^ Agreed, most 9th graders shouldn’t take APs, but the absence of something in between on-level and that is the biggest issue with MCPS. People might be a lot less stressed about magnets if even moderately rigorous coursework were available at every school and in every grade.

My 9th grade child is not in CAP or magnet. 9th grade isn't particularly rigorous but he does have to work a little for his As. I have to agree with the person who said English class is too easy.

There will be plenty of AP classes to take in coming years, magnet classes are open to anyone with prereqs, and there are a ton of other electives and many clubs. And I assume many of those electives are engaging classes.

Blair doesn't want 9th graders taking APs. I don't necessarily want him in APUSH, but real honors classes would be nice, not "honors for everyone."

I don't think my son feels one way or another about CAP and magnet. There is plenty going on in the regular Blair, and there are a bunch of bright kids and great teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would find it disheartening to send a non-magnet but bright kid to a Magen school where they would always be treated as second tier. They get access to advanced classes but only if the magnet kids don’t fill up the class. Resources are poured on the magnets but not gen pop.

This isn't true at Blair. There are outstanding, longterm master educators outside the magnet, and general population students easily access them.

This! Keep in mind that SMCS Magnet students take non-magnet English, Social Sciences, Languages, PE, Arts, and Music classes. Many of DC's favorite teachers (including the one writing college recommendation) were non-magnet. An excellent, well-run school which is quite an accomplishment given its size (largest public High School in Maryland).

Yes, was about to say the same. And CAP kids take non magnet math/science. So, given that each magnet group takes non mag classes outside of their specialty, plus the fact that there are just great students at Blair outside of theee programs, there is a strong cohort. The large school, variety of courses and ability to take magnet electives (and a few CAP) means there are many strong options.

In the most recent cycle, non-magnet Blair students were accepted in top colleges, including MIT, Columbia, Yale and others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would find it disheartening to send a non-magnet but bright kid to a Magen school where they would always be treated as second tier. They get access to advanced classes but only if the magnet kids don’t fill up the class. Resources are poured on the magnets but not gen pop.

This isn't true at Blair. There are outstanding, longterm master educators outside the magnet, and general population students easily access them.

This! Keep in mind that SMCS Magnet students take non-magnet English, Social Sciences, Languages, PE, Arts, and Music classes. Many of DC's favorite teachers (including the one writing college recommendation) were non-magnet. An excellent, well-run school which is quite an accomplishment given its size (largest public High School in Maryland).

Blair offers a large selection fo excellent languages, arts, theatre, and music classes. And importantly, experienced and dedicated teachers. DC was in the magnet program, but benefited greatly from the English, Social Sciences, Languages, and Orchestra classes. Also, Blair has been very lucky in having two very strong and capable Principals in the last 10 years. Hoping that the new Principal will continue the pattern

The magnet and CAP kids make up only a small part of the student body--there are *tons* of super smart kids not in either program. It doesn't feel like a two-tiered situation. (But those magnet math classes are probably too hard if your kid is an average student. They're very advanced.)

Anonymous wrote:I would find it disheartening to send a non-magnet but bright kid to a Magen school where they would always be treated as second tier. They get access to advanced classes but only if the magnet kids don’t fill up the class. Resources are poured on the magnets but not gen pop.

I worry about this as well. My kid didn’t get a lottery spot in CES but is in one of the schools that do it, and is already (in fourth grade) commenting on their ‘special treatment’. It’s not great.

Anonymous wrote:I would find it disheartening to send a non-magnet but bright kid to a Magen school where they would always be treated as second tier. They get access to advanced classes but only if the magnet kids don’t fill up the class. Resources are poured on the magnets but not gen pop.

This isn't true at Blair. There are outstanding, longterm master educators outside the magnet, and general population students easily access them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! That was my hope.

I think the other question is whether kids not in these programs still have the opportunity to take advantage of (relatively) rigorous academics. Our kid really benefits from positive peer pressure / having friends and classmates taking academics seriously. Blair obviously has some very academically advanced kids, but I’m wondering if kids not in the magnet etc still get academically challenged.

I asked this on another thread and was told that there isn’t enough space in the magnet classes for the non-magnet kids, which doesn’t seem like there would be access to the peer group.

Also, frankly, I would be concerned about my kid hanging around the kids deemed so super special when my kid is not deemed so.

Schools with outstanding programs have good principals and attract good teachers, even outside the programs. My student is a Blair graduate, was not in CAP or the magnet, and received an excellent education. Also, non-magnet students, often the students who are in the STEM Academy at Blair, take magnet courses. If a student demonstrates they can do the work, they can take magnet courses.