I went to Yale in the 80s. Loved my classmates and the atmosphere. Was not lucky with professors -- seemed to have a lot who really didn't work on teaching too hard. I hope that's changed, but can't see why it would ... Yale doesn't hire for teaching skill ... Also, I hope they treat financial aid kids better these days.

Was there ever an update on the situation from OP? I can emphasize with trying to help an older partner with a search.

Hi, tried to post this earlier so apologies if it pops up twice (maybe need a forum coach too ... ) I'm looking for a job coach/job placement help for my spouse, who has a lot of experience in economic development. We recently relocated to the area. I tried one but despite a fancy webpage, she doesn't appear to answer phone messages ... so I'm a bit put off. Anyone have any experiences to report? Is it worth working with a career coach and are there good ones out there? Thanks for any help with this.

I'm looking for a career coach/placement person for spouse with 30 years experience in economic development/innovation (we relocated here). I contacted one but she's not filling me with confidence by failing to answer her phone ... And now I wonder if it's even worth it. Does anyone have experience either way with job coaches or any specific recommendations? Thanks! We live in Montgomery County BTW, but of course open to jobs anywhere in the area.

Thanks for the info. I was at the meeting as well and there was a lot of useful information. Also, I was impressed with some good questions from 8th graders, some kids who are very on the ball there ...

First of all, if you're considering a move to MoCo for schools, it will be tough to get into the really selective special programs from afar. So if your kids are at transitional times -- eg 7th or 5th grades-- you should check carefully if they really will be considered for magnet programs. All of the program applications deadline around early November for the following year. I faced the same choice 2 years ago and chose the Takoma Park/Blair thing -- I like the diversity on this side of the county and I think both those schools have a lot of heart. But basically what I learned is that public education in MoCo is about a lot of navigation and you're going to wind up with great teachers/poor teachers all over the place. It's a little more homogeneous at BCC, but I think the more capable kids are a little more cherished at Blair. Here's an issue though -- your move will resonate for years. In trying for high school magnets, it turns out that that they pull a lot from middle school magnets (apparently) which essentially means that your chances of getting into a high school magnet can relate as far back as to where you were in 4th grade and applying for middle school magnets ... like everywhere, parents are very aware of the systems and looking out for opportunities for their kids for years, which can make it harder for newcomers to compete for spots. This is impressionistic, I haven't seen hard numbers, but I do know a lot of the high school magnet slots are filled by MS middle school kids. And that's understandable, just a bit frustrating for newcomers with very capable kids. And I can't complain because I was in the same position in a very wacky school district in which the waiting list started at birth ... if you moved in even when the kid was one you were essentially shut out of the local (very good) public school and had to go elsewhere.

Hi, does anyone know of stats of how many kids get into magnets such as Blair CAP or the Richard Montgomery IB program if they are not in magnets in middle school?

Numbers would be nice ... anecdotes good too. I am asking this for all the parents out there whose kids transferred into MoCo in the sixth and seventh grade (or just didn't get into or do the magnet thing for middle). Sometimes it seems like a very closed world.

Thanks!

That's a good idea too and I hadn't thought of that, thanks so much. Yeah, I'm waiting a bit before tackling the county etc on the credits -- since I teach myself, I know that start of term is the most hectic time of the year. Meanwhile just gathering info ... and hoping there isn't some weird 'statute of limitations' but what the heck.

And yes I have cunningly called the British School in DC ... but haven't really gotten down the layers I need ...

hi thanks that is very useful on the meetup!

hi, on a practical note, I could use some help in how to translate grades and whether others have had trouble with this -- the county gave my daughter very low marks for her Scottish GSCEs. I will go back to them and dispute, but any help/experience from others appreciated. Also, if anyone has made it through the first year or two post-move from the UK, I would be interested in how colleges etc viewed Scottish grades, any tips on how to help Scottish/British students adapt. I am not looking forward to standardized testing. I am American myself, as is my husband, but high school was a loooooong time ago for us.

Hi, is there anyone else there who has recently relocated from the United Kingdom (Glasgow in our case). I'd love to 'share the experience' ... we just put one at Montgomery Blair and another at Takoma Park. The toughest thing has been transferring the credits (and the grades) from Scottish high school -- it seems Montgomery County just makes it up as they go along ... any help from other 'international' parents appreciated!