Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks this is helpful. I think the issue we are having now is that while at the beginning of the year DC insisted on going back, now they are more on the fence, and it sort of depends when you ask them what their answer is. But I appreciate the tips that sooner is better than later if we feel certain that they want to move.

MS is the weak link in MCPS. None are great. I would keep him at the magnet.

My kid went to HGC (former name for CES) for ES, and then back to home school for MS because the MS magnet was too far. I regret it. MS was super boring for my DC. There were very few academic peers. They said they would finish their assignments in 10 min and then just read for the rest of the class.

DC then went onto a HS magnet, and the academics were so much better, and DC found academic peers, including a s/o who is also their academic peer.

OP here - thanks this is helpful. I think the issue we are having now is that while at the beginning of the year DC insisted on going back, now they are more on the fence, and it sort of depends when you ask them what their answer is. But I appreciate the tips that sooner is better than later if we feel certain that they want to move.

Anonymous wrote:If your child wants to leave, let them. Do it at the semester. We did it. We were not happy at hte school. It worked out well.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it a big deal for the school if kids leave mid way? How much of a hassle would it be for both schools?

Kids move in and out of schools a lot - not a hassle. However, the semester change is the best time to do it mid-year. Let one school finish 2nd qtr grades, then the other school starts 3rd qtr grades. If you are considering this, I would check with your home middle school about course selection for next year - each school may be using a different timeline. Also you would need to check with the counselor about appropriate classes for your DC - they won't be the same as at the magnet.

But the spot in magnet goes waste? Isn't that an issue?

Which magnet program is this OP? Have heard mixed things about the magnets in general vs the home school.

Anonymous wrote:I think my 7th grader picked electives in March/April timeframe last spring, but why do you want to wait through the year if both you and your child agree that this isn’t the right program from them? It’s only December. They could have another half a year + adjusting to their home program, making new friends/re-establishing old friends, etc.

+1
If it's not a good fit, I'd move them sooner rather than making them wait it out a year, especially if it's not a good fit socially or it's a long commute.

Leave at the quarter or semester mark. Much easier transition for the student. If they want to go, let them. It’s middle school. This is the time to figure things out with less impact overall (meaning grades, ect). They are trying to advocate for themselves. This is a great thing!

How good is home school cohort?
Magnet isn't worth it if you are zoned for WPMS.

Anonymous wrote:Is it a big deal for the school if kids leave mid way? How much of a hassle would it be for both schools?

Kids move in and out of schools a lot - not a hassle. However, the semester change is the best time to do it mid-year. Let one school finish 2nd qtr grades, then the other school starts 3rd qtr grades. If you are considering this, I would check with your home middle school about course selection for next year - each school may be using a different timeline. Also you would need to check with the counselor about appropriate classes for your DC - they won't be the same as at the magnet.

If your child wants to leave, let them. Do it at the semester. We did it. We were not happy at hte school. It worked out well.

Is it a big deal for the school if kids leave mid way? How much of a hassle would it be for both schools?

I think my 7th grader picked electives in March/April timeframe last spring, but why do you want to wait through the year if both you and your child agree that this isn’t the right program from them? It’s only December. They could have another half a year + adjusting to their home program, making new friends/re-establishing old friends, etc.

Which magnate is your child in?

Same dilemma here OP. My kid is travelling 1 hour, has been bullied, the counselor sucks, and I am seriously thinking about moving my kid.

Our DC is a 6th grader at a middle school magnet. Early in the school year, our child initially asked us frequently to move them back to their home school (for primarily social reasons, missing friends etc). We've explained they need to stay for at least the whole year and give it a chance. While our kid asks less frequently now to go back to their home school, it still comes up from time to time. We observed them in the recent open house and noted that they appear to be doing very well socially, but my husband and I honestly felt the instruction was "meh" in most classes. If we decide to send them back to their home school next year, when is the best time to make that decision? I'm wondering when they'll be asked to pick 7th grade electives, and if it might make sense to notify the program at that time if we decide to go. In 5th grade, I think that happened around Jan or Feb, but I'm not sure the timeline for current MS kids. Thanks for any insight!