What was up with the huge crowd for Takoma Park Elem Magnet testing?

[Anonymous]

Is it me, or is there some disconnect that almost double the number of people applied this year than last year for the out of boundary spots? I'm trying to understand if Mont. Co is as great as they say they are and they offer accelerated teaching - why is there such demand for parents wanting their kids to go to magnet? It almost sounds like as a district, Mont. Co is trying to move away from magnets - or at least possibly cutting the funding for busing to magnet schools - yet clearly there is pent up demand. Just curious what others are thinking.

[Anonymous]

THe neighborhoods in Silver Spring are changing. More yuppie families than ever before, and major baby boom in the area. That's all it is.

[Anonymous]

Also, there is a vast difference in the quality of the magnet middle school programs and "regular" in the down county. I speak from experience. Don't believe the MCPS hype.

[Anonymous]

I don't really think it's accurate to compare this year and last year's applications. Last year, TPES was facing the move to Grosvenor Elementary while their home facility was being renovated. Probably many fewer people applied to the magnet last year, because it meant a significant bus ride likely to get tangled up in rush hour traffic. Indeed, TPES has had a LOT of problems with the busing this year.

Next year, TPES will be back in a brand new renovated facility, which probably encouraged even more people to apply than usual.

Combine that with the recession and the likelihood that more families who would have gone to any kind of private are now trying their luck with MoCo.

All that probably explains the skew in numbers.

I agree that the large numbers reflect large numbers of parents who expect accelerated teaching/higher standards for their kids and don't feel like they are getting it in the local school. MCPS must address this in a real way.

[Anonymous]

Like 12:55, I'd argue that reason numbers were lower in the past two years was b/c of Grosvenor. I didn't test my current 2nd grader two years ago even though I thought the school would be a good fit b/c of the Grosvenor year.

And yes, Saturday testing was unreal. We need better acceleration options across the county for our youngest students.

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know when you find out whether your child qualified?

[Anonymous]

I believe the letters go out in mid-May.