My DC did not apply to the MS magnets due to the logistics..but now really regrets it. He (now at Blair) knows the Takoma kids got a lot more in MS. I think he will be ok in the end but still regrets missing the middle magnet.

Anonymous wrote:Our kid turned down an invitation from Lucy Barnsley and will continue at Wingate. The program seems to have changed since our older kid went there 12 years ago - no emphasis on science anymore, and math is no more advanced than at home school. No point in the program for him then.

He is interested in trying out for Takoma Park MS in two years - we have very good experience with both Takoma Park and North Bethesda MS.

I don't know what it was like 12 years ago, but currently, the program leans heavily to language arts. I don't recall anything exciting in the science curriculum other than the participation in the science fair was mandatory. Their science fair was leagues above the ones at our home school (I have two kids so went to both) - both in number of participants and quality of the science projects.

DC actually turned down trying for MS magnet because it was too far (about 1 hr bus ride). I wanted DC to focus on social life in MS, but the academics at our home MS is not very challenging. In some ways, DC regrets not applying for MS magnet. But there is always HS magnet, so we'll see.

Our kid turned down an invitation from Lucy Barnsley and will continue at Wingate. The program seems to have changed since our older kid went there 12 years ago - no emphasis on science anymore, and math is no more advanced than at home school. No point in the program for him then.

He is interested in trying out for Takoma Park MS in two years - we have very good experience with both Takoma Park and North Bethesda MS.

20:11 - welcome to MCPS. There are a total of 200 spots in MS magnet programs, but many more seats in the HGC. Many HGC kids decide not to apply so they can return to home middle school for social or other reasons (sport or other outside activities, too long bus ride, not wanting to focus solely on humanities or math/sci, etc.) Some HGC kids apply, but do not get admitted. Also, there are many strong candidates in home schools. So, a mix of reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP again - also the HGC is at a much larger school than our home school.

And did you go to your Open House? Lots of parents expressed similar concerns so it is not an unusual concern.

My kids both went to the HGC.

It is dramatic. Maybe you don't think so now, but give it a few years and you'll see - dramatic.

NP here, DC came too mcps too late to apply to hgc but seemsvto fit the accepted profile. Trying to figurevout peer situation at strong home ES. Seems about only half of hgc goes on to magnets..is that more because a lot choose not to try that route or is the non hgc population just that strong?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. We are accepting our slot and planning to send our kid. We can give up the seat later if minds change over the next couple months.

We're trading community for academic acceleration. I'm not sure this is the right trade-off.

I never felt that we were making that tradeoff.

Really, isn't this a bit dramatic?

I agree. My DC is currently at a HGC. We worried about leaving for social reasons. In reality, our community extends beyond our home school.