Reply to Is Blair SMAC ok for non-stem kid?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Blair mom of artsy kid here. Don't listen to the knee jerk "No" people. They are likely fishing for your spot! This really depends on your kid.

My kid was more of an RM kid. She did go to TPMS magnet over Eastern because it was closer and she wanted to give STEM a go. She came out loving math, not super keen on science and so-so on CS. Also, still loving literature, theatre, history, film and music.  In the end w/ HS, she decided that the RM commute would be too much and chose Blair. At Blair, there are a certain number of STEM classes needed for the magnet in addition to what a kid would normally take. 2 years of CS, which can open the door for interesting classes design based elective classes, R&E which is like physics meets shop, a few extra science classes, and the same amount of math as normal (because everyone takes 4 years anyway) unless you want extra, and a research class or two, depending on if your kid does the sr. project. There are some interesting electives -- marine biology, optics, race/gender in STEM, etc. My kid was meh about science and got really turned off on CS by a student teacher (who is now at PHS I think, hope he mellowed a bit!) but loved math. She did mostly math electives to finish out her magnet requirements and did not do the project. She is at an Ivy doing a blend of math, arts and music.

The Blair magnet day has an extra period, so kids can take electives. Mine was able to take music and arts most years. Also AP history electives. Almost all the AP teachers my kid had were good. I would say half the day is STEM, but 1/4 of that would have been required/recommended classes anyway.

So, if you think your kid might blossom in that kind of setting, give it a go! I suggest going to the open house and asking LOTS of questions before deciding either way. Congrats on the admit, and good luck![/quote]

Totally agree. The newspaper is run mostly by CAP and Stem kids. Same with Debate. You can join ANY club you want. Lots of stem kids play a sport or do music. There is room for everyone. I agree NOT to listen to the distractors that want yours kids spot. We thought mine would choose RMIB, but they liked Blair better overall. It’s a great school. The program wants diversity NOT just the top Math kids. Many top math kids got rejected. You should give it a go. [/quote]

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