Reply to Is there a MoCo equivalent to Duke Ellington School for the Arts?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't think it's to the level you're describing/hoping for but from what I gathered, Northwood HS was the Arts option for the Downcounty Consortium (DCC):

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/school-info/downcounty/northwood/

The Academy of Music, Theater and Dance (AMTAD)

This academy is geared toward students interested in pursuing college and professional careers in the areas of theater, dance, vocal music, and instrumental music. In either solo or group performances, students will produce, act, and perform in a variety of onstage productions. Coursework within the academy is designed to develop the student through the dance and performing arts pathways with focus on technical production, vocal and instrumental music, dance, and dramatics. Students in all academy strands will be integrally involved in all aspects of production, giving students a solid foundation for advanced preparation within the field. The Dance Pathway gives students a strong background in multiple dance styles such as Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. This pathway also provides opportunities for master classes, field trips and choreographic development. The Performing Arts Pathway gives students a strong background in multiple disciplines. Students in this pathway have the opportunity to take a variety of classes in the performing arts field, such as band, chorus, dance and theatre. Students also have the opportunity to focus solely on one discipline. [/quote]

Honestly, it’s hard to see Northwood getting the theater or dance programs when Einstein’s are just stronger. Without extra funding, it makes way more sense to give Einstein all the regional arts programs, just like Blake and Woodward. Hopefully, Einstein PACE is already talking about advocating for this. [/quote]

These are arts programs on paper only as none of the schools are getting more staff or funding specifically for the arts.  All schools should have strong arts, humanities and stem.[/quote]

No one is denying this. However, this is what’s on the table. Einstein has built a strong arts program with what they have. To keep Einstein in the conversation, they should retain what they’ve built.[/quote]

Look, with the DCC being disbanded, the whole game changes. If Einstein doesn’t get the regional arts designation, they just have to double down on their own turf. They can use the VAC’s and S.T.A.G.E reputation to carry the rest of the arts programs and basically build a 'shadow magnet' culture. They can make VAPA an elite audition base PA program within its own school. That way, their public product stays so sharp that a brand-new regional program at Northwood or Woodward won't even be able to compete.[/quote]

If Einstein parents organized, gathered application-interest data, collected alumni success stories, and showed strong community support, they could absolutely put this on MCPS's radar. The odds of getting some expansion of VAPA are significantly better, maybe we can also incorporate IB into VAPA. [/quote]

The Einstein MCCPTA report is excellent and tried to get parents to advocate against the program study, but she was often alone in things like testifying at BOE meetings.

The PTSA principal claimed I was the first parent to complain to her about the school! She admitted she isn’t even on the PTSA FB group where parents often comment on posts sharing that these issues have been going on for years.[/quote]

The problem is a lot of the more academic kids go to Blair and Wheaton for Stem so there isn’t a huge amount of parents pushing for Stem.  And, there are some high level arts kids but many don’t realize what is lacking as there are only a small amount of arts kids in the higher level outside programs.  It’s the same crew running all the groups for years and most never have done anything but the minimum for show.  The one parent did an amazing job at advocacy but the principal either ignores the concerns or dismisses them.  He’s not responsive to parents or students and same with the staff which is why some are leaving this year.  He refuses to consider all the students needs.  One of the APs is downright hostile toward students taking AP classes but thank goodness she’s leaving.  The new 9th grade AP is amazing.  I wish he were the principal or bring back the one who was acting last year as he did a great job.

You are not the first or only parent to complain.  It’s a good school but with some small changes it could be a great school.  So many good teachers and students and they just need to be supported better and provided with what they need and want.

With the region program, I suspect if families cannot get into Blair, some, including us will leave MCPS.  I’m not even sure how to make Blair work with transportation as we couldn’t for our oldest.

The PTSA president is very aware but if their kids needs are met they don’t care.  Some of the more outspoken parents kids have graduated this year so hopefully new parents will step up more.  [/quote]

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