Friend with twins with one who got in and the other didn't. The one who didn't is at the same title 1 and in the same "advanced" (previously know as ELC) class as my DC. My friend said the CES school is so much more organized and better run (it's not a title 1) and the class work is much more rigorous. The teacher at my DC's school is great and they do read full books and have novel studies, compacted math however the level of writing and projects at the CES school sounds much higher level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, keep in mind that info from posters talking about past experience more than a few years ago is no longer relevant. They changed the lottery system and curriculum resulting in the differences now being more minimal versus home schools.

Not true. The kids might do less impressive work on average, but the curriculum is the same.

Oh the curriculum is changing to match the students - both in CES and in MS magnets.

The net benefits of going are less if your kids are in an already-strong ES. And, the scores required to get into the lottery are much higher.

Anonymous wrote:OP, keep in mind that info from posters talking about past experience more than a few years ago is no longer relevant. They changed the lottery system and curriculum resulting in the differences now being more minimal versus home schools.

Not true. The kids might do less impressive work on average, but the curriculum is the same.

My kid did CES, coming from a Title I ES and it was amazing. And that was even during the COVID virtual year.

They were challenged and engaged. Then had to go back to the home MS, which is Title I, and it was a waste of three years of potential learning. I'm actually disgusted at how bad it was.

Thankfully in high school, they're back to being challenged with AP classes and the program they attend.

OP, keep in mind that info from posters talking about past experience more than a few years ago is no longer relevant. They changed the lottery system and curriculum resulting in the differences now being more minimal versus home schools.

Anonymous wrote:It was definitely worth it for my kids. The curriculum is much stronger than what the GenEd curriculum was at the time. The CCES teachers who are in the CES are outstanding, particularly the 5th grade science/social studies teacher who is the best educator we’ve had in MCPS. I had two kids go through, and both developed very strong friendships with classmates that have lasted beyond the program.

+1

Anonymous wrote:The kids say that CES is more advanced than Advanced English in middle school.

That's because there is no ACTUAL advanced English. Advanced English is for everyone and is an on-level class.

Definitely worth it for my kid, who was opposed to going but is now glad she did (in 7th grade now). The first few months were kind of blah socially but then that got going and she is still close with those kids now even though they are all at different schools. Academically and peer group wise, there was no comparison to our home school, which was a title one school,

The kids say that CES is more advanced than Advanced English in middle school.

It was definitely worth it for my kids. The curriculum is much stronger than what the GenEd curriculum was at the time. The CCES teachers who are in the CES are outstanding, particularly the 5th grade science/social studies teacher who is the best educator we’ve had in MCPS. I had two kids go through, and both developed very strong friendships with classmates that have lasted beyond the program.

Anonymous wrote:As someone whose kids never got off the waitlist for CES or the humanities/STEM MS magnets, I advise you not to think about this now. Address if if and when you get an offer. Most people don't.

My son went there just before they started as a lottery program and it was good for him but I think not for everyone. But with the lottery system it’s so random that it’s not worth thinking about unless you get an offer. How many kids in the grade at ashburton? Over a hundred? About half of them will be in the lottery. About 6 will get offers.

It’s been great for my kid, but it’s also at our home school. I can def understand those who would hesitate re: transpiration if it was a longer commute.

I believe less than 20% of kids who qualify for the lottery get in. So the chances of both your twins getting spots is very, very low.

Maybe. my child has been on the forever waitlist but now I feel like we dodged a bullet because some of the special needs children at our 9 GS rated school were selected for CES. Just my non-experience from this year