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[quote=Anonymous][quote=JK100]Hi, first time poster here... I have two RM IB kids (one graduated years ago and the second one is current IB senior) so maybe I can help. First of all, between, WJ and  RM/IB you can't go wrong. Both are excellent programs. As someone said above, IB is a magnet program and you must be tested to get in. It's open county wide to 8th graders. Each year more or less than 1000 kids apply, about 100 kids get in. The application and testing process is pretty intensive. If you live within feeder school area, however, you can do one of two things -- you can apply and test in to IB program (just like other program kids) or use MYP program (no testing/no app) to join IB at 11th grade as someone stated above.  Not too many kids use this path as I understand it - only about 10 or so. It should be noted however IB program pushes kids very, very hard. It is not for everyone. You need to make sure your child can and willing to put in time and effort. If you have specific questions, I can try to answer. Hope this is helpful. [/quote]
I'm curious about the MYP path for students that live within the cluster - here are a couple questions:

1) Wouldn't being in the 9th and 10th grade magnet program give the magnet kids a big head start over the cluster students who enter in 11th grade from MYP?  I mean be definition the magnet kids are the most advanced, so you'd think those students are likely being taught more advanced concepts than what students are learning in the cluster's MYP program.

2) Relatedly, how do colleges view the cluster students who enter in 11th grade?  In other words, are colleges likely to view the magnet students as having better credentials because their transcripts show 4 years of the magnet program?  Also, do the cluster students generally achieve lower grades in the 11th and 12th grade given that they in classes with students who have been receiving more advanced teaching up to that point (and who tend to test very high)?

3) More generally, how is the magnet IB program perceived by colleges?  For example, do admissions offices prefer middle or back of the pack magnet IB graduates over students who were in a high percentile at their local school?  In theory, some really good students would seem likely to be getting grades at the back of the pack in the magnet IB who might have excelled at their local school - do admissions officers understand this?  (Or does "grade inflation" within MCPS mask most of these issues such that grades become less important in admissions and colleges look more at standardized test scores?)[/quote]

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