Reply to Questions about Richard Montgomery IB program

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am just wondering ... do we really want our kids to grind through a program that makes an Ivy League college education look like a "cakewalk"?

Not discounting PP's accomplishments, but can't we make something challenging and enriching without making it such an ordeal?  I want my kids to have time -- [b]not for drinking and finding dope, [/b]LOL -- but for extracurriculars that are also enriching.
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If you think some of the kids in IB programs aren't finding time for those activities too, you are kidding yourself. How do you think they relieve the stress they are under?

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Lol. I have a strong hunch you are not talking from experience. DC is in the magnet IB program and for these kids to party or socialize outside of school - let's say, that it takes weeks of planning.  You can be doping and drinking during the week after midnight (or 1 am, 2 am) , after you have finished all your studying...except you have to get up at 5:30 am for school.

I am not saying that these kids do not have the capacity to be irresponsible, its just that they do not have the time. At all.  How many of these kids in the whole program have a boyfriend/girlfriend? In single digits.  Yup, its that bad. Given a chance to socialize outside of the peer group, my DC prefers to catch up on sleep.   They are participating in extra-curricular activities and internships and what have you. What they do not have time for is drinking and doping.

Unlike those who will take AP...they won't even have the luxury to party in their senior year either because they will be fulfilling the requirements for IB diploma.

I think one thing I should mention that has made a difference is the attitude of teachers and administration towards these students.  They are treated as special and there is high expectations from them. There is no discipline problem and any time DC has been sick and unable to come to school - the response of the teachers have been tremendous in accomodating DC.  The level and maturity of discussion that is taking place in these classes is of of the caliber of college classes. Just amazing.

It is a very hard program. There will be times that you will question your sanity in staying in the program, but the education they get, their communication, their thinking process - everything gets transformed. It is a baptism by fire.

And what the pp mentioned - about not making HS an ordeal - that is a very valid reason for not going into this program. It is an ordeal. It is jumping through extra hoops.

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