Anonymous
06/13/2026 07:43
Subject: Re:Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And that is why the MS Humanities magnet curriculum is changing, starting Fall 2027, no longer accelerated. Because MCPS said these programs have students who are not proficient on standardized tests. Blaming (wrongly) the accelerated and enriched curriculum.
I have a rising 5th grader, so does that mean they should not consider the hassle of goig to MS magnet school if they get selected for math magnet or humanities magnet because it is not worth it starting in fall 2027?
How could this board tell you if something in fall 2027 is going to be worth it when they don’t even know what the programs will be like.
Anonymous
06/13/2026 07:41
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
I understand Spring Map-M in 7th grade and Fall Map-M in 8th grade matter for magnet placement.
Those whose kids have gotten into a magnet program for high school, what was your kids scores in Spring and Fall and which high school did your kid go to?
For context, my kid has done no other supplemental Math besides Khan which is free and that is sporadic. Kid has aptitude but takes it very easy.
Between the SMCS, IB, and humanities magnets, there will be enough spots for about the top 10% of kids in each grade in their region. If those programs are equally desirable in your region there should be no problem (and it will be even easier if kids pass them up because they are unproven, at "undesirable" schools, and/or because the transportation is bad.) Even if all the top kids want SMCS and are able to swing it transportation-wise (which seems unlikely), you'd just need to be roughly in the top 3%.
(This is assuming they don't switch to lottery for these programs next year, which I don't think they will but also don't 100% put it past them to. We'll find out in a few months, I guess!)
This. MCPS Regional Program considering implementing a partial lottery to criteria-based programs like SMCS. Akin to the new TJ model, which got lawsuit, advanced in courts, but then ultimately U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case.
Don't be fooled by the "other factors deemed by the superintendent," which are factors listed under "Interest-based"
What is the point of a criteria magnet if it is going to be lottery based? They had the eligibility as 85 percent before for the middle school lottery magnets.
If they switch to a lottery, there would be minimum criteria to qualify so it would still be only for strong students. But it would not necessarily be the very top students who applied.
And how good will that be? My kid is in a middle school Stem magnet but because of this lower eligibility criteria the pace is so slow so everyone can catch up. Many kids are having a hard time understanding the concepts and the teacher is going very slow just for these kids who clearly don't belong in the magnet. It is a magnet in name only now.
Magnets are meant for students who don’t have an equal peer group at their home school. That doesn’t necessarily mean only the tippy top students at a given point.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 23:48
Subject: Re:Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Wondering the same thing. I also have a rising 5th grader and it seems like it may not be worth it. I would have sent CES though (made the lottery but didn't get selected).
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And that is why the MS Humanities magnet curriculum is changing, starting Fall 2027, no longer accelerated. Because MCPS said these programs have students who are not proficient on standardized tests. Blaming (wrongly) the accelerated and enriched curriculum.
I have a rising 5th grader, so does that mean they should not consider the hassle of goig to MS magnet school if they get selected for math magnet or humanities magnet because it is not worth it starting in fall 2027?
This probably deserves its own separate post.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 22:50
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Roberto Clemente is now a watered down magnet
Anonymous
06/12/2026 22:50
Subject: Re:Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And that is why the MS Humanities magnet curriculum is changing, starting Fall 2027, no longer accelerated. Because MCPS said these programs have students who are not proficient on standardized tests. Blaming (wrongly) the accelerated and enriched curriculum.
I have a rising 5th grader, so does that mean they should not consider the hassle of goig to MS magnet school if they get selected for math magnet or humanities magnet because it is not worth it starting in fall 2027?
I know someone who went to CES and then went to home middle school instead of Martin Luther King MS.
I have also heard that R
Anonymous
06/12/2026 22:30
Subject: Re:Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And that is why the MS Humanities magnet curriculum is changing, starting Fall 2027, no longer accelerated. Because MCPS said these programs have students who are not proficient on standardized tests. Blaming (wrongly) the accelerated and enriched curriculum.
I have a rising 5th grader, so does that mean they should not consider the hassle of goig to MS magnet school if they get selected for math magnet or humanities magnet because it is not worth it starting in fall 2027?
This probably deserves its own separate post.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 22:28
Subject: Re:Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:And that is why the MS Humanities magnet curriculum is changing, starting Fall 2027, no longer accelerated. Because MCPS said these programs have students who are not proficient on standardized tests. Blaming (wrongly) the accelerated and enriched curriculum.
I have a rising 5th grader, so does that mean they should not consider the hassle of goig to MS magnet school if they get selected for math magnet or humanities magnet because it is not worth it starting in fall 2027?
