Anonymous wrote:OP here. This is helpful. Thank you. I thought there was tutoring to supplement the learning in the magnet program. And these responses help confirm that it does occur but perhaps not for everyone!

Not for most of the kids. Nothing wrong with tutoring if you need it but most magnet kids don't have the time to get tutored as an enrichment exercise.

Even bright magnet kids benefit from tutoring, mentoring, and coaching. This is obvious. Why is any human being surprised about this?

Anonymous wrote:

I think the OP bought into the idea that lots of kids got in Blair because they prepped and therefore need tutors to keep up. Truth is lots of kids probably did prep but they are qualified to be in these programs anyway and have no need for tutors to keep up.

Some idiots think "tutoring" is simply for remediation failing to recognize tutoring is a form of learning and mentoring (regardless of your level of genius) or simply to put more distance ahead of the pack/crowd!

Of course, other idiots believe their snowflake 4-year-old or 14-year-old genius doesn't need further learning or mentoring since they know it all already. At least, not in the open, rather underground.

And there are the simpletons who believe tutors and mentors are a sign of weakness. Tell that to the top CEOs and leaders in every sector of the economy except .. perhaps for the ultimate genius ...Sir Donald Trump!

Sure!! Tutoring "is a form of learning and mentoring (regardless of your level of genius) or simply to put more distance ahead of the pack/crowd!" The magnet doesn't do enough of that?

OP here. This is helpful. Thank you. I thought there was tutoring to supplement the learning in the magnet program. And these responses help confirm that it does occur but perhaps not for everyone!

these poor kids . . .

I think the OP bought into the idea that lots of kids got in Blair because they prepped and therefore need tutors to keep up. Truth is lots of kids probably did prep but they are qualified to be in these programs anyway and have no need for tutors to keep up.

Some idiots think "tutoring" is simply for remediation failing to recognize tutoring is a form of learning and mentoring (regardless of your level of genius) or simply to put more distance ahead of the pack/crowd!

Of course, other idiots believe their snowflake 4-year-old or 14-year-old genius doesn't need further learning or mentoring since they know it all already. At least, not in the open, rather underground.

And there are the simpletons who believe tutors and mentors are a sign of weakness. Tell that to the top CEOs and leaders in every sector of the economy except .. perhaps for the ultimate genius ...Sir Donald Trump!

Anonymous wrote:What percentage of Blair Magnet students would you say go to tutors or Saturday sessions for class work or tests like the SATs? I suppose that's two different questions (course work versus SAT prep). I have a 9th grader entering Blair and an older child who completed the program. We didn't use a tutor for the older child but I have heard references to tutors and Saturday sessions for magnet students more recently. We could have just been naive for the first one!

Most do and don't mention it. My experience (I don't want to go into details for obvious reasons) is that it is all about tutoring or belonging to the right group.

OP I can't imagine the program itself has changed much since your older child went through. So you already know that the first quarter is rough for most kids. If your kid struggles academically encourage him or her to see the teachers during lunch. A lot of kids do this, some regularly and some as needed and it is a big help. If that isn't enough of course you should consider tutoring but given the heavy work load I would say that the time commitment is only justifiable if your child cannot get enough help from his/her teachers.
SAT tutoring/prep is IMO completely unnecessary unless your child suffers from test anxiety and would benefit from being put through the paces in a low stress environment before taking the SAT in 11th grade.
Trust your instincts and remember this isn't your first rodeo!

I think the OP bought into the idea that lots of kids got in Blair because they prepped and therefore need tutors to keep up. Truth is lots of kids probably did prep but they are qualified to be in these programs anyway and have no need for tutors to keep up.

I don't know any blair magnets that 'get tutored' other than going to Blair's math help (teachers/upperclassman) during lunch occasionally.

2 Blair kids. No tutoring or Saturday school. Kids occasionally had to get help from a Blair teacher, but they are readily available. Eldest used my college Chemistry and Statistics textbooks to supplement. The freshman Chemistry book is awful. Youngest wasn't interested, although dc complained about Chemistry book (hasn't had stats yet). No SAT prep. Had both kids take regular PSAT in ninth, as a dumbed-down version seemed counterproductive.

Rising junior DC, no tutoring or similar here. No SAT prep.

Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader (rising 10th now) did no tutoring and am not aware of any Saturday sessions. I don't think any 9th graders do SAT prep but given her SAT 8/9 scores, I don't anticipate it being required. My child had a great year. Hope your does too! Dont worry about it unless they have an issue next year.

+1
Also have a child in Blair magnet. No tutoring but we would definitely consider it if he struggled in a particular subject.
I do not know of any kids who attend regular tutoring but my kid has mentioned that some kids take Chinese lessons on the weekend. Is that what you mean?
Have also heard of some kids starting SAT tutoring as early as 9th grade but I can't imagine why this would be necessary. Your kid will take the PSAT 8/9 in October and once you get those results you can decide whether they need help with their SATs. I imagine that you will probably conclude (as the PP and I did) that tutoring would be a waste of time and money
The first quarter of 9th grade is very stressful and Chem/R and E in the fourth quarter can be challenging for some (depending on the group dynamic for the collaborative project).

My 9th grader (rising 10th now) did no tutoring and am not aware of any Saturday sessions. I don't think any 9th graders do SAT prep but given her SAT 8/9 scores, I don't anticipate it being required. My child had a great year. Hope your does too! Dont worry about it unless they have an issue next year.

What percentage of Blair Magnet students would you say go to tutors or Saturday sessions for class work or tests like the SATs? I suppose that's two different questions (course work versus SAT prep). I have a 9th grader entering Blair and an older child who completed the program. We didn't use a tutor for the older child but I have heard references to tutors and Saturday sessions for magnet students more recently. We could have just been naive for the first one!