Anonymous wrote:As a long-time HYPS interviewer, I've noticed students from highly competitive magnets seem to have the hardest time getting in.

The fact says otherwise.

Does anyone have a sense of the difference between homework loads at these schools? Particularly GDS and Blair?

If money is not a big factor, I would also consider:
--Private schools pay more attention to a child's social emotional growth and overall get to know your child better
--Smaller class size means more personalization
--More down time built in. Many privates have a required study hall, and school assemblies and other activities.
--Leadership opportunities available to every child

I have a kid facing this choice too. Factors:
--Has only gone to private (parochial) school K-8
--Doesn't know yet whether any friends will be going to the magnet
--Other parent's opinion is that public schools by their nature are inferior, despite this public magnet being highly rated
--Location not as convenient
--Other DCs attending private high schools, possible resentment from DC if DC doesn't like the public magnet, although it was DC's choice to apply
--Going public route allows more college savings for all

Anonymous wrote:As a long-time HYPS interviewer, I've noticed students from highly competitive magnets seem to have the hardest time getting in.

Not my experience.

As a long-time HYPS interviewer, I've noticed students from highly competitive magnets seem to have the hardest time getting in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MoCo the magnets tend to be weak in their off subject as most are in under performing schools.

False.
Even though Blair is STEM magnet, they always do great humanities subjects/competitions, i.e. C-span.
Even though RM is a humanities magnet, they represent well in STEM competition, i.e. intel/regeneron scholars.
Same for TPMS, Eastern etc....

Blair also has the CAP program, so it's not surprising the school does well in C-span. RM isn't humanities, it's IB which is balanced across the disciplines.

We are also on the fence between the Blair magnet, although our list of private schools is different. But, I think I'd only consider Blair for a kid who is clearly very interested in STEM. The course load, and HW load for the kids in the magnet is pretty heavily tilted in that direction.

Anonymous wrote:In MoCo the magnets tend to be weak in their off subject as most are in under performing schools.

False.
Even though Blair is STEM magnet, they always do great humanities subjects/competitions, i.e. C-span.
Even though RM is a humanities magnet, they represent well in STEM competition, i.e. intel/regeneron scholars.
Same for TPMS, Eastern etc....

Magnet. Save the money for college

In DD's grade at a top private she was friendly with a few kids at admitted student events and two disappeared within a month because they switched to magnet. One went to TJ and I don't know about the other one but it was either Blair or SWW.

OTOH one of her best friends turned down a very good magnet for a different top private.

I think these kids end up doing well at whatever school they choose.

Did your kid make the choice PP? How did you find the size of the school and classes? Any drawbacks?

Our kid left a top private for Blair. I was anxious - the kid has been very happy and never looked back. Personally I was surprised by the high level of the liberal arts classes and electives too. But what fantastic options - congrats to your kid!

Your kid can do advanced math and science at all of those schools, but only GDS and Maret care about your kid’s holistic growth.

In MoCo the magnets tend to be weak in their off subject as most are in under performing schools.

We had this choice and went with private. Part of it was logistics and part of it was what we thought would be best for our child, and candidly part of it was that we could afford the tuition. Had any of three been significantly different, we may well have made a different decision.