Anonymous
11/15/2013 22:13
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:
Sadly, I am pretty sure this is a parent. This type of sentiment is precisely what turned us off Madison.
When we were moving to Vienna, we made it a point to talk to parents who had children at either school. I found the Madison parents consistently displayed two rabid obsessions: sports, and putting down Marshall. I heard it often enough to be sure that it was part of the school culture. Conversely, the Marshall parents all were pleased with their school, and had good/neutral attitudes to Madison. Comparing the schools' scores, it was clear there wasn't some earthshattering difference between them. As a parent, I have avenues for remediating mediocre academics (which happen in any HS). I can't, however, remediate (what appears to me as) a pernicious social environment.
Our other point was the IB vs AP choice. My philosophy has always been to focus on learning AND performance (test scores), but in case there was a conflict between the two, to favor the learning. I felt that the IB program's emphasis on critical thinking aligned better with my philosophy, than the AP track.
Just my perspective - I realize these arguments may be completely meaningless for some.
It just sounds blatantly hypocritical. You're simultaneously trashing Madison parents as a bunch of sports-obsessed snobs and asserting that Marshall parents are enlightened, relaxed types who have "good/neutral attitudes" to Madison. If only.
Most people at Madison don't know much about Marshall, but the sense of resentment among some Marshall parents towards Madison is quite obvious and offputting.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 20:22
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you live in Madison, why in the hell would you choose an inferior school (even if just slightly) that is across the friggin beltway?
I live in Madison. Hopefully my kids will go to TJ. It not, Madison it is.
Uhhuhh inferior, which school?
Marshall, duh.
Dear Madison student...you're making an ass out of your school.
Sadly, I am pretty sure this is a parent. This type of sentiment is precisely what turned us off Madison.
When we were moving to Vienna, we made it a point to talk to parents who had children at either school. I found the Madison parents consistently displayed two rabid obsessions: sports, and putting down Marshall. I heard it often enough to be sure that it was part of the school culture. Conversely, the Marshall parents all were pleased with their school, and had good/neutral attitudes to Madison. Comparing the schools' scores, it was clear there wasn't some earthshattering difference between them. As a parent, I have avenues for remediating mediocre academics (which happen in any HS). I can't, however, remediate (what appears to me as) a pernicious social environment.
Our other point was the IB vs AP choice. My philosophy has always been to focus on learning AND performance (test scores), but in case there was a conflict between the two, to favor the learning. I felt that the IB program's emphasis on critical thinking aligned better with my philosophy, than the AP track.
Just my perspective - I realize these arguments may be completely meaningless for some.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 19:32
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you live in Madison, why in the hell would you choose an inferior school (even if just slightly) that is across the friggin beltway?
I live in Madison. Hopefully my kids will go to TJ. It not, Madison it is.
Uhhuhh inferior, which school?
Marshall, duh.
Dear Madison student...you're making an ass out of your school.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 19:28
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
If you live near the border, there may be a Marshall bus route that comes within walking distance. You can apply for an exception to ride to avoid the bus hassle.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 17:28
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you live in Madison, why in the hell would you choose an inferior school (even if just slightly) that is across the friggin beltway?
I live in Madison. Hopefully my kids will go to TJ. It not, Madison it is.
Uhhuhh inferior, which school?
Marshall, duh.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 17:21
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:The STEM program just opened up at Marshall, the amount of students from McLean and Madison will only increase.
As for traffic it's not that big of a deal, but please keep your kids away from marshall so that you spots can be open for those that are waiting.
Just taking an Academy class won't show up as a pupil placement. It's possible that the expanded Marshall Academy may lead to more pupil placements, which would actually help balance out the enrollments at the three schools.
Traffic in Tysons, however, is a big deal, and no one who is objective claims otherwise. You can avoid the center of Tysons if you live on the south side of Vienna, in which case you can take Cedar and Idylwood to Route 7 not far from Marshall. If you live in other parts of the Madison district, you either have to go through Tysons or go far out of your way to avoid it to get to Marshall. If there are later start times, Tysons traffic near Marshall will be more, not less, of a factor to consider.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 17:05
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:If you live in Madison, why in the hell would you choose an inferior school (even if just slightly) that is across the friggin beltway?
I live in Madison. Hopefully my kids will go to TJ. It not, Madison it is.
Uhhuhh inferior, which school?
