Anonymous
01/17/2019 17:14
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Similar situation for my DC. Nearly identical percentiles, Pine Crest CES, and not happy with local MS.
Which local MS?
Anonymous
01/17/2019 17:11
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Similar situation for my DC. Nearly identical percentiles, Pine Crest CES, and not happy with local MS.
For those who say they are not happy with local middle schools, have you had older children attend them? If not, what advice are you relying on that makes you unhappy with them?
Neighbors say avoid it; if we'd known anything about MoCo schools before we moved to this area, we'd have picked somewhere else originally, but we didn't have kids then and our real estate agent was not as familiar with the area as he should have been. Teachers from home ES say gifted kids should avoid it. CES teachers say avoid it. Even the MS school staff admitted last night that they'll "try" to reach the level for gifted kids, but they were rather apologetic. Counselor at MS also said they rarely have students accepted into STEM magnet programs for high school. Current 6th graders in "magnet-level" math and world history are bored to tears and say they're not doing anything more than the regular classes. Former CES students say they were studying more challenging material in 4th grade CES than in 6th grade. Test scores at that school way, way lower than DC's scores. School consistently ranked among the bottom of the county MS lists for proficiency in reading and math. The open house had a strong focus on special education and remedial resources, but said almost nothing about classes for advanced students, other than they offer the "magnet" math and social studies classes and they'll "try" to have a good reading group in the homogenized English classes (while deliberately pairing more advanced students with struggling students to have the advanced students use their class time bringing up the struggling students).
We don't WANT to move, and we'll definitely take a hit financially, as our house isn't even worth what it was when we bought it in 2005, and we have a great mortgage rate because of refinancing at a good time. However, we're willing to make the sacrifice. We'll have to deal with the same mess for the younger kid in a few years, anyway, and they're too far apart in age for a COSA. The only other option is for my husband and I to separate and the kids to go live in an apartment with their dad somewhere better during the week.
You could always try it for a year, and then move if you are dissatisfied.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 17:05
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:
Neighbors say avoid it; if we'd known anything about MoCo schools before we moved to this area, we'd have picked somewhere else originally, but we didn't have kids then and our real estate agent was not as familiar with the area as he should have been. Teachers from home ES say gifted kids should avoid it. CES teachers say avoid it. Even the MS school staff admitted last night that they'll "try" to reach the level for gifted kids, but they were rather apologetic. Counselor at MS also said they rarely have students accepted into STEM magnet programs for high school. Current 6th graders in "magnet-level" math and world history are bored to tears and say they're not doing anything more than the regular classes. Former CES students say they were studying more challenging material in 4th grade CES than in 6th grade. Test scores at that school way, way lower than DC's scores. School consistently ranked among the bottom of the county MS lists for proficiency in reading and math. The open house had a strong focus on special education and remedial resources, but said almost nothing about classes for advanced students, other than they offer the "magnet" math and social studies classes and they'll "try" to have a good reading group in the homogenized English classes (while deliberately pairing more advanced students with struggling students to have the advanced students use their class time bringing up the struggling students).
We don't WANT to move, and we'll definitely take a hit financially, as our house isn't even worth what it was when we bought it in 2005, and we have a great mortgage rate because of refinancing at a good time. However, we're willing to make the sacrifice. We'll have to deal with the same mess for the younger kid in a few years, anyway, and they're too far apart in age for a COSA. The only other option is for my husband and I to separate and the kids to go live in an apartment with their dad somewhere better during the week.
Are they neighbors who currently have students at this middle school or have had students there recently?
Anonymous
01/17/2019 17:03
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Similar situation for my DC. Nearly identical percentiles, Pine Crest CES, and not happy with local MS.
For those who say they are not happy with local middle schools, have you had older children attend them? If not, what advice are you relying on that makes you unhappy with them?
