Anonymous wrote:the Magnet moved to RM 20 years ago and while the reasons for the move may have been low scores back then I am not sure the same is true now.

I don't think this is quite right - I graduated from the RM IB in '93 and I was definitely not the first class. It was right around when they'd redistricted part of Churchill into RM, instead, though, which might well have changed test scores and student body composition around then, though. My experience is almost certainly not relevant any more but I didn't find that the mainstream classes were awkward or difficult to interact in, though - thought the kids were nice and I met up with many of them again when I went to a MD system school for college and was glad I knew them.

DD is in RM IB program. It's a lot of HARD work. She gets to interact with other non-IB kids too - and it is a good bunch of kids.

Non-magnet kids are also loading up on AP courses etc, and many have the option to do the IB in 11th and 12th. The magnet kids also do the actuall IB in 11th and 12th only. 9th and 10th is pre-IB

Yes - there are a few kids who smoke etc., and some act out but I think it is a great school (even if you remove the IB program). I think having a core group of IB magnet kids helps to create an academic environment that values academic excellence throughout the school. DD's favorite teachers thus far have invariably included those that were also teaching AP courses.

RM is not our home-school - but I do agree with a PP that MS seems to be a weak link in MCPS throughout.

Infact, I hear the same about magnet MS like Roberto Clemente.

It's not true at all that IB kids don't associate with non-IB kids. As I wrote before, my child counts both among her friends.

So this article said that they wanted To increase enrollment to offer more electives...

Anonymous wrote:Again...why do we think that the magnet was placed at RM because bit was low performing. Do you really think it would be out performed by all of the east county red zone schools?

This was in 1987, when enrollment at RM was 1,200.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/20/AR2005052001471.html

Again...why do we think that the magnet was placed at RM because bit was low performing. Do you really think it would be out performed by all of the east county red zone schools?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since RM has one of the county's most competitive magnets, I would hardly think bright kids are a small picked on minority.

But non IB kids live in that area. IB gets bussed in and does not associate with the basic kids. Take out the IB and you have a below average school.

See this is my concern with most of the specalized programs (Magnet, IB, etc.) in MCPS. They place these programs in the low performing schools (except Poolesville) to boost test scores. It creates division within the school. It seems like the specialized programs demand the best teachers while other students are denied access to the best. Who wants to sit in class with students who don't care about their education? That may be the case if you're not in the IB or other specialized programs. Is it fair that the other students receive a below average learning environment just because they're not in the the IB program? It seems like everyone is okay with the lack of equity in MCPS.

"basic kids" - nice term. How do you know the school is below average without the IB program? Below what average? Below MCPS averages? Below national averages? Below W school averages? Please cite some sources.

Anonymous wrote:Since RM has one of the county's most competitive magnets, I would hardly think bright kids are a small picked on minority.

But non IB kids live in that area. IB gets bussed in and does not associate with the basic kids. Take out the IB and you have a below average school.

Yeah, my kids are taking honors classes and doing well in them and have never been picked on for it at JW or at RM.