Anonymous
11/15/2013 16:05
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
I live in Vienna, but can afford my house, so I do not live in the school
Anonymous
11/15/2013 16:02
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
If you live in Madison, why in the hell would you choose an inferior school (even if just slightly) that is across the friggin beltway?
I live in Madison. Hopefully my kids will go to TJ. It not, Madison it is.
I live in Madison. Hopefully my kids will go to TJ. It not, Madison it is.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 15:22
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
The STEM program just opened up at Marshall, the amount of students from McLean and Madison will only increase.
As for traffic it's not that big of a deal, but please keep your kids away from marshall so that you spots can be open for those that are waiting.
As for traffic it's not that big of a deal, but please keep your kids away from marshall so that you spots can be open for those that are waiting.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 15:15
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:We live in the McLean boundaries, and are sending our math/science kids to Marshall.
Would it be easier for them if they did AP science and math only? Yes. But easy is not what they need. They need to become stronger writers, and spend time studying the intricacies of history and literature. Letting them skip that challenge at an AP school is not going to help them when they get to college. The IB diploma program requires a student to take IB courses in all disciplines, and results in more well rounded and capable graduates.
At Marshall, they can study high level math and science, take some very interesting STEM courses that aren't offered elsewhere, and earn an IB diploma that shows mastery of all subjects.
It's good that parents and students in the area have choices. About twice as many kids pupil placed from Marshall to McLean for AP last year as transferred from McLean to Marshall for IB. Historically, it's been a bit more of an even split as between Madison and Marshall.
As for English and Social Studies courses, students can challenge themselves with Honors and AP courses, just as they can with IB courses. We've had children at both AP and IB schools and what ultimately matters the most is the quality of the teachers and the dedication of the other students in the class.
For someone living in the Madison district, I would definitely not underestimate the hassle involved getting to Marshall in the morning and afternoon. If FCPS ever agrees to adjust start times, it will just get worse, because students will be arriving at school later, during the AM rush, and then also getting out closer to the evening rush. Traffic on Maple Avenue near Madison can be bad as well, but it's not like going through the middle of Tysons.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 13:27
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
We live in the McLean boundaries, and are sending our math/science kids to Marshall.
Would it be easier for them if they did AP science and math only? Yes. But easy is not what they need. They need to become stronger writers, and spend time studying the intricacies of history and literature. Letting them skip that challenge at an AP school is not going to help them when they get to college. The IB diploma program requires a student to take IB courses in all disciplines, and results in more well rounded and capable graduates.
At Marshall, they can study high level math and science, take some very interesting STEM courses that aren't offered elsewhere, and earn an IB diploma that shows mastery of all subjects.
Would it be easier for them if they did AP science and math only? Yes. But easy is not what they need. They need to become stronger writers, and spend time studying the intricacies of history and literature. Letting them skip that challenge at an AP school is not going to help them when they get to college. The IB diploma program requires a student to take IB courses in all disciplines, and results in more well rounded and capable graduates.
At Marshall, they can study high level math and science, take some very interesting STEM courses that aren't offered elsewhere, and earn an IB diploma that shows mastery of all subjects.
Anonymous
11/15/2013 12:51
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Madison is the whitest school in the area. If you are looking for diversity along with equal or better test scores I would recommend McLean or Marshall.
Madison is 30% minority. McLean has more Asians than Madison, and Marshall has more Hispanics, but it's not like Madison is some 95% white school in the middle of Iowa or Minnesota.
Marshall has more asians, aas and hispanics than madison not that it matters. Are you saying that McLean is better because it has slighlty more asians and slightly less hispanics than marshall?
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:13:4670887004421338:::
0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID:070
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:13:1158687057111186:::
0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID:060
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:13:1228153326932401:::
0_CURRENT_SCHOOL_ID:030
Anonymous
11/15/2013 12:44
Subject: Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Madison is the whitest school in the area. If you are looking for diversity along with equal or better test scores I would recommend McLean or Marshall.
Madison is 30% minority. McLean has more Asians than Madison, and Marshall has more Hispanics, but it's not like Madison is some 95% white school in the middle of Iowa or Minnesota.
So you don't like Hispanics?
Anonymous
11/15/2013 12:42
Subject: Re:Madison HS or the IB program at Marshall HS?
How easy is it for students to take classes at one school verses another? I see that there are buses inbetween the schools, but students must miss a class or two in order to make this happen, correct?