Anonymous
06/12/2026 22:25
Subject: Re:Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
And that is why the MS Humanities magnet curriculum is changing, starting Fall 2027, no longer accelerated. Because MCPS said these programs have students who are not proficient on standardized tests. Blaming (wrongly) the accelerated and enriched curriculum.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 21:48
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
I understand Spring Map-M in 7th grade and Fall Map-M in 8th grade matter for magnet placement.
Those whose kids have gotten into a magnet program for high school, what was your kids scores in Spring and Fall and which high school did your kid go to?
For context, my kid has done no other supplemental Math besides Khan which is free and that is sporadic. Kid has aptitude but takes it very easy.
Between the SMCS, IB, and humanities magnets, there will be enough spots for about the top 10% of kids in each grade in their region. If those programs are equally desirable in your region there should be no problem (and it will be even easier if kids pass them up because they are unproven, at "undesirable" schools, and/or because the transportation is bad.) Even if all the top kids want SMCS and are able to swing it transportation-wise (which seems unlikely), you'd just need to be roughly in the top 3%.
(This is assuming they don't switch to lottery for these programs next year, which I don't think they will but also don't 100% put it past them to. We'll find out in a few months, I guess!)
This. MCPS Regional Program considering implementing a partial lottery to criteria-based programs like SMCS. Akin to the new TJ model, which got lawsuit, advanced in courts, but then ultimately U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case.
Don't be fooled by the "other factors deemed by the superintendent," which are factors listed under "Interest-based"
What is the point of a criteria magnet if it is going to be lottery based? They had the eligibility as 85 percent before for the middle school lottery magnets.
If they switch to a lottery, there would be minimum criteria to qualify so it would still be only for strong students. But it would not necessarily be the very top students who applied.
And how good will that be? My kid is in a middle school Stem magnet but because of this lower eligibility criteria the pace is so slow so everyone can catch up. Many kids are having a hard time understanding the concepts and the teacher is going very slow just for these kids who clearly don't belong in the magnet. It is a magnet in name only now.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 21:39
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
I understand Spring Map-M in 7th grade and Fall Map-M in 8th grade matter for magnet placement.
Those whose kids have gotten into a magnet program for high school, what was your kids scores in Spring and Fall and which high school did your kid go to?
For context, my kid has done no other supplemental Math besides Khan which is free and that is sporadic. Kid has aptitude but takes it very easy.
Between the SMCS, IB, and humanities magnets, there will be enough spots for about the top 10% of kids in each grade in their region. If those programs are equally desirable in your region there should be no problem (and it will be even easier if kids pass them up because they are unproven, at "undesirable" schools, and/or because the transportation is bad.) Even if all the top kids want SMCS and are able to swing it transportation-wise (which seems unlikely), you'd just need to be roughly in the top 3%.
(This is assuming they don't switch to lottery for these programs next year, which I don't think they will but also don't 100% put it past them to. We'll find out in a few months, I guess!)
This. MCPS Regional Program considering implementing a partial lottery to criteria-based programs like SMCS. Akin to the new TJ model, which got lawsuit, advanced in courts, but then ultimately U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case.
Don't be fooled by the "other factors deemed by the superintendent," which are factors listed under "Interest-based"
What is the point of a criteria magnet if it is going to be lottery based? They had the eligibility as 85 percent before for the middle school lottery magnets.
If they switch to a lottery, there would be minimum criteria to qualify so it would still be only for strong students. But it would not necessarily be the very top students who applied.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 17:18
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
The 4 MAP-M subscores are:
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
The Real and Complex Number Systems
Geometry
Statistics and Probability
https://www.nwea.org/uploads/2021/11/MAP-Growth-Technical-Report-2019_NWEA.pdf
Op here. Which part of these is a good indicator that the kid is on an advanced level? Mine got 290+ in Algebraic thinking, 260+ in real and complex number systems. I think it was in the 270's in the statistics and probability and 260s in geometry. I need to check it again and see.
If we're to get supplemental Math, what should we focus on?
Khan Academy has a MAP-M course. It doesn't go all the way to the highest level problems, but you can at least try it out and make sure that your kid can do everything that they have.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 10:13
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
I understand Spring Map-M in 7th grade and Fall Map-M in 8th grade matter for magnet placement.
Those whose kids have gotten into a magnet program for high school, what was your kids scores in Spring and Fall and which high school did your kid go to?
