Reply to DCC Wheaton/Blair Question

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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I've got a kid at Blair SMCS now (who was in the TPMS magnet).  We are zoned for Einstein (which has minimal STEM programming) so this process was tough for us.  My kid is interested in engineering but also compsci, and we went to all of the open houses and thought hard about how to rank.  We did not have the Blair home option that you have, but we ranked Blair/Wheaton/Northwood/Einstein/Kennedy and were assigned Northwood. This was not a great outcome, but then he got into all of the magnets so we shifted our focus to that.  Blair SMCS was not a slam dunk  (we knew it would be intense and very math-heavy), but it is the closest school to our house, our kid knew many kids going there from TPMS because it's their home school (most friends who applied did not get into SMCS), and because of the extra class period it offered the most flexibility for exploring all of his interests and continuing with foreign language.  We also have friends at Wheaton engineering.  Getting to Wheaton from Takoma Park is a hike, so that's definitely a consideration, and if your kid is going to be doing after school activities you need to consider whether there's a way they can get themselves home or if you will be able to carpool or pick them up.  But I do think it seems like a great program, especially for a kid who is already focused on engineering.  For us, the program was too limiting.  Because of the course sequence, and the standard 7-class schedule, there was very little time left to take electives, continue foreign language, and also do compsci.  At SMCS, you can do all of these.  If you don't get into SMCS, my understanding is that all of the SMCS electives that are offered junior and senior year are still available to you, as long as you have the necessary prerequisites.  So that's something to consider.  But you wouldn't get the comprehensive engineering instruction that you will get at Wheaton engineering, including in the PLTW academy program.  Also, as you can see with what happened with us, ranking Wheaton high doesn't guarantee you a spot.  But we do know kids who ranked it #1 and got it (who were zoned for Einstein) so it does happen. If you are set on engineering, and willing to do PLTW if you don't get into the magnet, you could rank Wheaton/Blair, and then if you don't get Wheaton at least you've got Blair.  There's also a second round of the choice lottery, which we didn't do but is an option.  Basically, you're in a good position compared to people zoned for Einstein, Northwood, or Kennedy because you can guarantee your kid a spot at a school that's got some pretty good STEM options.[/quote]

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