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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We looked into the Einstein IB program. Here is the information the principal sent to me: 
9th grade: MCPSIB English 9, foreign Language 1 (or higher, my kid was already in a level 3 language), AP NSL, Honors Bio (would not allow AP Bio), Honors Pre-Calc or IB math (but the IB math was too low for my kid. It was a blend of Geo and Alg), PE, tech credit. 
10th grade: MCPSIB English 10, foreign language, APUSH, AP Chem, Fine Arts Elective, Health, IB Math or AP Calc. 
11th: IB English Lit 1, IB foreign Language, IB History of the Americas, IB Physics, TOK1/Extended Essay (this is part of the IB Diploma Programme), IB Math or AP Stats
12th: IB English Lit II HL (Higher Level), IB foreign language, IB History of the Americas II HL, IB Science or AP Physics, TOK II (part of IB Diploma Programme), IB math

Here is where the issue came in (and we ultimately decided it wasn't the right fit): 
1. My kid played in advanced band/orchestra/jazz band. Einstein is known for having a strong music program, but these courses did not fit into the IB Programme schedule after 10th grade, even if my kid took Health and Tech Credit in summer school (which he did).
2. His foreign language choice wasn't offered and he wanted to continue through AP and beyond with his language choice. 
3. There is no IB World History at Einstein. They only offer IB History of the Americas because it appeals to the largest segment of the student body.
4. My kid couldn't earn the Diploma because he was already beyond the math levels covered in IB (even the HL level). He would be able to substitute with AP, but then you can't earn the diploma. Also: Einstein doesn't have a lot of kids taking Differential Equations so it isn't always offered. My kid hoped to take it.

Finally, people say Richard Montgomery is the best IB program for a lot of reasons. I have a close friend who was in the first class to graduate from that program, back in the early '90s. He went on to two Ivies, if that matters to you. I think that is a good sign. Some of the teachers who were part of the inception of the program are still at RM. Also, the kids are in a cohort, almost like an "honors" cohort because the test in to the program. [b]Einstein and Kennedy allow any kid to take IB classes a la carte and they are not in a cohort.[/b] This is great if you have a bunch of kids who take a mix of AP and IB to best challenge themselves; not so good if the teachers can't move at the same pace/go in depth because of students who are struggling. At Einstein, kids take 3 SL (standard level) IB courses and 2 HL (higher level) IB courses. They are not allowed to take more HLs (so, my kid loved Chem and it was only offered as an IB SL).  
 [/quote]

I don't know about Einstein, but they definitely do move as a cohort. Kids are "invited" to be part of the MYP IB program, and that resulted in his schedule getting adjusted so that he took classes with the cohort sections of required classes.

I assume this carries on through 11th and 12 years, but yes, you're right that in the 11th and 12th grade years, non-magnet kids can sign up and join those classes if they choose to. But the cohort model is definitely in place at Kennedy. Although I think there are enough kids in the program that we have 2 cohorts at Kennedy. I say this because my son saw shifts in classmates with the semester switch.[/quote]

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