Neighbors say avoid it; if we'd known anything about MoCo schools before we moved to this area, we'd have picked somewhere else originally, but we didn't have kids then and our real estate agent was not as familiar with the area as he should have been. Teachers from home ES say gifted kids should avoid it. CES teachers say avoid it. Even the MS school staff admitted last night that they'll "try" to reach the level for gifted kids, but they were rather apologetic. Counselor at MS also said they rarely have students accepted into STEM magnet programs for high school. Current 6th graders in "magnet-level" math and world history are bored to tears and say they're not doing anything more than the regular classes. Former CES students say they were studying more challenging material in 4th grade CES than in 6th grade. Test scores at that school way, way lower than DC's scores. School consistently ranked among the bottom of the county MS lists for proficiency in reading and math. The open house had a strong focus on special education and remedial resources, but said almost nothing about classes for advanced students, other than they offer the "magnet" math and social studies classes and they'll "try" to have a good reading group in the homogenized English classes (while deliberately pairing more advanced students with struggling students to have the advanced students use their class time bringing up the struggling students).
We don't WANT to move, and we'll definitely take a hit financially, as our house isn't even worth what it was when we bought it in 2005, and we have a great mortgage rate because of refinancing at a good time. However, we're willing to make the sacrifice. We'll have to deal with the same mess for the younger kid in a few years, anyway, and they're too far apart in age for a COSA. The only other option is for my husband and I to separate and the kids to go live in an apartment with their dad somewhere better during the week.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 17:02
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Lee MS
Anonymous
01/17/2019 16:52
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Similar situation for my DC. Nearly identical percentiles, Pine Crest CES, and not happy with local MS.
For those who say they are not happy with local middle schools, have you had older children attend them? If not, what advice are you relying on that makes you unhappy with them?
Anonymous
01/17/2019 16:39
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Similar situation for my DC. Nearly identical percentiles, Pine Crest CES, and not happy with local MS.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 16:38
Subject: New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Clearly they are not he same magnets that they used to be under the old system. Maybe the super high achievers would not be as happy there any more.
A Fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemed ready to burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth watered as he gazed longingly at them.
The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to jump for it. The first time he jumped he missed it by a long way. So he walked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, only to fall short once more. Again and again he tried, but in vain.
Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.
"What a fool I am," he said. "Here I am wearing myself out to get a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for."
And off he walked very, very scornfully.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 16:34
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Lots of people are comparing CogAT scores in detail, but only mentioning PARCC scores in passing (saying their child got 5s). My child isn’t an outlier on CogAT, but is an outlier on PARCC (over 840 out of a possible 850 on both sections and got an 849 ELA first time taking the test; scored far higher on the reading portion than the MCPS average). My point is that not all kids who got 5s on PARCC actually scored the same. If we take MCPS’s word that they don’t give more weight to any one data point than any other, this may explain how my child was recommended for the program at MLK without having the highest CogAT scores (although child was 99% nationally and 93% compared to MCPS on verbal reasoning). It’s just a theory; I’ll never really know why my kid was offered a magnet seat.
That's a good point. It's understandable, but people tend to focus on one good score and then report the national ranking when MCPS knows how scores compare within the applicant pool. I think last year 4000 students were screened, that means by the 95th percentile in any given measure, there are potentially 200 students who did better--enough to possibly fill the program DC was gunning for. A 99th on a single score is amazing but it's just one measure.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 16:14
Subject: New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Clearly they are not he same magnets that they used to be under the old system. Maybe the super high achievers would not be as happy there any more.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 16:09
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am very confused after reading all these messages. My son was recommended for Takoma Park and while he always scores 99% in MAP and gets straight A's, his cogat MCPS percentiles weren't as impressive (70's and 80's). We are Causasian in a W-feeder. Not sure why he was selected, to be honest, after seeing the scores for the kids who were not recommended.
Maybe he didn't have a cohort in the "lower" range. The info session specifically said that they'd take lower band scores and leave behind higher bands if the cohort numbers said so.
Did not know that MCPS actually has specifically said that!
