Reply to How are the 6th grade enrichment classes for cohort kids who were not accepted to magnet programs?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The Global Humanities Class is definitely a highlight for my kid.  As a parent, it's hard to explain in detail the differences between the two classes, because (a) we may not have experience with the other class and (b) we aren't there every day.  We get tidbits from our kids like, "We did a government simulation, and our group went all Lord of the Flies and overthrew the leadership and installed a dictator."  Or you hear about the different roles and assignment for the literature circle, and the extensions related to the issue addressed in the book.

In the math class they seem to be doing [b]more group projects and thought problems[/b]. [/quote]
More compared to what other class, and how do you know they are doing "more"?  Are they doing about the same as the TPMS magnet math classes? If so, then that shows that the new class offerings in the home MS will meet the needs of those students, but otherwise, that's just lip service by MCPS.
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I'm the pp here - more than what I have heard about from other parents in the standard (also accellerated, btw) IM class.  Covering the same topics, but in the few extra minutes they have out of 45 each day because they're the top cohort in the school, they are getting a few more group projects and a few harder thought questions.  That is my perception as a parent.

I appreciate the perspective of the Rosa Poster above.  I would encourage you PP/OP to contact the counselling office to figure out a mechanism for taking a deep dive into the differences between classes.  If you are a Cabin John or Pyle parent who feels shortchanged that your MS is not actually implementing a different curriculum, here is your proof that it IS happening in some schools.     [/quote]

I’m the Pyle poster who has a child in both classes.  You seem really spun up about this and I’m sorry things are not working out for your child as you hoped.

That said, my child is learning and is having a positive experience at Pyle.  She enjoys her classes and for the most part the teachers.  She’s in 6th grade and[b] is happy and healthy which is our goal.  I don’t need nor want my 6th grader in a pressure cooker.  It’s 6th grade and it is not going to make or break her future career.  She is learning a lot more than DH and I did and we went on to top universities and successfull (financially and emotionally) careers.[/b]

So no, I will not be reaching out to her counselor.[/quote]

As a Bethesda parent who sent both kids to MS magnets, I think PP's comments really reflect the differences I saw on the value parents place on the magnet.  I know a number of very bright kids in the Whitman/BCC pyramids who absolutely were [b]qualified for magnets but their parents would not consider sending them because they viewed these schools as "pressure cookers" and valued other things over academic rigor (happiness, ability to be with friends, [/b]the belief that MS academics do not affect career/life trajectory, etc.)

I'm not saying those values are wrong.  But, they are very different from the values I saw of the other cohorts of parents that do send their kids to MS magnets.  For example, I am low SES even though I live in the Whitman/BCC pyramid.  I value my kid's happiness but define it differently than my parent peers.  I see my kids as happy when they are interested in and excited by the place where they spend their days, i.e. school.  Home district school was very boring which caused unhappiness, magnet was harder but more interesting which meant that they were overall happier.

Also, due to my low SES, I am not as confident that my kids can be as successful in career/life, because I recognize how much more other parent peers are able to give them to start their careers -- opportunities to do unpaid internships, introductions to important mentors or first jobs, the ability to full pay for college of choice, etc.  If I could do those things, I would be a lot more confident that DC's academics in middle and high school won't affect their college and thus career opportunities.  A lot of other magnet parents also had different values -- immigrants place a different value on getting the best education possible at every level, IME.  And, "happiness" has a different place and definition by culture.

[b]FWIW, I had kids at both Eastern and TPMS magnets, and I would call neither a "pressure cooker" and neither would either of my kid[/b]s.   
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Well said. [/quote]

I wanted to address the three PPs comments.
To the first PP I bolded.  If your child is happy and sufficiently challenged in their home middle school you absolutely made the right call to stay in your home school.  There are some children who crave more enrichment and challenge at school and these are the children who really need a magnet program where they are with teachers and peers who understand them.

To the second PP I bolded, I have seen three magnet programs up close and I would not describe any of them as a pressure cooker.  They have been challenging and the work load can be heavy at times but the work tends to be interesting and engaging (very little busy work) and much of the work is collaborative which can make it more enjoyable.  
I am also always bemused by people who don't realize how social these kids are.  In fact this is one of the reasons many kids (including mine) want to apply to magnet programs- the peer group.  What I have observed is a largely happy, social group of kids who support each other and who are a cohesive group.  Very few cliques and generally very little drama.  This is especially true at Blair SMAC where there is a group of experienced teachers who really pay attention to the social and emotional health of the students especially in 9th grade which can be a tough transition.  What I see is a group of students who care about each other and who hold their teachers in warm regard.   If you walk into a magnet class you typically hear a lot of discussion and a lot of laughter.  
I will just also note that at least a third of magnet kids are on varsity athletic teams at Blair and a good chunk are in the band/orchestra, drama club and on the school newspaper and in clubs like Debate and Model UN. 
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