Anonymous wrote:Please keep in mind that MCPS non-magnet high school courses are the same throughout the district.

The peer group varies, and some people put a lot of stake in that. Teaching varies by teacher but there are some amazingly good and dedicated teachers in the poorer areas.

But in terms of actual curriculum, the courses are standardized. So you won't get different courses, just richer kids, at the W schools.

As a W. school, honors-level, high school science teacher (on my lunch break at the moment) I can tell you that the course curricula are NOT standardized throughout the county. Yes, we all use the same county exams but the curriculum goes into more depth in some schools than others.

PP here. This is true but it should be noted that high schools that are NOT W schools can have interesting and challenging. For example, Blair, Einstein (esp. the IB program and the Renaissance Academy which is extremely cool), Wheaton (engineering), and some of the theater and arts offerings at Blake.

I'm sure there are more. Of course BCC has a lot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the W schools?
What is BCCs IB program like? Is it rigorous? Is it worth it?

The W schools are the high schools in MCPS that start with a W: Whitman, Wootton, Walter Johnson, and Churchill. (In Montgomery County, Churchill starts with a W, and Wheaton doesn't.)

Well, yes, Winston Churchill High School starts with a "W"...

Do you have a child at Churchill? Does your child say, "I go to Winston Churchill"? I'm sincerely curious. I've only ever heard people talk about "Churchill" (which starts with a C).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the W schools?
What is BCCs IB program like? Is it rigorous? Is it worth it?

The W schools are the high schools in MCPS that start with a W: Whitman, Wootton, Walter Johnson, and Churchill. (In Montgomery County, Churchill starts with a W, and Wheaton doesn't.)

Well, yes, Winston Churchill High School starts with a "W"...

Unfortunately I am realizing that this is not true. The selection of courses is different. Check out Whittman's course list. Many languages many higher level classes not offered at my still western MoCo school. Also, I read earlier about a mom describing how difficult IM is (at Pyle) and the huge amount of HW involved. My child finds it the same as math 7 with little homework. Also, it seems some clusters offer more differentiation and allow more kids to take compacted math. It is not all the same.

Please keep in mind that MCPS non-magnet high school courses are the same throughout the district.

The peer group varies, and some people put a lot of stake in that. Teaching varies by teacher but there are some amazingly good and dedicated teachers in the poorer areas.

But in terms of actual curriculum, the courses are standardized. So you won't get different courses, just richer kids, at the W schools.

Anonymous wrote:What are the W schools?
What is BCCs IB program like? Is it rigorous? Is it worth it?

The W schools are the high schools in MCPS that start with a W: Whitman, Wootton, Walter Johnson, and Churchill. (In Montgomery County, Churchill starts with a W, and Wheaton doesn't.)

Anonymous wrote:What are the W schools?
What is BCCs IB program like? Is it rigorous? Is it worth it?

All IB programs are held to the same, very rigorous standard, certified by an international governing body, the IBO. Not sure what you mean by "worth it", the cost of housing in the school district?

What are the W schools?
What is BCCs IB program like? Is it rigorous? Is it worth it?

I think it depends on your child. If your child can rise up to a demanding schedule, RM IB does a fantastic job with rigorous academics and really preparing kids for college. However, if your child would thrive more in a less rigorous (though still very good) setting with less pressure, your local W school may be better. IB is more critical thinking/ independent thought, AP tends to be more memorization and is more easily recognized for college credit, though both programs do get kids college credits, and then there's magnet and other options as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former RM IB student that now lives in a W district, I would encourage my child to attend our local school over the IB program.

The program is wonderful but exceedingly rigorous. I lived through it but I wouldn't want to subject my children to it.

My kid got into all Magnet programs. Chose RMIB. Most days bemoans her life...her writing and reasoning has transformed dramatically.

I agree. If you are in W school, no need for RMIB. You have the option of choosing the rigot of your courses in W, that is not the case in RM. Do not borrow 4 years of stress.

Maybe your bright child is just a whiner. Mine is whiner.

...on the other hand...

(LOL)

Anonymous wrote:As a former RM IB student that now lives in a W district, I would encourage my child to attend our local school over the IB program.

The program is wonderful but exceedingly rigorous. I lived through it but I wouldn't want to subject my children to it.

My kid got into all Magnet programs. Chose RMIB. Most days bemoans her life...her writing and reasoning has transformed dramatically.

I agree. If you are in W school, no need for RMIB. You have the option of choosing the rigot of your courses in W, that is not the case in RM. Do not borrow 4 years of stress.

As a former RM IB student that now lives in a W district, I would encourage my child to attend our local school over the IB program.

The program is wonderful but exceedingly rigorous. I lived through it but I wouldn't want to subject my children to it.

Did anyone's child apply. get into RM's IB and opt to go to their local W. high school instead? What was their reasoning and are you/your child happy with the decision?

We are so lucky to be in Montgomery County where there are such great schools and so many wonderful programs.

Thanks in advance for your input.