely there are others who are not in that same league. DC went through TPMS magnet and did very well without a 300+ score in MAP and then got into Blair. It is not just the MAP score that determines admission. It is just one of many factors.

+1 Some PPs don't know what they are talking about. A 279 is a very high MAP score for 8th and it would make her a very competitive candidate for Blair.

Sure, If it makes you feel better, just trying to provide factual first hand info
279 is good, but not very competitive for Blair

279 is a GREAT fall MAP-M score.
Keep in mind, parents and students often inflate their self-reported scores, or forget to consider when the test was taken.
Take a look at your parent report in the MyMCPS portal (or request it if you don't have it) and look at the line on the graph for MCPS, you'll see that it is a very strong score- even in comparison to students currently in the magnets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader is resisting applying to Magnet programs -- the Blair program, in particular -- because she perceives it as insufficiently "cool."

She's always loved math and her MAP scores are the highest in her MS. She admits that her classes now aren't really challenging. But at this moment in her life, she's most interested in her social life and her after-school activities, so she wants to go to her home HS (where her friends are going.)

My thought is she should apply now and decide later -- who knows, right? -- but I was curious if anyone with experience could speak to the social dynamics at Blair, and whether it might be a good fit for a teen who is much more interested in using her free time to shop than study.

Doesn't sound like she will be a good fit there. Why bother?

What makes you say it doesn't sound like she would be a good fit there? Do you have experience with the program?

The reason to "bother" is that she's genuinely gifted in math and science. I worry that she's going to struggle academically -- especially in math and science -- for the next four years unless she finds her academic peers.

But socially she's a typical teen and is interested in dating and pop culture and all that stuff, and at the moment she's saying she chooses social fit over academic. I'm asking those with experience if that's a real choice or a false one.

Has she struggled in math and science up to this point? It sounds like she hasn't, she's thrived and developed strong skills in a heterogenous setting. Research says that most kids do. Why would you change something that's working and giving your kid both strong academic skills and a rich network of social connection. I mean, maybe she'll find that at a magnet, but why give up a sure thing for a possibility?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Perhaps this is not the real reason? The magnet high schools are incredibly selective, and your daughter might not want to apply if she's afraid of rejection. What MAP scores does she have?

The math person at her MS told me highest in the school. Math was 279 I think?

Suggest you ask school counselor about fit. DC who went to Blair from non-magnet was over 300 on MAP in 8th and was placing high on national math competitions. And she’s not the best math student at Blair.

The program is very demanding. It’s hard to have a social life outside school because kids are from all over. She is happy and engaged in a way she wasn’t in MS. Many very bright kids can shine in home MS. They can take advanced work through AP and get into great colleges. Blair is for those who can’t IMHO.
Blair wasn’t originally what I wanted for DC and it wasn’t what I wanted for our family but for her it was a need.

The question MCPS asks is whether the child’s needs can be met at local HS. That’s something local school can help with. The child’s wishes and family’s needs are important too. You know your child. If you think she wouldn’t be happy away from friends and with little social life then Blair may not be a fit for her. If you think she doesn’t know her own mind at this age, that’s a different story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Perhaps this is not the real reason? The magnet high schools are incredibly selective, and your daughter might not want to apply if she's afraid of rejection. What MAP scores does she have?

The math person at her MS told me highest in the school. Math was 279 I think?

TPMS has plenty of MAP-M over 300 - .

OP. Obvs she's not at TPMS magnet.

I'm not asking whether she'd get in, I'm just asking whether anyone with a child at the magnet or other actual experience has any insight into the social dynamics within the program. She believes that it wouldn't be a good social fit so she doesn't want to apply, and I wonder whether that perception is grounded in any kind of reality or not.

My guess is that if she is the sort of kid who worries about "coolness" she won't fit in.

[Anonymous]

Does not sound like she would fit in. But.... it was me I'd make her apply and then go to open house, etc and decide if she gets in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Long story short, DD and I spoke and she said she'd be willing to apply now and worry later -- if she happens to get in.

