Reply to Yet another magnet thread. What are the personalities of the students at various magnets?

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Reply to "Yet another magnet thread. What are the personalities of the students at various magnets?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We heard Wheaton was intense but in a good way. Anyone have personal experience?[/quote]

I've had kids at both Wheaton and Blair magnets. they are also friends w/ lots of CAP and RM kids (got into both of those programs too, so checked them out pretty thoroughly). I would there are some differences, but all the programs have the commonality of bright motivated kids.  Wheaton is more hands on than Blair and in many ways less intense because it has one less period. But, there seem to be more prescribed components, so it's harder to get in all the things kids want to take. Health in summer helped. Commute should also be considered with intensity because that bus ride can be long. It is not down time.

Wheaton cohort seems more collaborative and less competitive. Don't get me wrong, lots of nice kids at Blair too, but definitely a set of mag bros who try to muscle over others and a few girl cliques (felt more cultural than personal). Wheaton magnet is more diverse racially and culturally as a program. Some years are really lopsided in terms of gender diversity. Blair seems a little better there. Blair is more diverse as a school overall. Both have excellent teachers.  A big consideration should be the kid's interests. One of mine was more theoretical, loving math (Blair), the other did not love math (though amazing teacher at Wheaton kind of turned that around) and was more a hands-on problem solver. My Blair kid would have liked a more collaborative environment among peers. Blair admin has this on their radar and wants this too, but I'm not sure how the school can compete with the competitive mindsets that some kids get from years of parent pressure. But, my Blair kid found their people and also had friends outside of the magnet. I have been very impressed with teachers at both schools.  Wheaton has been building, and some of my kid's teachers that were meh are gone. Also very impressed w/ History and Eng too. Blair has great ones too, but a little more of a crap shoot as it is so large. Hope this helps.[/quote]

DC hasn't encountered the competitive side yet but worried now. That does not sound pleasant.[/quote]

PP here. Please don't worry! Sounds like DC has found a good cohort. It'll be good. Ours was just on one experience several years ago when there was a test that many prepped for. Maybe there is fewer of that lot. But, even during my kid's time there was collaboration to be had, you just had to find those willing. Sounds like yours has already surrounded with a supportive group. Don't let this worry you![/quote]

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