For context, my kid has done no other supplemental Math besides Khan which is free and that is sporadic. Kid has aptitude but takes it very easy.
Between the SMCS, IB, and humanities magnets, there will be enough spots for about the top 10% of kids in each grade in their region. If those programs are equally desirable in your region there should be no problem (and it will be even easier if kids pass them up because they are unproven, at "undesirable" schools, and/or because the transportation is bad.) Even if all the top kids want SMCS and are able to swing it transportation-wise (which seems unlikely), you'd just need to be roughly in the top 3%.
(This is assuming they don't switch to lottery for these programs next year, which I don't think they will but also don't 100% put it past them to. We'll find out in a few months, I guess!)
This. MCPS Regional Program considering implementing a partial lottery to criteria-based programs like SMCS. Akin to the new TJ model, which got lawsuit, advanced in courts, but then ultimately U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case.
Don't be fooled by the "other factors deemed by the superintendent," which are factors listed under "Interest-based"
What is the point of a criteria magnet if it is going to be lottery based? They had the eligibility as 85 percent before for the middle school lottery magnets.
Equity and mediocrity.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 09:58
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
I understand Spring Map-M in 7th grade and Fall Map-M in 8th grade matter for magnet placement.
Those whose kids have gotten into a magnet program for high school, what was your kids scores in Spring and Fall and which high school did your kid go to?
For context, my kid has done no other supplemental Math besides Khan which is free and that is sporadic. Kid has aptitude but takes it very easy.
Between the SMCS, IB, and humanities magnets, there will be enough spots for about the top 10% of kids in each grade in their region. If those programs are equally desirable in your region there should be no problem (and it will be even easier if kids pass them up because they are unproven, at "undesirable" schools, and/or because the transportation is bad.) Even if all the top kids want SMCS and are able to swing it transportation-wise (which seems unlikely), you'd just need to be roughly in the top 3%.
(This is assuming they don't switch to lottery for these programs next year, which I don't think they will but also don't 100% put it past them to. We'll find out in a few months, I guess!)
This. MCPS Regional Program considering implementing a partial lottery to criteria-based programs like SMCS. Akin to the new TJ model, which got lawsuit, advanced in courts, but then ultimately U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case.
Don't be fooled by the "other factors deemed by the superintendent," which are factors listed under "Interest-based"
What is the point of a criteria magnet if it is going to be lottery based? They had the eligibility as 85 percent before for the middle school lottery magnets.
Anonymous
06/12/2026 08:24
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
I understand Spring Map-M in 7th grade and Fall Map-M in 8th grade matter for magnet placement.
Those whose kids have gotten into a magnet program for high school, what was your kids scores in Spring and Fall and which high school did your kid go to?
For context, my kid has done no other supplemental Math besides Khan which is free and that is sporadic. Kid has aptitude but takes it very easy.
Between the SMCS, IB, and humanities magnets, there will be enough spots for about the top 10% of kids in each grade in their region. If those programs are equally desirable in your region there should be no problem (and it will be even easier if kids pass them up because they are unproven, at "undesirable" schools, and/or because the transportation is bad.) Even if all the top kids want SMCS and are able to swing it transportation-wise (which seems unlikely), you'd just need to be roughly in the top 3%.
(This is assuming they don't switch to lottery for these programs next year, which I don't think they will but also don't 100% put it past them to. We'll find out in a few months, I guess!)
This. MCPS Regional Program considering implementing a partial lottery to criteria-based programs like SMCS. Akin to the new TJ model, which got lawsuit, advanced in courts, but then ultimately U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case.
Don't be fooled by the "other factors deemed by the superintendent," which are factors listed under "Interest-based"
Anonymous
06/11/2026 20:02
Subject: Map-M, would this kid get into a magnet program?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:7th grade Spring Map-M score of 279. Is this just just good enough or is it high? Kid did Algebra this year. In the Algebraic score portion it was 294 but complex problems was in the 260s.
The 4 MAP-M subscores are:
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
The Real and Complex Number Systems
Geometry
Statistics and Probability
https://www.nwea.org/uploads/2021/11/MAP-Growth-Technical-Report-2019_NWEA.pdf
Op here. Which part of these is a good indicator that the kid is on an advanced level? Mine got 290+ in Algebraic thinking, 260+ in real and complex number systems. I think it was in the 270's in the statistics and probability and 260s in geometry. I need to check it again and see.
If we're to get supplemental Math, what should we focus on?
Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations. And while you're at it, teach them Topological Calculus too.
You really should not wait on this until 8th grade. Mine started in 4th, and it felt late.