I didn't mention two things:
1. This is only our second year in MCPS, so she is not eager to start over socially all over again
2. She is "2e" (I kind of hate that jargon,) but she is "gifted" and also has ADHD and some other learning issues. So she is the type to earn A's in challenging classes and struggle in the "easy" ones. (Those of you who spend time on the Special Ed board know what I'm talking about.)

FWIW, I don't think she's worried about getting in, I think she's preoccupied with *fitting in*, which strikes me as developmentally appropriate but just possibly shortsighted. She doesn't want to be "nerdy," different, or exceptional in any way if at all possible. I'm sure some of your kids are like this...? She wants to be just like everyone else -- and at the same time, she's trying to figure out who she is.

Anyway, thanks to those that provided some insight and shared your experience. Lots of possible good paths forward. Thanks!

Glad that she is willing to apply! Couple of points:

1. If she has not struggled so far in MCPS MS (in MCPS - generally speaking - academically advanced students are less likely to have their needs met in ES/MS compared to HS), she should be fine in home HS if she ends up going there.

2. Have her look into RMIB magnet - may be she will be more open to that because it might seem less "nerdy" to her

Forgot to add:

3. Ignore the posts on MAP scores; I am sure there are students in TPMS with scores of 300+. But definitely there are others who are not in that same league. DC went through TPMS magnet and did very well without a 300+ score in MAP and then got into Blair. It is not just the MAP score that determines admission. It is just one of many factors.

+1 Some PPs don't know what they are talking about. A 279 is a very high MAP score for 8th and it would make her a very competitive candidate for Blair.

Sure, If it makes you feel better, just trying to provide factual first hand info
279 is good, but not very competitive for Blair

279 is a GREAT fall MAP-M score.
Keep in mind, parents and students often inflate their self-reported scores, or forget to consider when the test was taken.
Take a look at your parent report in the MyMCPS portal (or request it if you don't have it) and look at the line on the graph for MCPS, you'll see that it is a very strong score- even in comparison to students currently in the magnets.

DC got 279 at Fall MAP did not get in, it is possible some other kids get in with the same score, but they would be among the bottom at Blair. That may not be a good experience for the kid..

[Anonymous]

MAP's percentile is more reliable than RIT score.

DC had scores from three consecutive tests
263, 297 and 264 how DC should be evaluated on math skill ?

The only reliable interpretation is 99 percentile.

279 is 99 percentile, that should be the way to look at.

You can't compare two applicants RIT scores because these could be totally different tests (computer generated tests)

[Anonymous]

"My guess is that if she is the sort of kid who worries about "coolness" she won't fit in."

If she actually understood, "coolness" she would understand that she would likely shine in that category in the Magnet.

She doesn't so she will fit in fine. Right now her friends (who likely can't get in) are telling her the Magnet isn't cool and she is parroting that to her parents.

The Magnet would be a great place for her to learn to think for herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Perhaps this is not the real reason? The magnet high schools are incredibly selective, and your daughter might not want to apply if she's afraid of rejection. What MAP scores does she have?

The math person at her MS told me highest in the school. Math was 279 I think?

TPMS has plenty of MAP-M over 300 - .

Troll. OP Don't believe this post.

Oh no, this is absolutely true.

-- parent of two kids who went to Takoma

[Anonymous]

I am shocked so many people remember these scores!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Perhaps this is not the real reason? The magnet high schools are incredibly selective, and your daughter might not want to apply if she's afraid of rejection. What MAP scores does she have?

The math person at her MS told me highest in the school. Math was 279 I think?

TPMS has plenty of MAP-M over 300 - .

Troll. OP Don't believe this post.

Oh no, this is absolutely true.

-- parent of two kids who went to Takoma

+ 1
- Another TPMS parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Perhaps this is not the real reason? The magnet high schools are incredibly selective, and your daughter might not want to apply if she's afraid of rejection. What MAP scores does she have?

The math person at her MS told me highest in the school. Math was 279 I think?

TPMS has plenty of MAP-M over 300 - .

Troll. OP Don't believe this post.

Oh no, this is absolutely true.

-- parent of two kids who went to Takoma

+ 1
- Another TPMS parent

Give me a break. A couple does not mean plenty.
Parent of a top nationally awarded math student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am shocked so many people remember these scores!

It’s part of their identity as parents.