If true, that would explain the following:
A friend's DC was admitted to TPMS and Eastern. He was gobsmacked - his kid was from a very high achieving cluster, with lots of rejected advanced kids in the home MS because of the peer group criterion. Based on just the numbers - remember MCPS has removed any subjectivity - the kid should not have gotten in. He was afraid that may be his kid was mistakenly considered outlier among outliers by MCPS, while he knew that not to be the case, and may not do well in the magnet program.
Another friend's DS was rejected; this kid was very tight with two classmates who were admitted. His friends refused to believe that he was rejected until he showed them the letter - since they were all exchanging scores, etc. and knew that the rejected kid had better scores!
How can that be true? Are you saying, from the same home MS, they choose lower score kid over higher score kid?
Why does that surprise you? Didn't they say they are using 'holistic' approach? That's exactly what that means, choosing lower scores but some other 'holistic' criteria over higher scores.
What does "holistic" to a MS magnet involve? This is BS.
Maybe the kid remarked on the questionnaire that their parents view them primarily as a tool for comparison?
Anonymous
01/17/2019 15:56
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:National scores were (V/Q/N) 97/99/99, but MCPS were 83/94/99. Not recommended for either program. MAP scores have all been 99th percentile since 1st grade. Currently Pine Crest/Oak View CES, compacted math, DCC middle school catchment. Not at all happy with local MS, will consider moving this summer if lottery/appeal doesn't work. Private school not affordable.
Which local Middle School, can I ask?
Anonymous
01/17/2019 15:55
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Lots of people are comparing CogAT scores in detail, but only mentioning PARCC scores in passing (saying their child got 5s). My child isn’t an outlier on CogAT, but is an outlier on PARCC (over 840 out of a possible 850 on both sections and got an 849 ELA first time taking the test; scored far higher on the reading portion than the MCPS average). My point is that not all kids who got 5s on PARCC actually scored the same. If we take MCPS’s word that they don’t give more weight to any one data point than any other, this may explain how my child was recommended for the program at MLK without having the highest CogAT scores (although child was 99% nationally and 93% compared to MCPS on verbal reasoning). It’s just a theory; I’ll never really know why my kid was offered a magnet seat.
840/850 PARCC is not that impressive. Many kids score perfect on those tests.
Of course it’s not unheard of, but no, there aren’t “many” who do. Take a look at the published statistics.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 15:51
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Anonymous wrote:Lots of people are comparing CogAT scores in detail, but only mentioning PARCC scores in passing (saying their child got 5s). My child isn’t an outlier on CogAT, but is an outlier on PARCC (over 840 out of a possible 850 on both sections and got an 849 ELA first time taking the test; scored far higher on the reading portion than the MCPS average). My point is that not all kids who got 5s on PARCC actually scored the same. If we take MCPS’s word that they don’t give more weight to any one data point than any other, this may explain how my child was recommended for the program at MLK without having the highest CogAT scores (although child was 99% nationally and 93% compared to MCPS on verbal reasoning). It’s just a theory; I’ll never really know why my kid was offered a magnet seat.
840/850 PARCC is not that impressive. Many kids score perfect on those tests.
Anonymous
01/17/2019 15:27
Subject: Re:New thread -- actual MS magnet results
Lots of people are comparing CogAT scores in detail, but only mentioning PARCC scores in passing (saying their child got 5s). My child isn’t an outlier on CogAT, but is an outlier on PARCC (over 840 out of a possible 850 on both sections and got an 849 ELA first time taking the test; scored far higher on the reading portion than the MCPS average). My point is that not all kids who got 5s on PARCC actually scored the same. If we take MCPS’s word that they don’t give more weight to any one data point than any other, this may explain how my child was recommended for the program at MLK without having the highest CogAT scores (although child was 99% nationally and 93% compared to MCPS on verbal reasoning). It’s just a theory; I’ll never really know why my kid was offered a magnet seat.