It's a good program too but it depends on your child's interests. The drawback of GE as other posters have pointed out is that you miss a lot of your other classes so if you have any weak spots like language, English or math or executive functioning issues it will be really difficult to make up all the work.

What about humanities? is that a good program? better than GE?

My kid chose SMCS and has had a great experience. Peer group is inclusive, bright and supportive. He did not find it a pressure cooker environment. Before pandemic - he did around 2 hours of homework at home.

Of course the school day is longer than the other houses but he really likes to hang out with his friends, shoot hoops and participate in the clubs too. We have a long commute and opted to not take the bus in the morning so that he could sleep in. Actually the best part of DL has been the lack of long commute.

I find most students in SMCS to be pretty even in academic standing. Most are from the magnet middle school and are used to managing their time well too. It is again an inclusive bunch.

We liked the GE program on paper (teaching through field trips, sounds so much fun) but it really had student with a range of academic abilities and thus the class moves along slowly. Maybe that is a plus for some but it would have been a negative for my impatient child. Finally, we were not a big fan of missing class time for fieldtrips because it did not compute that he had to make up the missed stuff himself and it would be comparable in learning along with a class and and so when he chose SMCS we were happy.

If your student is accepted into SMCS (PHS or Blair, depending on your location), but you choose Global Ecology, your student is eligible to take magnet (SMCS) math with the SMCS students.

DC #1 did Global plus PLTW. We very much liked PLTW. Classes rigorous but not overwhelming.
DC #2 is in SMCS. Classes are rigorous, but not overwhelming if your DC is a good fit for math and CS. Disappointed that we couldn’t fit PLTW in. The SMCS engineering component is fine, but it’s homegrown and not as structured as PLTW.

If you are not coming from a middle school magnet, I’d pick Global. It’s a larger group of kids and they make strong friendships with all the outings. SMCS students seem more clique-ish and not welcoming to others not already in their small group of friends. (And yes DC #2 went to middle school magnet with most of them.)

I have kids in both. There is more of a competitive vibe among the SMCS parents than Global parents. That translates into the kids to varying degrees. Your kid really needs to like the outdoors and be okay with catching up on work for Global, once regular programming resumes. SMCS does a lot of putting classes into blocks in 9th and 10th which is pretty cool for the kids.

ssss

Anonymous wrote:Engineering is what DC wants to do but I am worried about too much pressure. DC was accepted to all programs.

Then I'd let him do SMCS. Most kids handle programs pretty well. It's not like GE is significantly less workload either.

Engineering is what DC wants to do but I am worried about too much pressure. DC was accepted to all programs.

What is your DC's plan after college? If STEM field, go with SMCS. If not (e.g., med school, science (bio/chem major)) then GE is probably better.

My DC had this choice but was set on SMCS due to interest in comp sci. From our understanding GE, humanities and SMCS are all calibrated to be challenging. All programs have demanding coursework and good set of AP requirements to start with. From my son's friends and his own experiences humanities has the heaviest standard workload then SMCS, then Global. The SMCS teachers' high expectations, extra class period and high achieving student body adds a good amount of challenge and thus pressure to the SMCS culture. For example, some of his SMCS classmates opt to take ridiculous numbers of APs 6-7 basically every class on their schedule
Unique challenge of GE is they have to make up coursework for regular classes missed while on their numerous outings.

Thank you both for your insight! I do think GE is better for my DC so most likely DC will do that program...as I see it having more flexibility in terms of workload and we can adjust depending on how DC handles everything.

I have not seen the burnout with SMAC students as people suggest. Usually, the houses tend to attract students that have an affinity towards the programs.

If you think that Global will be better for your student - you are probably right. Those who choose SMACS over Global are also able to handle it. SMACS is undoubtedly the harder program of the two. You and your student have a better read of what he can handle.

We had the same choice last year, and my DD chose Global and couldn't be happier. While you can't go wrong, I think burn out is a legitimate worry with SMCS. The Project Lead the Way -Engineering classes do seem to work nicely with the Global program (at least so far). Anyway, congrats, both programs are excellent. We are happy members of the Global family.

Anyone choose Global Ecology over SMCs? Noticed that you can add enginerring/ extra science classes. I am concerned about burn out. DS did not go to middle school magnet.