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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I was wondering, for folks whose kids are at the Blair Magnet, whether you think it is harder to get into  the Blair magnet or the top tier privates (Sidwell, Maret, etc.). I was assuming many kids apply to public magnets and privates at the same time - which was more difficult?[/quote]

I don't know the % acceptance at private.  They accept a little over 100 for 800 applicants at Blair magnet.  That's about 12.5% acceptance.

I think the criteria is just different.  Blair magnet is based on test scores (for good or bad - it's a bit brutal in the approach).  My understanding of private schools is that they take into consideration more factors and parents connections, where they went to middle school, siblings, etc would impact acceptance into private school.  Grades, for example.  Although the catholic school in our neighborhood has over 50% valedictorians so I don't think grades help differentiate that much.  Oh, and athletics.  If you will start on the basketball team, you will get in and get a scholarship.  It is not test scores.

That's not to say that Blair's approach is 'better' as many hard working, late blooming, bad test-takers don't get in who perhaps could do ok.  On the other hand, private schools are known to be based on your family/parents accomplishments rather than the students'.  Blair has no idea who I am or what I do (or what my spouse does) or where we went to school, etc.  They just know my students' test scores.  Honestly, I don't even think they read recommendations or look at grades other than in passing.  Again, that's not to say it's a better approach, just very, very different.  And I would say that brutality and indifference carries into how the grading is in the classroom once you get in.

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