My DD is a freshman at Poolesville SMACS and absolutely loves it. She chose this school over RMIB and has found her tribe. She has tons of friends who she hangs out with and the school itself is awesome though dated. They have fantastic activities for kids. Mine is on robotics team and Physics team. She does not mind getting up at 5:30am nor getting off the bus at 5p. It is a complete commitment but 100% hers. The child must want it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of College Student and HS student. Both were/are at MCPS test-in magnets. Poolesville doesn’t have any secret sauce. A smart motivated kid surrounded by smart motivated peers will do well anywhere.

I think it’s really depends on the home school option. If the home school option has enough high performers, I’ll let it be your child’s choice. If not, bribe your kid.

Almost every school has a sufficiently large cohort of high-performers.

This is debatable
Depends on your kid, OP

Anonymous wrote:If they don't want to go then don't force it. My child is at Poolesville. It is a commitment, but completely my kid's choice.

+1 My oldest was at Poolesville. It is a commitment just from a commuting perspective. It was hard to get to for sports and activities and although DC had friends, those friendships didn’t really blossom until end of junior year when they all started being able to drive. I think DC would have had a better overall HS experience if they’d stayed at our homeschool with the neighborhood kids. DC still would have had great academics in the home school, didn’t NEED the PV program. But DC was really interested in the PV program, so they went. If they wanted to stay at home school I wouldn’t have pushed.

Anonymous wrote:Parent of College Student and HS student. Both were/are at MCPS test-in magnets. Poolesville doesn’t have any secret sauce. A smart motivated kid surrounded by smart motivated peers will do well anywhere.

I think it’s really depends on the home school option. If the home school option has enough high performers, I’ll let it be your child’s choice. If not, bribe your kid.

Almost every school has a sufficiently large cohort of high-performers.

Anonymous wrote:Any insights regarding letting the student go to their preferred home school and passing up this opportunity, or pushing them to accept? I feel like it should be their decision but 13/14-yr-olds have different measures for choosing a school than adults do. I don't want to be blamed for every hardship if I force it.

Definitely give it up to make room for someone else who will get the mot out of the program. Sounds like you're just not enthusiastic enough.

Parent of College Student and HS student. Both were/are at MCPS test-in magnets. Poolesville doesn’t have any secret sauce. A smart motivated kid surrounded by smart motivated peers will do well anywhere.

I think it’s really depends on the home school option. If the home school option has enough high performers, I’ll let it be your child’s choice. If not, bribe your kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why did they apply?

I encouraged them to apply because I know the environment would be a great fit, and I knew it would open up opportunities and learning to benefit their future. They agreed to apply on the "we'll see" basis of crossing that bridge if they get there. But now it's time to decide. They just had gotten used to the idea of keeping the same peer group and such.

They will make new friends at PHS. I'd not give up the seat if it were my kids but you do you. A lot of kids on WL more than happy to take it off your hand.

If they don't want to go then don't force it. My child is at Poolesville. It is a commitment, but completely my kid's choice.

There are many considerations. Commute, insane hours and friend group are usually strong considerations. It is harder to get into top colleges from PHS because so many kids are high performers. Your kid may be better served at a regular college. It might also impact their time to do ECs they love, and harder to get into clubs at PHS because everyone applies to the same clubs and it is a bit cliquey.

Anonymous wrote:Any insights regarding letting the student go to their preferred home school and passing up this opportunity, or pushing them to accept? I feel like it should be their decision but 13/14-yr-olds have different measures for choosing a school than adults do. I don't want to be blamed for every hardship if I force it.

If it is any consolation, I can feel your pain. It only gets worse as they before 15-16-17. I am told it gets better after that. Parent of 16yr old.

only way to influence: get her to speak with some kids who are at poolesville. i have heard it is a wonderful school.

Did you go to the accepted students Zoom? Have you both asked questions to perrs, counselors or the like? Ultimately I would let your DC choose, unless you have valid reasons to over rule their choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why did they apply?

I encouraged them to apply because I know the environment would be a great fit, and I knew it would open up opportunities and learning to benefit their future. They agreed to apply on the "we'll see" basis of crossing that bridge if they get there. But now it's time to decide. They just had gotten used to the idea of keeping the same peer group and such.

They should be careful that they actually are going to be keeping the same peer group. Your friends might be going to different schools as well.

Anonymous wrote:why did they apply?

I encouraged them to apply because I know the environment would be a great fit, and I knew it would open up opportunities and learning to benefit their future. They agreed to apply on the "we'll see" basis of crossing that bridge if they get there. But now it's time to decide. They just had gotten used to the idea of keeping the same peer group and such.

why did they apply?

Any insights regarding letting the student go to their preferred home school and passing up this opportunity, or pushing them to accept? I feel like it should be their decision but 13/14-yr-olds have different measures for choosing a school than adults do. I don't want to be blamed for every hardship if I force it.