Reply to Hypothetical MoCo HS Magnet STEM Options

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I wanted to post this before the actual selection results come out.  (I'm a parent of a current 7th grader, so this will apply to us next year.)  Let's say, hypothetically, that a student applied to, and was accepted in, all of Blair SMACS, Wheaton Engineering, and Wheaton Biomed.  Which would you choose and why?

(Our child wants to do something in STEM (current TMPS magnet, both parents went to top college and expect the same of our kids).  I listed only those three programs because we live in the DCC too far for the bus ride to Poolesville Global Ecology.  [b]Unless another magnet program would still have a good math/science education (RMIB?)[/b].  We're really trying to understand the options here.)[/quote]
RMIB has a well-rounded program that can be tailored to fit a strong math-science student. There is a strong cohort of med-school bound students who will take IB Biology, IB Chemistry, AP Physics C, and HL Math (often after AP BC Calc, and MVC). Another cohort of kids lean more towards Physical Science/computer science and will pair IB Enviro or Comp Sci with IB Chemistry, AP Physics C, and HL Math. And of course there are IB diploma students whose passion lies elsewhere besides math and science and they emphasize other courses. RM has a strong Science Olympiad team (2nd in state last year) and a good collection of other active science clubs/competitions. Definitely consider RMIB.

When you compare Wheaton PLTW and Blair SMACS you are talking about very different styles of learning and education. If your kid is a hands-on, project focused kid, Wheaton will likely be a better fit. If your kids is super academic and mathy, Blair may be a better fit. Wheaton does offer a lot of partnership opportunities for internships. Wheaton also plays out differently when you are applying to colleges. You are not competing as much within your own cohort for the same schools and there are some pretty impressive lists of kids getting scholarships and full rides.

Between my own kids and family friends/neighbors, I know of multiple kid's experiences in all of these programs. I know kids that turned down Wheaton for Blair, and kids that turned down Blair for Wheaton. I know kids that have really enjoyed all three programs and been happy with their choice. I know one kid not so happy with their experience in SMACS and one not so happy with RMIB. In both of those cases, it seems to me that kids (& parents) were more focused on prestige of program, than fit for kid. Apply for all, go to all the tours, and really consider fit (which includes your home high school - all of which offer strong APs). In addition to academic fit, you have to consider travel and the rest of the high school experience (sports, clubs, events.) Academics may be fantastic, but if you have to travel 45 min- 1 hr each way to school, your child is giving up a lot of time for travel and may not be able to participate in the "rest" of highschool as fully.[/quote]

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